tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17667631982607139062024-03-07T06:36:11.033+03:00Searching for the Anthill TigerA photojournal of our trips to some of the most spectacular wildlife areas in AfricaAnthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-51409410228379608132023-06-21T17:50:00.007+03:002023-09-11T19:52:48.694+03:00Karoo to Kalahari<p><a href="https://www.polarsteps.com/CherylDru/7499165-karoo2kalahari" style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.polarsteps.com/CherylDru/7499165-karoo2kalahari</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yxh1ZJM8zAPbGqWJQwfdVDB5LKrZZ-Ry_aGCli4sCg1eFNl-h0-TeK4oEi-l3X3rZQR5trMYNCgrQ5Rbq6hdKDMMpEHtXhc3Nr0N7-oZZewWkb6t4tmGpZmWJJEerE3iMfjRs04Zph1weB--2MF_kQRM5pNdhKZGSUHB7Fch9cZZzLMaZVzks09PSx1_/s1600/20230502_140006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yxh1ZJM8zAPbGqWJQwfdVDB5LKrZZ-Ry_aGCli4sCg1eFNl-h0-TeK4oEi-l3X3rZQR5trMYNCgrQ5Rbq6hdKDMMpEHtXhc3Nr0N7-oZZewWkb6t4tmGpZmWJJEerE3iMfjRs04Zph1weB--2MF_kQRM5pNdhKZGSUHB7Fch9cZZzLMaZVzks09PSx1_/w400-h300/20230502_140006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Knysna harbor, a must visit on the Garden route</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After out epic Cape to Lake overlander from Malawi to South
Africa, we spent a month in George South Africa getting some much needed quiet
time and working out our next move. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhKrwVmHEBFoWCAEyZPxPveeQX7cqXxy0XzW4nk_LQpyZ9ReTwTzXIzDgUrBczDHigP_C36ZWW5B3UO175GYUbx8Y4Z5D8bnOssd9gJt4M46zFrs3jVs7k19tYiaBfEsdqicFSWVQ6FUPF_-zmvRf4GyoE37pF0kpsAWpzrWO5sSGyW8WwqSlW2OC3LYh/s1600/20230501_120414.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhKrwVmHEBFoWCAEyZPxPveeQX7cqXxy0XzW4nk_LQpyZ9ReTwTzXIzDgUrBczDHigP_C36ZWW5B3UO175GYUbx8Y4Z5D8bnOssd9gJt4M46zFrs3jVs7k19tYiaBfEsdqicFSWVQ6FUPF_-zmvRf4GyoE37pF0kpsAWpzrWO5sSGyW8WwqSlW2OC3LYh/w400-h300/20230501_120414.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Victoria Bay, the choice swimming bay</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">George is the capital of the iconic Garden
Route in the Western Cape which includes a number of famous towns such as
Knysna and Plettenburg Bay to the west and Mossel Bay and Still Bay to the
East. With an airport connection to Johannesburg in 2 hours, George is a good
spot to hang around as long as you're prepared to put up with the cold,
especially in Winter. This is Golf country with the famous Fan Court forming a
suburb in George and Earnie Els, the famous Golfer calling this part of the
world home.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><p></p></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX1-gOobvWYwPMdyDmzJcLqBtZT2seJVRchx7cHpjjOitfZPi16jNh6LHo2L9mTWP8StoqOaIpvXn--J294HckCvELcfKLml5ZSrxAjyY895jPuMjfJ8Rxfe_N2gPcAuEmNCa_DZK9SdABvhDcaTr-ShemJTJuZ661CDuKtw-8Gk7qCWegreeURLbWJtN/s1600/IMG_9569.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX1-gOobvWYwPMdyDmzJcLqBtZT2seJVRchx7cHpjjOitfZPi16jNh6LHo2L9mTWP8StoqOaIpvXn--J294HckCvELcfKLml5ZSrxAjyY895jPuMjfJ8Rxfe_N2gPcAuEmNCa_DZK9SdABvhDcaTr-ShemJTJuZ661CDuKtw-8Gk7qCWegreeURLbWJtN/w400-h300/IMG_9569.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Picture perfect George is also Golf heaven with a string of courses. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The return leg to Malawi was pretty much up in the air and there
were a few options but the popular one was through Botswana to Zambia and spend
sometime in Zambia which should be dry by now following cyclone Freddy. The
shortest route was through Mozambique but we were in no hurry and Moz can be a
messy option. There is another option through Zimbabwe, also needing to cross
through Mozambique. We really were not sure other than the need to go through
Botswana but this decision was taken away from us due a work commitment in
Botswana!</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt25Fql5-gqo7UOJEoD29yGmuwcf1i6FSDiZepxYEdIyU8ArPTz_OuXrQsJ3ldHoMl3Ddrcbfa_Swx3b-UdkKpqPpMWgFPt6u4we_V8020aHg4sUJqpT5AMAKJUlFYa2IQsAvK54ciU9ge-gDCJyWeQ1iSdH7y5c7sBsHEIY28_WrIlxIEGXQftZdXxYk/s1600/20230501_123243.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt25Fql5-gqo7UOJEoD29yGmuwcf1i6FSDiZepxYEdIyU8ArPTz_OuXrQsJ3ldHoMl3Ddrcbfa_Swx3b-UdkKpqPpMWgFPt6u4we_V8020aHg4sUJqpT5AMAKJUlFYa2IQsAvK54ciU9ge-gDCJyWeQ1iSdH7y5c7sBsHEIY28_WrIlxIEGXQftZdXxYk/w400-h300/20230501_123243.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Victoria Bay, George</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The original plan also included going back to Malawi to sell
the car but with a set data for the work commitment, the trip back to Malawi
would be chaotic with serious time pressure to sell the car and relocate to
Botswana. There was also the minor details of what to do with all our camping
gear once the car was sold in Malawi including the faithful roof tent which has
been with us for over 15 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJkeOMxAmSPG8hedGmhgdI-5CywEMRnog66TQJoaVPpUKf4n_QIOSn12ZG9UYIncYbEHDWaVFATwBcXUK9afNCfOdubtoDjs16NoHz4kRoyX34uAODX0pcimTktwQfOlmu08kp1oRQVYYrA7JPuJYdMHhe2vNrG8ZGfRWjghIhJ5eI71F6ZCdkOJHpovf/s1600/20230430_144505.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJkeOMxAmSPG8hedGmhgdI-5CywEMRnog66TQJoaVPpUKf4n_QIOSn12ZG9UYIncYbEHDWaVFATwBcXUK9afNCfOdubtoDjs16NoHz4kRoyX34uAODX0pcimTktwQfOlmu08kp1oRQVYYrA7JPuJYdMHhe2vNrG8ZGfRWjghIhJ5eI71F6ZCdkOJHpovf/w400-h300/20230430_144505.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Plenty to do in George, paragliders at Map of Africa. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not the kind of thing you can sneak on to a
plane as cargo so it was decided taking the car back to sell in Malawi be put
on hold an alternative trip planned for South Africa, something we always
though would be done at a later point.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWia9Jr085o0PN7LZ8K64Kh4L1qpwmxesFkNqDnJvLbEaekguIgYeLOg2sy0K5rDtztSJRmwaK4vOW2IVgplkMa8R1V9ggb43eE0R7g0lk446DaP9TY2hystuoG1XW1ILfQ9dhB7D4hR_tMDMGbpILRioLHWrSkNI_Ybx1r5u1ZD5NhneR7RmZLnq3uc1B/s1600/IMG_9455.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWia9Jr085o0PN7LZ8K64Kh4L1qpwmxesFkNqDnJvLbEaekguIgYeLOg2sy0K5rDtztSJRmwaK4vOW2IVgplkMa8R1V9ggb43eE0R7g0lk446DaP9TY2hystuoG1XW1ILfQ9dhB7D4hR_tMDMGbpILRioLHWrSkNI_Ybx1r5u1ZD5NhneR7RmZLnq3uc1B/w400-h300/IMG_9455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Snoek is famous fish in the cape but it can go off when it's called a pap!<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">First choice was to check out the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park between the borders of South Africa, Botswana and South Africa but much to
our surprise and horror it was fully booked out. One of the great things about
East Africa is campers don’t need bookings, there is actually no booking system
but in Southern Africa, bookings are essential. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCPhst0RW4VrcwThkXHk4xxQjYCuwqXR8W4wU61LqWztGvKR54ZiV0C6vYZWQDCtU4X54crFthOtziA5M561nriTQD8rMakms2IYJnCsQI6daYpXgvYRv3ZznZUspj2I3vOzb7_ZgfvCr9ScwClEDHWdsU6ZAqRdB9iWKisznwJ3DogEMX7i-77iuICgc/s1600/IMG_9480.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCPhst0RW4VrcwThkXHk4xxQjYCuwqXR8W4wU61LqWztGvKR54ZiV0C6vYZWQDCtU4X54crFthOtziA5M561nriTQD8rMakms2IYJnCsQI6daYpXgvYRv3ZznZUspj2I3vOzb7_ZgfvCr9ScwClEDHWdsU6ZAqRdB9iWKisznwJ3DogEMX7i-77iuICgc/w300-h400/IMG_9480.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">In the Cape, don't miss out on a Snoek Braai. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next we checked out Kruger and
managed to get a booking over 7 nights across 4 camps but importantly we had a
plan, albeit Kruger was over 1,500 kms from our current location in George.</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGtzOST9FCZKD1oPRZKtBmBs9rEJ-w4rMyRWbdj_v3CFcSfV-4W-stga3IGA3jCxhO0YU4JR8HLe3aibDRKr6tTEJyTtmGakeBCEICCSijzgxFDGhquqnw8lqdLOnMPFMY_u1LIoMROKWVwSze5ASUXmlgKiV512uk2dlPJmq97qhWfyS1gtb9m6AZx5y/s1600/IMG_9943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGtzOST9FCZKD1oPRZKtBmBs9rEJ-w4rMyRWbdj_v3CFcSfV-4W-stga3IGA3jCxhO0YU4JR8HLe3aibDRKr6tTEJyTtmGakeBCEICCSijzgxFDGhquqnw8lqdLOnMPFMY_u1LIoMROKWVwSze5ASUXmlgKiV512uk2dlPJmq97qhWfyS1gtb9m6AZx5y/w400-h300/IMG_9943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Time to pack the car again, destination Botswana!<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As with any good overlanding trip, the key is not to rush
around ticking boxes but for the first time in 3 months we had a booking and
around here, you pay for your booking immediately so there is no changing dates.
It was decided that this trip would start from the Karoo, which is about a 3
hour drive from George and end in the Kalahari in Botswana, our destination for
the next couple of years.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3gM8blHM1xDitaD4rYU9wgDBWHzEwhcoC9EoduQxFy-BZcpyopdjCIB-W5rwHigEIt1rXZvNLfxt-aMgqgAezzzdAwHaq0Yv3q1hEOuy1ESuma4NDMLdAVwmyPG8z6htFf_5gW00Cuj5ZrR7OFDQebyzoWXKHF8KWNjngeWbZS3W63stLBzo1aQS12PB/s1600/IMG_9646.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3gM8blHM1xDitaD4rYU9wgDBWHzEwhcoC9EoduQxFy-BZcpyopdjCIB-W5rwHigEIt1rXZvNLfxt-aMgqgAezzzdAwHaq0Yv3q1hEOuy1ESuma4NDMLdAVwmyPG8z6htFf_5gW00Cuj5ZrR7OFDQebyzoWXKHF8KWNjngeWbZS3W63stLBzo1aQS12PB/w400-h300/IMG_9646.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Meiringspoort Pass, it can closed in heavy rains. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The drive to Karoo National park is action packed starting
with the Outeniqua pass, to get over the mountains surrounding George. Next
stop is the Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of the world. Although we did not
stop at the Ostrich farms, apparently you can ride an Ostrich here. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYTLgu1-BMkoZepbqZD0fsvNd-z038KuHf5L-zHVF9n7l32QLbO-4q92PKTxzZKP6s5Ga9xlr809b1QLyRFihNGU62N_upDIuTLWgvJ87yXl-zEzXhk7WhChMqViQV9vZcNqv8HbIV8146A-nekV_AbFrFC3sR-gB9f-IzV8bTlm255nvpM82FjmsKBAV/s1600/IMG_9836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYTLgu1-BMkoZepbqZD0fsvNd-z038KuHf5L-zHVF9n7l32QLbO-4q92PKTxzZKP6s5Ga9xlr809b1QLyRFihNGU62N_upDIuTLWgvJ87yXl-zEzXhk7WhChMqViQV9vZcNqv8HbIV8146A-nekV_AbFrFC3sR-gB9f-IzV8bTlm255nvpM82FjmsKBAV/w400-h300/IMG_9836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Meiringspoort waterfall, it's a small walk but you don't see it from the road. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next is the
Meiringspoort pass, another spectacular pass through a mountain gorge crisscrossed by a numerous rivers and streams, with the highlight being the
Waterfall. Over the pass your enter the true Karoo land which is semi desert
biome unique to South Africa. Sparce in vegetation and home to the much claimed
Karoo lamb which somehow we never got our hands on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYTLgu1-BMkoZepbqZD0fsvNd-z038KuHf5L-zHVF9n7l32QLbO-4q92PKTxzZKP6s5Ga9xlr809b1QLyRFihNGU62N_upDIuTLWgvJ87yXl-zEzXhk7WhChMqViQV9vZcNqv8HbIV8146A-nekV_AbFrFC3sR-gB9f-IzV8bTlm255nvpM82FjmsKBAV/s1600/IMG_9836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYTLgu1-BMkoZepbqZD0fsvNd-z038KuHf5L-zHVF9n7l32QLbO-4q92PKTxzZKP6s5Ga9xlr809b1QLyRFihNGU62N_upDIuTLWgvJ87yXl-zEzXhk7WhChMqViQV9vZcNqv8HbIV8146A-nekV_AbFrFC3sR-gB9f-IzV8bTlm255nvpM82FjmsKBAV/w400-h300/IMG_9836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Meiringspoort waterfall, it's a small walk but you don't see it from the road. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karoo National Park is located close to the town of Beaufort
West along the main N1 Cape Town to Johannesburg highway. But it does get
really cold here in winter to the extend there was frost on our test with the
windscreen having a layer of ice and the bird bath having a frozen later on
top. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0GprG0bgOispmWX6XvJruzbvIvG7XV4x47PiNCo7AqVSSNE1OOPnHuzxPwsSCIEBDU00Oh5TxCiu4hVWnoM1lXf87LhjtmqK6D5gel1pB5ndFGtbvTQn-SwskmtzIHBLYSD4xGFWBiUURa8jCmsuOPFq04I6RQvgWTT8C8iMNL1lFcaQOvdodNo4cw6E/s1600/IMG_9669.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0GprG0bgOispmWX6XvJruzbvIvG7XV4x47PiNCo7AqVSSNE1OOPnHuzxPwsSCIEBDU00Oh5TxCiu4hVWnoM1lXf87LhjtmqK6D5gel1pB5ndFGtbvTQn-SwskmtzIHBLYSD4xGFWBiUURa8jCmsuOPFq04I6RQvgWTT8C8iMNL1lFcaQOvdodNo4cw6E/w400-h300/IMG_9669.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The bird bath froze overnight. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s at this stage we realized how handy a heater would be but our car is
an Asian model where the heater is not connected so had to wait for sunshine to
thaw out the windscreen before being able to drive. As with all South African
parks, the camping facilities are the best in Africa with powered sites, braai
spots, hot water showers, laundry facilities and of course crowded campsites on
top of each other. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG3LV4M7rblm5mcQE4p9QTbZeGYvCGE85AGpV4mdpTwinhRcokARfKjl7NMq66JzSp_LHqeo4bBrTP8RKmXgxeQpqzch6yazpHsSlfdzf-zsN2R_w17gkbWRJTwfkhBZPJpzLXFi_vAgHd6Gz1t34ZfyZTfeQJ44_21EKIGudFhPbXsXhBUX7KqwjTn8r/s1600/IMG_9704.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG3LV4M7rblm5mcQE4p9QTbZeGYvCGE85AGpV4mdpTwinhRcokARfKjl7NMq66JzSp_LHqeo4bBrTP8RKmXgxeQpqzch6yazpHsSlfdzf-zsN2R_w17gkbWRJTwfkhBZPJpzLXFi_vAgHd6Gz1t34ZfyZTfeQJ44_21EKIGudFhPbXsXhBUX7KqwjTn8r/w400-h300/IMG_9704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Waiting for the frozen windscreen to thaw. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span>x</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karoo National Park is essentially a desert park with Rhino
being the largest mammal while Gemsbok, Elland, Mountain Zebra, Red Hartebeest
and Steinbok are all present small numbers. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZsUyQSStvJ6XOU2LF0vDAZrWl4GPQJsHQz9xMuiArsjl-_O1Gm02fYIlBfGKW1IGSwlUt9cmqVhPcO8i4Mtt4zDK_YLwRkg7llr8n16l3Pp59DcHDYw8uV-DEB_KmZwkQ2ZQnGlg0inmylIucABDyz-gSJkfx1XMHJqQHQfCYHyrKr20CXVQBfjWAtPK/s1600/IMG_9722.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZsUyQSStvJ6XOU2LF0vDAZrWl4GPQJsHQz9xMuiArsjl-_O1Gm02fYIlBfGKW1IGSwlUt9cmqVhPcO8i4Mtt4zDK_YLwRkg7llr8n16l3Pp59DcHDYw8uV-DEB_KmZwkQ2ZQnGlg0inmylIucABDyz-gSJkfx1XMHJqQHQfCYHyrKr20CXVQBfjWAtPK/w400-h300/IMG_9722.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Karoo landscape<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lions were reintroduced and are the
only major predators but is probably one of</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">the better places to shoot the Bat Eared Fox, a comical looking canine
who is able to dig up grubs by using its amazing ears to hear stuff
underground. Keep an eye out of the Karoo specials for the birds starting with
the Karoo Korhaan. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXT6XT8D5S5JlDmGIVvoSCg_a9SVmhz3vvKXP9xYBue7Pv_Fim_ph5q8qX_FFfwBr3YJwnUDw1NgvogLSvziTVb_U7ATVE1slcxPGPZxpiK_09CmMoSwMSqK5ZHeluAp61B14VEbVDLiNfLLSRXpyyNsL29WH05EJJNB9uX_CmppkdZqaMj8EzaTCyx8w/s1600/IMG_9791.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXT6XT8D5S5JlDmGIVvoSCg_a9SVmhz3vvKXP9xYBue7Pv_Fim_ph5q8qX_FFfwBr3YJwnUDw1NgvogLSvziTVb_U7ATVE1slcxPGPZxpiK_09CmMoSwMSqK5ZHeluAp61B14VEbVDLiNfLLSRXpyyNsL29WH05EJJNB9uX_CmppkdZqaMj8EzaTCyx8w/w400-h300/IMG_9791.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The park is made up of reclaimed farmland. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are also Verreaux’s Eagle nesting in the park during
the breeding season and sightings of the Black Footed Cat (a.k.a the anthill tiger). Definitely a must check out in the South African national
park trek but go here for the landscapes and vegetation as the game is sparce.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Cg91fdGZcNTLQBhoKb2V0PS6QBe333QogsjA3hfjal06-AxtmOIYKXvtLuouOYRm_BUnoN8x6dk2eHkAeHtcwhLY_ekOxjRvPOnolQbRT64ZC0ogYH7d9sgt-0OZIaSRZ1luifQKxR4hm_ocXNKg5Miumso72G4WAy3WRMk1uriUBb1ASOQzHbvxLMr9/s1600/IMG_9735.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Cg91fdGZcNTLQBhoKb2V0PS6QBe333QogsjA3hfjal06-AxtmOIYKXvtLuouOYRm_BUnoN8x6dk2eHkAeHtcwhLY_ekOxjRvPOnolQbRT64ZC0ogYH7d9sgt-0OZIaSRZ1luifQKxR4hm_ocXNKg5Miumso72G4WAy3WRMk1uriUBb1ASOQzHbvxLMr9/w400-h300/IMG_9735.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Demonstration of an old time Hyena trap<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back to George and this being South Africa, there is no need
