Left Namibia and flew to Zambia with our baby, catching sunrise over the clouds and our first glimpse of Victoria Falls from the sky.

Table of Contents

• Main Journey
• Events
• Tips for Traveling with a Baby
• Local Travel Tips
• Travel Reflections

Main Journey

At 3 a.m., while the world was still asleep, our little family woke up and started getting ready to leave Namibia.
Today was the day we would finally head to Zambia — the land of Victoria Falls.

We had booked a taxi for 3:30 a.m. to catch our 6:00 a.m. flight. We usually aim to arrive at the airport 3 hours early, but Windhoek airport doesn’t even open until 4:00 a.m. So 3:30 was the earliest we could leave.

As we were finishing up the last bit of packing, Sweetie woke up — smiling, calm, and happy, even though it was still pitch dark. That moment alone made the morning feel light.

The ride that came to pick us up wasn’t a regular taxi, but a friend of the guesthouse owner. The car was big and clean — honestly, way better than we expected for a random early-morning lift.

As we drove through the empty, silent streets of Windhoek, it hit us — if we hadn’t pre-booked this ride, we could’ve missed our flight. Not a single car in sight.

Events

We arrived right on time. Just as the guesthouse owner had said, Windhoek airport is small and only opens at 4 a.m.
There were already a few travelers gathered by the entrance, waiting to get in. The terminal is a single-story building, simple but charming, with a little garden path leading to the door.

Once inside, there was a bit of a scramble. Most passengers were anxious to check in, but the airport staff hadn’t even arrived yet.
Check-in started around 4:15, and since the airport is tiny, we were through security and at the gate in no time.

And here’s the game changer — the airport had a lounge, and our Diners Club card got us in.
Before this trip, we debated between a Priority Pass and Diners card. In the end, Diners was cheaper and included free family cards. It turned out to be a fantastic decision.

At barely 5 a.m., we were already digging into breakfast. Sweetie devoured boiled eggs, fruit yogurt, and even carried her apple around like treasure.

When it was time to board, we found the plane ourselves. No shuttle, no announcement — just a walk across the tarmac.
By now, Sweetie had developed her own in-flight rituals:

1. Take off shoes.
2. Buckle seatbelt.
3. Read the safety manual and inflight magazine cover to cover.

She did exactly that — like a little pro traveler — and kept saying things like, “This one flies! It’s like a slide!” with so much excitement.

From the air, the sunrise above the clouds was surreal. Every time we fly, I get this sense of awe — imagining how every part of Earth experiences dawn and dusk, nonstop.

Sweetie, who had already had a full breakfast in the lounge, suddenly asked, “When’s food coming?”
When the in-flight meal finally arrived, she lit up and ate happily again. Classic.

Since there’s no direct flight from Windhoek to Livingstone, we had a layover in Johannesburg. This time, it was broad daylight — so different from our midnight transfer a few countries back.
It felt much safer, calmer, and more organized during the day, and we followed the transfer route with no stress.

Sweetie was bursting with energy, running ahead shouting, “I’ll go first!”
The terminal even had a hotel (Protea Hotel) right in the international transfer zone — good to know for long layovers.

We stopped by a souvenir shop filled with such intricate art that it felt more like a museum.

We also tried to exchange some currency — $500 USD. But the rate? 7222.36 ZAR. That’s $547 USD after fees — a whopping 9.4% loss.
Way worse than the 7% card fee we were avoiding for our upcoming Kenya safari, so we skipped it.

Before our final flight, we hit the lounge again and made the most of the remaining time.

The last leg — Johannesburg to Livingstone on South African Airways — was a short 1 hour 40 minutes.
We were halfway through our little sandwich meal when the captain announced descent.

Suddenly, passengers on the right side of the plane started leaning toward the windows. We looked out too, and there it was:
A thin mist rising from the end of the Zambezi River.

Victoria Falls.
Even from a distance, it was breathtaking.

With hearts full of excitement, we landed in Zambia.

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

• Prep well for early flights.
  Waking up Sweetie at 3 a.m. was a gamble, but thanks to a good night’s sleep and no chaos, she stayed calm and cheerful. Always pack and prep the night before.
• Lounge access is a lifesaver.
  Being able to feed and rest in a quiet lounge makes a huge difference, especially with a toddler. Our Diners Club card proved invaluable.
• Keep flight routines consistent.
  Sweetie’s little airplane rituals helped her stay grounded (pun intended). Familiar routines give toddlers comfort during unfamiliar moments.
• Have backup snacks.
  Even if meals are provided, always have extra snacks. Flight delays or picky appetites are inevitable.

Local Travel Tips

• Windhoek Airport opens at 4 a.m.
  No point arriving earlier — the gates won’t open before then.
• Johannesburg Airport is safer by day.
  It felt totally fine during our daytime transit. Stick to the secure zones and follow the transfer signs.
• Don’t exchange money at JNB if you can avoid it.
  The exchange rates are steep. Plan your USD in advance.
• Window seat alert!
  Sit on the right side of the plane from Johannesburg to Livingstone — you might catch your first glimpse of Victoria Falls.

Travel Reflections

This journey felt like the closing chapter to our time in Namibia and the perfect opening to something magical in Zambia.
There was something surreal about watching the sunrise above the clouds while Sweetie flipped through the safety card like it was a storybook.

Flying with a toddler is never easy, but moments like that — the quiet joy of a child watching the sky change colors, the excitement of spotting waterfalls from the sky — those are the memories that last.

Our bags were packed, our energy renewed, and our hearts full of anticipation.

Victoria Falls, here we come.