Week 2: Victoria Falls to Cape Town

Last I wrote, we were just about to head off on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi...a very easy way to begin what would turn out to be an adrenaline filled few days in Victoria Falls. The following morning, on the Zambian side of the falls, began the day with a microlight (picture a motorized tricycle with paper wings) directly over the falls. It was an incredible view of 500 million liters of water per second plumetting 300 feet over a mile-long stretch. An added bonus was that there were hundreds of elephants, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, etc. that could be seen from above going about their usual business. Truly spectacular and a good warm up for the morning.

That afternoon, Phil and I crossed to the Zimbabwean side before bungee jumping from 360 feet over the Victoria Falls gorge...the 3rd tallest jump in the world and most likely the most beautiful (there was a full circle rainbow at the bottom of the jump and the falls are roaring behind you the whole time). And none of this is mentioning the sights and sounds of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side-- a view that was definitely one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen.

Continuing on that theme, we arrived in Cape Town Friday night. What a great city -- fantastic food, really friendly people, and the backdrop of Table Mountain (another of the most amazing sights I have seen). Took the cable car up yesterday morning for some unparalleled views and spent the afternoon in Stellenboch wine country. This afternoon, we'll be seeing a few more sights with a couple South Africans we met , and then I am off to Zanzibar tomorrow on my own for a few days before heading to Nairobi and finally Uganda to start the volunteer program!

Week 1: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia

From watching the sun rise over the Kalahari to catching a glimpse of a leopard stalking its prey, it's hard to believe we've only been in Africa a week. To say it has been a fantastic time would be an understatement. We started in Johannesburg before traveling overland to Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Elephant Sands, and Chobe National Park. We are now in Zambia just by Victoria Falls, getting ready for a sunset cruise over the Zambezi river.

To say the least, it has been quite an experience -- camping each night under the stars, having some beers by the fire, meeting some good people from all over the world, eating local foods such as kudu and impala. And then there's the sights -- we have seen all of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo) as well as a ton of giraffe, zebra, monkeys, antelope, etc. Unbelievable seeing them in their natural environment. Giraffe appear to be the most curious about us, often following us with their eyes until we are out of sight, but we've come face to face (within 3 feet) of a pride of lions and a bunch of elephants as well. I have taken a ton of photos but since it is hard to post them all at the moment, here is a sample, taken at night of a lion just a few feet from away!

Anyways, next up is bungee jumping at Victoria Falls (3rd highest jump in the world at 360+ feet), hand gliding over the falls, and then heading down to Cape Town for a few days. Will try to write more in a week or so. Hope you all are well!

Off to Africa

In just two short weeks, I am off to Africa for the second time in my life. Before beginning the volunteer program in Uganda, I'll be traveling with a former co-worker, Phil Auerbach, who has some time off before he moves on from Novantas to McKinsey. We'll be starting in Johannesburg, South Africa before heading on an overland tour through the Panorama Route to Kruger National Park (South Africa), Chobe National Park (Botswana), and Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) before returning to Cape Town for a few days. After that, I am off to Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Nairobi (Kenya) for a few days each before I begin my program in Uganda. Very exciting stuff!

As a side note, some people have brought up potential safety concerns surrounding the anti-Indian violence in Uganda last month that resulted in the death of one Indian and stoning of many others, but I am comfortable that this was an isolated event and have been assured by FSD and other people from the region that I should be safe. So no worries -- I will be careful but don't anticipate many problems!