Since I’ve been home I’ve had lots of reader requests for photos from my trip to Africa, and of course I’m thrilled to share! So even though this has nothing at all to do with wedding planning, I hope you’ll all enjoy a peek into the incredible experience I had traveling through Zambia and Botswana. It was a life changing look at a world so far from my own, and I’ll carry it with me forever.
We did a lot of driving over the 3 week stay, which gave us an amazing opportunity to see different parts of the country. These are photos of some of the towns, villages and markets we passed through, the ferry that carried us across the border from Zambia to Botswana, and the adorable kids that I fell in love with everywhere we went. Even in their dirty and torn clothes and life that seems nothing but impoverished, they were still so full of joy and giggles and playfulness, just like any other little kids. 
We were lucky enough to visit three different wildlife areas- Kafue National Park, Chobe National Park and South Luangwa National Park, as well as the spectacular Victoria Falls. One of the most exciting things I’ve ever done was to swim across the river and climb into a natural pool that forms right at the very edge of the falls, called The Devil’s Pool. During the dry season the water levels are low and a rock wall creates a pool and stops you from going over the edge. It was AMAZING! My sister, boyfriend and I made the trek with the help of some very brave guides, and we were on an adrenaline high for the rest of the day. I think my mouth is hanging wide open in these pictures because I just couldn’t believe where I was!
And then there were the animals, we saw an unbelievable amount of animals! There were elephants…
…hippos, hippos and more hippos…
…buffalo, impala, kudu, waterbuck, zebras, warthogs (I loved the warthogs!) giraffes…
…playful baboons, and lounging lions…
…and more birds than you could possibly keep track of. 
The local people were so warm and welcoming, and it was great to see the Agricultural research my Dad is doing there up close and personal. The landscape was beautiful and dramatic, the culture was rich and fascinating, and there was more poverty there than I had personally ever seen before; it was a perspective changing experience to say the least! It’s hard to recap everything in such a small amount of space, but hopefully this gives you a glimpse at some of the things that make this part of the wold so special.
And now, I promise, we will get back to all weddings, all the time! Thanks for being such enthusiastic and supportive readers!
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Christy – In the first “playful baboon” picture, is the baboon actually stopping to smell the flowers, or did you catch it just before eating them? And who is taking the pictures of you all on the edge of the falls?
Thanks for sharing your experience Christy!
Thanks guys! Bob- at first I thought the baboon was just smelling the flowers because he held on to them for a while, but then sure enough he gobbled them up! Delicious! And the photos at Victoria Falls were taken by my step-mom who was watching from dry ground, as well as one of the guides who somehow managed to keep our cameras dry all the way across the river! The guy had skills!
Wow — that is fantastic! I think it’s time I had an adventure of my own :) Thanks for posting these.
This looks like such an incredible experience, and the rock wall pool at Victoria Falls looks insanely amazing (and frightening!) The photos are beautiful; thank you so much for sharing them!
These pictures are just gorgeous!
ADVENTURE! What a great way to broaden one’s perspective. Hats off and thanks for the pics!
Lovely photos, it sure brings back memories of my honeymoon in Kenya. What I loved most is that we did 5 days checking out the wonderful wildlife then 7 days just chilling at the resort!. We got the excitment and the relaxation on our honeymoon.
wow, thanks for sharing! i bet the pictures didn’t do the trip justice. i would love to have a similar experience like yours!
WOW- THE WATERFALL- HOW SURREAL IS THAT stunning photograph- it looks like something from the movies must have been amazing to see in real life