Sharon declines a photo op in our Heathrow hotel day room. After an all-night flight from SF, it's no wonder! We managed to get a few hours of sleep before departing on British Airlines for Lusaka, Zambia.

Our second major flight, from Heathrow to Lusaka, Zambia (10 hours) is complete, and we hit the ground running.

But first a short commuter flight to Royal, Zambia.

Lusaka, Zambia terminal.

The small airstrip at Royal.

My first glimpse of our "vehicle," as it is referred to on Safari.

The typical vehicle has 2 or 3 rows of seats, is completely open. Wildlife, they tell us, has become familiar with the shape of the vehicle--the only danger comes from breaking the profile by standing up or leaning out. Large animals even use the cover of the vehicle and its noise to approach prey. We drive to the Zambezi River, where we'll take a boat to our first camp, Chiawa.

Black-backed Puffback ( Dryoscopus cubla ) according to our birding expert (and expert canoe trip leader). He says that It appears to be a male as it does not have the white supercilium ( eyebrow stripe ) of the female.

From the boat on the way to the camp, we saw the usual river residents lined up to greet us.

We noted how quickly they can move!

Graceful running dive.

Our first view of Chiawa camp--typical of all 5 camps on our trip. A main meeting area with refrigerators, a bar, and comfortable lounges. To the left is the dining area. Out of the picture to the far left are the many "tents" for travelers.

A daily visitor on our front lawn.

Another daily Warthog visit.

Baboon visitor

Impala are pleniful and preyed upon by many animals. Nicknamed McDonalds. Gallows humor.

Outside our tent, Zambia

Water Buffalo along the Zambezi along with their Egret companions.

Boabab Tree

Waterbuck

Our first Sundowners with a German couple Boaze and Cedrick