Victoria Falls

Hwange's Catholic Church

We left for Victoria Falls, but made several stops. First we saw Rock Hyrax and Rock Mongoose. Then in Hwange we strolled down through ‘church street’ with churches from several Christian denominations. Many were in their Sunday best and greeted us as we passed. Some even asked to have their picture taken. Near the airport we watched one family pump water at the central pump to cart home on their oxen cart. Nearby was the restaurant that Sanction frequents while waiting for tour groups.

Sanction's Favorite Restaurant

We discussed poaching in Africa and what to do about it. In 1960, there were five million elephants in Africa, now there are only 500,000 with half the elephants in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Another 20,000 die every year. Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa now shoot to kill any poachers they find, yet it hasn’t helped, too many folks resort to poaching because of the high unemployment rate. The demand for ivory and rhino horn in China, Vietnam, and elsewhere makes it a lucrative business. The number of poached rhinos in South Africa continues to increase even with the current penalties. 

In the afternoon, we visited Victoria Falls, walking the Zimbabwe side for two hours. We could see almost the entire falls, dropping 108 meters into a box canyon, just spectacular. While it is not the highest or widest waterfalls, it has the largest sheet of falling water (width x height).  The end of the trail near the falls provides a view of the bridge over the Zambezi river with bungee jumpers dangling from the bridge.