Day 11 - Flatdogs Campsite (Luangwa, Zambia)

We left Malawi yesterday morning and arrived in Zambia at around lunchtime. It was a long journey as 150 km were traveled over dusty, gravel road. The border crossing was pretty smooth though, and apart from Chris having to 'persuade' the border patrol with a 'gift' for forgetting to bring his Yellow Fever vaccination card, things went pretty hitch free.

There's a distinct difference between the kids that come running to the road to greet us in this country. As well as most of them waving and shouting like in Malawi, most of them also hold out their hands expecting some sort of handout. This country is still pretty poor and the life expectancy is apparently only 33 years old! Quite amazing for 2008.

We staying at a really nice camp, and again we have escaped the tents for a couple of nights. We are in really nice chalets with proper beds and en-suite showers. It's all a bit luxurious. As we drove into the camp last night, we were treated to the sight of an elephant and her calf just outside the main gate. Hippos were wandering around the camp at night too, and we were woken at about midnight by one of them munching and groaning outside the bedroom window.

Up at 5am, we went on a safari walk and drive and managed to see a whole range of animals including crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, impala, giraffe and zebra. They were all so close, too. It seems quite unreal seeing them so close and so wild. We're doing another one tonight which will be in the dark so hopefully we'll be able to see some big cats. The other group saw a pride of lions earlier and apparently the male was quite scrawny so due a feed - we may get to see that action tonight.