for wild planning and stocking up so next stop along the Garden Road is Tsitsitkamma
National Park. The feature of this almost prehistoric beach based forest park
are the twin towns of Natures Valley and Storms River. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPsHtGp9nuhh2_DFVV2eclVDfoIAF98dfJCHEp198bPaY52gDQQoedqCHiTnsnMoV49OmxjQzGHNs7du9MLtohfQfoNg77hb40nM8agsyafFs-lHc-95zBosSyOQc3uCzLMfYETNq3mIItEm87qxdz8I0xfFTX-skq-45YJMU1LEJu31gvSx1ZHTYlsAy/s1600/20230502_132148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPsHtGp9nuhh2_DFVV2eclVDfoIAF98dfJCHEp198bPaY52gDQQoedqCHiTnsnMoV49OmxjQzGHNs7du9MLtohfQfoNg77hb40nM8agsyafFs-lHc-95zBosSyOQc3uCzLMfYETNq3mIItEm87qxdz8I0xfFTX-skq-45YJMU1LEJu31gvSx1ZHTYlsAy/w400-h300/20230502_132148.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The famous Knysna Oster, we didn't get get the hype. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Both have great
campsites but take not that the Storms River campsite is on the beach and exposed to
the Atlantic winds which only folks from this part of the world can cope with,
especially in winter. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3kDjkqIuNUc-IxriJFTor51o-65RdvzZ_P0zy9Pi9_R4kY6oYz19KMRsSJ70xNNC6pg-PRMMLAmRDVnopiHFiruN1fZlxxpvbqs_VkIA3PQzAYXYwZ7PuDJ-HBhwgvtOLQqY3EH4ectoyzAF4b2tEUZ51VKTuQOKDsktNKA-KNyCYyrFZwAzaLLmhJP6/s1600/20230604_095123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3kDjkqIuNUc-IxriJFTor51o-65RdvzZ_P0zy9Pi9_R4kY6oYz19KMRsSJ70xNNC6pg-PRMMLAmRDVnopiHFiruN1fZlxxpvbqs_VkIA3PQzAYXYwZ7PuDJ-HBhwgvtOLQqY3EH4ectoyzAF4b2tEUZ51VKTuQOKDsktNKA-KNyCYyrFZwAzaLLmhJP6/w400-h300/20230604_095123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The coast here is wild and inhospitable<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were reports of the much south after Finfoot at
Natures Valley but we couldn’t find it. We did find the Half Collared
Kingfisher at the Natures Valley campsite. There were a pair and appeared to be
residents and if you are taking walk from campsite, take the left and lookout
at the first expanse of water.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPNi7neEs6WuzoxeAwpMpPGVwuJsQiwcganJp5KLeLWvLuw8MPFlnS4TSaGdDpxKpOHRq1MKd-xcSrTjgrM9SC6W6_-wmi1wvYKYxcHpvzgR-BQQWRMEiX-3eFUBRLE7Fe_ZkgBmgiOQUcJMi2vKHmAyFU8EZZ0Huy9jsnECU4FqgwpqwyPgPtftKwlhq/s1600/IMG_9894.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPNi7neEs6WuzoxeAwpMpPGVwuJsQiwcganJp5KLeLWvLuw8MPFlnS4TSaGdDpxKpOHRq1MKd-xcSrTjgrM9SC6W6_-wmi1wvYKYxcHpvzgR-BQQWRMEiX-3eFUBRLE7Fe_ZkgBmgiOQUcJMi2vKHmAyFU8EZZ0Huy9jsnECU4FqgwpqwyPgPtftKwlhq/w400-h300/IMG_9894.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Beautiful beaches but it's cols Atlantic water</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Natures Valley is quiet holiday hamlet on a forest covered
beach. There are no services here expect for one stop restaurant and corner
café that will sell some basics. If you ever wanted a quiet tranquil holiday on
an idyllic beach and a crystal clear lagoon surrounded by high forest covered
mountains, look no further than Natures Valley on the Garden route. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpI8HSpe-lT7SPcrAeM_s6MSXXtOiSYBZjXkXJk6rfUCceGS6y59s3RrH9RlXpZ8rt8cY8knCCeEHK_P-8qIqRPIFG2jYOc7scWpm7hZ6kww8zpLjIVq_wBoqK2UpcR4hhHVKrqDPvj75XedfLbGXFuS745yrGWA67xAER2qI3_41sVW1HzjUYLWBFH-a/s1600/IMG_9513.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpI8HSpe-lT7SPcrAeM_s6MSXXtOiSYBZjXkXJk6rfUCceGS6y59s3RrH9RlXpZ8rt8cY8knCCeEHK_P-8qIqRPIFG2jYOc7scWpm7hZ6kww8zpLjIVq_wBoqK2UpcR4hhHVKrqDPvj75XedfLbGXFuS745yrGWA67xAER2qI3_41sVW1HzjUYLWBFH-a/w400-h300/IMG_9513.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tsitsitkamma National Park, Natures Valley<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
campsite is set in the forest and fully services and like most South African
campsites, has several accommodation options including self-catered chalets and
tiny Forrest huts. A huge acknowledgement to South African National Parks (SAN
Parks) for the excellent work they do keep a string of campsites in great
conditions throughout this wonderful country.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWu1GMYiwUTJwS9Ir6mktIBeTRXNrZqlKX0sl3y6mCrt2tRdYvrTj2m_V0wJFicGMuOHrR3YQbB5wwejk8I5QRK-w0SrZ0hmAGeAgDu4tQUIv0B_wacBP6fiDkg1RgXjqano4mE-gFAO4xX7REZ9GEndQDsfREAXz_cwy9u-RTftpLjRuuxJPIdN7vkGP/s1600/IMG_9517.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWu1GMYiwUTJwS9Ir6mktIBeTRXNrZqlKX0sl3y6mCrt2tRdYvrTj2m_V0wJFicGMuOHrR3YQbB5wwejk8I5QRK-w0SrZ0hmAGeAgDu4tQUIv0B_wacBP6fiDkg1RgXjqano4mE-gFAO4xX7REZ9GEndQDsfREAXz_cwy9u-RTftpLjRuuxJPIdN7vkGP/w400-h300/IMG_9517.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Picture perfect Natures Valley</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Storms River is different set up in that it is only the SAN
Parks facility set on the beach. The walk to the Storms River mouth is a must
and there are two bridges across the river mouth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxsPysVoBS80D7mQ80wNXC_iLgpP9ZnAcfQkbY1MRX3NjnMPM4vkD4IMR-P1AVze82tFJuq9vierGDtjezBDLBfDhY6zoXfZO85dgGiiprbkSOPMgEtkQtA0wL_dnL1GjShyPVKA5A0mIESan880N6NOrKOw19Y5eUB3xKlv7UejN4HVtgeT_R3FSfLrj/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxsPysVoBS80D7mQ80wNXC_iLgpP9ZnAcfQkbY1MRX3NjnMPM4vkD4IMR-P1AVze82tFJuq9vierGDtjezBDLBfDhY6zoXfZO85dgGiiprbkSOPMgEtkQtA0wL_dnL1GjShyPVKA5A0mIESan880N6NOrKOw19Y5eUB3xKlv7UejN4HVtgeT_R3FSfLrj/w400-h300/IMG_0011.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A Forest Cottage is good option with SANParks. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the right season, there
are water activities up the Storms River gorge for the younger folks. There are
also reports of Whale sightings off the coast but the sea is very rough and
looks anything but inviting at any time. This is hiking country and not for the
faint hearted with the most famous being the Otter train which takes a few
overnights to complete depending your level of fitness. Also keep an eye out of
the Cape specials such as Knysna Wook-Pecker and Knysna Lourie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvkQ7W6dMiWYp5Jabs13oiD9jmcwJxzWqsRQlYGnIn2S2G1PdQWe7IPd4akKJ9nAHhVxoPrfTI6RWtEZ1OoPdCwMjNw_U_C2zJ1yYyEbBk1kGvrJj5OOw73-dc-fNlArjurNYwoZdiNcRiFcbyzPyw6mv_Bh4aP8xL8jaGLhn1tckVLoQLslxBdyNALHl/s1600/IMG_0051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvkQ7W6dMiWYp5Jabs13oiD9jmcwJxzWqsRQlYGnIn2S2G1PdQWe7IPd4akKJ9nAHhVxoPrfTI6RWtEZ1OoPdCwMjNw_U_C2zJ1yYyEbBk1kGvrJj5OOw73-dc-fNlArjurNYwoZdiNcRiFcbyzPyw6mv_Bh4aP8xL8jaGLhn1tckVLoQLslxBdyNALHl/w400-h300/IMG_0051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The suspension bridge over the Storms River</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next destination is Addo Elephant National Park a
comfortable 3 hour drive and along the way the adrenaline lovers can stop over
for a bungee jump off one of the highest bungee jumps in the world. I would
have frozen to death by the time they pulled me up so definitely not even a
remote possibility of a jump. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BxHd2hlWWc2Inta7ctQrDBpzMblVqml2tClcAzmWsIl6SB4iDg66QWqKmyfE1ce2XCUfHkjmTihhDGM_wQTgLRtcw7a-DrwRPB3Y37YEeg-jmUhTMHBMtOzqPYCQG--1ZavaSRXpD35kdVqcZ5N_3q-zGRgcNbNh4qRxivovdtBHbT3AavgUfgq15yMV/s1600/IMG_9957.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BxHd2hlWWc2Inta7ctQrDBpzMblVqml2tClcAzmWsIl6SB4iDg66QWqKmyfE1ce2XCUfHkjmTihhDGM_wQTgLRtcw7a-DrwRPB3Y37YEeg-jmUhTMHBMtOzqPYCQG--1ZavaSRXpD35kdVqcZ5N_3q-zGRgcNbNh4qRxivovdtBHbT3AavgUfgq15yMV/w400-h300/IMG_9957.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Bloukrans bridge, one of the highest bungee jumps in the world <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Approaching Addo can be awkward as there are two
entrances and the village of Addo so set your met meters accordingly. We were
enjoying the simple pleasures of traveling in South Africa like finding a clean
toilet and food. Years of travel in East Africa where one leaves home with
pre-cooked meals and timed, dodgy toilet stops are a distant memory now. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-3uS7v7_76kZRHUSCPiizT9N8UOKSmnSwB61wn6FVoIYBgeMo_sAgGOqDqiir-YqE_X9Zs3edupDH1wYa7Jw1eBQOdoobLOrOh3BwYiTps2TXPgsGxtLu9V2DwJ4dHR2ndzm4CSCXhjFJgrS_S_-FHuadBd_12xc12OpCpZU2lQLccrQ67ClpKSzkN77/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-3uS7v7_76kZRHUSCPiizT9N8UOKSmnSwB61wn6FVoIYBgeMo_sAgGOqDqiir-YqE_X9Zs3edupDH1wYa7Jw1eBQOdoobLOrOh3BwYiTps2TXPgsGxtLu9V2DwJ4dHR2ndzm4CSCXhjFJgrS_S_-FHuadBd_12xc12OpCpZU2lQLccrQ67ClpKSzkN77/w400-h300/IMG_0063.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">One can Kayak up the Storms River mouth in summer<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Addo is famous for its ‘red’ elephants from the dust in this
area. There are no large trees in Addo due to the winds off the coast so it’s a
case of scattered short grass plains surrounded by short thin trees. The animal
sightings are in the plains which are far and few in between but when you do
find something, it’s a good unobscured sightings. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUMOEVdTa0yTw83FHKOMAUCJPL1RGHeK38jx59U8Nho3ckFhoMDnZCkjJeGZXBh7pKGXB0Hpsr64Az5Pow9VjeOCrY3NKeMZbxPP3EzAuJbTFCHqwJGKmdtsPH95GX_2etek6A6WVD4xkV0tSPmcd9cj1PQ0qvDToF-JoQjMre6_xHHY5-WwnSBXhb5Kc/s1600/IMG_0170.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUMOEVdTa0yTw83FHKOMAUCJPL1RGHeK38jx59U8Nho3ckFhoMDnZCkjJeGZXBh7pKGXB0Hpsr64Az5Pow9VjeOCrY3NKeMZbxPP3EzAuJbTFCHqwJGKmdtsPH95GX_2etek6A6WVD4xkV0tSPmcd9cj1PQ0qvDToF-JoQjMre6_xHHY5-WwnSBXhb5Kc/w400-h300/IMG_0170.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">This is big 5 country<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are lions here but
apparently in the Southern section. The only campsite is at the Northern
entrance so don’t go chasing lions here. The elephants are easy to find and
they do come out the grass plains in the afternoons. There is also a great
shooting hide at the Northern gate but as luck would have it, there were some
repairs carried out when were there. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9-ZyCZfTRgF6P7D6vqUztQ0Im4y3vx8p-mr4wQACPTb0Jp3BZMVHqiNRp7biO8qQGPVELL9lzwiy2Uhk3c5RHzVrHJfdqOHEqvxSLllZlBWUSM2OnOhu-uG7szG_EMGkIMk632Oy33Oy4J7_vU73-FSVsL63eLFw_Y-FyZluCAPeSSbKCOpEnihq0qVd/s1600/IMG_0190.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9-ZyCZfTRgF6P7D6vqUztQ0Im4y3vx8p-mr4wQACPTb0Jp3BZMVHqiNRp7biO8qQGPVELL9lzwiy2Uhk3c5RHzVrHJfdqOHEqvxSLllZlBWUSM2OnOhu-uG7szG_EMGkIMk632Oy33Oy4J7_vU73-FSVsL63eLFw_Y-FyZluCAPeSSbKCOpEnihq0qVd/w400-h300/IMG_0190.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Addo offers a wind swept short bush wildlife experience. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Addo is also worth a visit for its unique
landscape and elephants which would be a major attractions in the dry season at
the numerous waterholes scattered throughout the park. Look out for the
Denham’s bustard at Addo.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K9hgRDQuTyODGfUDfpGqA3W79Ya0_Dl_QdLtGaH8I7MC8FK56txywKXwvP_xfN9qSZCAxaCuiMDlWpgea8BImHtpo_KVobDacxUjIr1Y-KR5W7v10bK49GVwJL3FIEtUNxzNf08Bxh6oiWpM59BcBqZu-xii-uNVdvSqczoCmnOocP0xjx95L7P0PPwF/s1600/20230605_162620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K9hgRDQuTyODGfUDfpGqA3W79Ya0_Dl_QdLtGaH8I7MC8FK56txywKXwvP_xfN9qSZCAxaCuiMDlWpgea8BImHtpo_KVobDacxUjIr1Y-KR5W7v10bK49GVwJL3FIEtUNxzNf08Bxh6oiWpM59BcBqZu-xii-uNVdvSqczoCmnOocP0xjx95L7P0PPwF/w400-h300/20230605_162620.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Short bush and grass plains are the feature of Addo. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next on the route to Kruger is Mountain Zebra National Park
which looks an easy 3 hour drive but it’s anything but as the drive is through
several mountain passes which you share with large trucks and lots carrying
vehicles to and from Port Elizabeth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEJsjfqNI80ZvUtCAXCJ96f71bkZJk5jF105yecE-2NMJwVyazjQCO_TlfMemd8w4C4X_WGACSB11MMg8lmji0gPEEZ21pY74lfvMJa5sdLRgbVxkleez8uK97WeIct8G0kjwk_nKErva9xmIVfuFBrSuKu6HSSeS4ocTu_18spzIE0kPQsDf0mo4sYmz/s1600/20230607_090127.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEJsjfqNI80ZvUtCAXCJ96f71bkZJk5jF105yecE-2NMJwVyazjQCO_TlfMemd8w4C4X_WGACSB11MMg8lmji0gPEEZ21pY74lfvMJa5sdLRgbVxkleez8uK97WeIct8G0kjwk_nKErva9xmIVfuFBrSuKu6HSSeS4ocTu_18spzIE0kPQsDf0mo4sYmz/w400-h300/20230607_090127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Spectacular scenery of Mountain Zebra National Park. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is not much on this route in terms
of attractions or large towns but we are off the coast and finally heading
inland on this awesome country. The landscapes reminded us a lot of Australia
and its country towns and what was also noticeable was the deterioration of the
roads as we left the Western Cape and went in to the Eastern Cape.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90FjWuHjLiYDeQ-MYQqtjqjuZJs9tdkw6hW7_gvi-cwodDW6LRrF_HSsiOPNuWHkMZDJVDC_gauFyAnF7XSF_ofuLvEhu2ZAAPHWTCSjRf12WNYH_LCeEP9pVtO8Y2TlJ5DvfM1urRmpAjUVhpq-VvhohA5GAI4a_M2r7-FhTD0wdfA6KtVIRLq3FugWq/s1600/IMG_0245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90FjWuHjLiYDeQ-MYQqtjqjuZJs9tdkw6hW7_gvi-cwodDW6LRrF_HSsiOPNuWHkMZDJVDC_gauFyAnF7XSF_ofuLvEhu2ZAAPHWTCSjRf12WNYH_LCeEP9pVtO8Y2TlJ5DvfM1urRmpAjUVhpq-VvhohA5GAI4a_M2r7-FhTD0wdfA6KtVIRLq3FugWq/w400-h300/IMG_0245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Do not let your guard down in the bush. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mountain Zebra National Park is an underrated gem of a park
both in terms of landscapes and game viewing. The short grass plains offer
great views and your can climb up to the top of the plateau for awesome views
of the surrounding plains. This is also home to some unique angulates in the
form of the Blesbok and White Tailed or Black Wildebeest. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiARaTR_BuXpvvwRwD15a0Y7PNoE9D5gfWUCmBkQfhxRyZs7QsLUyLVjqNwdacZaPKgbyQAVLr9OsQIYRXiptMn1YN4ddziEaTL7UC00y_Mm2D-ZV3tBatAhCG_N7UfkJiuoun2xfuyKGiHRQDGVvCkxQQ2GFrjhepqGxRSWqw9_cJYmlNBQUH-Ynan4as/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiARaTR_BuXpvvwRwD15a0Y7PNoE9D5gfWUCmBkQfhxRyZs7QsLUyLVjqNwdacZaPKgbyQAVLr9OsQIYRXiptMn1YN4ddziEaTL7UC00y_Mm2D-ZV3tBatAhCG_N7UfkJiuoun2xfuyKGiHRQDGVvCkxQQ2GFrjhepqGxRSWqw9_cJYmlNBQUH-Ynan4as/w400-h300/IMG_0275.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Mountain Zebra, a subspecies unique to the Cape. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had seen neither
before and there is other common game such as Springbok, Mountain Zebra, Eland
and Hartebeest. There are Lion, Cheetah and Rhino here but you have your work
