[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you have a couple of weeks to spare this fall, you might consider a trip to southern Africa for a birding safari.
You’ll want to visit Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana and see such diverse birds as carmine bee-eater, snake eagle, jacana, sacred ibis and many more.
You’ll also have a chance to see one or more of the “Big Five” – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo.
On my trip to this area, a highlight was seeing Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and featuring a 30-story drop on the Zambezi River. I still recall the thunderous roar of the falling water and the cool mist that floated over the observation area.
We saw lions close enough to look into their bright golden eyes and we rode in canoes around the Okavango Delta, where hippos yawned, exposing huge gaping maws. Our guide said hippos killed more of the local natives than any other animal. “They can just bite you in two,” he explained.
So enjoy the colorful birds, marvel at the roaring Victoria Falls and take lots of photos of the beautiful scenery. But watch out for those hippos.
Road Scholar offers a 13-night trip to Botswana from November 3 to 16. If interested, call 877 426-8056 or visit www.roadscholar.org.
