Next Lexie, Peashy and I traveled across the border to Botswana. As we approached the border we saw that there were more than 50 sixteen wheeler trucks lined up to cross with various kinds of goods. Our guide, Steve informed us that trucks can wait as long as three weeks to cross the border. The border over to Botswana is a ferry across the Zambezi River. Luckily it took us approximately an hour to have our passports signed and for us to enter Botswana.
Our destination was Elephant Sands, situated in the middle of the bush. Our guide informed us that there are more than 360,000 elephants in Botswana, the biggest population in the world. In Africa, elephants are poached illegally for the ivory all the time. In Botswana our guide shared with us that if you are found in the bush with a gun you will be shot at as the authorities will assume you are poaching. If you are not dead, you will be dragged behind the authorities vehicle and brought to the station where you will be forced to dig a hole in the ground, essentially your own grave. The authorities will then insist that you tell them who you are working for and where the ivory you were trying to secure was going and who the buyer was. If you do share the information, they will shoot you and you will drop into the hole you dug for yourself, if you don’t tell them they will torture you and then shoot you. All in all, the outcome is not good for any poacher.


Once we arrived at Elephant Sands we did a game drive after we were situated in our chalet. I wanted to go for a walk or a run but the staff said that was not advisable given the amount of lions, hyenas and elephants in the area. Instead, we resorted to enjoying a few Hunters by the watering hole.
The following evening, the staff took us out into the bush for a braai – it was probably one of the most memorable braais I have ever had. Amazing food, a big fire, surrounded by new friends and family. En route back to the lodge, we encountered a bull that was as tall as a building just casually walking along the road. It was so unexpected Lexie even let out a “EEEk!”

We left Elephant Sands and Botswana and headed to Zambia specifically Victoria Falls. We made excellent time at the border and arrived at our hotel, The Waterfront, which was right on the Zambezi River. That evening we took a sunset boat cruise down the river for our last night. The following day, we found out that you are able to bungee jump off the bridge that runs between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Given my fear of heights, I knew I wouldn’t be partaking however Lexie couldn’t stop talking about it.
She was a pro!


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We also had the opportunity to walk with lions and ride elephants while in Zambia. I think this was by far my favorite part.


