Sorry for the delay between posts. We have been without internet for some time.
Many people have visited Zimbabwe by way of Victoria Falls, but few people continue the journey beyond city of the magnificent falls. Over the course of a week, we were lucky to see some of the great wonders Zimbabwe has to offer.
Backing up a few days, we crossed the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe. It is more of a process due to the requirement of a $30 visa. A few hours later we arrived in Victoria Falls (our third time in three years). A trip to Victoria Falls town is not complete unless you visit the Falls National Park. We did so with our whole group. It was such fun to experience with those seeing it for the first time. The falls never cease to amaze!
The next day, I opted for a very early morning game drive with my new friend Emily. We were lucky enough to see a 2-week-old baby rhino with its mother. The baby was adorable and running around just like toddlers would.
While I was at the game drive, Robert jumped at the chance to go white water rafting with some friends from our group. Nine of them ventured out into the Zambezi River with excitement to take on some of the toughest rapids in the world.
Then after 20 days with our new friends, we had to say goodbye to all but two. Alex and Sarah stayed on with us as we continued to explore Zimbabwe.
Venturing farther into Zimbabwe, we headed for Hwange National Park. It is the largest of all National Parks in Zimbabwe and is famous for the large quantity of elephants that call the park home. Our terrific guide, Ian, picked us up in the early afternoon for a game drive. On our drive we saw many animals from our safari vehicle. We also stopped at the viewing tower to watch the animals around the waterhole. After several hours, Ian took us back to camp where our Nomad guide was cooking dinner. The evening would be prove to be full of surprises.
Just before Ian surprised us by taking us for a night drive, we spotted a leopard strolling through our camp. After a brief close call, we jumped back in the safari truck with Ian and went to a different area of Hwange. Doing a game drive in the complete darkness with nothing but a spotlight, is an incredible experience. It’s not a time you can take pictures, you just have to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the night. Within the first 10 minutes of entering the park, we saw another leopard stalking across the road. Wow, we have waited 2 years to see leopards and then saw 2 in one night! But the highlight of the night was when Ian turned off the lights when we neared a group of elephants. The only way to see them was the light of the moon. It was absolutely awesome! Seeing African wildlife never gets old!
Th
e next morning, we took down our tents and packed the truck. We had a four-hour drive broken up by a stop in Zimbabwe’s second biggest city, Bulawayo. Our guide allowed us some time to explore the down town. Then we continued on the road to Motopo National Park. It is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site because of its intensive protection of Black and White Rhinos. Ian, our safari guide from Hwange, made the drive to Motopo as well. He is an expert in Zimbabwe wildlife and is very passionate about the protection of the Rhinos. He was excited to take us on a walk into to the bush in search of rhinos. 
After climbing up to the top of a rock hill, he spotted the rhinos in the distance. Our group hiked directly to them and had the incredible experience of being very close to them in the wild. Being within 10 feet of such a moment we will not soon forget. Click here to see a video of the rhinos close up.
Leaving the wildlife parks behind us, our next stop was the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The historic capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe dating back to the late Iron Age is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is famous for the intricate stone work completed on the top of the hill as well as soapstone bird carvings that have been sold and traded all of the world before being returned to their home country. It is the largest structure of its kind in Africa, second only to the Pyramids of Giza. It is an intriguing place to visit offering insight into the historic culture of Zimbabwe.
The bonus of the Zimbabwe Ruins was all the wildlife that was hanging around. My favorite was the rainbow colored lizards hiding between the rocks.
Our last major activity before ending our 25-day tour was to cross the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa. This crossing was the longest and most difficult. The lines are extremely long and the people waiting are forced to wait in the heat of the sun. This is border crossing that takes more time. It was interesting to people watch during the wait. The locals were carrying their belongings on their heads from one country to the other.
After finishing at the border, we went a few hours farther until we reached Johannesburg, South Africa. We stayed one night and then took the short flight back to Cape Town.
The final days in Africa will be posted soon.