Day 9, afternoon and evening.
At about 11 am we get into the jeep to go on a picnic. Once again, we drive for awhile on the crazy, steep trails.
![crazy jeep trail crazy jeep trail](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1354LZjeeptrail25.jpg)
We head towards the mountains. The picnic spot is under a large tree, and near a waterfall. We come to the picnic area first. There, a crew from the lodge has set up canvas chairs, a table loaded with food (there are only eight of us!), and a full bar. There is also a handwashing station for trips to the guarded "bush toilet". Are we pampered or what? This is crazy.
![picnic picnic](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1363LZpicnicps25.jpg)
![picnic picnic](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1360LZpicnic25.jpg)
![picnic picnic](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1364LZpicnic25.jpg)
We settle into enjoying our food and drinks. Nothing like being in Africa enjoying a gin and tonic.
A short jeep ride takes us to the river. The falls dump into the river near the rocks to the left in this photo:
![near the falls near the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1365LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
Hmm, maybe the gin and tonics weren't the best idea. Because, the next thing the tipsy tourists do is climb up a cliff to the top of the falls. We have to step up steep and wet rocks, while perched on the edge of a dropoff. I and the other women (except Tonia) stayed at a spot mid-way up that had a great view of the falls, while the others went to the very top. I braced myself steadily against a huge rock and took some photos.
![the falls the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1379LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
![the falls the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1382LZnearthefallscr25.jpg)
![the falls the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1392LZnearthefallscr25.jpg)
The guys came back, smiling:
![guys at the falls guys at the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1387LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
John and Simeon:
![John and Simeon John and Simeon](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1391LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
We returned to the Royal Zambezi, and after a short rest we went out on a canoe trip. The canoes were towed down the river to where a secondary, small river forms a passage for a short distance between two spots on the Zambezi River. I think it's the same area we were in when we saw the maternal herd cross the river the day before. I didn't take my camera because I didn't want to risk getting it wet. We saw elephants and hippos and crocodiles, and we kept our distance since we were in a canoe rather than a large jeep. It was a peaceful, quiet way to view the animals.
Back at the lodge we were again met with glasses of sherry. Later, we went on a night jeep drive, not quite as exciting as the night before, but we did see for the first time a bush baby. Dinner at the lodge that night was fresh caught perch, one of the best meals in a trip of excellent meals.
Navigation: first safari blog entry
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![crazy jeep trail crazy jeep trail](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1354LZjeeptrail25.jpg)
We head towards the mountains. The picnic spot is under a large tree, and near a waterfall. We come to the picnic area first. There, a crew from the lodge has set up canvas chairs, a table loaded with food (there are only eight of us!), and a full bar. There is also a handwashing station for trips to the guarded "bush toilet". Are we pampered or what? This is crazy.
![picnic picnic](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1363LZpicnicps25.jpg)
![picnic picnic](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1360LZpicnic25.jpg)
![picnic picnic](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1364LZpicnic25.jpg)
We settle into enjoying our food and drinks. Nothing like being in Africa enjoying a gin and tonic.
A short jeep ride takes us to the river. The falls dump into the river near the rocks to the left in this photo:
![near the falls near the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1365LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
Hmm, maybe the gin and tonics weren't the best idea. Because, the next thing the tipsy tourists do is climb up a cliff to the top of the falls. We have to step up steep and wet rocks, while perched on the edge of a dropoff. I and the other women (except Tonia) stayed at a spot mid-way up that had a great view of the falls, while the others went to the very top. I braced myself steadily against a huge rock and took some photos.
![the falls the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1379LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
![the falls the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1382LZnearthefallscr25.jpg)
![the falls the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1392LZnearthefallscr25.jpg)
The guys came back, smiling:
![guys at the falls guys at the falls](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1387LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
John and Simeon:
![John and Simeon John and Simeon](http://www.pfeist.net/blog/media/1/thumbnail_20120731-1391LZnearthefalls25.jpg)
We returned to the Royal Zambezi, and after a short rest we went out on a canoe trip. The canoes were towed down the river to where a secondary, small river forms a passage for a short distance between two spots on the Zambezi River. I think it's the same area we were in when we saw the maternal herd cross the river the day before. I didn't take my camera because I didn't want to risk getting it wet. We saw elephants and hippos and crocodiles, and we kept our distance since we were in a canoe rather than a large jeep. It was a peaceful, quiet way to view the animals.
Back at the lodge we were again met with glasses of sherry. Later, we went on a night jeep drive, not quite as exciting as the night before, but we did see for the first time a bush baby. Dinner at the lodge that night was fresh caught perch, one of the best meals in a trip of excellent meals.
Navigation: first safari blog entry
Next blog entry
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