At the Kazangula Crossing on the Zambezi River crossing between the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Man poling his Mokoro in the Zambezi River.

Muriel: “Look at the mokoro. They push with the long poles.”  I snap a photo.

Border guard on river edge of Zambia: “They are smugglers. The authorities will get them.”

Mokoro poling quickly from the authorities.

Muriel: “Oh.”

Zambia side of river, Zimbabwe is directly across.

Muriel, Askari Travel and I on the Zambia side waiting to cross.

As we are getting off the boat on the coast of Botswana (a five minute ride across) we are greeted by our guides from Bush Tracks, Mesheke and Blessing.

Blessing: “My name is Blessing.”

Me: “I’m sorry?”

Blessing: “Blessing. My mom is proud,” he says with a huge smile.

Me: “I see.”

Mesheke interrupting the conversation to explain what’s happening: “There is Zimbabwe.”

Street sign on the Botswana side of the river.

Me: “Where?”

Mesheke: “There. That bush.”

Me: “ The bush is the border?” He nods.

Playing the ultimate tourist, I try and hand him my camera, “Can you take my photo half in Botswana and half in Zimbabwe please?”

Mesheke: “No.”

Me: “ Why?”

Mesheke: “It’s dangerous.”

Me: “Really? Can’t I just quickly straddle the countries at the bush for a quick photo?”

Mesheke: “No, they will shoot you.”

Me: “That seems a bit dramatic.”

Muriel:  “He is probably not kidding.”  Note that Muriel grew up in Zimbabwe.

Mesheke disregarding Muriel, says completely dead pan: “They don’t have a sense of humor.”

Me: “That is putting it mildly.”

Trucks waiting to roll through the anti- hoof & mouth puddle.

A few moments later, our open safari vehicle rolls through a large dirty puddle, Mesheke explains that the tires are being cleaned to prevent the spread of “hoof and mouth” disease from Zambia.

Me: “From that water?”   Please note that it was a four inch deep puddle and was a filthy brown color.

Mesheke: “Yes. And at immigration they will do your feet too.”

I look down at Muriel’s feet in flip flops: “Muriel, from the looks of the sanitation puddle, I suggest putting on your sneakers.”

The blue box and burlap on the ground is where humans go for their anti- hoof & mouthing.

After we clear customs, Mesheke leads us to our sanitization station outside around the back of immigration. The sanitization of our feet consisted of stepping (quickly I may add) on a dirty old corn bag before we were escorted off and made way for the prostitutes hanging at the border their chance to clean up.

Women at the crossing washing their feet.Muriel, Askari Travel and I on the Zambia side waiting to cross.

If you happen to find yourself traveling between Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and/or Namibia, with a little patience, I highly suggest the river crossing.  It’s a hilarious adventure, cheaper and much faster than dealing with the local airports.  And just don’t go near the bush border between Zimbabwe and Botswana.