An adventurous man from New Zealand was traveling overland through Southern Africa when he came across the Zambezi River. He never left. This man, "Bottles" now runs Jet Extreme along a remote rugged stretch of the Zambezi River just down from the Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls National Park & World Heritage Site. Bottles designed a Cable Car and had a group of International engineers build it and fine tune his designs. The jump off point on the … [Read more...]
Jollyboys Backpackers, Livingstone Zambia – June 2014
This hip and urban backpackers hangout features friendly folks, a variety of area activities, private and dorm rooms - but most of all is a central meeting point for adventurous travelers from around the world. It was founded in 1995 by backpackers. Long are the days of basic accommodation for backpackers. This place has wifi, a swimming pool, a restaurant on site, a nice kitchen and some of the tastiest mangoes that drop on the roofs during … [Read more...]
Victoria Falls – April 2014
Victoria Falls is best seen from both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides of the river. The Victoria Falls Bridge crosses the Zambezi River which forms the border for both countries. From the Zimbabwe side you can actually walk across the bridge and technically enter Zambia without going through the border post. Charles Darwin's son, Professor George Darwin officially opened the bridge in 1905. What has to be one of the shortest International flights … [Read more...]
The Insanely-Tested Top Ten Travel Tips for Spring
Spring is the season hope is rekindled, when broken blades are renewed, and light washes the shadows. We can go barefoot in the grass, pluck the charms of flowers, whistle in the warming breeze, and hit the winding road. Jasper Bangs, who has been to 34 countries, with a spring in his step But, as with any venture, travel can have its pitfalls and pitsprings, if the traveler is not rightly attuned to or aware of warning signs. Many, and … [Read more...]
The Dangerous First Descent of the Zambezi
It was Valentine’s Day when I first saw the river; it was love at first sight. Along with a party of tour operators, I had been shuttled between game parks and hotel lobbies for days, all leading up to this: Victoria Falls. While the other occupants of the Land Rover pressed for a glimpse of the great falls upstream, I looked the other way, out of habit. Some 350 feet below the bridge we were driving over, a mighty river coiled and cursed through … [Read more...]
Expedia.com Partners with Passports with Purpose to Raise Funds to Support Children’s Education and Adult Literacy in Mali
BELLEVUE, Wash., November 25, 2013 – Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel company, has agreed to serve as the platinum sponsor of Passports with Purpose, a community fundraiser powered by travel bloggers. Passports with Purpose aims to raise $115,000 for buildOn – relying on the support of thousands of travel enthusiasts – to fund the construction of three primary schools and support three adult literacy programs in Mali, Africa. This … [Read more...]
Ngoma Safari Lodge Botswana
Ngoma Safari Lodge is located on the edges of Chobe National Park in Botswana. This fairly new property opened in May 2011 and was officially dedicated in July 2011 with his Excellency, Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama attending the opening ceremonies. This is isolated luxury at its finest and rawest; the lodge is accessible by any of 3 dirt roads - which are more like 4wd tracks among the bush - there are no signs and you must … [Read more...]
We are in Namibia!
I have acquired a Namibian souvenir in the form of a haircut or perhaps, lack of hair. That is what I get for going into an African barber - leave with a totally shaved head - most of the people here have very short hair. So now I fit in well. We are in the Caprivi Strip - a narrow band of the country bordered by Angola, Zambia and Botswana. It has a convoluted history - at times under Italian, German and South African control. Namibia became … [Read more...]
Crossing from Zambia to Botswana
We arrived yesterday from Zambia crossing what is one of the muddiest border crossings I've been through - the divide between Botswana and Zambia near the town of Kazangula. Guys were hanging out just to carry any extra luggage on their backs through the muddy quagmire. The ferry after the Botswana customs was nothing more than a metal floor hooked to an engine - along with one other tourist, we were the only ones on this ferry. Oh and the money … [Read more...]
Livingstone Zambia
Greetings from the Jollyboy Backpackers Guesthouse. Long gone are the old days of backpacking - where amenities were basic and services on the light side. Here you have excellent Internet access (by sub Saharan Africa standards), a pool, full kitchen and a variety of falls and safari related activities to choose from. The backpackers lodge in Victoria Falls we stayed at even had several onsite masseuses! The "no man's zone" - the area between … [Read more...]