This small bustling town was named after David Livingstone, born in 1813 in the small Scottish Town Blantyre. His dream was to migrate to China as a doctor and missionary at the age off 20 Years. The so called opium war shattered his dream. He accidentally met missionary Robert Moffat and decided to follow him to Africa. His wife and kids followed him some years later. Living and preaching  in Kuruman for years, he decided to explore the regions further north.

With several tough going expeditions, he eventually explored the 3 Great Lakes, the Okavango Delta along the Chobe River and the whole length of the Zambezi River, including Victoria Falls, named after her majesty, Queen of England. David Livingstone died on his last mission in 1873 at the Benguela swamps in Zambia, obsessed to find the source of the Nile river. Famed as one of the seven wonders off the world, people flock in their thousands to either the Zambian or Zimbabwean side to witness the sheer force off water off the truly spectacular Victoria Falls.

Jasmine joined me again for a relaxed drive to Livingstone, family too close 24/7 gets a bit much. I sure understand and some nice company is always welcome to join me and Zimba. Particularly after the radio stopped working several weeks back. We somehow passed the Italian convoy while they were having lunch and we arrived first.

Most surprising was the herd off elephants, that just crossed this busy road and disappeared in the bush.

Let’s see if we can track them them down. And we did.

They passed right in front of us on a telephone wire track.

No aggressive behaviour at all.

What a start to Livingstone. As the Italians were still hours off, we decided to drive on to Victoria Falls, to cross the bridge for a first glimpse over the Falls.

We passed Zimbabwen customs, even though the border post looked a bit scratchy.

He sure kept a good eye on his surroundings,

and spotted some monkey business going on. We’re in Africa after all.

The high level bridge was completed in 1907, a technical and complicated marvel for those days.

It still stands strong and connects Zambia with Zimbabwe. The train tracks are still used for an old steam train arriving now and then, loaded with tourists. Right in the middle is the bungee jump off point, for those who dare. Even though suffering from vertigo, Jasmine was determined to take the plunge. Not today though.

We spent some time to watch these amazing waterfalls.

Wood carving vendors operate here too. That’s nothing new, but when this little boy saw this relatively large elephant carving, he was not impressed.

His anxious face looked rather cute.

The sun was setting and still be news from our Italians.

I spotted a nice place by the Zambezi River to watch the sunset,

just the perfect ending for this exciting start to Victoria Falls.

As soon as we joined the finally arriving Italian mob at ‘Livingstone Safari Camp’, there was drama all around. The once flourishing and spacious Camp area has been neglected over the years and didn’t meet general camping requirements. Shame really, as it is located way outside Livingstone right in the bush. 

We moved to ‘Thorn Tree Lodge/ Campground’ the next morning. This clean and well run campground lies next to a small river, which attracted elephants on regular basis. It is an incredible sight to see these giants slowly pass the camping area, just a few meters away.

Even hippos venture up stream from the Zambezi River. This one was permanent though.

The big gecko artwork was my favourite though.

With large fire area, pool and trampoline, it had everything to keep everyone entertained.

Clever homemade art was placed in different locations. Really cool.

Even ghostly shadows appeared now and then.

It was halftime for this Italian convoy. Jasmine and her brother Riccardo and Loredana fly back to Italy, whilst new arrivals would arrive in Livingstone, to explore Botswana and Namibia. 13 cars all up, Claudio asked me if I wanted to join. We’ll see.