cut out to find them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ9ujguQGx0tld8oN9uVieIbe34mV6gRDUXbwzLqKLHnJEqcWZ0CVPzpsytH6MnyeBn_FgBRxvCmHynUaKZUJ1tKFfUHFdn7vtIzZVbrWmL7H93rnPcU1iiF75UFiQRtYMS-zC1-4Co5E8Yf6yy0CnFs2hunbryhJtuKgHEijnb41-4DLgGyYW62xeUwu/s1600/20230607_080303.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ9ujguQGx0tld8oN9uVieIbe34mV6gRDUXbwzLqKLHnJEqcWZ0CVPzpsytH6MnyeBn_FgBRxvCmHynUaKZUJ1tKFfUHFdn7vtIzZVbrWmL7H93rnPcU1iiF75UFiQRtYMS-zC1-4Co5E8Yf6yy0CnFs2hunbryhJtuKgHEijnb41-4DLgGyYW62xeUwu/w400-h300/20230607_080303.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Springbok galore at Mountain Zebra National Park. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The main game concentration appears to be around the two dams close to the entrance and up the escarpment from the South. This is a little gem of a park not be missed if you are down this part of the world.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWN6P7n75dGDvj04w1PkZqGIC64_JeAEpQJ3ArdZQJQPbebV7jlNs2okFS-bdeQqyxBzvbnHGacXhbGIqhcIyIjiCdY5UJHfslOx58lBNlHlS9tmz5oQngkTsvrbyYMjIlrb3dACjVg6-ANw_BxnVr05eCf0qKmyPH7OwCBUtGbjaVguGW4eKS8p33nxX/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWN6P7n75dGDvj04w1PkZqGIC64_JeAEpQJ3ArdZQJQPbebV7jlNs2okFS-bdeQqyxBzvbnHGacXhbGIqhcIyIjiCdY5UJHfslOx58lBNlHlS9tmz5oQngkTsvrbyYMjIlrb3dACjVg6-ANw_BxnVr05eCf0qKmyPH7OwCBUtGbjaVguGW4eKS8p33nxX/w400-h300/IMG_0234.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Mountain Plateau scenery is spectacular. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having covered the ‘Southern’ circuit of parks, next stop was Kruger still over a thousand kilometres away so we broke journey at Bloemfontein. There is no camping options here except for Sangiro lodge which is a hard find as it’s a no entry road on the shoulder of the highway! The facility is ok for a one night stopover but not much more. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Zy1Xnj55kkHSklwcRCcRNccNrUqCZW7cq7GqQye8XSbP0F1xlenjMnC4p1zFsHIcx-2EYlb2CSdMU9QMGPd9U9ns7b1qmoAgOiI_5Sf5SvlYRwcDptCbh0tjEsXf0GSMFJLE_zYVKAQ6xj8vPmq3wPShetpXPcCTGDqC7mFoudwh2lSrI1WRPGuvTG7F/s1600/IMG_0254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Zy1Xnj55kkHSklwcRCcRNccNrUqCZW7cq7GqQye8XSbP0F1xlenjMnC4p1zFsHIcx-2EYlb2CSdMU9QMGPd9U9ns7b1qmoAgOiI_5Sf5SvlYRwcDptCbh0tjEsXf0GSMFJLE_zYVKAQ6xj8vPmq3wPShetpXPcCTGDqC7mFoudwh2lSrI1WRPGuvTG7F/w400-h300/IMG_0254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Bontebok, another animal unique to these parts. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were also hoping to pick up a 500-watt lithium power bank for off grid camping but Bloem was out of stock thanks to the power cuts in South Africa. So we went all the way to the factory in Pretoria on route to Kruger </span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">which also meant we lost time and had to camp on route. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6iml_pVl4pHquX5SktAnYJv56Z1_slCy2ZDVlRjrpHWc7mSVEvRolTAyB7v7tH_c-HAucqUN682gFsMKSea-c50oYui-rmoEgedkmhpWU59q-conQNnNEXITa2u5VKQtCAel-HuP7X76ADktcRMpAt4l0_aulNspbeiSSUPnzV24_oLkoCIV_pH8wm3a/s1600/IMG_0212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6iml_pVl4pHquX5SktAnYJv56Z1_slCy2ZDVlRjrpHWc7mSVEvRolTAyB7v7tH_c-HAucqUN682gFsMKSea-c50oYui-rmoEgedkmhpWU59q-conQNnNEXITa2u5VKQtCAel-HuP7X76ADktcRMpAt4l0_aulNspbeiSSUPnzV24_oLkoCIV_pH8wm3a/w400-h300/IMG_0212.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Left to Graaff-Reinet home to Camdeboo, home of the Anthilltiger. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We stumbled upon Stonechat campsite in Schoeman Kloof. This is great little spot with a small lake and good facilities expect for the never ending mining trucks that go up and down all day and night.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtbodlL__PUOtltVuDV4eGot46NWqBOyUUZ8YIi4dmTz-K1obPuHdNQmMO-jPnqxCtclhOp0GQzxVBQcnkKlo0ycJIkG4Q3stP1sGEBCk_NsHAKkkoRFKW5UT8-GSmvB5Sg6b-bXPXUUzpsAJmAv1EN5hw5aiLBJDS_QaiFobe01GfQ_1nIwMF4DuXt-s/s1600/IMG_0326.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtbodlL__PUOtltVuDV4eGot46NWqBOyUUZ8YIi4dmTz-K1obPuHdNQmMO-jPnqxCtclhOp0GQzxVBQcnkKlo0ycJIkG4Q3stP1sGEBCk_NsHAKkkoRFKW5UT8-GSmvB5Sg6b-bXPXUUzpsAJmAv1EN5hw5aiLBJDS_QaiFobe01GfQ_1nIwMF4DuXt-s/w400-h300/IMG_0326.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Say no more!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally, we were within a day’s drive of Kruger. Going down
the mountain pass to Nelspruit the change in vegetation is noticeable and this
is the last stop to stock up before heading to Kruger. Our base for the next
couple of days would be Henk Van Rooyen camp in Marloth Park. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_Mlg1wkqeUwvccqzHDDj_aXWV2yOzFM0o9ehLHOK-sCj7cemFYNVdwPeemuUwvXgmuEbmufl8XWY1DlfSODaeBe-NjxU_aQuI4PskYuVv5-t2XFjMZcmg2hMtMWCckxngGGknZ4hAWV1P10Dwn4z74eTyM4LA5Zumx9gIRQGzsA19PbFx_BmYHRzm7ZP/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_Mlg1wkqeUwvccqzHDDj_aXWV2yOzFM0o9ehLHOK-sCj7cemFYNVdwPeemuUwvXgmuEbmufl8XWY1DlfSODaeBe-NjxU_aQuI4PskYuVv5-t2XFjMZcmg2hMtMWCckxngGGknZ4hAWV1P10Dwn4z74eTyM4LA5Zumx9gIRQGzsA19PbFx_BmYHRzm7ZP/w400-h300/IMG_0349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Stonechat campsite, Schoemanskloof.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Marloth Park is a
suburb but set in the bush! The Kruger park is across the Crocodile river and
you can watch the game come down to drink on the opposite bank. Marloth park
itself has its own game including a fenced off game reserve surrounded by
homes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFsJN9hOgKSpXCQ0XqJrXw8E-l62Aah5Xu-JKoJI4qimMYO4kd0OJRVkJoAeseMeDK6uYp0FSkIoKBsS9pCC0YClsS3w9rml3PEZZixbpvCKEKMs2eQhUD0DzCTsKBDNrSVyhW5ccDB_gW7xkDcpzMSoseQMHNEMBW6pnqqCvWwq2btyKjhFGMYHm84Od/s1600/IMG_0311.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFsJN9hOgKSpXCQ0XqJrXw8E-l62Aah5Xu-JKoJI4qimMYO4kd0OJRVkJoAeseMeDK6uYp0FSkIoKBsS9pCC0YClsS3w9rml3PEZZixbpvCKEKMs2eQhUD0DzCTsKBDNrSVyhW5ccDB_gW7xkDcpzMSoseQMHNEMBW6pnqqCvWwq2btyKjhFGMYHm84Od/w400-h300/IMG_0311.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Busy roads with big trucks, a long way from Malawi. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What’s really crazy is there is game outside the fenced
reserve walking around in people’s gardens and this includes Lions! I guess the
Lions days are numbered if for nothing else, the gene pool must be limited but
we were here for a couple of days to work out what the life style here was like
and it looks awesome. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqa5Bq9gTixUfMH4pkHaUzkH7SPbSNwb92LSuoWtPebUjPrl3HT4oE58sDyj3CvIWxTWDqMPIzLGvOQODAjHkjFUg4oY8fWCb81aXtU08nSWbq7Qc5myf4_cdBDnuWWVHPYvNzQPFTwnfyHKl2L47Q7fFL_MuSCJpSlvx1oTWB8lgsQodxW9SgHgbA0ql/s1600/IMG_0332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqa5Bq9gTixUfMH4pkHaUzkH7SPbSNwb92LSuoWtPebUjPrl3HT4oE58sDyj3CvIWxTWDqMPIzLGvOQODAjHkjFUg4oY8fWCb81aXtU08nSWbq7Qc5myf4_cdBDnuWWVHPYvNzQPFTwnfyHKl2L47Q7fFL_MuSCJpSlvx1oTWB8lgsQodxW9SgHgbA0ql/w400-h300/IMG_0332.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">8 lane highways, a far cry from the years in East Africa. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If all that is not crazy, there were guys jogging and
going for walks while the Lions were presumably sleeping or pondering the day
they decide to taste a human.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LlgWR97fkZ06VsZgpZDECpnODa6Aa6IL12q4ClWZijQHccq4GcQ-MIxVHjr0JZpybM6KsdiB94bRbv63Twaj0bnBuFOrhrL988mBCkB0XxnYkpNrZ84heSGa2QBWDoCZmEXN3xJrUAkXtAM3wKwVK4vD-LJAKS8NYZnQO_PAqnKZKE_EqoOKV3AnOEmV/s1600/IMG_0372.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LlgWR97fkZ06VsZgpZDECpnODa6Aa6IL12q4ClWZijQHccq4GcQ-MIxVHjr0JZpybM6KsdiB94bRbv63Twaj0bnBuFOrhrL988mBCkB0XxnYkpNrZ84heSGa2QBWDoCZmEXN3xJrUAkXtAM3wKwVK4vD-LJAKS8NYZnQO_PAqnKZKE_EqoOKV3AnOEmV/w400-h300/IMG_0372.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Maputo, Mozambique is a mere 130 KMS from Marloth Park.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Either way we were taken up by this suburb like
no other with it’s own game, game reserve while sharing a border with the
Kruger park just 30 minutes away.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHZ9PsLHgvnp4iaAIIaUw9v85mdO5ZCfwWlfDcKDFTlKRUEQ5PgfrTRl4yMH9icZJnT0-iFIMoHcLqO83vyJ8xlGUfSd4ruAXMJbn82s-5BfYkzp1THYCha2qoinhjLZEEG49Q-4rjv0Iym9lS31IJ4EyroNrLUrAgUC0w-QB67JerIklP5WK-uuOulJ5/s1600/IMG_9913.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHZ9PsLHgvnp4iaAIIaUw9v85mdO5ZCfwWlfDcKDFTlKRUEQ5PgfrTRl4yMH9icZJnT0-iFIMoHcLqO83vyJ8xlGUfSd4ruAXMJbn82s-5BfYkzp1THYCha2qoinhjLZEEG49Q-4rjv0Iym9lS31IJ4EyroNrLUrAgUC0w-QB67JerIklP5WK-uuOulJ5/w400-h300/IMG_9913.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">We don't have too many gadgets but added this to the armory for Botswana. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What we also picked up is South African parks are full of
caravans, motor homes and 4x4 trailers which we don’t see outside South Africa.
This is basically a mobile home literally including the kitchen sink, pay tv, air-condition,
toilet and multiple fridges. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv7AGbmYHzJFuWqlZpLvZImRYCXIOWWpJA5oqH7TuByhVUfjV1VjJ2fHrE8jhYIiGFFEI8QTD3DAFKnt391YiTQZ02kF01SusWaPb9CPjVcO6NIQ8MBkdwmchD27HGbfNb8fyAMY4FUMzXkbXVeKRdp595XlW2r3qHbFFi6Vl8odlYMro7poAyf8YAk4F/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv7AGbmYHzJFuWqlZpLvZImRYCXIOWWpJA5oqH7TuByhVUfjV1VjJ2fHrE8jhYIiGFFEI8QTD3DAFKnt391YiTQZ02kF01SusWaPb9CPjVcO6NIQ8MBkdwmchD27HGbfNb8fyAMY4FUMzXkbXVeKRdp595XlW2r3qHbFFi6Vl8odlYMro7poAyf8YAk4F/w400-h300/IMG_0426.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Marloth Park camp site, on the Crocodile river opposite Kruger NP. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All camp sites are dominated by these set ups and
usually the guys are chilling in these camps for weeks. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I guess it’s
caravanning in its true form with a whole community around it. The South
African infrastructure is perfectly set up for this lifestyle where you can
move from site to site but you will have to book well in advance as it is
awfully popular.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUXenO4kBcTEFM8fkV3Oq1Xn0Fxh0-jRGlFTKUJDQ5RO6VA8gPyWc0XN1Xn5JKL0475ysVqDiebXVR7XJ7pIAQ6yGOQ_7fobRK50PfReBE06fC4moPeCQdLAcRkR3YirwvktSFxqjtVDeg-DcGtOsCh3WVVTsGTDu5dlxyzoenD2YGczcOxBwb12lCiTg/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUXenO4kBcTEFM8fkV3Oq1Xn0Fxh0-jRGlFTKUJDQ5RO6VA8gPyWc0XN1Xn5JKL0475ysVqDiebXVR7XJ7pIAQ6yGOQ_7fobRK50PfReBE06fC4moPeCQdLAcRkR3YirwvktSFxqjtVDeg-DcGtOsCh3WVVTsGTDu5dlxyzoenD2YGczcOxBwb12lCiTg/w400-h300/IMG_0430.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">All things South African, mobile home, Braai gear and pork chops!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The day has finally arrived for us to check out one of the
worlds premier wildlife destinations – the Kruger National Park. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ5LiYK2QunkmKvb4ToOWO5YxS4Rty7G6jw7PZTiQW8E8rAQFYmXA_Am_-LmiPsrq16AXIBFSF6XUkirRL0AVluA_BhA92H-t8IfppEgudVRpQhZwy_xj18S0Acy6ua9G36QUbkXvIgpfb2BoClIMk1zllP11YbzTNQv9n9hzr6WuyjxZPCkXeAJmhi4D/s1600/IMG_0473.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ5LiYK2QunkmKvb4ToOWO5YxS4Rty7G6jw7PZTiQW8E8rAQFYmXA_Am_-LmiPsrq16AXIBFSF6XUkirRL0AVluA_BhA92H-t8IfppEgudVRpQhZwy_xj18S0Acy6ua9G36QUbkXvIgpfb2BoClIMk1zllP11YbzTNQv9n9hzr6WuyjxZPCkXeAJmhi4D/w400-h300/IMG_0473.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Troop of processionary caterpillars kept us occupied at the campsite. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is a
monster when it comes to National Parks in terms of sightings and presence of
wildlife including Africa’s super 7. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuOQYS1EkcZqJXl114-HOrUoJXA3-2NceR4hqgs7AI755hj3BQSznZ7EYtsl8BAWgVsYap80l_T-5ody4u5AzTYR7pxxsdIEZF6kES9BUu7sR0GslgMZuQRZ-QV_LafBs_7ovaThboxM-TG6IWdZtz_omIKwM3FMkgSD4W5xqSECcxbXv647s-k0Xo8Pr/s1600/IMG_0480.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuOQYS1EkcZqJXl114-HOrUoJXA3-2NceR4hqgs7AI755hj3BQSznZ7EYtsl8BAWgVsYap80l_T-5ody4u5AzTYR7pxxsdIEZF6kES9BUu7sR0GslgMZuQRZ-QV_LafBs_7ovaThboxM-TG6IWdZtz_omIKwM3FMkgSD4W5xqSECcxbXv647s-k0Xo8Pr/w300-h400/IMG_0480.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Marloth Park borders to mighty Kruger NP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What’s more the game is well habituated to
vehicles and thus sightings are rewarding and the park is huge with multiple
entrance gates and camps which cater to all budgets. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFI7hlWUR6nBzPgJWic28GnmiHtC2iXrD33h0kuYBAmGZTJ-7i8tzqMqUuzzi8C3_6HRXyR9XG0yHRAcK9Z4wAv4G2__B-ksw5g3GArACaFPFcUCcVJBWQRPUAZiRYBViEVFLzCCRttBFHYteYUE0Gnd95feosi_ALTyJyfM70YC0D9gtmyfbT7iS4w1pP/s1600/20230612_110928.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFI7hlWUR6nBzPgJWic28GnmiHtC2iXrD33h0kuYBAmGZTJ-7i8tzqMqUuzzi8C3_6HRXyR9XG0yHRAcK9Z4wAv4G2__B-ksw5g3GArACaFPFcUCcVJBWQRPUAZiRYBViEVFLzCCRttBFHYteYUE0Gnd95feosi_ALTyJyfM70YC0D9gtmyfbT7iS4w1pP/w400-h300/20230612_110928.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Kruger National Park, we are finally here entering through Malelane.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All camps are armed with
well stocked stores, fuel and restaurants so you don’t really need to carry
anything even for multiple days as long as your willing to pay the rates. The
roads are well maintained dust tracks with the major arteries tarmac. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk79EHtKxW6yOAvXBzBzUY8TVN0YapODRKka4LpH6XTpOR0HZv4ZxHcDB77aohgVFygRpvKW64KixwnAR6IbXW7Cpxwu-oOe2KhqC_DBUwOkZtzSQjt-wuICInwzBcCTxFLOo4cPkIBFjj0H5IZ0TjN31RZSdeDyvRbIEK4yyUeiSAiD4wvdeBkjZexKTl/s1600/20230612_111052.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk79EHtKxW6yOAvXBzBzUY8TVN0YapODRKka4LpH6XTpOR0HZv4ZxHcDB77aohgVFygRpvKW64KixwnAR6IbXW7Cpxwu-oOe2KhqC_DBUwOkZtzSQjt-wuICInwzBcCTxFLOo4cPkIBFjj0H5IZ0TjN31RZSdeDyvRbIEK4yyUeiSAiD4wvdeBkjZexKTl/w400-h300/20230612_111052.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sightings board, why don't all parks have this?<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yes there
are cops in the park with speed guns for the idiots who actually speed in a
national park. There is even a golf course in the park if you really want to
get carried away.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUuAXG3s_fKuGoJrpaD2leQxnuj_LZ3_y-K9g4DyuXkiBHwujPAqD-8eeNIGmV9DN3PsrCd8Ge-ZCEZgF3mZ-8FZNQz1cXWjR4kTlGBIxYbQnBYY7pZvXf6wyMhJMzkbUhjqYT2HZf9MXJ4q8RIUjJH4RrJCa41m8fhpuxBGaM7Zfp96ga5F1vEmngXlZ/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUuAXG3s_fKuGoJrpaD2leQxnuj_LZ3_y-K9g4DyuXkiBHwujPAqD-8eeNIGmV9DN3PsrCd8Ge-ZCEZgF3mZ-8FZNQz1cXWjR4kTlGBIxYbQnBYY7pZvXf6wyMhJMzkbUhjqYT2HZf9MXJ4q8RIUjJH4RrJCa41m8fhpuxBGaM7Zfp96ga5F1vEmngXlZ/w400-h300/IMG_0501.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Southern Kruger, Malelane, Crocodile bridge, Skakuza, Lower Sabie - red roads are tarmac. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our entrance gate to Kruger was the Malelane gate which was
also our camp for the night. This is probably the best gate in the park to have
a realistic chance of sighting the big 5 mainly because the Rhino are plenty in
this area which we didn’t find in other areas. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPP_Iq-FqWM0M9sJH5IAGUEgoCdoiP4gW_xpvApfAxvLpo4zb-DLeORPbprDdv8N4AYLnCTMn5dpoDe7EcyyhckF8Y1bXTNfGbwo4KcuPQF6BmFzIPQ3-BuTV5GbdZT0ODxPGE3xiHFgQrjWTKYC87fDcm1k2VgtsBVrGeP_Zit3rVV3WpYACxDJvSyfp/s1600/IMG_0607.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPP_Iq-FqWM0M9sJH5IAGUEgoCdoiP4gW_xpvApfAxvLpo4zb-DLeORPbprDdv8N4AYLnCTMn5dpoDe7EcyyhckF8Y1bXTNfGbwo4KcuPQF6BmFzIPQ3-BuTV5GbdZT0ODxPGE3xiHFgQrjWTKYC87fDcm1k2VgtsBVrGeP_Zit3rVV3WpYACxDJvSyfp/w400-h300/IMG_0607.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Anything for a Braai is all of South Africa. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The main game driving areas are based
along the crisscrossing rivers and is well stocked with all predators and
plains game. There was</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">a pride with a 3
male coalition, Leopard and Wild dogs within a stones throw of the camp. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZQxUxfabalS3BtXEO378W8sMzdTBUy57jMO7K04GrifR1VQ6K-GS-rSnsWQJjGPtOEdoKw2CEpDAPvQ1-xruDupYRbmyiWcVypkW7DC8FFbYaugtDrQSq7el0wfPR1qH26ilpBKIKrXLmQiR7WGxS7SKSbAQcUBCj66pP0vyAHXBkREcj11DS12lsT77/s1600/20230614_071520.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZQxUxfabalS3BtXEO378W8sMzdTBUy57jMO7K04GrifR1VQ6K-GS-rSnsWQJjGPtOEdoKw2CEpDAPvQ1-xruDupYRbmyiWcVypkW7DC8FFbYaugtDrQSq7el0wfPR1qH26ilpBKIKrXLmQiR7WGxS7SKSbAQcUBCj66pP0vyAHXBkREcj11DS12lsT77/w400-h300/20230614_071520.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The essential Kruger, Lions on the tarmac with traffic!<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
are also some interesting waterholes within striking distance. Kruger also has
active sightings board updated through the day and an App where you can get a
feel of what is moving around.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdHVeENoMPnvBfpIl7j9MrG-Iw4Li06gpOeDWzEmsAjyztJlsFwUhEvMiB94BzvaosvM42UR-i2EJpDCU7ZalXjsAANY1bqFQk-6wNayrlX7Ylh5AFbUuq-AMaiiu-J6gRfGNskD7BfM1shTvgrNLDg35ygILk7kKSqtC2qPyvchLaZx6hyF3nsx0JIln/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdHVeENoMPnvBfpIl7j9MrG-Iw4Li06gpOeDWzEmsAjyztJlsFwUhEvMiB94BzvaosvM42UR-i2EJpDCU7ZalXjsAANY1bqFQk-6wNayrlX7Ylh5AFbUuq-AMaiiu-J6gRfGNskD7BfM1shTvgrNLDg35ygILk7kKSqtC2qPyvchLaZx6hyF3nsx0JIln/w300-h400/IMG_0500.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">North to South Kruger could be nearly 400 KMS. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next night was the Lower Sabi which is one of the few camps
not located by an entrance gate. The vegetation is more savanah and open plains
and the great thing about this camps it the ability to explore in opposite
