Just because I tell stories of solo adventures, does not mean I have avoided group adventures. Group travel is more cost effective than individual one. When you travel with others, you feel a sense of security especially when in remote locations. Group travel also provides opportunities to meet new people and make friends with like-minded people.

I felt this way about the trip to Lower Zambezi. Some of the things I loved about this trip were:

1) The preps

As one who loves food blogging mostly through restaurant reviews, I would have loved to share step-by-step how I prepared the mouth-watering roasted spiced potatoes with meatballs in onion rings dish and vanilla cake for dessert. It’s always exciting to be in the kitchen and more so if it has to do with a trip. I loved the other preparations like packing of things we were going to be using.

2) The wonders of an 11 hour road trip

It is a known fact that a road trip can be relaxing. I loved this trip because as earlier mentioned, it was one done with like-minded people. Sing-along songs were done naturally, goofing around was welcome and I think that is why some people prefer group trips to solo trips. We passed through many towns like Kitwe, Ndola, Kapiri Mposhi, and Lusaka to get to the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. You will find the Zambezi River here and surprisingly in many parts of the country because it happens to be one of the longest rivers in Africa.

3) Camping out

Camping solo sounds like a thrilling activity if the place is one having wild animals. I know of some places here like hostels in the middle of a city yet have camping sites. This does not appear the same as camping in or near a national park with all sorts of wildlife. Some dangerous, some not. This is not the sort of place to do a loner camping trip unless you are as brave as the Incredible Hulk. I am glad we were a team.

In certain parts of the world, camping is more common than in other places. In this part of the country, tourists coming from outside the country camp more than locals. I must say we are missing out on lots of fun here. Some lodges in the outskirts do offer camping space and we enjoyed this service at Kiambi Safari Lodge.

We had enough camping space next to the Zambezi River and if we wanted to, we could have been in the other type of accommodation offered like chalets and cabins but that was not the style of this trip. The good thing about being with people who are expert campers is that you just tag along or help where you can. I learned several things I am gonna try out on my next camp trip. I loved the spot and the fact that the convenience block was close to our tents. There were times I imagined myself face to face with some large animal on my way to the restrooms because of the signposts that were around.

4) Great views on boat rides

It was not enough to just camp next to the Zambezi River but also enjoy the lovely scenery on the boat. Kiambi Safari Lodge did offer boat rides. Boating on this long river is a must-do. I loved the beautiful scenery of mountains on the horizon, the greenery as well as the presence of some animals on water. Elephants were found in these waters either on their own or in numbers. Because we were on the water, most animals spotted were crocodiles, hippos that were trying to cool off, elephants, and bird life. I am not sure what sort of birds make holes like this but the woodpecker was my guess. On the other hand, I figured woodpeckers only make holes on tree bucks.

5) Driving through the national park

As we approached the Lower Zambezi National Park gate, we found a signpost having some park rules that should be followed. It was a long drive around and through the park and to be honest, all of us were dying to come face to face with a lion. We have heard enough stories of those who have found the lion on these park drives. Did we find the lion or the lions? Was this our lucky day?

We were happy to see water bucks and I liked the species that had a white ring on their backside. I was only lucky to take a photo of one because they are jumpy or scared. Not to sound ungrateful to mother nature but I have seen enough antelopes. We saw loads of them and I think I have seen enough to last a lifetime.

The national park is graced with lots of chimpanzees and monkeys. Having seen lots from the monkey family, I was dying to see animals I don’t see often. The elephants were in numbers here. It was a treat to spot warthogs and buffalos because I don’t get to see them often. The other animals I should say I was happy to see were zebras. These I do not get to see often and I thought their close friends, the giraffes would be close by but this was not our lucky day to spot them. And just like the giraffes, the lions were not within our reach. I can’t say I was that disappointed but coming here again just to see a lion may or may not be possible so better luck next time.

6) Lasting moments

Lasting moments should be to end this trip with a good evening on a sunset cruise enjoying our last moments here. This scene is unforgettable. And because the weather is chilly during this time of the year, having a fire place set was a perfect idea telling all our stories there and having some other campers around was nice. This last evening made me want to rewind select, so we relive the four days again. I also thought of this because it was when we heard a lion roar from a distance and I was happy that though we didn’t see the lion on the game drive, this was an audible gift from this beast.