Day 91: Arrive in Zimbabwe in Time for First Safari Game Drive!

We woke early to fly to Harare, Zimbabwe, then connected there to a single-engine plane — whose pilot looked like a 15-year-old Graham O’Donahue — that took us to Zimbabwe’s northern border near Lake Kariba.

None of us enjoyed this flight. I only survived by watching a new ep of Queer Eye (season 3 is awesome!!).

Our lodge is Bumi Hills, which overlooks the lake. As we descended, we saw a herd of elephants milling around the water’s edge.

I’ve done a few safaris already with my family but for everyone else this is a first. I had no problem repeating the experience, and suspect we’ll be back for more in life.

Lila and Willa are in one room, while Teddy, James and I are in another. We dropped our bags and headed right out for a sunset game drive with our guide for the week, Ntando.

It was a leisurely swing filled with elephants (three babies and “a teenager” according to James), zebra, impala, buffalo and — when the sun set — hippos (including two adorable babies). No cats.

The grownups had G&Ts and the kids had Sprite while watching the buffalo. The kids were kidn of annoying about fighting over binoculars, but I think they will get into the groove. At least I hope so.

It’s hot here! Wasn’t expecting that so much. But it feels pretty good.

We had a nice outdoor dinner and turned in around 9:30 pm.