directions, all offering different biomes and wildlife experience. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7G4Nv31TxYt1rvTWlwOvyIMbtj9xmgWAQuYXIhM1-DeqPzPl0dNM9A04x9LX09CM-Fr72_NhBMQZwXlJ1c-Fm16VdYwmF3xmFm-JAu1-CeXje5x6YBnWlJfPK7mbcjf2Yt9TvTeirUMdnplRRsLyvg6GISy1twWgYG6MZgrHVZKq_jNMklZ9TNuqarDA/s1600/IMG_0516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7G4Nv31TxYt1rvTWlwOvyIMbtj9xmgWAQuYXIhM1-DeqPzPl0dNM9A04x9LX09CM-Fr72_NhBMQZwXlJ1c-Fm16VdYwmF3xmFm-JAu1-CeXje5x6YBnWlJfPK7mbcjf2Yt9TvTeirUMdnplRRsLyvg6GISy1twWgYG6MZgrHVZKq_jNMklZ9TNuqarDA/w400-h300/IMG_0516.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Best chance to see Big Five, Malelane at Kruger. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This area
also had a forested area on the road South where we had two Leopard sightings
in one morning and Lions were roaring at night. The area across the river
towards Mlondozi reminded us of Kalahari, flat grasslands offering a different
experience where unsurprisingly there were reports of a Cheetah sighting. Take
note the fuel stop at Lower Sabi is out of service and had been for a long
time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbtJoMVKAWJg1VJI6CkXDv_nPDnXu2g_fexwQB4br2wSNWLlYXJUomWfaB9RL_e9Gy7-I4PM3Ibds6ddcmwErfOBDFWkSFeko0zxoQSJ-ink-Ei9AqetAm0dgtxOYHaitx6IKxC2UBbDTD3BRhbJYrS9Trc2z5ss17COfQdE49xXWw397D02qEMyyulJz/s1600/IMG_0541.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbtJoMVKAWJg1VJI6CkXDv_nPDnXu2g_fexwQB4br2wSNWLlYXJUomWfaB9RL_e9Gy7-I4PM3Ibds6ddcmwErfOBDFWkSFeko0zxoQSJ-ink-Ei9AqetAm0dgtxOYHaitx6IKxC2UBbDTD3BRhbJYrS9Trc2z5ss17COfQdE49xXWw397D02qEMyyulJz/w400-h300/IMG_0541.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">There is no fuel at Lower Sabie so plan accordingly but all other camps are ok. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The mad run through the park continued the next day as
headed to Crocodile Bridge, also a park entrance and thus reasonably busy. The
campsite is surprisingly small for one of the oldest camps and always try to
get yourself a site against the fence to keep an eye on the passing game. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPfoqAPpSeKgeTOYaW-Fhbmoo0MAVyxa6ECPINoLY6NLzfPVzJ85i64JMNcF948OBqdLB-xEEm2cLI0wg5y_mVaZb1LuTg4hOHyaOydpOKGJZANY-Oh84bxCJUV5sS-161Fuoy3OLkAnmieZ-erOcLxVu33XI_1bsjX62dzGunyWEDccUE4sXRgJ77A8M/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPfoqAPpSeKgeTOYaW-Fhbmoo0MAVyxa6ECPINoLY6NLzfPVzJ85i64JMNcF948OBqdLB-xEEm2cLI0wg5y_mVaZb1LuTg4hOHyaOydpOKGJZANY-Oh84bxCJUV5sS-161Fuoy3OLkAnmieZ-erOcLxVu33XI_1bsjX62dzGunyWEDccUE4sXRgJ77A8M/w400-h300/IMG_0546.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Feeding animals is plain stupid, don't be the idiot and read up why you mustn't. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
Lion pride was literally asleep next to the campsite. The main game viewing is
towards Lower Sabi and along the Crocodile River and we didn’t find this camp
all that exiting in terms of camping or game. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDRN9u7ZOJizssm082YNqIjQTKbgocMHGWcKcE0CHA7OKgz1aqTlkTojY7TOhkcz2HvCtFgE7TaeSdFIVD5lT2Kc35-Aw5M0bBNWXHjmUirtpIAE-3wtLQTAYJ48EaGLPzuJM0YA_Bxvo-pmqtpPnwsN62eIemMY7DMvpywk_9uemPRt3ZM2nHKu3Cz_e/s1600/IMG_0579.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDRN9u7ZOJizssm082YNqIjQTKbgocMHGWcKcE0CHA7OKgz1aqTlkTojY7TOhkcz2HvCtFgE7TaeSdFIVD5lT2Kc35-Aw5M0bBNWXHjmUirtpIAE-3wtLQTAYJ48EaGLPzuJM0YA_Bxvo-pmqtpPnwsN62eIemMY7DMvpywk_9uemPRt3ZM2nHKu3Cz_e/w400-h300/IMG_0579.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sunset lagoon, Lower Sabie, don't miss it for sunsets. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is an awesome waterhole
close to the camp that should be first point of call and don’t miss the Hippo
pool on the crocodile river, oddly one of the few places you get check out the
actual Crocodile river.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQbHwJx8rO8uT61p8iO8J3o7hDrZDepY0A-inbtuZZ1KaXyFpo4iQJXqEhE1td0EtvcBLtxV8-n74J26UNyxcY-CQda4OsyfkIKXH5flWd-NkYHGkfmdVR9dswEfdlRH9CKCidKZ773Oo33pGmuaPus3J5I2L18kZNXQNoh1yPwePzCblRNYfCrDOk_ya/s1600/IMG_0587.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQbHwJx8rO8uT61p8iO8J3o7hDrZDepY0A-inbtuZZ1KaXyFpo4iQJXqEhE1td0EtvcBLtxV8-n74J26UNyxcY-CQda4OsyfkIKXH5flWd-NkYHGkfmdVR9dswEfdlRH9CKCidKZ773Oo33pGmuaPus3J5I2L18kZNXQNoh1yPwePzCblRNYfCrDOk_ya/w400-h300/IMG_0587.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Common kitchen at camp site, hot water urn, electric cook tops and wash basins. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Day 4 and this time we were at Pretoriouskop, however on the
approach to Pretoriouskop it was evident why we could get last minute booking
here, the vegetation is thick and almost impossible to spot game. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cRC6uMYFtyN0raP66cJzAYCH97xHu6JpzHJaw2oXe7n0Jfx-WPIuUNWeluOyNFXL9NIWRbTVgyNVP0sGzcSu5JpmurQ6Uvguqbr8nCY16bQ5fJwE_PE7EeykEBPqiEmIXXeiYjZv7DaQMN9_6x7MUNURUtGkhW9zgn-7Z20xhRXxs8AtW2mkX__Zi2aw/s1600/IMG_0603.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cRC6uMYFtyN0raP66cJzAYCH97xHu6JpzHJaw2oXe7n0Jfx-WPIuUNWeluOyNFXL9NIWRbTVgyNVP0sGzcSu5JpmurQ6Uvguqbr8nCY16bQ5fJwE_PE7EeykEBPqiEmIXXeiYjZv7DaQMN9_6x7MUNURUtGkhW9zgn-7Z20xhRXxs8AtW2mkX__Zi2aw/w400-h300/IMG_0603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">They have been doing this for a long time in Kruger and are experts. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was
plenty of signs of elephant activity and reports of a Leopard close to the camp
but we were convinced from the outset that we needed to get out of here asap.
The campsite is huge with good facilities as always but we were not impressed
with this part of the park. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt0UA4WvE9ZOeJFCdkGap9BbkrjqTMx0vnVtA7SqYvG1yEMnLuKQ29dodDIgZpAgYWmRq0HUdfpty_k-dZIaUt1PKpzutfb2pFOsQSjugSB-QCn-FitLzAk-_VdUHaxzuftN76hTMM9JpqA9PQCxf0H-d6xHXqdPJ_v7gO4zPJZzc2Cp8Oe_imS-gK19m/s1600/IMG_0643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt0UA4WvE9ZOeJFCdkGap9BbkrjqTMx0vnVtA7SqYvG1yEMnLuKQ29dodDIgZpAgYWmRq0HUdfpty_k-dZIaUt1PKpzutfb2pFOsQSjugSB-QCn-FitLzAk-_VdUHaxzuftN76hTMM9JpqA9PQCxf0H-d6xHXqdPJ_v7gO4zPJZzc2Cp8Oe_imS-gK19m/w400-h300/IMG_0643.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Self catering bungalow with the all important Braai is a great option. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are a couple of waterholes and a kopje close
by but the thick vegetation was a problem. Our main focus was that we needed to
come back here in a couple of days for two night and there was no way that was
an option.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VypI5DGdPi3v1Gn8jktgj93ZHnFS6yy57xsdrAdWThQAPVVjDkwZKgLZDeuuA6NHdHd__2HIAFQ2oswaCfeV9e38vJSaW3aDPx93L6ffpaBfGQUkgM30I4BB2joPNqtvorW41q1ZJt-4g9oYoZMCBKInkh__WKqyovqR8Z0efWpVrohlQO5SCY1rzIy4/s1600/IMG_0608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VypI5DGdPi3v1Gn8jktgj93ZHnFS6yy57xsdrAdWThQAPVVjDkwZKgLZDeuuA6NHdHd__2HIAFQ2oswaCfeV9e38vJSaW3aDPx93L6ffpaBfGQUkgM30I4BB2joPNqtvorW41q1ZJt-4g9oYoZMCBKInkh__WKqyovqR8Z0efWpVrohlQO5SCY1rzIy4/w400-h300/IMG_0608.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">There are many tales of old timers in the bush. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The wild ride through Kruger now took us to Skukuza the next
day where we could only secure a chalet as the campsite was full. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gPJo9avkV59_n7gKSX0xeNWWNUigqgAqDQlNauYf3JTN8nCfNJYaS-WlRqJS7I4gnUz7uKVUC390PZRpkLR-wq7KsXlTP_eQBz-iu2ArkbkrOiDy4F_2Cj8CF2AQO3WUjJr5a8Qhww3gEhmzcfWASPgskqKlT9b_tfHRjHXpHZSBKE2NKxqhhNiEWLY4/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gPJo9avkV59_n7gKSX0xeNWWNUigqgAqDQlNauYf3JTN8nCfNJYaS-WlRqJS7I4gnUz7uKVUC390PZRpkLR-wq7KsXlTP_eQBz-iu2ArkbkrOiDy4F_2Cj8CF2AQO3WUjJr5a8Qhww3gEhmzcfWASPgskqKlT9b_tfHRjHXpHZSBKE2NKxqhhNiEWLY4/w400-h300/IMG_0610.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Voortrecker wagon is part of South African history. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We also
managed to swap our Pretoriouskop two days for Satara chalet as the camp was
full. Skukuza is the biggest and most prominent camp with 3 restaurants,
airport, golf club and multiple accommodation options. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUBOnuCGLeqZ5vvzJ7aU10xu_1skf5rFubaFUGGVCnQMJN7c1111OUQEFZKNGMSD5EiDThm0hQV2qYR1bXS7usP5NQH73BosVc-w2dKT2R6XnF2pn1dBx5kHhTwY4gQlL9iAwY-GDUttE-hFzAA6spJOl7y8yCYI7yYaosA-lf_IB4hWZboKRKk2lCp5S/s1600/IMG_0735.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUBOnuCGLeqZ5vvzJ7aU10xu_1skf5rFubaFUGGVCnQMJN7c1111OUQEFZKNGMSD5EiDThm0hQV2qYR1bXS7usP5NQH73BosVc-w2dKT2R6XnF2pn1dBx5kHhTwY4gQlL9iAwY-GDUttE-hFzAA6spJOl7y8yCYI7yYaosA-lf_IB4hWZboKRKk2lCp5S/w400-h300/IMG_0735.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">self catering bungalows with c</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ook top, microwave, sink and baboonproof fridge. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is also not next to
an entrance gate which means one can explore in 4 different directions. This is
probably one of the best places to based yourself to chase game in Kruger and
sightings here are fantastic. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SFrPNDPm7-k_iy_dO7Q7nUFzkh2wDwoQU7TLTelV9M-9tpnrgs0e8j9nTRX3bQEP2hlf62lyIJ6Vz2-o2l0senHEd44_RduI1A1FGaSyLxiMYpcq69vMLGOnqluem9Y1yXpZ_N64uVhketv8cE5LelidCwd826rwy5cpnMQ23UhS5TAmRdzD0UsrMMZX/s1600/IMG_0662.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SFrPNDPm7-k_iy_dO7Q7nUFzkh2wDwoQU7TLTelV9M-9tpnrgs0e8j9nTRX3bQEP2hlf62lyIJ6Vz2-o2l0senHEd44_RduI1A1FGaSyLxiMYpcq69vMLGOnqluem9Y1yXpZ_N64uVhketv8cE5LelidCwd826rwy5cpnMQ23UhS5TAmRdzD0UsrMMZX/w400-h300/IMG_0662.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The game is very tame, this clan outside the Skukuza gate resting on the road. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A pride of 19 brought down a buffalo, the wild dogs were
further down the same road and there is a clan of hyenas just outside the camp
gate who insist on sleeping on the road despite heavy traffic. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqEI7f4PMqeAPov0HeawEvu1fENX5rEA6GYzxHTzkPi5k8FgqQXitRD-AYy8s1rp5evGy-JvYmv1uz76wvS-aB0_ZX1VILrIFug1C7IBUNf5S8XiIcEmFeYa-MesbUBFvDYCsEMoCXPtqyAqUVIJi420VZ2MSVdE2l8ZbgTMVNzzDzyIioktG489vUDT9/s1600/IMG_0697.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqEI7f4PMqeAPov0HeawEvu1fENX5rEA6GYzxHTzkPi5k8FgqQXitRD-AYy8s1rp5evGy-JvYmv1uz76wvS-aB0_ZX1VILrIFug1C7IBUNf5S8XiIcEmFeYa-MesbUBFvDYCsEMoCXPtqyAqUVIJi420VZ2MSVdE2l8ZbgTMVNzzDzyIioktG489vUDT9/w400-h300/IMG_0697.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Even feathered game is used to cars like this Crested Barbet. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were
reports of two Leopard in the area too but the main thing there are multiple
roads to explore including two roads that hug the Sabie River. Also worth
noting the chalet is a nice option and welcome break from the campsites which
are awfully crowded and stacked on top of each other. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U0ytaWHSJSY1ouCl25zcCCwvPVPiMi0Q4UVPaov4HWd7v9QCNFqvi0Zagb0INL56INvXBdu69cDQEnhRBKe9EUo_EXmyY9Lekry3C_H1dUhLc_1hYbAcaLA9KvpEMOiw3G7g7J8T7ozm0IdCyzeWCb0X6IohKpyhterZQuhU2AgrF1dIukZ5Lda_Z03x/s1600/IMG_0714.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U0ytaWHSJSY1ouCl25zcCCwvPVPiMi0Q4UVPaov4HWd7v9QCNFqvi0Zagb0INL56INvXBdu69cDQEnhRBKe9EUo_EXmyY9Lekry3C_H1dUhLc_1hYbAcaLA9KvpEMOiw3G7g7J8T7ozm0IdCyzeWCb0X6IohKpyhterZQuhU2AgrF1dIukZ5Lda_Z03x/w400-h300/IMG_0714.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">This chap wasn't happy with us and let us know all about it. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The chalets are self
catering with a toilet and braai spot so you have everything one needs to have
a comfortable stay with minimum fuss and most of all some much needed privacy
and quietness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuWhZ_Dn6CySS3w3qx0CKexofRjc1YptAb4EwYzkVwjJON5H8Mpk67i0eak1lYOkULnlL7m10dqH8GRHbaaXD685atN9XSDwHyrUHyj56NPo3QCWQ7ADyaSxbtu6ip4ba49Aqm3GS4X2A8c1LVRhMH0qDeTUv4KtwVdAlR7zj12o8DLgV6AaqRFrb8a_3/s1600/IMG_0760.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuWhZ_Dn6CySS3w3qx0CKexofRjc1YptAb4EwYzkVwjJON5H8Mpk67i0eak1lYOkULnlL7m10dqH8GRHbaaXD685atN9XSDwHyrUHyj56NPo3QCWQ7ADyaSxbtu6ip4ba49Aqm3GS4X2A8c1LVRhMH0qDeTUv4KtwVdAlR7zj12o8DLgV6AaqRFrb8a_3/w400-h300/IMG_0760.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Car trouble and the camps have a resident 'guy' who can do some basics. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next stop, Satara, another great camp without an entrance
gate and this is as North as we could reach and there was so much further North
one can check out. Satara also offers some great game viewing options in
multiple directions. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwZu3Hn9EqFqt-SrXOLoyVJPG87ftiAMzX2-ZJggOxjcI3CaOrqh-Q2_bFoZOUo047xJEsdJFgPhUhgcO3BbU4Sox5J4MlYv3kGS_8emvPphyRw0Kd3iRf7kd4KR3B5ScTt27M59LCnvgIYez0ABmi3rAzjOlRQ5omt8f3Z7SWadVurR_zz1OgSE8_uKo/s1600/IMG_0762.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwZu3Hn9EqFqt-SrXOLoyVJPG87ftiAMzX2-ZJggOxjcI3CaOrqh-Q2_bFoZOUo047xJEsdJFgPhUhgcO3BbU4Sox5J4MlYv3kGS_8emvPphyRw0Kd3iRf7kd4KR3B5ScTt27M59LCnvgIYez0ABmi3rAzjOlRQ5omt8f3Z7SWadVurR_zz1OgSE8_uKo/w400-h300/IMG_0762.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lookout for the Honey Badger at Satara and they will raid your bin. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The resident Leopard had a kill less than 2 kilometres
from the camp gate and the Lions there were reports of multiple Lions prides in
all directions. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDMaENC0QfZQdKUOYhrSLj5yxRSCjkkmBNdw4hJ_EMnytxqlLntuRo3ITHmGZbu-l4YRPu4XofqL6RvY8d_cgKKCJSiqXjOvKEhe6_6BtPU3nCvF8i7LAGtcp0oOihy9_uMoFnNIQKQnMaT-VdBNOJKn8Q6HS2T5P0qaksw7AwoLUYulHvxvLrwf0kMNj/s1600/IMG_0765.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDMaENC0QfZQdKUOYhrSLj5yxRSCjkkmBNdw4hJ_EMnytxqlLntuRo3ITHmGZbu-l4YRPu4XofqL6RvY8d_cgKKCJSiqXjOvKEhe6_6BtPU3nCvF8i7LAGtcp0oOihy9_uMoFnNIQKQnMaT-VdBNOJKn8Q6HS2T5P0qaksw7AwoLUYulHvxvLrwf0kMNj/w400-h300/IMG_0765.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Bushbuck is hanging around the notice which says not to feed him!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was Cheetah sighting also close to the camp gate so
Satara we concluded was a great options for Kruger. Having checked all of the
Southern camps, our first choice would be Skakuza followed by Lower Sabi.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtipjWudyOYF-QIVok55E4ibuamo8jsUiPdbOsDeZa3PgkYNl-XbZ_XFmsPGBO_xH7PK2Fq1FwlERSnSVyEo7M7mSuie5TDIBYnZKpY5zMW6P4rsQMX9yRr5Q4suy-wmCLtzVH4jVbJYnVCZJ2kLT3Qbggk0_JyoT11XrPZDbbuTiQ6zEDo9KJYLv6LwtO/s1600/IMG_0773.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtipjWudyOYF-QIVok55E4ibuamo8jsUiPdbOsDeZa3PgkYNl-XbZ_XFmsPGBO_xH7PK2Fq1FwlERSnSVyEo7M7mSuie5TDIBYnZKpY5zMW6P4rsQMX9yRr5Q4suy-wmCLtzVH4jVbJYnVCZJ2kLT3Qbggk0_JyoT11XrPZDbbuTiQ6zEDo9KJYLv6LwtO/w400-h300/IMG_0773.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Meat, Potatoes and Corn is all you need for a Braai.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We ended up spending 9 nights in Kruger and had some great
sightings except the Cheeta which is a rara sight in this park. The Leopard
count was 9 including multiple sightings on the road and a couple up trees
including one with a kill.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLAkzyYz-CwFtFMsTptgGJ293EVT5vGw5RgJ2Z0tNFFaeCZ7k443q9HfXHPFbdNLb7DOH86BNQDVlOtf3TaE0iXsbsQDwDbIKaaZfMYJFkPcGHOXgWy9zjQKN9zABCXuIMCj4LXzB15a1eMFenSI1Hva6OHDhS4PRvZjlF8IUar8hWa-fiIQ2Ht5Vsfck/s1600/IMG_0780.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLAkzyYz-CwFtFMsTptgGJ293EVT5vGw5RgJ2Z0tNFFaeCZ7k443q9HfXHPFbdNLb7DOH86BNQDVlOtf3TaE0iXsbsQDwDbIKaaZfMYJFkPcGHOXgWy9zjQKN9zABCXuIMCj4LXzB15a1eMFenSI1Hva6OHDhS4PRvZjlF8IUar8hWa-fiIQ2Ht5Vsfck/w400-h300/IMG_0780.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">We are not kitted out and thus some diving is needed at times. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> While we had multiple Lion sightings, we felt the
money shot remained elusive. Rhino was great but only in one area while
