After a long journey from Düsseldof via Dubai, we arrive in Lusaka, Zambia. There the travel agent is already waiting for us with sign and all. The bags are immediately taken over and we are taken to the check-in desk for the domestic flight to Mfuwe. The small propeller plane for up to 30 people lands safely in Mfuwe, where we are again met, this time by someone from Kafunta Lodges. Meanwhile, the sky turns orange and soon it becomes pitch black. Via the main road (dirt road with occasional asphalt) we take the turnoff to Kafunta. Right there, our first surprise awaits us: a giraffe crossing right in front of us.

Arriving at Kafunta, we received a warm welcome and were immediately allowed to join dinner. In the morning, we are awakened at 5:15 a.m. for our first game drive. During breakfast we will meet our guide David. He will remain our guide for the first week. We take the pontoon bridge: jeep on it and we are taken across by hand. The first encounter with the beautiful nature in Zambia will always stay with me: the sunrise, perhaps more beautiful than the sunset, the animals slowly waking up in the dawn or just finding peace, all the sounds that we can't immediately bring home but which we assume are wishing each other good morning and telling how their night went or wishing each other goodnight. Also in the afternoon we will do a game drive and after the sundowner with gin & tonic we will look for nocturnal animals. Very exciting and special to be able to look into the lives these animals live. After four days, we leave our beautiful lodge with pain in our hearts.

We headed to Three Rivers Camp, our first bush camp. Our guide takes us along the only road that leads from Kafunta to Three River Camps. A wonderful trip that we enjoy immensely. At Three Rivers Camp, we receive another warm welcome. We have a beautiful tent with "starbed. High above the tent, we sleep under a mosquito net in the direct outdoors under the beautiful starry sky, listening to all the sounds. There is no Internet. There is very limited electricity. Early in the morning, our toast is toasted on the fire. We get ready for our first "bush walk. This time there is also a scout walking along, equipped with rifle. The animals in this section are much less used to jeeps and certainly not to walking humans. Passionately we are explained everything we encounter. Our guide patiently answered all our questions. After three days, we travel on to Island Bush Camp. Again, there is no Internet and very limited electricity. We have an open hut on stilts and overlook the river. Showering is done with a large water bag that is filled every day and heated by the sun. In the morning we do some walking and in the afternoon and evening we take it a little easier with a game drive. Beautiful the sky lit up by the moon and stars. Sitting together by the fire when it gets cooler. Making friendships with soulmates. But the end of the journey is approaching. We will return to Kafunta one more time.

What a lot we saw and got to experience. What heartwarming people and what lovely people we met during the trip. At noon the next day they are picked up one last time, only this time for the long journey home.

Sincerely,

Marita and Cees