Zambia
Our time in Zambia was extremely limited with only two full days spent there. It was more a meet-up point for all the Acacia tours coming from different directions.
We didn't see Victoria Falls from the Zambia side and skipped the very pricey excursions available at the Riverfront Resort. The Riverfront in general felt so commercial and like sensory overload after our backwoods evenings across Zimbabwe.
We did enjoy the sunset on the Zambezi River and a trip into town. Livingstone is very touristy, as can be expected from one of the biggest attractions in southern Africa. The town is worth an afternoon to wander through the craft market (be prepared to negotiate and walk away) and the History Museum, which seemed a bit dull at first, but showcased the crazy history of political changes and witch doctors in Zambia.
Botswana
We spent four days in Botswana and covered a fair amount of ground on our trek to Namibia.
Elephant Sands was a true highlight for us in Botswana. The lodge is settled around a watering hole and we spent nearly an entire day and night watching the elephants come and go. A surprisingly hilarious fact is that elephants have poor digestion systems and sitting this close to elephants isn't pretty when they keep ripping farts, which happened frequently.
The experience was such a unique one, though, and we were so close to the elephants at times that we would have to lean back when they would turn around.
The Okavango Delta was a beautiful experience. We left our camp site early one morning for an open-air, two-hour drive to where we would be picked up by canoe. I can honestly say I've never experienced bone chilling wind like this before. Our entire group was absolutely frozen by the time we had driven two hours on the highway and then through the bush.
We spent the night at a lovely campsite nestled on the banks of the Chobe River. It was incredibly peaceful to watch the sunset.
The bush walk we went on was borderline terrifying as our guide had nothing for protection save for a stick. As we were tracking a water buffalo, the most unpredictable animal of Africa, we asked what we did if one charged us and our guide replied, "Run up a tree." Gee, that makes us feel better, especially when half of the trees are covered with thorns!
I was so relieved to be back in the canoe and just as we boarded, a herd of water buffalo ran across the bush. It was amazing, but scary to see, knowing we had been so close to the area minutes before.
Botswana had many things to see and we were impressed by the infrastructure. We wouldn't rush back to the country any time soon, but it certainly wasn't our least favorite place.