Elephant and Buffalo were common. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQamXeNYwkZm-xngrs4U8fCGUL2y0ZBRNj3kwiGqceQ0IZ1oIGUQS8gssq7eyskXzucCxhdWgRuMEeXKYAjAa1pJHg-LmJBOVe8nPB5bZvtzh4FJIgKWZ6D8DzbNLXzeXlf8kmkPLEy1sYOiXVCtWUs34ZfobKFsebSNZxcdI87wZlD27QjMe-LqeZG8WZ/s1600/IMG_0781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQamXeNYwkZm-xngrs4U8fCGUL2y0ZBRNj3kwiGqceQ0IZ1oIGUQS8gssq7eyskXzucCxhdWgRuMEeXKYAjAa1pJHg-LmJBOVe8nPB5bZvtzh4FJIgKWZ6D8DzbNLXzeXlf8kmkPLEy1sYOiXVCtWUs34ZfobKFsebSNZxcdI87wZlD27QjMe-LqeZG8WZ/w400-h300/IMG_0781.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">When in South Africa, keep calm and eat lots of Biltong and Dry Wors. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wild dog sightings were also better than
expected while the bird count went over a hundred getting to the top for one single
trip beating the 99 from the Serengeti. Despite the maddening crowds and tarmac
roads, Kruger remains one of the top iconic wildlife destinations in the world
and we will be back.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIYhuZ0rdo8CPm4iLmADoF0Wl1dbnSS1b3HK6O2opKbtFMJfHu-mokrOrb87_IpgnXzeJ-jhF3_h3tKQTisa66g6slyHeOn0_OSIeWCasQ1VMedQOncZjaV36l8Mb_FPTlXuBNJaRRWB9vcI2w0ZCaDDJSXJpRZBKx9CI8D_QiKUgwI3RVxOkGiynXKJV/s1600/IMG_0789.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIYhuZ0rdo8CPm4iLmADoF0Wl1dbnSS1b3HK6O2opKbtFMJfHu-mokrOrb87_IpgnXzeJ-jhF3_h3tKQTisa66g6slyHeOn0_OSIeWCasQ1VMedQOncZjaV36l8Mb_FPTlXuBNJaRRWB9vcI2w0ZCaDDJSXJpRZBKx9CI8D_QiKUgwI3RVxOkGiynXKJV/w400-h300/IMG_0789.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Running repairs in South Africa, destination Kalahari in Botswana. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We left the park through the Orpen gate and headed for
Polokwane via Hoedspruit headed for Botswana which was still a days travel from
Polokwane. Google with show the quickest route through the Groblesbrug border
and Palapye but ensure you get the timing right as overnighting on this route
could be a challenge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKV19HHw3056tay7gkfVK7Hz-UB88nsEaTy7BVSlBLFXTfO6n9jBJqCxhFW8IH1xCEuvw57KtC3DFIpCMClUrJp7gCfTADoxS0HI__uOHG2FfeTu8d3P_mhMvSwZBiOpBiI9z4finbf8qRd2K-SDgYDf_S4-dhNTUtSJTboiuGg9AInkOKI0njnpvMe-X/s1600/IMG_0797.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKV19HHw3056tay7gkfVK7Hz-UB88nsEaTy7BVSlBLFXTfO6n9jBJqCxhFW8IH1xCEuvw57KtC3DFIpCMClUrJp7gCfTADoxS0HI__uOHG2FfeTu8d3P_mhMvSwZBiOpBiI9z4finbf8qRd2K-SDgYDf_S4-dhNTUtSJTboiuGg9AInkOKI0njnpvMe-X/w400-h300/IMG_0797.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Banana plantations for the whole of Southern Africa. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We opted for the Pretoria – Rustenburg route mainly
because it was a better road. The Tlokweng border was a breeze and what a world
away from the serious challenges of crossing East African borders. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9O1qqcoL7Nv99kqDZX9aex_d5IJ1YoP9vDqdj6-pOzoQLYXhoN2AHQHfDrIjzyR1_AuhidP1N-1LYyuaGsar3OWtOMtI7JUtHxY89Rm4yv3DpyCY9vn97RgweTj0-tL1NvYoWV14PSdXe5YwOSe_VcNGTZkg30F8fwwILEpDWEIXgHdjffMrf92wj_QB/s1600/IMG_0802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9O1qqcoL7Nv99kqDZX9aex_d5IJ1YoP9vDqdj6-pOzoQLYXhoN2AHQHfDrIjzyR1_AuhidP1N-1LYyuaGsar3OWtOMtI7JUtHxY89Rm4yv3DpyCY9vn97RgweTj0-tL1NvYoWV14PSdXe5YwOSe_VcNGTZkg30F8fwwILEpDWEIXgHdjffMrf92wj_QB/w400-h300/IMG_0802.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Crime is a major problem in South Africa and needs to be planned around. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even the
Zambia – Malawi border can take hours and you never really sure what takes up
time and it never seems to be same issue. Once it was a non-functional printer
and another, the network was down but there seems to always something that
takes hours. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPz5o4u1woKecMQnsijPLPP4nrj8336gfWUesMRjEhRNJTPAAwCKDTvgHYKDtDWgJixk3TvD5q7PAxi1rSetoh4OPfp68OWtE0t4Uv8ylQtXX3PNSNePF_854f2dZD1_KujkJmzUi4dCg5ZUC35AnGrkbHinABH_CeWnzwZSbWZmrrdGZcQsR_G4eIqhO/s1600/IMG_0809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPz5o4u1woKecMQnsijPLPP4nrj8336gfWUesMRjEhRNJTPAAwCKDTvgHYKDtDWgJixk3TvD5q7PAxi1rSetoh4OPfp68OWtE0t4Uv8ylQtXX3PNSNePF_854f2dZD1_KujkJmzUi4dCg5ZUC35AnGrkbHinABH_CeWnzwZSbWZmrrdGZcQsR_G4eIqhO/w400-h300/IMG_0809.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The turn to Botswana at Zeerust, South Africa. It's an hour drive from here. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gaborone is not a tourist stopover so unless you need to
attend to logistical matters, plan to get further in to this beautiful Country
over fiddling around in Gaborone. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw5xE0AvL8gAioiGyGOyzl1pgMjPgTD5lhxlwcn1FAi2zItc6cgXrEyKWzKrVcBIqu0dbLNBm0hdmN3eSk1flymF9u7I1smHvRQXG7kcLQ-dJ-kLz1R6n8_gytkPgugz_7eimKxEFjRWuCjDI_kvrtY7gRgVdx5WIbzsk1dYnMc209MgbHG1VaSOt-bHF/s1600/IMG_0821.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw5xE0AvL8gAioiGyGOyzl1pgMjPgTD5lhxlwcn1FAi2zItc6cgXrEyKWzKrVcBIqu0dbLNBm0hdmN3eSk1flymF9u7I1smHvRQXG7kcLQ-dJ-kLz1R6n8_gytkPgugz_7eimKxEFjRWuCjDI_kvrtY7gRgVdx5WIbzsk1dYnMc209MgbHG1VaSOt-bHF/w400-h300/IMG_0821.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Kutse Game Reserve turn off at Molopolole, Botswana. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Accommodation is also limited and don’t plan
to camp in Gaborone as the facilities simply don’t stack up. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaw7G2Y9dyqU8VxMz_4MClW7-Vf78B6bdqHzBtGsv0ipbOrLT77TcAb5LObPRm2uv0yGHcEvsTTawvtWcmhwvQczqCIH70geVYwaTQNVgotOZy4vxtKNyfmSOu57ZsFjxFevY6wRTd35z2lckt_YyAv25W2iHIpR28XoylmSdnrGcdvxYNHtnTSIMyBR1/s1600/IMG_0828.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaw7G2Y9dyqU8VxMz_4MClW7-Vf78B6bdqHzBtGsv0ipbOrLT77TcAb5LObPRm2uv0yGHcEvsTTawvtWcmhwvQczqCIH70geVYwaTQNVgotOZy4vxtKNyfmSOu57ZsFjxFevY6wRTd35z2lckt_YyAv25W2iHIpR28XoylmSdnrGcdvxYNHtnTSIMyBR1/w400-h300/IMG_0828.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The tarmac ends in Letlekane and is a 100 KMS of corrugation to the gate. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A place worth
overnighting are the chalets at Mokolodi which overlook a waterhole. The
chalets are self-catering and well stocked with all you need for a comfortable
stopover.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SmyGuGcuiSw0TeYffAENEYGJgBgZT0JBR-JA3I0zUGlTyHc03U0SdvoMLlR3YLIN6UajPqcV6nE_nzYf2tIWeK0AJX0w5Du-fOBFcmh8OH2nRWSfWPm5-V6y0YvFkTh0yIK5okO01_NsStFjiFHicJuY2sshC2M22Q7Kt-jCsAUNaTcpJ-1rBwFi6KOK/s1600/IMG_0835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SmyGuGcuiSw0TeYffAENEYGJgBgZT0JBR-JA3I0zUGlTyHc03U0SdvoMLlR3YLIN6UajPqcV6nE_nzYf2tIWeK0AJX0w5Du-fOBFcmh8OH2nRWSfWPm5-V6y0YvFkTh0yIK5okO01_NsStFjiFHicJuY2sshC2M22Q7Kt-jCsAUNaTcpJ-1rBwFi6KOK/w400-h300/IMG_0835.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">This is not a plan and we need a proper canopy to load the roof. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next stop was Kalahari to formally conclude the Karoo to
Kalahari run and what better place than Kutse Game reserve, our favourite
handout from all those years back in Gaborone. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFc_DnwcvqJHoiy3QxpZslsE43ic65l5jkrod4OgCtKgslo_gRlHKGejd4zt0xS-PNXI6JHlurhewYojfztAThDWmXnHq1Eu_58b-mi8e4ZJpwmmolQoOForlSY04FWp4UQzsivN8jBwDosOlPGx9sINA_lP39h-W0gewyKrKF9SViQ_dXZxjiAVUMpL6/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFc_DnwcvqJHoiy3QxpZslsE43ic65l5jkrod4OgCtKgslo_gRlHKGejd4zt0xS-PNXI6JHlurhewYojfztAThDWmXnHq1Eu_58b-mi8e4ZJpwmmolQoOForlSY04FWp4UQzsivN8jBwDosOlPGx9sINA_lP39h-W0gewyKrKF9SViQ_dXZxjiAVUMpL6/w400-h300/IMG_0836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Khutse gate, remains the same. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first and most irritating
factor was the horror corrugations from Letlhakeng to the park gate. This was
once a not to be messed around sand track which was a serious challenge but was
filled up with gravel to service the small village that was set up in Kaudwane
to accommodate the San Bush People who left the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
(CKGR). </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuwHvy6hJpjJJjfIqlQS96kcTz_j5TEKRQknYv43v4Cgous_NHGA8HdLyHdEBmIZT-e88ifeR27POg1tX3gaydIUB9fg2mWBLMS5FOo0RNU09JxVbMVzBAs_6dU2B4-tAgfNXU1LBSXPrsp4jSBUX7yQpFg0yqjX7RmpSV8aX4W8sZrC6-7D9QRUsN7qZ/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuwHvy6hJpjJJjfIqlQS96kcTz_j5TEKRQknYv43v4Cgous_NHGA8HdLyHdEBmIZT-e88ifeR27POg1tX3gaydIUB9fg2mWBLMS5FOo0RNU09JxVbMVzBAs_6dU2B4-tAgfNXU1LBSXPrsp4jSBUX7yQpFg0yqjX7RmpSV8aX4W8sZrC6-7D9QRUsN7qZ/w400-h300/IMG_0844.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Kutse campsite MOS2, shade is gold dust in the Kalahari, especially with Ele's around. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The previous 4x4 only sand tracked was not motorable by most vehicles
but like all gravel roads, is now a corrugated horror show so drop your tyres
when the tarmac end and Letlhakeng service station has an air pump but it
doesn’t have a gauge so make sure you have a tyre pressure gauge.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbLXIBiRqxthYtRWTxQt_p37nipPVPdDMNPsV9nQ_Q4Opbq2RY2lcGl5xRcyKmAldfEZiRCf586h8cgL7-QOONyoPNU6f1rt7kaMC2Jsmzpr9wzgu-xxgyZBDtx0qgG_sJsHkH6Qdmmvo1E1mCYyLGjaSxQBeMpiOsDvWPlf9-KI7CM7a_W4TWym3bR0F/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbLXIBiRqxthYtRWTxQt_p37nipPVPdDMNPsV9nQ_Q4Opbq2RY2lcGl5xRcyKmAldfEZiRCf586h8cgL7-QOONyoPNU6f1rt7kaMC2Jsmzpr9wzgu-xxgyZBDtx0qgG_sJsHkH6Qdmmvo1E1mCYyLGjaSxQBeMpiOsDvWPlf9-KI7CM7a_W4TWym3bR0F/w400-h300/IMG_0853.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Kalahari Sunsets are mighty special, get that fire up early. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kutse Game Reserve is the Southern corner of the CKGR and
the cross over from the Southern to Northern CKGR remains one of the great off
road challenges.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk0paiEGt7-uDiBerG_3YwcawIOA463mipj375OVI8N_NrLkkNrdLy-oDguUe0yXoQqgh7MH9jKhKACmHby6eie9KAkqAZ7CI5TV57mY4WERXUv6_Llbiqi5TmUX1T7C86jEkYwiL9Uwctd8NsBJU1h1p_WdiRrl1mVKHi0fTmTXdDaL7MPj9teHqfdVm/s1600/IMG_0897.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk0paiEGt7-uDiBerG_3YwcawIOA463mipj375OVI8N_NrLkkNrdLy-oDguUe0yXoQqgh7MH9jKhKACmHby6eie9KAkqAZ7CI5TV57mY4WERXUv6_Llbiqi5TmUX1T7C86jEkYwiL9Uwctd8NsBJU1h1p_WdiRrl1mVKHi0fTmTXdDaL7MPj9teHqfdVm/w400-h300/IMG_0897.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sunset over Kutse Pan 1.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are no facilities in between and help will not come, so
don’t cross it unless your in a convoy and are surrounded by folks who know how
to handle miles of soft sand. We were not here to cross but just checkout Kutse
and the big surprise was the elephants!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKVyvd8tPe1xr8wY2BLj_wYqPF0eXDBGemFogkR5a_ki0VmuCf36VenOhHAXpvGFWEMePbN-OHeLogWuhkGTUC_99_0eXNGieFIe9qLzIoisYZV4SdpqHjnQSJi96ahu3sahO2TNlrebJeU83JZb9KvKQfmJwdSa8-7Gef5LinqIdCgoLBKH5pQFiRPNC/s1600/IMG_0887.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKVyvd8tPe1xr8wY2BLj_wYqPF0eXDBGemFogkR5a_ki0VmuCf36VenOhHAXpvGFWEMePbN-OHeLogWuhkGTUC_99_0eXNGieFIe9qLzIoisYZV4SdpqHjnQSJi96ahu3sahO2TNlrebJeU83JZb9KvKQfmJwdSa8-7Gef5LinqIdCgoLBKH5pQFiRPNC/w400-h300/IMG_0887.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Our travels are over and time to empty the fuel from Malawi. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we first went to Kutse in 2004, the nearest elephants
were over 100’s of miles away and the thought of an elephant in Kutse was
simply not a discussion point. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">That was till somewhere in 2010 when we arrived
at the game the park authorities warned us about a lone bull which we took to
be a joke and laughed off. That was until we picked up the track of an elephant
in the park. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iWzlvzFhrMYdWsliykVp26QEKogH9JhD06THEowXKMr1pN6YGBpqSz20pDR_3ndFZ0MDOUNFx5DsoFaIs2uyVVuhv22n-DseJPu1rNZNtoWoY4hVkRgneLZue-7_oP7k5iuER2YrR4AtQPY4LX-s1iJn-3LfdNEKQjHXm5OfIYPSO39i_wSPaJ9GBFaR/w400-h300/IMG_0915.jpg" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The final pack, we were to get robbed later today of all our camera equipment!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I recall waiting at the Molose waterhole when the Government
Vetenary officer pulled up and inquired if we had seen an elephant! This would
have been a piece from the ‘gods must be crazy’ if not for the track we had
seen. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">He informed us that unusual visitor was in the park and they were trying
to work out what the issue was.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8vCfuBAxgmIzRkb23CRFMAph2VQM4ynPggGnB7bFgRnhtS9F-tvz7VujcwZUmYYzeflSJzwVrJQI3C1IXKJw42310k5J4F4iQJCf9nQ54iHBnOLHniuYexKox2mkzPvyGvgmkPCWqMIGZCVbfDnTjfOT0Xug-u4vVkon9K2Xt4DDtLDReKWHEMnOfuWs/s1600/IMG_0929.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8vCfuBAxgmIzRkb23CRFMAph2VQM4ynPggGnB7bFgRnhtS9F-tvz7VujcwZUmYYzeflSJzwVrJQI3C1IXKJw42310k5J4F4iQJCf9nQ54iHBnOLHniuYexKox2mkzPvyGvgmkPCWqMIGZCVbfDnTjfOT0Xug-u4vVkon9K2Xt4DDtLDReKWHEMnOfuWs/w400-h300/IMG_0929.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Mahurushele was our original favourite. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We left Botswana in 2010 and never saw the elephant but
followed reports overs the years that the original single bull had now been
joined by other bulls to form a sizeable herd but most importantly they were
here for good it seemed. Kutse itself remained unchanged with all the same
campsites with a notable difference of trees knocked down by elephants taking
out the all important shade so make sure have a shade plan for this park as
there really are not many large trees. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6pZ9L4ZfyOGuMtdtV-B0id0WDgu7Q9KYCok8QmAdrU94vdGbzNtOyX0ujNdqYNjEatVwKegOnqu66XW47V9G_D0sTpIzhp0oI1mO_Jda0sCUZyF7uy0L4Z5PpDsvWg_fKaIYRHpM8itq89bB5CG1weGhDm3itBBF4AmK7mP-EKjY4BZTyn8ftBwdKbzO/s1600/IMG_0889.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6pZ9L4ZfyOGuMtdtV-B0id0WDgu7Q9KYCok8QmAdrU94vdGbzNtOyX0ujNdqYNjEatVwKegOnqu66XW47V9G_D0sTpIzhp0oI1mO_Jda0sCUZyF7uy0L4Z5PpDsvWg_fKaIYRHpM8itq89bB5CG1weGhDm3itBBF4AmK7mP-EKjY4BZTyn8ftBwdKbzO/w400-h300/IMG_0889.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Horizon that never ends, Kutse Pan. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The other feature was that despite no
changes or services provided to the camp sites, the significantly steep
increase in camping fees apparently for no apparent reason unlike the Northern
parks where the increase in camping fees has been matched with significant
improvement in camping facilities.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb85hIzW68aY7vcLQdsQXLhQaaQhPn4cK592PSkIn-11Mau0taSGGqg-yd6zcx_Wp3FwXo_ueoMaYV64DYVaYZQqrSzB89DCnX8m642xQqvhkgNd5J0fZhdjijpXEycG25NqE2LXCirTKhIIRr183Jstlvcj9wIDkzcb7GJlfMjgVlWR9afc2aCvZs8k68/s1600/IMG_9476.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb85hIzW68aY7vcLQdsQXLhQaaQhPn4cK592PSkIn-11Mau0taSGGqg-yd6zcx_Wp3FwXo_ueoMaYV64DYVaYZQqrSzB89DCnX8m642xQqvhkgNd5J0fZhdjijpXEycG25NqE2LXCirTKhIIRr183Jstlvcj9wIDkzcb7GJlfMjgVlWR9afc2aCvZs8k68/w400-h300/IMG_9476.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">120 days of travel, 5 countries, 20,000 KMS have ended at our new home in Botswana. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We spent a couple of days in Kutse and appreciated the great
new waterhole on the main Kutse pan which for years never had any water. The
roads in the park are corrugated which is annoying but is a factor in all parks
with the increase in traffic. We returned to Gaborone to start the new phase of
our African journey in Botswana. It was great to be back in Southern African
after 13 years in East Africa which is a very different experience to Southern
Africa. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sadly upon arriving Gaborone we got robbed of all our equipment
including camera, laptops and backup which were all packed to be unloaded but
were beaten by new age thieves who were apparently armed with jammers which can
disable your cars security system. It was a sad end to 5 months of travel over
Southern Africa and we have lost all our photos and videos. Despite the highs and lows,
