Southern Africa - South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia
August 23 - September 15, 2016
Part Four, Page Four - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Some of us opted to go on an elephant back safari at the
Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. The elephants were
rescued elephants that could not go back to the wild. Here
their handlers are bringing them to us for our ride.
Here is how we got on and off the elephants. The handler would feed treats
to the
elephant while we were getting on. You can see that this elephants
trunk
is back accepting a treat.
The elephant I rode on, Masuwe, with handler Mandy.
Handler Mandy with me and fellow tour member Ellen
riding on Masuwe.
A giraffe close to our elephants. A guide walked in front of our line
of elephants with a rifle just as a precaustion in case of unexpected
wildlife attacks.
Nearby baby giraffe. We saw mainly giraffes, warthogs,
and birds on the elephant walk. It was hard to take photos
while riding on the elephant.
A handler getting off his elephant after the
elephant has knelt down, not a natural position
for an elephant.
After the ride, we had the opportunity to feed treats
to the elephant we had ridden. Had to keep our legs
on the outside of the elephant's leg while sitting so
the elephant could see them.
Warthogs living in the area knew the routine, so showed up
when we were feeding treats to the elephants in the hope
of getting treats dropped on the ground.
Another optional tour was a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls.
In the foreground is the Devil's Cataract, then the Main Falls, leading
back to the other Falls where little water was flowing due to dry season,
Zambia and Livingstone, Zambia in the background. You can see the
Victoria Falls Bridge upper right that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia above
the Second Gorge of the Zambezi River.
Broader view showing the Zambezi River dropping into the
First Gorge where Victoria Falls is. The Victoria Falls Park
in Zimbabwe is the green and brown area across the gorge
from the Falls.
This view also shows the Second Gorge in the right part of the photo.
View from the Zambian end.
You can see the start of the Third Gorge of
the Zambezi River in the upper left of the photo.
Back at Zimbabwe end of the First Gorge
Baby baboon playing in a tree in downtown Victoria Falls.
I was walking back to our hotel from downtown, a 10 minute
walk, when I realized a bunch of baboons (a troop) were in
an open area alongside the main road in town.
Baby climbing on Mom's back
Baboons live about 20-30 years.
People passing by while baboons are wandering around.
It is a common, everyday occurrence to the town residents.
A baby baboon develops quickly. By 5-6 weeks, a baby
can ride on the mother's back. Although mother and baby
form a close bond, by 4-6 months, the two spend most
of the day apart.
Mating activity under way
Baboons do not have a definite breeding season and
are sexually active throughout the year. Gestation
period is around 140 days, after which a single young is born.
I don't think he purchased that drink.
Baboons crossing the main road. Zimbabweans
drive cars on the left side of the road. I noticed
the baboons I saw here knew enough to look right
first,
then left before crossing.
Link to Part Five, Page One - Impalila Island, Namibia
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