Now we’re talkin Africa

 Septmember 28 Slept in. We skipped the Safari at 5am. this morning and got some much needed sleep. W had a nice breakfast and spent the morning relaxing, shopping and packing. We will travel by the Safari Link Shuttle 5 hours to Johannesburg and spend the night there.  Beautifully decorated with Cudo Skull I love they way the porcupine quills were framed at the hotel Love this center piece I have a similar vase—Will try this at home Cycad. I wonder if this will grow in Friendswood September 29th Ugh. Randy has come down with a cold. I hope I don’t get it. The good news is we are going to upgrade to business  class. 🤞 Last Latte before to 21 hour flight home!

 Sept 26th Night Safari and Sept 27th 5am Safari—One more Safari to go. We were able to get out of the Land Cruiser and walk around the Cheetahs. They didn’t seem to mind. Scary and amazing. We saw more hippos. Chobes, a Greater Cudo, a Tigress, a Banana Billed Hornbill. Greater Kudu Every turn of the horn indicates 2 years of age This Lioness says hi She posed tor us for a long time I love the reflections of the Impalas in their drinking hole Can’t get enough of the Cheetahs The Cheetah even took a picture with us outside the Land Cruiser. We stopped and had beef Jerkey and Wine, a lovely pairing, and the Hippos headed our way. Headed back to the lodge our guides lit up the scenery Sept 27th We started out at 5am 😱 This beauty made it well worth the early wake up call. Banana Beaked Hornbill The Lion Sleeps Tonight  at 6 am Why are you waking me up? Birds ride between the giraffe horns for free A buffalo crossing She’s not happy to see us I just love their faces! Last Liones...

  Day 11- 12Sept 25-26 last  day at Insika  w e had a leisurely breakfast of Eggs Benedict and Lattes. Our pickup to the airport and on to Johannesburg was 10am. We got our suitcases reorganized relaxed by the pool.   The flight to Johannesburg was in a small plane ugh. Our hotel was at the airport where we could grab a light dinner, do some shopping and spend the night.  And my Eggs Benedict—So Spoiled We were delivered to the Airport Hotel in Johannesburg where we ate dinner and went to bed to prepare for our departure to Karongwe Game reserve. A stop along our 5 hour trip to Karongwe I think he likes me! A safe Rhino Our room. Aren’t the elephant towels cute? Towel delivery at it best! Bet you can’t guess what we’re doing next. At 4 pm there is yet another Safari. But we hear from our friends who got here before we did they get pretty close to the animals so don’t miss it.

  Day 9 Sept 14 A full Day in Chobe Botswana  We started off somewhat early from the Insika  Lodge with a prepackaged breakfast for Chobe. Once again, the border was difficult with a long line of passport stamping. After stopping for coffee and more food, we boarded the top level of 2-decker catamaran for a tour of the islands around Chobe Animal Preserve. When we thought we had seen every animal alive, we were thrilled to see monkeys, crocodiles, buffalos, fish eagles, elephants, hippos, an 800-year old  baobab tree—Cream of tartar is harvested from the fruit. We also saw the African Kudu. As we saw the Lilac breasted roller, the guide said you must get him flying off showing his wing span. I was the only one of 10 people that go that shot. Ok, it was only a partial wing span. Even so, it was pretty special. After exiting Botswana with another long passport stamping, we arrived back at Insika Lodge in time for a steak dinner. My fave— the buffalo Our open vehic...

 Day 8 September 23 started with a Latte We woke up early enough to have a leisurely breakfast of some of my fave foods. A latte and Eggs Benedict. Did I expect to get that in Africa—No, but delighted I did. Today we started off with a  Victoria Falls walking tour on the Zimbabwe side and helicopter ride. Our evening was a Night game drive with a bush dinner. The day was not so rushed and the hours were doable. No 3am wake up calls! I’m in heaven Unfortunately there is a drought in Africa! The falls are not as wide Still, they are spectacular We didn’t get as wet as we did in Argentina and Brazil A view of the falls from the helicopter  A cocktail for lunch Yum  A relaxing view from our room A sunset Safari Young male elephants fighting as young males do  A different species of Zebra with a thin tan stripe between the black on the right of the photo Another wonderful sunset The Burchell Zebra has black and thin Brown stripes