the journey through this awesome continent will continue and the memories of this amazing trip of a lifetime will live on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><br /></div></div></div></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Botswana-22.328474 24.684866-50.638707836178845 -10.471384 5.9817598361788455 59.841116tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-28546127277025274722023-04-25T18:54:00.000+03:002023-08-09T22:38:53.330+03:00Lake2Cape - South Africa<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00-hrB2mOAKhvxiwYoGk8a3MKYpofHFLYqHgp9CEz_ADL-6fVHELGNOKu2m5lT3QRcQhpVOBNIVEeIZqZht9pcBre5rvjgDjnSTD5oXssvAomlkHyus0_BYfPW6Vyo1rYP1Tpqkp8j4NN0FoARzvyYCzm04wvKugz45Ktqg3QJEYieFO27kVYZCKxA8iI/s4032/375.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00-hrB2mOAKhvxiwYoGk8a3MKYpofHFLYqHgp9CEz_ADL-6fVHELGNOKu2m5lT3QRcQhpVOBNIVEeIZqZht9pcBre5rvjgDjnSTD5oXssvAomlkHyus0_BYfPW6Vyo1rYP1Tpqkp8j4NN0FoARzvyYCzm04wvKugz45Ktqg3QJEYieFO27kVYZCKxA8iI/w400-h300/375.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Finally seeing Table Mountain!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In South Africa, our main target was the Cape Gannet colony in Lamberts Bay which is easily reachable from the border provided you arrive early. Lamberts Bay is a lazy fishing village but needs to deal with the notorious Western Cape weather and we arrived on a bad day - gloomy and rain! <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycif-NBVQChzTN_QC_C8NeTI8mQTwxgnbELglYjnkKXmEITGdjIA-8Zzh0AgBq0lkly4Tu5zcfOanTG3AQ1CMTRAsxkbvR6gYAezFnP7qhZ1nLcNcU0hLVASVLX_Xzsg_YI5CTZtTg54A-32W3OlgoGnStrij5-PS1Yd-K1VezA7SMk25MyvDq8DzMU6V/s4624/20230424_092940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycif-NBVQChzTN_QC_C8NeTI8mQTwxgnbELglYjnkKXmEITGdjIA-8Zzh0AgBq0lkly4Tu5zcfOanTG3AQ1CMTRAsxkbvR6gYAezFnP7qhZ1nLcNcU0hLVASVLX_Xzsg_YI5CTZtTg54A-32W3OlgoGnStrij5-PS1Yd-K1VezA7SMk25MyvDq8DzMU6V/w400-h300/20230424_092940.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lamberts Bay harbor, the weather plays in important role on the west coast. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The forecast for the week wasn't good so there was no choice of waiting for the sunny day. As with everything, we got in early morning despite the mist and gloom and were warned that the park could close in the afternoon and the next couple days as accessing the colony along the sea wall becomes an issue with big waves. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y6iafRyp80QdDsZXP-uEWxD7WHBiE54sHU5sp2LViE2gdq-Abzv79JN0s5kA5eFnbT4OsgNeLGwzuZsaX_13h3hoY0PO64nFvIS_jUpCqe2skof1KRDGgBDU_HDZmReK_My1POx5QLbPKf24BtNLJy22cckoQM4AqWJyZDoKLahJ1FkOSnntJLvpKlAz/s4624/20230424_095259.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y6iafRyp80QdDsZXP-uEWxD7WHBiE54sHU5sp2LViE2gdq-Abzv79JN0s5kA5eFnbT4OsgNeLGwzuZsaX_13h3hoY0PO64nFvIS_jUpCqe2skof1KRDGgBDU_HDZmReK_My1POx5QLbPKf24BtNLJy22cckoQM4AqWJyZDoKLahJ1FkOSnntJLvpKlAz/w400-h300/20230424_095259.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The only Cape Gannet colony accessible by land. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite the inhospitable conditions, we got a look in at these amazing birds. They are large sea birds with a huge wingspan and duck feet. There are 6 colonies in Southern Africa but all are on Islands except the Lamberts Bay colony and we were happy and lucky to get a look in as by the time we broke for morning coffee, the rain was in making shooting almost impossible. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeO89e7kEGvX2oIQs2aYYxIXlZqTK_Ko4GshMrtOJ8a2eDkBmqptHmYSVrEGWtvvObkS59zD0nObD9nywfB43mHy5SORl-8kcmfUD1N639NssR59bDjnsFNMM-m-RiN2gNLB4qZ-awQZ4FR5_F78ILz1NZqBllQeeZ8cSh0puN5OcH6u06EH9AmXmICdmh/s4624/20230424_101628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeO89e7kEGvX2oIQs2aYYxIXlZqTK_Ko4GshMrtOJ8a2eDkBmqptHmYSVrEGWtvvObkS59zD0nObD9nywfB43mHy5SORl-8kcmfUD1N639NssR59bDjnsFNMM-m-RiN2gNLB4qZ-awQZ4FR5_F78ILz1NZqBllQeeZ8cSh0puN5OcH6u06EH9AmXmICdmh/w400-h300/20230424_101628.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Make sure you get the timing right to visit the colony.</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next stop down the Western Cape was the iconic Cape Town to catch both attractions and family. Driving in to Cape Town along with multi-lane highways was an interesting experience after years of negotiating single lane East African roads. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rSJzNk4oTKF24SfuO72rZolRLvLvQ39irNuBBYRd1B31WAz0iryS1cQY9xrbWieCg0UgFODA_A3tb5646AyXtVGjz2S4MWm15wzBV0EywiJM5AHDd3qxMi-2Iz1KJZsXZKCJp5bQ3QQnjdjtLG5v_JSxiot2znfXny5ZFX0n-CzUoVwrW0e3fv9C_Uss/s4624/20230424_183700.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rSJzNk4oTKF24SfuO72rZolRLvLvQ39irNuBBYRd1B31WAz0iryS1cQY9xrbWieCg0UgFODA_A3tb5646AyXtVGjz2S4MWm15wzBV0EywiJM5AHDd3qxMi-2Iz1KJZsXZKCJp5bQ3QQnjdjtLG5v_JSxiot2znfXny5ZFX0n-CzUoVwrW0e3fv9C_Uss/w400-h300/20230424_183700.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Table mountain peeked out of the clouds to welcome us. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rather fittingly we arrived to mist and gloom and checked in to a flat on the 3rd floor of an apartment building, again rather a strange experience after years of camping on holidays. Table Mountain rather obligingly did peek out of the clouds to give us a flavor but was soon overtaken by the clouds. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Yw5h3mPZPKILz2CeylJ2MB-EAYRkXGWE4TRlZNpGktS-e7-ON0EkMCI5OYQhYZx-NJV5C_blYoVlmfW4mFoN3UqOsuuBYQoYWfX_REB4qDwMPeDaOy966KCsRecTkgVmFcq0Yt6jOcSgjovlcHxKTh5hbATjBFclfHNQaLN_zaYxFHTEuNRHIZK_IeVB/s4624/20230425_082121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Yw5h3mPZPKILz2CeylJ2MB-EAYRkXGWE4TRlZNpGktS-e7-ON0EkMCI5OYQhYZx-NJV5C_blYoVlmfW4mFoN3UqOsuuBYQoYWfX_REB4qDwMPeDaOy966KCsRecTkgVmFcq0Yt6jOcSgjovlcHxKTh5hbATjBFclfHNQaLN_zaYxFHTEuNRHIZK_IeVB/w400-h300/20230425_082121.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Another day in the office for the locals, we were freezing. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next day was in contrast a the total opposite with bright sunshine and open skies. Despite being on the continent since 2003, Dru had not been to Cape Town expect to catch flights and work related visits which don't allow one to explore the town. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCm-LcjEjW_XIIzPA01F9uZPKFFIjYuE_xzaFqHfAdjdLmXZXscYi2yWAARflhg5zsNm81mRHX5_2W5i2hUWfVNeQbOdudVrTmuH-CTSw_x9tWP9L5He0iyMZHqsGGWKMBD5g3-SfUj0y04E_GCv6S7U7akNz2GI1cSVimebHLuBLrMGidJ28A5sBRYhT/s4624/20230425_083141.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCm-LcjEjW_XIIzPA01F9uZPKFFIjYuE_xzaFqHfAdjdLmXZXscYi2yWAARflhg5zsNm81mRHX5_2W5i2hUWfVNeQbOdudVrTmuH-CTSw_x9tWP9L5He0iyMZHqsGGWKMBD5g3-SfUj0y04E_GCv6S7U7akNz2GI1cSVimebHLuBLrMGidJ28A5sBRYhT/w400-h300/20230425_083141.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Back in the civilized world after nearly two months on the road. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So this sunny winters day was a perfect first day to explore this historical town. The Waterfront is a must visit while in Cape Town as is Table Mountain and both only make sense in good weather and we were grateful to the weather gods for a beautiful day. It's hard to imagine how Dru's parents and brother made it up to Table Mountain before him, but finally Table Mountain was done and it was time to head further south along the Cape. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CmVrVIPasABG0mvchLQgr9Pe_eDt-kCjMc-OTDeDIhSG0xz-Ci5OtOZd27d8c0iCcp9iHvV8IGjsRVFG6KFV0A5GwmijOZBVtbKNKRLi-YClu1gZFEPd7FIl2Li8jwLKMADh_BAVxJ0uvWgXgrDyMu7FoSeZIXl03Mb2ZNyR36L0ZM9kXHUK27LLnr-j/s4624/20230426_092436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CmVrVIPasABG0mvchLQgr9Pe_eDt-kCjMc-OTDeDIhSG0xz-Ci5OtOZd27d8c0iCcp9iHvV8IGjsRVFG6KFV0A5GwmijOZBVtbKNKRLi-YClu1gZFEPd7FIl2Li8jwLKMADh_BAVxJ0uvWgXgrDyMu7FoSeZIXl03Mb2ZNyR36L0ZM9kXHUK27LLnr-j/w400-h300/20230426_092436.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Cape Town waterfront with the Mountain.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next stop was Boulders Beach to checkout the Penguin Colony. The drive from Cape Town down the coast must be one of the best and we stopped off at Hout Bay for lunch before passing Chapmans Peak and a string of beautiful beaches before arriving at Boulders Beach in Simons Town to catch the Penguins. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWI_qAb1UJPnf8MDS-YsTeqMsA5gy9lImvoJ8eo33W7bR1Es1yxPXH5Z6zALfXS6mYNYxPiSIxvwA87Y3CvK37qO5UiQd90Mpm2gH85G_anWTJqVEi1en2-0nmCf44C5qid2_l3mVGaTLdr02qwsB0jZy1tHa5K2iAGXptmibX1DbSYRJ0Cth3kTpD72K/s3264/20230425_172720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWI_qAb1UJPnf8MDS-YsTeqMsA5gy9lImvoJ8eo33W7bR1Es1yxPXH5Z6zALfXS6mYNYxPiSIxvwA87Y3CvK37qO5UiQd90Mpm2gH85G_anWTJqVEi1en2-0nmCf44C5qid2_l3mVGaTLdr02qwsB0jZy1tHa5K2iAGXptmibX1DbSYRJ0Cth3kTpD72K/w400-h300/20230425_172720.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">View from the top, Lions head and the harbor. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">On this coast, it is important to make the most of clear skies as things can change and dramatically so make hay while the sun lasts. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs7g1Kig2aq_NqGKE74EzGh2gj275KRYZGvUw2haE5HAprAtSTOEyUFRTPMWu_amjw0pdrRi9xpU_Jp_JHatfOoNg9czXsYemJk60Fd3iHKnsAtfBPAx3zFhQPRU3pIbKuFH612aH5FzlDMJXoVYCao0y8ad3DYD8topt_CC215OfiLgoBV0Evo9iiTeH/s3264/20230426_131834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs7g1Kig2aq_NqGKE74EzGh2gj275KRYZGvUw2haE5HAprAtSTOEyUFRTPMWu_amjw0pdrRi9xpU_Jp_JHatfOoNg9czXsYemJk60Fd3iHKnsAtfBPAx3zFhQPRU3pIbKuFH612aH5FzlDMJXoVYCao0y8ad3DYD8topt_CC215OfiLgoBV0Evo9iiTeH/w400-h300/20230426_131834.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hout Bay, one of many pictures stops along the coastal drive. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the sun was shining as we arrived, despite it being late, we headed straight for the Penguin colony which was a good thing as the weather gods weren't as kind the next morning. The penguins were a hit as there really is nothing like it and at Boulders, you can get up close to these strange chaps. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXMoqlOf2p0nYUZLceaaHiuEPmMQ4kI-LUUYYaWfyGdGSdzPub-jfsWiILurGiZTbYQO_dYppHQhzn8YTvLcQpuXCFg9tOPugz8usVzvGPsjCsTRtKvbcuYfVMAOVaYeVzOmj-oz83PvPlFwuU0eA6wR6dZgttXhbCcGQ1USGMMjUlrnuuj3O7pcRqc97/w400-h300/20230426_165724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Jackass penguin colony at Boulders Bay, Simons Town. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXMoqlOf2p0nYUZLceaaHiuEPmMQ4kI-LUUYYaWfyGdGSdzPub-jfsWiILurGiZTbYQO_dYppHQhzn8YTvLcQpuXCFg9tOPugz8usVzvGPsjCsTRtKvbcuYfVMAOVaYeVzOmj-oz83PvPlFwuU0eA6wR6dZgttXhbCcGQ1USGMMjUlrnuuj3O7pcRqc97/s4624/20230426_165724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>The next day we were heading further South, this time to Betty's Bay with the hope of catching some Cape endemics, especially the Cape rock jumper and the Ground woodpecker, both of who had been spotted at Betty's Bay. The weather dictates activities in this part of the world and today was not a good day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2V2jEtvGDOJtgPUxrzysEhGdOCU-n0q2Lguk5oAO0vsyjK6f1Opq1iLS1GNShiuBHvhnZQ45mGS4xPpVpYIVw-kaRWHBSkpufGZ1IQYPLx2Yd2nrSErgYC4XMunfkQ97G2AYVTnwgeXpk6SyelDxgsQ3NKpfA7BdSCmC4Q2eHzPogm_LUvIdgK4pLaga/s4624/20230427_085316.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2V2jEtvGDOJtgPUxrzysEhGdOCU-n0q2Lguk5oAO0vsyjK6f1Opq1iLS1GNShiuBHvhnZQ45mGS4xPpVpYIVw-kaRWHBSkpufGZ1IQYPLx2Yd2nrSErgYC4XMunfkQ97G2AYVTnwgeXpk6SyelDxgsQ3NKpfA7BdSCmC4Q2eHzPogm_LUvIdgK4pLaga/w400-h300/20230427_085316.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Simons Bay, another gem on the coastal drive. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We couldn't get out of the car at our lunch venue at Betty's and drove to the next town for lunch before coming back to camp at Betty's to target the Botanical Gardens the following morning. Thankfully the next morning was beautiful and we knocked off 7 lifers in the botanical gardens but never found the Rock Jumper or Ground Woodpecker and we left with threats to return to find both soon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0QCL8YHVzLFklwQ5PG-ALBnKz2C3raFM3fuMB5nnzxCrcMGh9eztPSS_eq6ITc9m1qmqdy7UXhNgMS8jhkux4gwBTdWV71xoxt_nvnKrlL1CM5zajMxFJAUfJFoFLuFpC5PponCA8t4Kx0WgoULDLULbgIJ0vCfh1j34YNrRt5jGH4yHCww8uBIARhDP/w400-h300/20230426_165731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Penguins coming ashore at Boulders Beach.</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were now within striking distance from Cheryl's parents in George and the next day was leisurely drive to George where we would spend quality time with family while getting the car fixed and attending to a list of administrative matters. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmxZ2I027Fl-JWzSCs4aeb30pIST6yEKR6Hn232n39yN9Cax46lEm6OqdLzQW_CQ8El2bUNOD3jZcos-f4sSM_f7ksDgftc0b9PQVC8dyDkAkqB8sa2-2g8mD-Sa7-nVerHP6HaHejNfWsaJgk_YW9wjq460yp4OzqYfIL3zzx69A2eqIaIl9a8XEarkE/s3264/20230427_094649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmxZ2I027Fl-JWzSCs4aeb30pIST6yEKR6Hn232n39yN9Cax46lEm6OqdLzQW_CQ8El2bUNOD3jZcos-f4sSM_f7ksDgftc0b9PQVC8dyDkAkqB8sa2-2g8mD-Sa7-nVerHP6HaHejNfWsaJgk_YW9wjq460yp4OzqYfIL3zzx69A2eqIaIl9a8XEarkE/w400-h300/20230427_094649.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The bays keep coming up, Fish Hoek. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What was supposed to be a trip for retirement was suddenly hatched and undertaken within a month. What was supposed to be done in a custom built overland 4x4 was done in a standard Hilux Bakkie. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrUAQQeQlNFZ8JMYhkT2CSv7hGGP58CUkwIQBY0eRD6-95yKJTadgWGDwi_DGDkENEvFGEtGNHFSO11lEOSaTfSta6SGF-ljlENu1TXxWDmQMuaeBNQWTZ8EIRwfcUrwE7vFQG2-ccenbs_cyYaVBC4qM0ri70UFEk2k_jg21v74Ou8ny2E2_5d-FAo8B/s4624/20230427_102035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrUAQQeQlNFZ8JMYhkT2CSv7hGGP58CUkwIQBY0eRD6-95yKJTadgWGDwi_DGDkENEvFGEtGNHFSO11lEOSaTfSta6SGF-ljlENu1TXxWDmQMuaeBNQWTZ8EIRwfcUrwE7vFQG2-ccenbs_cyYaVBC4qM0ri70UFEk2k_jg21v74Ou8ny2E2_5d-FAo8B/w400-h300/20230427_102035.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Muizenberg bay, packed with surfers on a freezing morning. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were no fancy touring fittings, awnings or electronics, we could not even source proper off road tyres in Malawi but a trip of a lifetime was done with no bookings, planning or research. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw48hqDnTUp-bQK3BfQJyWBxk6rxC0duwXRREhxjHIqpWNhHbck6_0ORmaC1tG8ZTBHpk8_F9k7whkUARhn7LD14wBH3N0GrfhkojpeHmNoBPQFd-tFgxwyU4J3m9_zebwmUuuk_e8K983bhF9AVCbkggJt5ozDklRYua1sVq6pO3Jw07Au0qd9C6Le1V6/s3264/20230427_104300.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw48hqDnTUp-bQK3BfQJyWBxk6rxC0duwXRREhxjHIqpWNhHbck6_0ORmaC1tG8ZTBHpk8_F9k7whkUARhn7LD14wBH3N0GrfhkojpeHmNoBPQFd-tFgxwyU4J3m9_zebwmUuuk_e8K983bhF9AVCbkggJt5ozDklRYua1sVq6pO3Jw07Au0qd9C6Le1V6/w400-h300/20230427_104300.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">White sands and clean beaches but freezing water for the rest of us. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Long live the life of overlanding and we hope there will be another opportunity to do a similar trip, perhaps one in reverse to East Africa!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i7PywgsqoKLKFYMHCz0a1QcOgOrzu_IV-icmGslczXlXgoEUHRvcUQFpuFuHAKepPP0DTZrJDY8C_cmbi0xdDf0UdeTupAcjbtaQ50EFoDO2sOxjPnS2sQzf3VCgyPbASPpzmZmABIzK2SbJQylv_AcXumyMnJQTaSwYg3u6oL7ehO_qtCR2lKT6b2bl/s4624/20230501_120414.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i7PywgsqoKLKFYMHCz0a1QcOgOrzu_IV-icmGslczXlXgoEUHRvcUQFpuFuHAKepPP0DTZrJDY8C_cmbi0xdDf0UdeTupAcjbtaQ50EFoDO2sOxjPnS2sQzf3VCgyPbASPpzmZmABIzK2SbJQylv_AcXumyMnJQTaSwYg3u6oL7ehO_qtCR2lKT6b2bl/w400-h300/20230501_120414.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Victoria Bay pier, George. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0South Africa-30.559482 22.937506-58.869715836178841 -12.218744000000001 -2.2492481638211537 58.093756tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-45973639773337753932023-04-15T11:30:00.004+03:002023-08-09T22:38:49.214+03:00Lake2Cape - Namibia<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MK7w327dIWU_yFKoiZdUF2HQemIlO_o-NuSLnKzU0ix5ndErAqhaVKfOF2QmnjPmSz4ESCMv0f0y9C9WGmvyEyKBEWRPzwPic5uGkDsDubW66_QkMy6YOfw8jldtqtb0pzACSWOy4xYabUOTaO9539QuwXb9pGMyKNpxE8ZZ9F-L_d8uGRnRa5PKAIkU/s1280/38F959E6-08D2-4F3F-846E-E5B5B0845221_9A29F315-F3F3-4FC9-A7B4-946C42EAE3B6.