Trip start
Thorntree Lodge
Thorntree Lodge is located about 15 KMs west of Livingstone on the Zambezi River. Our plan was to get acclimatized for two days before doing the actual safari. Stuart Roberts (manager) met us and spent a lot of time with us as there were very few guests at the time.
Stuart had very delightful meals prepared each day. He also provided a river cruise and visits to Victoria Falls and Mosi-o-Tunya.
Send questions and comments to [email protected] and I will answer when time permits
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The chalets are made of stone with a straw roof. They were very cold during the night (temperatures around 5-8 degrees). The days warmed up.
As we were right on the Zambezi River, the animals would come to the water to drink or would come out of the water (hippos) at night to feed.
As the hippos are black and do not reflect light from a flash at night, it was very difficult to get a picture. I did manage to get within a few feet of a feeding hippo in the dark and then tripped a few times trying to run away when the hippo grunted.
There were many baboons and monkeys around the lodge, as well as a number of elephants in the fields beyond the lodge.
Arriving at Thorntree Lodge
Stuart, was a very gracious host
The group when we returned after the safari
The main building of Thorntree Lodge, where we were wined and dined by the friendly staff
We started to relax and enjoy the first step of our Zambian adventure
Another view
The always open (and free) bar in the main building
Chris and Vaughan's view of the river from their chalet
Our chalet (Blaze Thorn) with stone walls and straw roof
The entrance to our chalet (a few feet from the lower Zambezi River)
The toilet and shower facilities inside our chalet
This tree frog seemed to own the cold water tap and stayed there during my morning shower
The start of the nightly mosquito netting ... very few mosquitoes in the cold nights of the dry season
Our first view of wild life (baboons) outside our chalet
Close-up of the local baboons
One of the many lizards around (and inside) our accommodations
One of the many flowers around the lodge
Thorntree Lodge, from the river cruise
Very colourful whitefronted bee-eaters seen from the river cruise
The elephant rides we missed next to the lodge ... too many things to do in too little time
The view from the front of the main lodge, as the sun sets, 17:00
The sunset cruise, with Mabena (the driver) and Bill (the only other guest at the lodge).
One of the excellent sunsets from the front of the main lodge around 17:30
The huge table used for meals in the main lodge
Mosquito netting is used at every lodge and camp
Helen getting comfortable the first night under the netting
Helen was alarmed when the netting began to move, just after turning out the lights. Turned out to be our first frog visit.
Just thought I would throw in another old car ...
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Trip start