Game Drive Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Zambia

And here I am again covered in a light dusting of Zambia after yet another amazing game drive. This time at Mosi oa Tunya. It is the real name of Victoria Falls and this region. It means The Smoke that Thunders. They have an incredible national park, all open, right in their backyards. The park has 6 different land cover categories...hmm how easily one can slip back into work. So, a variety of animals are there. But the big one is the White Rhino. A pair were brought in from South Africa in 2007. The herd has gone up to 11 but currently at 9.5, baby on the way. Also Hippo, baboons, impala, Warthog, wide assortment of birds, and flora...and snakes. 

Able, my guide, told me about the Blue Sour Plum plant and it's curative medicinal properties. He was bitten by a spitting cobra at age 7 and picked the leaves, chewed them, and rubbed them on the bite....and he survived to tell the tale! Yes, MY guide...I got to do this drive all by myself! Pick up at 0630 and, as all great days start, we are greeted by a herd of elephants on the hotel driveway. It never gets old. 

The park is a very short drive. It is meant to include a walk to the rhinos. These animals are so precious that they are guided by Rangers. The Rangers let guides know where it is safe to walk to them. These walks can be quite long and slightly rough terrain. So I wasn't sure if this part was something I could do. No worries...they came to me. Just got lucky! After I post this, off to the spa for a facial and shoulder massage!

Elephants in the Driveway

Sorry I'm late. There was an Elephant jam.

Zebra

First glimpse of white rhino: mother and baby

Just on a stroll. We got so lucky to see them out and about. Their guardians no doubt helped a little.

They seem to be walk along with us.

And we turned a corner and here they were. Momma watching over while baby takes a nap.

Yep, she is looking right at us. Their guardians are with them but rarely seen. It would be very easy for a poacher to get in so they have to be ready.

Another hard to see giraffe

Cute but very mischievous monkeys

If they sense you have food, they would jump on the truck and take it.

He's waiting for an opportunity 

Ruins of guardian huts. Apparently, years ago they would hire young single men to live in the reserve in these small structures. The men would party so much that they were replaced with shifts of people so no one lives at reserve anymore. Like so many areas I've seen and will see, the ruins are just left to deteriorate. In some cases, the remnants are used as road markers, pothole fillers, bump warnings, etc

A muster of Marabou storks, aka undertaker bird. One guide told me the group name was "funeral". Guess he was joking

Baboons and the beginning of some action

The big guy is coming through.

Hang on tight, baby!

Some sort of bird. Looks hawk-like.

A type of vulture keeping an eye out for breakfast. 

Having coffee break at the picnic area on bank of Zambezi

Old Drift Cemetery. Site of early European settlers in the falls region. Many died of Malaria and were buried here. They moved to higher ground further from river to what is now Livingstone.

Another cemetery view

Warthog seeking a peek

Impala and baboons enjoying a snack

A surprise sight along the way...

In all his glory

He is eating supplemental food that the Zambian government provides for the animals in this park. Much of their natural local food is gone so they get a little helping hand

The most dangerous creature in Africa...the Zambian puppy

Back to the hotel for a facial and head and shoulder massage. 

Then, a trip into Livingstone for some shopping.

The grocery store had my favorite toiletries for a lot less. And some snacks!!