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MK7w327dIWU_yFKoiZdUF2HQemIlO_o-NuSLnKzU0ix5ndErAqhaVKfOF2QmnjPmSz4ESCMv0f0y9C9WGmvyEyKBEWRPzwPic5uGkDsDubW66_QkMy6YOfw8jldtqtb0pzACSWOy4xYabUOTaO9539QuwXb9pGMyKNpxE8ZZ9F-L_d8uGRnRa5PKAIkU/w400-h300/38F959E6-08D2-4F3F-846E-E5B5B0845221_9A29F315-F3F3-4FC9-A7B4-946C42EAE3B6.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Deadvlei - one of Namibia's top attractions</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While we had the opportunity to check out Namibia during our time in Botswana, we never got down to it and regretted not getting to Etosha at the very least. With cyclone Freddy bearing down on Zambia and Botswana, Namibia remained the only dry option at this point and we finally entered Namibia through the Caprivi. </span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmBultRUfXRC99M2V2Kxb4cwzulWA6RSWB0T0IKcv_VmmIr0jWlpZFKzdS4x66b_FdZH1RIqJYAdmf-WpJXXz-3E6wMq3YtxDn0FHOisoh_KV9XG2163JfNp46AzC6HhtOvokygsGOgcRMhMaunv_Q0PalBVCWgeDT_eA2Dmy88Rdn_G0jIKuVtCZwwVn/s3264/20230328_120633.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmBultRUfXRC99M2V2Kxb4cwzulWA6RSWB0T0IKcv_VmmIr0jWlpZFKzdS4x66b_FdZH1RIqJYAdmf-WpJXXz-3E6wMq3YtxDn0FHOisoh_KV9XG2163JfNp46AzC6HhtOvokygsGOgcRMhMaunv_Q0PalBVCWgeDT_eA2Dmy88Rdn_G0jIKuVtCZwwVn/w400-h300/20230328_120633.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Popa falls, the rock pratincoles nest here over the summer. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We spent the next week running up and down the Caprivi (now known as the Zambezi) exploring the Mahango and Kwando sections of the Bwabwata National Park which basically spans the Caprivi Strip. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7W0hT_n9LqWJfRW2QJ1xdYMMqX5aLBRiTfSzam9-gzrSXcqjECRvHbRVR-mLrnGGOcueUh7pVy5lv9bUvMlkMT0B6QSEe8SRNTGhWrp2GW7LC8q6qlIwMQbCDYdOC9OIPqvUMB9yChM69dKjRLYyHnwZdKN7UljTN7ToS5RhyHGP_geIRF54939IRsXk/s3264/20230328_175952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7W0hT_n9LqWJfRW2QJ1xdYMMqX5aLBRiTfSzam9-gzrSXcqjECRvHbRVR-mLrnGGOcueUh7pVy5lv9bUvMlkMT0B6QSEe8SRNTGhWrp2GW7LC8q6qlIwMQbCDYdOC9OIPqvUMB9yChM69dKjRLYyHnwZdKN7UljTN7ToS5RhyHGP_geIRF54939IRsXk/w400-h300/20230328_175952.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Ngepi Camp #6, great views but little shade. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Okavango and the Kwando Rivers straddle the Bwabwata National Park which is part of the Okavango Delta dressed up as Namibia. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_TIoJZN7V-lnlLFsVDT7NPMRQFzdytLTx20Dp_yBY1sXIGFdndT3EYU62xTtMCiozqjnE5TSwAwoEmWzbhyci7JUVI4cODGD1y6gl-UcCjJPd4pPluRBm0HybYYPQJUCTYFWEFbr2NtwU5y208mc0vV60IhWIq-2usqnF-E1n5Xgcqk33MROn2Qtnkz-/s3264/20230329_083858.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_TIoJZN7V-lnlLFsVDT7NPMRQFzdytLTx20Dp_yBY1sXIGFdndT3EYU62xTtMCiozqjnE5TSwAwoEmWzbhyci7JUVI4cODGD1y6gl-UcCjJPd4pPluRBm0HybYYPQJUCTYFWEFbr2NtwU5y208mc0vV60IhWIq-2usqnF-E1n5Xgcqk33MROn2Qtnkz-/w400-h300/20230329_083858.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The bush Throne, Ngepi camp. Caprivi. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A must visit would be the Horseshoe lagoon of the Kwando river section and get ready to test your sand driving skills in this area. The Nambwa camp is the only place to camp and has limited camping so cross your fingers if don't have bookings as the drive from outside is a long way from the gate and even further to the horseshoe lagoon. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoPVb8OnrXGO8Zf_aLGZ-CEoEAhsh_Lqtvs_P4y3PjSRgYTe6sy7_JywHrmkuv3lObpZPnSZlGrR5K-Z7X7lyobhF2G3IfkWKIEgGnZIQkNzLEbqC6RzH9S7ufICvrnjk5ExiBGx1mBNlv_OJLfNdGUtyMlWLmPTeQzRyq5-6t8NVrY9ikDrgM_NYhm3N/s4624/20230329_151915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoPVb8OnrXGO8Zf_aLGZ-CEoEAhsh_Lqtvs_P4y3PjSRgYTe6sy7_JywHrmkuv3lObpZPnSZlGrR5K-Z7X7lyobhF2G3IfkWKIEgGnZIQkNzLEbqC6RzH9S7ufICvrnjk5ExiBGx1mBNlv_OJLfNdGUtyMlWLmPTeQzRyq5-6t8NVrY9ikDrgM_NYhm3N/w400-h300/20230329_151915.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Horseshoe lagoon, Kwando concession, Caprivi.</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even in the wet season the sand at Horseshoe was deep and soft and would be a real challenge in the dry, especially with the large elephant herds about.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWUF-1-ef3iYbS31mQWCGdkZooMV2OgtFN1jXfr-YPjaWkI1DEXk4yUgjPa-sjePeD6MpIfTmpzwoY1PQATx_zRB4GWEUVdHx8H8Bt-gElfOwtDzTuTwmGpHNwOkqecRMIkKHnXmwdRNrcXcY8IKfaP8eqvqXMVNAoINhz4swCNVFB5DqKOKQY14jQx4p/s4624/20230330_125041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWUF-1-ef3iYbS31mQWCGdkZooMV2OgtFN1jXfr-YPjaWkI1DEXk4yUgjPa-sjePeD6MpIfTmpzwoY1PQATx_zRB4GWEUVdHx8H8Bt-gElfOwtDzTuTwmGpHNwOkqecRMIkKHnXmwdRNrcXcY8IKfaP8eqvqXMVNAoINhz4swCNVFB5DqKOKQY14jQx4p/w400-h300/20230330_125041.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Camp site #1, is the best at Nambwa camp, Kwando River. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We ventured to the opposite side of the Kwando river trying to check out Maduma National park and the swamps that border Linyati on the Botswana side but the water levels were low restricting boat access. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr7_Fur-8vILF6pRGd78Li_ZeV0fibJrmKttgeTKIfmRJEH_OoZDsp3BfSmbUuCGqhRn4esqC2pWRWblIbfMeyH3AkX4t4I1qjlfave0lBggU4X8_zRi1WccU_NVA6aeBSnMwat_mjv3sonnz_MJctuk5QF8WAn2p7Z873TJlbTWB2J0hvSkJsHnzZ0gL/s4624/20230330_133502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr7_Fur-8vILF6pRGd78Li_ZeV0fibJrmKttgeTKIfmRJEH_OoZDsp3BfSmbUuCGqhRn4esqC2pWRWblIbfMeyH3AkX4t4I1qjlfave0lBggU4X8_zRi1WccU_NVA6aeBSnMwat_mjv3sonnz_MJctuk5QF8WAn2p7Z873TJlbTWB2J0hvSkJsHnzZ0gL/w400-h300/20230330_133502.jpg" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Room with a wild view, Nambwa camp, Caprivi. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We ended up at Namushasha River Camp which as a great camp site with individual facilities but the huge win was finally finding a sitatunga on a boat ride. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">This rare and elusive member of the buck family is an extremely rare find given it lives in the swamps and flees on site. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was done in a flash but it was an all time great first time sighting and we have been searching for this chap for yonks with no real leads on sightings.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZvPpFDYr8g_OsvgBYtiJhPAWH7BWn-O101au0MFKnjQ9eMQKhxINA_CyFvy08lgl5B_Q2PL-zUlaTAAuUODsZOb-dz-RRg5j69XUHvQFtqv1H1OqXj56NWI0AhGf8dPZyxuL6bFSIYwAz5aeh3GKN8EonX8oK_JgiJyTvjxHu83Pp5xFjHulUnb6rEjd/s1280/EF1ACCBE-9E82-4E7C-8A4E-A6CC72599DE0_3541C5A3-5B2D-466B-AD28-E9DC30DF9702.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZvPpFDYr8g_OsvgBYtiJhPAWH7BWn-O101au0MFKnjQ9eMQKhxINA_CyFvy08lgl5B_Q2PL-zUlaTAAuUODsZOb-dz-RRg5j69XUHvQFtqv1H1OqXj56NWI0AhGf8dPZyxuL6bFSIYwAz5aeh3GKN8EonX8oK_JgiJyTvjxHu83Pp5xFjHulUnb6rEjd/w400-h300/EF1ACCBE-9E82-4E7C-8A4E-A6CC72599DE0_3541C5A3-5B2D-466B-AD28-E9DC30DF9702.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A braai at Namushasha Lodge</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It took us a further two nights to reach Etosha but we left the Caprivi with a promise to return to check out the horseshoe lagoon in the dry and over the moon with the sitatunga sighting. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_e7kw_RcKiApdbKB76YBUcJ4a6c1smpP5JQe37g0JUDv01sxUifoiTtxkzL7_qfjifZySV0Mk-elJabaDQ_fegmHvWr-Bo9CdR5_Lw9OcapbWskOguaLaOdMDX8wfotQM9dEJRhQRHwrfjWEAzb7pQ5KZUGwTa5Jyrux-uPVlfrtY9QGVeFyfhXXqXpV/s3264/20230401_075605.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_e7kw_RcKiApdbKB76YBUcJ4a6c1smpP5JQe37g0JUDv01sxUifoiTtxkzL7_qfjifZySV0Mk-elJabaDQ_fegmHvWr-Bo9CdR5_Lw9OcapbWskOguaLaOdMDX8wfotQM9dEJRhQRHwrfjWEAzb7pQ5KZUGwTa5Jyrux-uPVlfrtY9QGVeFyfhXXqXpV/w400-h300/20230401_075605.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Morning coffee on the river cruise while searching for the sitatunga</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once you leave the Caprivi there is a notable change in vegetation as Namibia prepares you for the rest of the Country which could not be further from the Caprivi. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtECr-g31RKlq3XoDEKqDRRZJUp1uoRVmg1B9ypoKmS9rEYy68xh7OqMojMqhQjOK84ekLG4fWLfr5JXKOp0K69O0gGf8anIQg3uVZljRtU_blkuCmjGKsp9quf1s8KWnNqPguL0uk8Wjw9kTcrhzxdri38vCNHI8BZs9_6kRbsWgdagSaM2WDvIkXuBS/s4624/20230403_171603.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtECr-g31RKlq3XoDEKqDRRZJUp1uoRVmg1B9ypoKmS9rEYy68xh7OqMojMqhQjOK84ekLG4fWLfr5JXKOp0K69O0gGf8anIQg3uVZljRtU_blkuCmjGKsp9quf1s8KWnNqPguL0uk8Wjw9kTcrhzxdri38vCNHI8BZs9_6kRbsWgdagSaM2WDvIkXuBS/w400-h300/20230403_171603.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pan's edge drive, Namutoni, Etosha.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We arrived without bookings but managed to spend 8 nights at the three main camps in Etosha offering public camping. All camps are fenced and serviced with fuel and a basic shop but expect to pay premiums. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8_j74K8tZlsztHTjZTMBCSP8xWXsfPyzXacWWZm3m9vOIgTJdjQ8dRPR0zQGD15YLoz4FJq6lkv70bne_6yAaLnRsf8HnsJf94QGhUMPiTHM8_dQaEHRtGav0sDabKLRdrnN0qn2EUFTNWny0jKMsHDeLl3Tu9l5ulxVMXlVj9ZwaT2F5HzXK944DkGk/s4624/20230404_154643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8_j74K8tZlsztHTjZTMBCSP8xWXsfPyzXacWWZm3m9vOIgTJdjQ8dRPR0zQGD15YLoz4FJq6lkv70bne_6yAaLnRsf8HnsJf94QGhUMPiTHM8_dQaEHRtGav0sDabKLRdrnN0qn2EUFTNWny0jKMsHDeLl3Tu9l5ulxVMXlVj9ZwaT2F5HzXK944DkGk/w400-h300/20230404_154643.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Etosha, Namibia!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Camping can get crowded but the sites are fully serviced with water, power and shared ablutions. All camp sites also have a water hole which is a must visit and is floodlit and open 24 hours. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSHz4t2pJlz1KlnU9XAap-IXKY5qLX_whYDnssK2ezUUAVCn1AD36PbR2vJALMLmzzRvK97I1BCPLlrGuNB7Q0pE7bWAm5YBTVxPGSMzFzx_7fDs_I8Iwa36hel5Di_xyKMVshyZWU2DIdWXC0959dYiDlpde5vFRtrkqlGvEs3DL_H4sgeDUkIxL2tEb/s4624/20230406_144731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSHz4t2pJlz1KlnU9XAap-IXKY5qLX_whYDnssK2ezUUAVCn1AD36PbR2vJALMLmzzRvK97I1BCPLlrGuNB7Q0pE7bWAm5YBTVxPGSMzFzx_7fDs_I8Iwa36hel5Di_xyKMVshyZWU2DIdWXC0959dYiDlpde5vFRtrkqlGvEs3DL_H4sgeDUkIxL2tEb/w400-h300/20230406_144731.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Klein Namutoni, gem of a water hole that is easy to miss.</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Namutoni, the first camp we visited, is probably the best for game driving as the waterholes around the campsite are relatively close to each other and offer decent shooting. It also has access to the mighty Etosha pan and a few different areas for game viewing. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgC8ekmEyPeuGi0xmJF0nsHnpWapk2CakoaxFAUW9_8DX0_O50E9NpJAP9gKMQq180BeQ_jMLDHeV5G1RuSZivHwyVKaC9KMCCLC3CyW9Dpcr5SlCh0qTgWyrHm0yPoDKrcEvuhrJP9Y7VKznAx8wdnut8UQYyJgfhswelDACL7MSVrDYRGAXWdJ-qx_P/s4624/20230407_111408.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgC8ekmEyPeuGi0xmJF0nsHnpWapk2CakoaxFAUW9_8DX0_O50E9NpJAP9gKMQq180BeQ_jMLDHeV5G1RuSZivHwyVKaC9KMCCLC3CyW9Dpcr5SlCh0qTgWyrHm0yPoDKrcEvuhrJP9Y7VKznAx8wdnut8UQYyJgfhswelDACL7MSVrDYRGAXWdJ-qx_P/w400-h300/20230407_111408.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Pan viewpoint, don't miss it near Halali.</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The waterhole at the campsite is not the best as its overgrown and awkwardly located but the game viewing areas around the camp make up for the waterhole. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJR0PSqFgfTAQLcIwa58hvUPr5AUl_VhaWJGpK60WJwv5qQeNvnmpLShxKZSm3DzcnmioTreICY_YUH-9ZZ6BwDkho6aizQOcPBWSx51GR8rxwS3UN6ZuZnT6ZCPxXOQYDYbYuYG9lYcV9hrfEhJB5OM8HXmDMAnIm0DGMStVkaIaynZukib8A-4jluer/s3264/20230407_112229.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJR0PSqFgfTAQLcIwa58hvUPr5AUl_VhaWJGpK60WJwv5qQeNvnmpLShxKZSm3DzcnmioTreICY_YUH-9ZZ6BwDkho6aizQOcPBWSx51GR8rxwS3UN6ZuZnT6ZCPxXOQYDYbYuYG9lYcV9hrfEhJB5OM8HXmDMAnIm0DGMStVkaIaynZukib8A-4jluer/w400-h300/20230407_112229.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Where did you go?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The best shooting location is Klein Namutoni located on the way back to the main gate and also home to a resident leopard. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVHl9v8J5d57V9Yowhtu6JunHHNoASDRerXIrClG-E7SDAerBpKFY2lWNtYi4iEOQaEsOMstSs--5VSVPDBuFCrhgmUgYde_mdgTV4wmE_UI7dX0xZus2F_psN0BLlZvPhtUIjbYt2sx3xTsmJYUXrVQmNqGLTh-ZDoBATRJo9pQYsUcDT9Py2VZaef8x/s3264/20230407_180125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVHl9v8J5d57V9Yowhtu6JunHHNoASDRerXIrClG-E7SDAerBpKFY2lWNtYi4iEOQaEsOMstSs--5VSVPDBuFCrhgmUgYde_mdgTV4wmE_UI7dX0xZus2F_psN0BLlZvPhtUIjbYt2sx3xTsmJYUXrVQmNqGLTh-ZDoBATRJo9pQYsUcDT9Py2VZaef8x/w400-h300/20230407_180125.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Halali water hole offers great views of drinking animals. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Halali is located in the center of the park and checking out the 'Pan View Point' on the way in as its one of the few places to get a really good feel of the might of nothingness which is the Etosha pan. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FPA2y_SZQA60eAFEagetIEHIcPn5HKksMN8DdCBwwPFCoSAURYtorDljWkmGpgYLA2XQS_zSPRzdKmu__98TqhgbEU2ONNi9whoEudg6Lkhpwd9xV7SKW240HqbsTc8aI6kHg7voMQUlm1yIKNLNBsmqd45y-HHngHu6JYJtJxBi4PApFXHf15J5WvEi/s4624/20230407_191057.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FPA2y_SZQA60eAFEagetIEHIcPn5HKksMN8DdCBwwPFCoSAURYtorDljWkmGpgYLA2XQS_zSPRzdKmu__98TqhgbEU2ONNi9whoEudg6Lkhpwd9xV7SKW240HqbsTc8aI6kHg7voMQUlm1yIKNLNBsmqd45y-HHngHu6JYJtJxBi4PApFXHf15J5WvEi/w400-h300/20230407_191057.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Rhino are regulars at the Halali waterhole. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Driving around Halali is limited and don't waste your time but head straight to the Goas waterhole which is a great double waterhole for shooting. The waterhole at the camp is also great with daily rhino sightings at night. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you cannot find camping in Etosha, Halali is the place to head for as it has a massive campsite with plenty of space but if you get this wrong, its a 75 KM drive to get out. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML9EDIZkQV4uOcaKla3Ggpcv03XfDRW4O30Z8P6GID3N2Bwwsyh0PLHL1iRiLoqlIRSZ7Tx6uoEqR9cOZmUzkMgQknn36HyeHYWT_YWZGJF9gLJbrEKKc06sZJoem2blodZ_M912LDm8zGAhV7yUmiBH58hoGJ94Q3z0mfWC2YtcsXgiyJOyLC6qpCJqr/s4624/20230408_103328.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML9EDIZkQV4uOcaKla3Ggpcv03XfDRW4O30Z8P6GID3N2Bwwsyh0PLHL1iRiLoqlIRSZ7Tx6uoEqR9cOZmUzkMgQknn36HyeHYWT_YWZGJF9gLJbrEKKc06sZJoem2blodZ_M912LDm8zGAhV7yUmiBH58hoGJ94Q3z0mfWC2YtcsXgiyJOyLC6qpCJqr/w400-h300/20230408_103328.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The most famous tree in Etosha, the Salvadore tree. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Okaukuejo is by far the most popular and crowded camp in Etosha due its close proximity to the Namibian capital Windhoek. The waterhole here is nothing short of sensational due to its positioning and game activity and no surprises it has a 24 hour camera featuring on live safari shows. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH71BwOV5YxgkYjcXnxtGyU1xvjqqY0gUIJ-4CtNM_VbB_r5aOVJfN2-oOgdrmhgdu50a5M58ee_INNE14wlxlDE7gAQu2hGqE_nfJvHx2vcArgvvhVF7y5wnrVRRPn3FEGdFnSZ-t9-sTsV3Onzpu8Azmg-MQXUGQ9BNhmuPoUG-ijDoIa8BYlmraJ-T/s4624/20230408_094757(0).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH71BwOV5YxgkYjcXnxtGyU1xvjqqY0gUIJ-4CtNM_VbB_r5aOVJfN2-oOgdrmhgdu50a5M58ee_INNE14wlxlDE7gAQu2hGqE_nfJvHx2vcArgvvhVF7y5wnrVRRPn3FEGdFnSZ-t9-sTsV3Onzpu8Azmg-MQXUGQ9BNhmuPoUG-ijDoIa8BYlmraJ-T/w400-h300/20230408_094757(0).jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Etosha!<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is non-stop parade of animals that drink here and the viewing points offer a decent angle and close proximity for shooting. Nightly rhino sightings are common but there have been sightings of all major game including lion at this waterhole. