Hello from Zimbabwe!

We have just spent the most amazing month in Livingstone, Zambia working with Lion Encounter in association with ALERT working towards releasing Lions back into the wild. We have also been rather hot this month with temperatures regularly getting into the mid 40's but we adjusted well (most of the time!)

We walked the lions within the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park which had wild elephants, buffalo etc which we had to dodge on our walks! Aswell as walking lions we took part in the research process of the wild pride of lions that have now been released into a Stage 2 area in Dambwa Forrest, Livingstone!

We were only 12km from the World Famous Victoria Falls and so spent time doing activities there including White Water Rafting the 25 rapids of the Mighty Zambezi (Including grade 5 rapids). We went with a group from our project and had the most spectacular day! It really was an adrenaline filled day! As its the hot season the Falls were relatively low so we were able to walk right across the top and even dangle our feet over the edge! We also took a Microlight flight over the falls which was stunning and Paul got to fly it as well (and survived to tell the tale!)

We were also only 10km from Livingstone itself so we were able to spend time going out into town which was lovely! Our project also included some really cool stuff like going to the local school to teach for the day and also spending a "Cultural Day" spending a day with a local family and doing things their way which was fun (all except the fact that I had to kneel down to give Paul his dinner :( Never again!!!!!!)

We have had plenty of practice hacking up donkeys, cows, chickens etc too! We were able to use the facilities of one of the local Sadari lodges whilst we were staying with the lions which was cool as we could use their pool and bar at night. Although Paul did have to get picked up in the car one night instead of walking back as there were wild elephants in his way! We quite regularly got hippos and other wildlife in our garden so we had to be careful at times lol!

We crossed the border this morning into Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls and we pick up our overland trip tomorrow morning which will take us through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and through to Cape Town, South Africa, so we are really looking forward to that right now! Its just the beginning of a new adventure!

Theres so much thats happened and to tell everyone but I don't have enough words and I'm sure we will bore you all with them when we get back!!!!

Lots of Love to Everyone!

Love Claire and Paul.