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge51aRG5RHuT2rCi1fDm4S5AduZ_-GWIkFxBEqgHDLc3Mr2nnFyt7nWuYEupm0kU2uensJf8Xv11QVhoMaecd_6e1pTok6z58l2adgsnST59_dNmCWLf8M1pxcM2jOm3GxyF5NexiCtuzZjsiVupdCgDHFvAPkfBuGFePVoAyM3Tan9UkCsvmoGQpJPO-q/s4624/20230409_105756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge51aRG5RHuT2rCi1fDm4S5AduZ_-GWIkFxBEqgHDLc3Mr2nnFyt7nWuYEupm0kU2uensJf8Xv11QVhoMaecd_6e1pTok6z58l2adgsnST59_dNmCWLf8M1pxcM2jOm3GxyF5NexiCtuzZjsiVupdCgDHFvAPkfBuGFePVoAyM3Tan9UkCsvmoGQpJPO-q/w400-h300/20230409_105756.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Okaukuejo waterhole, surely one of the best in the world.</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Around Okaukuejo, the popular drive is between Gemsbokvlaakte and Ombika waterhole at the Anderson Gate. This is also where we came across a large pride of lions and there were reports of a cheetah around the area. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D2BW6SejXB_M1FzRcN_LgEuEdT8OOzaOFtfF_araDnOSYSLx8dLj2OF6XZBjscYl2PtNTmfPraXFo_ijRxR8RqPFD9XdWiNpMKe2V1kMmjs9zyrkkIOEkJhBmr3YcwgomWzPyhJcWAMff8wQh0ESFbBMhQpyZsB5lx5j0TfKWmSKTha3u5NUOuDCtFkg/s3264/20230409_105813.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D2BW6SejXB_M1FzRcN_LgEuEdT8OOzaOFtfF_araDnOSYSLx8dLj2OF6XZBjscYl2PtNTmfPraXFo_ijRxR8RqPFD9XdWiNpMKe2V1kMmjs9zyrkkIOEkJhBmr3YcwgomWzPyhJcWAMff8wQh0ESFbBMhQpyZsB5lx5j0TfKWmSKTha3u5NUOuDCtFkg/w400-h300/20230409_105813.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Ring side view of the waterhole, walking distance from the campsite. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having visited Etosha in the wet, we will definitely be back in the dry season when we expect the water holes to be even more active. Etosha is a park like no other but the closest we can draw similarity to is Kalahari in Botswana with much of the same animals and vegetation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQMOF0r6gpsCQKHirsopsvQMy8TcrfQ17pFLY4r0sLDa0htF8G_vbuIWiU_gzZ1Ka3sOaHqq3LtdGArrL9FYsO1eQXJihqmCS9n77GgO6itKK41O9Rs1UfHHcxxDN4_57nZDLeugBpBcA0R4UoL1T72YCIvzixFryBZ2qCTUu6Y5-G_8JVCH-_mE08bP1/s4624/20230409_134816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQMOF0r6gpsCQKHirsopsvQMy8TcrfQ17pFLY4r0sLDa0htF8G_vbuIWiU_gzZ1Ka3sOaHqq3LtdGArrL9FYsO1eQXJihqmCS9n77GgO6itKK41O9Rs1UfHHcxxDN4_57nZDLeugBpBcA0R4UoL1T72YCIvzixFryBZ2qCTUu6Y5-G_8JVCH-_mE08bP1/w400-h300/20230409_134816.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The incredible Sociable weaver nest. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like the Kalahari, the main theory is target game around the waterholes and park authorities are doing a great job with both the roads and maintaining watering points for the animals. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo4mnJJFVYLj4amLy9CyGxgDUQUhBkBSsMNtIp65-nKmQp1Zrn25NhbK3iF-S9PgRvz-pVeikg5TZm0JE-fbu2pkNFOsf5KlTBKCU4LdbIWbp98ID7Q4HHw49tAapdSAjViGBq3By47guf-SdBpDXVZ8EVrAW_aOGWMNGjVVCp7WDqKZ_Ec9TBCDyq4XC/s4032/IMG_6394.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo4mnJJFVYLj4amLy9CyGxgDUQUhBkBSsMNtIp65-nKmQp1Zrn25NhbK3iF-S9PgRvz-pVeikg5TZm0JE-fbu2pkNFOsf5KlTBKCU4LdbIWbp98ID7Q4HHw49tAapdSAjViGBq3By47guf-SdBpDXVZ8EVrAW_aOGWMNGjVVCp7WDqKZ_Ec9TBCDyq4XC/w400-h300/IMG_6394.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Rhinos at the waterhole at Okaukuejo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">By far the unique feature of Etosha is the massive featureless pan itself. Once again one could draw similarities to the Makgadikgadi pans of Botswana and we are glad to have covered both on this one trip and drawing on different experiences from both. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdjL_aqPjONeKWK5fF_cuYaIqkXYDDBWn4SGObTLkX7z3aXpg91mC8tasC7Jwi3WGQWLtW-TBtdeJrqoMxO71F9APYJcbllVOlFDxmEesr3-HIuxHyjNZmbxLXjthimc6QrdFJ7waGFpG9l7-BDspADWDzeImWaYMvHQ6dCCnFW3RZxeD3tvsWGYX6ovF/s4624/20230409_142329.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdjL_aqPjONeKWK5fF_cuYaIqkXYDDBWn4SGObTLkX7z3aXpg91mC8tasC7Jwi3WGQWLtW-TBtdeJrqoMxO71F9APYJcbllVOlFDxmEesr3-HIuxHyjNZmbxLXjthimc6QrdFJ7waGFpG9l7-BDspADWDzeImWaYMvHQ6dCCnFW3RZxeD3tvsWGYX6ovF/w300-h400/20230409_142329.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Ground squirrel, camp site friends. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had a major panic on our way out of Etosha where the car came to an abrupt stop in the middle of no where but suffice to say, the guys at Outjo from Wiemanns Garage sorted us out and had us on the road the next day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY1NEHg-QJprCdmrH8_FDonprHQoRMfLZKX-80OgVrDK0enCYasg1HmcFfl8uRKjAsYyg0FMqlBo53cmt7E3Fj8qaS8c3dQPreScibHd3lXoH-T6sdnWu3vH19hVTFIoEHpQK5w3u36a169oebVu_Lx_6L1UpFAzX9JA2QuJl_7_uQLz5f4juJJE-ibAM/s4624/20230411_130839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY1NEHg-QJprCdmrH8_FDonprHQoRMfLZKX-80OgVrDK0enCYasg1HmcFfl8uRKjAsYyg0FMqlBo53cmt7E3Fj8qaS8c3dQPreScibHd3lXoH-T6sdnWu3vH19hVTFIoEHpQK5w3u36a169oebVu_Lx_6L1UpFAzX9JA2QuJl_7_uQLz5f4juJJE-ibAM/w400-h300/20230411_130839.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Thanks Conrad for sorting us out!<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another breakdown on an African road negotiated, this time a faulty fuel gauge resulting in running of out fuel! We were grateful to have got out of yet another car mishap without too many dramas as once of the fears of traveling alone is a car breakdown in the wrong place, of which there are many in Africa. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we ended our 60 day trip there were reports of a missing couple self driving, ironically just around the area we were heading in to but had decided to turn back as opposed to venturing in to remote areas alone. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJl_u9OMgGHjhyfAVciFmU8TsM12ELOZ2S877-0Ny5FYI5YpxSZzx7MlDxvmxmyUksF7wo0wBPEOOicLgFg_Ludcd02mKGt2rUvRskkN1l75_NcanX0PUywRqVLupldCxXiebeo-_bhooHMi6bMoDX-rwt9_ytt-3R_Z7E3mD_CYPkZO2bUBFeohFWdnj/s4624/20230412_170259.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJl_u9OMgGHjhyfAVciFmU8TsM12ELOZ2S877-0Ny5FYI5YpxSZzx7MlDxvmxmyUksF7wo0wBPEOOicLgFg_Ludcd02mKGt2rUvRskkN1l75_NcanX0PUywRqVLupldCxXiebeo-_bhooHMi6bMoDX-rwt9_ytt-3R_Z7E3mD_CYPkZO2bUBFeohFWdnj/w400-h300/20230412_170259.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Hoab river, Twyfelfontein, don't mess around here alone! </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twyfelfontein came in to the picture when researching the desert elephants of Namibia. This area seemed to be one of the areas to target but one had to venture deeper in to the desert to target the desert lions. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX5CoKThNvLGBy-vvSqujPCCkOWsnfGBBF19LXprT-JhI3oZY8TjfDQSo1J78IfVs6G_-EPmtX1IOldyDCUQUbWdWQP0ERaKcv1itL3ubRAXHK3RLij4zQFwSV6nQyAIXWrbAjc8OvA15E5ajZ-5Txxku7pKatD-mRyVBZ6KiDWXMqXb6QLsSA19Xji9L/s4032/IMG_6668.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX5CoKThNvLGBy-vvSqujPCCkOWsnfGBBF19LXprT-JhI3oZY8TjfDQSo1J78IfVs6G_-EPmtX1IOldyDCUQUbWdWQP0ERaKcv1itL3ubRAXHK3RLij4zQFwSV6nQyAIXWrbAjc8OvA15E5ajZ-5Txxku7pKatD-mRyVBZ6KiDWXMqXb6QLsSA19Xji9L/w400-h300/IMG_6668.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Endless vistas in Namibia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Intel gathered from fellow travelers coming up (always talk to other travels to obtain up to date intel) from this area had warning signs of bad roads (which was expected) but total isolation, which is scary for solo travelers in a remote hostile environments. Once the tarmac ended at Khorixas, we were reluctant adventures beyond Twyfelfontein. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUmdIfbo-XAS7d20VEkspTDI5dElygltZLfZ4fU8UtIsMcER80ZnVGqeMV5ShZVFGqGVX2r9wULISRKIQTisLms1qZ09GZyfGshjcmrQi76w5bqJ2lMwDOM7qyROQSrG64PfhIwIkRjhKss_pCH25JS5-WlkOQbZSmJNTYbqutdCFdfRCBHBSAfpgaWI0/s4624/20230412_171406.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUmdIfbo-XAS7d20VEkspTDI5dElygltZLfZ4fU8UtIsMcER80ZnVGqeMV5ShZVFGqGVX2r9wULISRKIQTisLms1qZ09GZyfGshjcmrQi76w5bqJ2lMwDOM7qyROQSrG64PfhIwIkRjhKss_pCH25JS5-WlkOQbZSmJNTYbqutdCFdfRCBHBSAfpgaWI0/w400-h300/20230412_171406.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lots of dry riverbed driving looking for the desert elephants<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were on our way to the world heritage site at Twyfelfontein when we saw a sign for desert elephant drives. The guide there noted that he sighted a herd of 16 that morning which was a hot lead as the elephants were unlikely to have moved far during the heat of the day. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRw5AFc3NJFurTfGrXh4qIRTNs7H3TomWCWK1ZgzQACaMOsaF0DAbOwuuTTV_QRYT2M8u32NTqcPL1qSaJMGAmfTnv7r2KGYg05FVgbQ2xc8uSyJEfCSDaZHTn2xeVebYN_Ta5H-fwN3Z2ciEoM59RxKwzvPa1HttpRmQxSC7BQUsenx1gUOTfXICFW7i/s4624/20230412_155013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRw5AFc3NJFurTfGrXh4qIRTNs7H3TomWCWK1ZgzQACaMOsaF0DAbOwuuTTV_QRYT2M8u32NTqcPL1qSaJMGAmfTnv7r2KGYg05FVgbQ2xc8uSyJEfCSDaZHTn2xeVebYN_Ta5H-fwN3Z2ciEoM59RxKwzvPa1HttpRmQxSC7BQUsenx1gUOTfXICFW7i/w400-h300/20230412_155013.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Making a living in the desert. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We left them debating on a toss between the desert elephants and world heritage sight consisting of cave drawings and decided to give the desert elephants a go. The drive starts at 2 PM which was a bit strange for us but given we were the outsiders, we paid the fees and buckled up a wild ride through the Huab River in search of the desert elephants. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9kk5DQuCTOxSswaUT_0wjAv_N2qa1n5J4620oQKE3yWDA6bcvNCuln0WYM-jS0vPpjfC3W_ogTpJJHDlmh3uTheuFmvpHIZTPrr-vwLCiNrJ6OKycxKUsFubRF33XnrgruQsKxFOvHVkHQvMe_N_CdtnDPo4wyc9VW96MlStTB2OcjM5QY-ZXQDFSjqo/s4624/20230412_170339.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9kk5DQuCTOxSswaUT_0wjAv_N2qa1n5J4620oQKE3yWDA6bcvNCuln0WYM-jS0vPpjfC3W_ogTpJJHDlmh3uTheuFmvpHIZTPrr-vwLCiNrJ6OKycxKUsFubRF33XnrgruQsKxFOvHVkHQvMe_N_CdtnDPo4wyc9VW96MlStTB2OcjM5QY-ZXQDFSjqo/w400-h300/20230412_170339.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Inhospitable wild terrain. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While you can do the drive to search for desert elephants on your own, and the chances of finding the elephants are good if they are in the area as they go up and down the river checking out the different watering points, we decided not to test our suspension and enjoy the ride. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEUKsfJnsqDPEF0UUaQBKCBKyj0McIhNRv5n3M_4rozYG0QnXWqxHxALIcNIh6LkKo8txCXbDbsS_ZS4H5RHrDUabj9qm17QIY_LC5qY037M0J1sPWdZlaYJeuBk3Txhj3ySaWRxOK7GkfDv4y1Tp_xcGFtnjiKC4o61qJ3lmQgRhFCdaU6L6jTy7bY9r/s3264/20230413_074745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEUKsfJnsqDPEF0UUaQBKCBKyj0McIhNRv5n3M_4rozYG0QnXWqxHxALIcNIh6LkKo8txCXbDbsS_ZS4H5RHrDUabj9qm17QIY_LC5qY037M0J1sPWdZlaYJeuBk3Txhj3ySaWRxOK7GkfDv4y1Tp_xcGFtnjiKC4o61qJ3lmQgRhFCdaU6L6jTy7bY9r/w400-h300/20230413_074745.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The unique Welwitschia plant can survive for hundreds of years. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While there were elephant droppings the moment we got to the dry river bed, it took us almost two hours driving upstream to find the elephants. What's more, the sand is soft and dry and will test your suspension and driving skills but most of all, if you were to get stuck, there is little or no help around so best not mess around here alone. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesudqvWFiDTSTb_MDA5zGSB9OGE_LWAmbnFMZ59ri5sHsqL2wyCa7vn6x_nRgVxGOj6q64z-fhp3Sd08MgeiEVJVXfUKBVvZbkM-Wtxm9A8HrttYMhNQxtZgrNrPhF6EVCGtaQeL5E5dpdRmhVe-ZINv-ruyUkAf1AaprQMxL3luJwkwYLUe-DaQIzc7T/s3264/20230413_080742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesudqvWFiDTSTb_MDA5zGSB9OGE_LWAmbnFMZ59ri5sHsqL2wyCa7vn6x_nRgVxGOj6q64z-fhp3Sd08MgeiEVJVXfUKBVvZbkM-Wtxm9A8HrttYMhNQxtZgrNrPhF6EVCGtaQeL5E5dpdRmhVe-ZINv-ruyUkAf1AaprQMxL3luJwkwYLUe-DaQIzc7T/w400-h300/20230413_080742.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Petrified tree trunks. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sadly the Hoab river which usually flows annually, failed to flow for 7 years up to 2022 when it last flowed. But the 7 years dry had a significant impact on the wildlife resulting in the translocation of the lion population who took to feeding on the livestock in desperation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqZVqbpbm_DqG7HCl-x-OfE6qL4isCm7l-vZJgWj3I1gmEzDc9_avhJGh_4dNI_znuNNaMscI7dzszBJJyQ9m5CaJ-WLKF7CBrTU-AaUzjHMPuZuNn-eBTLC4HdAhzsmPnvDdkt8mEXyl6RacZul_aTVDUqETPFjxtx_NOGECJeLLzA9nHZCE2zAd0g6d/s4624/20230413_081307.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqZVqbpbm_DqG7HCl-x-OfE6qL4isCm7l-vZJgWj3I1gmEzDc9_avhJGh_4dNI_znuNNaMscI7dzszBJJyQ9m5CaJ-WLKF7CBrTU-AaUzjHMPuZuNn-eBTLC4HdAhzsmPnvDdkt8mEXyl6RacZul_aTVDUqETPFjxtx_NOGECJeLLzA9nHZCE2zAd0g6d/w400-h300/20230413_081307.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Welwitschia fruit<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The villages took a terrible hit on their livestock requiring government intervention to restock village livestock. The hope is with the return of the rains the lions will return once again but the rains have failed again in 2023 and the villages hang on by a thread in this barren corner of the world, somehow sharing the precious remaining water with the desert elephants.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yu4wE2NP_zO3-DOCydmuDUxJ7Ll9FQZANPVq8z_65lbTQQPeX4DlNX6PwqLsgZ3efZNtaHytGgK1YRx75wOs7siz1RM1itDHpJ-1pU-qsJX9UTZHS5n5xMDjE-_xLt5Pq2WzfXs4yz1mkuH2w2aUQXIFLuzy2wNIs149k0uJPzf_Snr0lOp_Zz8y-38R/s4624/20230412_185423.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yu4wE2NP_zO3-DOCydmuDUxJ7Ll9FQZANPVq8z_65lbTQQPeX4DlNX6PwqLsgZ3efZNtaHytGgK1YRx75wOs7siz1RM1itDHpJ-1pU-qsJX9UTZHS5n5xMDjE-_xLt5Pq2WzfXs4yz1mkuH2w2aUQXIFLuzy2wNIs149k0uJPzf_Snr0lOp_Zz8y-38R/w400-h300/20230412_185423.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Khorixas, a place like no other but plan to arrive late afternoon. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While it was possible to cross from Khorixas to Uis and use other back roads to reach Spitzkoppe, we decided to camp at Hais Ra and back track to Outjo and then use the main tarmac to Spitzkoppe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOD1_tWua-5w1l5G2njMiId6ISCmeTBcbCBPM_AMb7xp-biatVsV7rkQw3lYmxS1DkjROupZS2Tv7o4izbdkq9XOAAFrmzC8V0f0IHhDah5SCSCZn1BaXSRzqK1lPj6giOSwWtCUlIuYaV8KZRWS97-bUTGF3wwVzmfu83h9NspFaLMDQS5zKloI1Y3Ns2/s4624/20230412_185434.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOD1_tWua-5w1l5G2njMiId6ISCmeTBcbCBPM_AMb7xp-biatVsV7rkQw3lYmxS1DkjROupZS2Tv7o4izbdkq9XOAAFrmzC8V0f0IHhDah5SCSCZn1BaXSRzqK1lPj6giOSwWtCUlIuYaV8KZRWS97-bUTGF3wwVzmfu83h9NspFaLMDQS5zKloI1Y3Ns2/w400-h300/20230412_185434.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A lone tree makes a stand in desert. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While this was longer distance, we still reached Spitzkoppe the same day well before sunset and believe it was actually quicker than taking a chance on the gravel tracks. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnWc_DwYvOoAk-E7qNL2Otn_CZuFfR71WPYtKDx20v59OBGRLL6-cKDnqnmHnMMtGP8dPoTfFkQCxdgQwYa4bJHxT8W38vG0226yG5gH38Ga0oLzlP-5KKJfjNTC5AfCym8FgWCEaoOnsmOhW5_OEOSMeHyr5OxqdMG1mo-fAKwZLUBwAn7-7lpiUyzKE/s4454/205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3341" data-original-width="4454" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnWc_DwYvOoAk-E7qNL2Otn_CZuFfR71WPYtKDx20v59OBGRLL6-cKDnqnmHnMMtGP8dPoTfFkQCxdgQwYa4bJHxT8W38vG0226yG5gH38Ga0oLzlP-5KKJfjNTC5AfCym8FgWCEaoOnsmOhW5_OEOSMeHyr5OxqdMG1mo-fAKwZLUBwAn7-7lpiUyzKE/w400-h300/205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Spitzkoppe, another of Namibia's place like no other</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spitzkoppe itself is a weird rock formation jutting out from its flat surrounds. By this time the Namibian vegetation has taken a dramatic change to sparse and desert like flats with deep horizons. So to see anything jut out is eye catching and Spitzkoppe would be a worthwhile sight on its own. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBD-kzNibqAlxVT7xdHeeie44VuA-ljAPPNuPER3mwnXGbE1GlBJdmAq-9X2kSa_gcIyOaZBui5IYUsXQgeRFrWZ-mGVQsuIf0ABY-VnH_2daGrg07eDxYYFfbQrFUVNwXVvwGA8j_bZE4nBwh6mDIMiYuSmZ2eCFKi4wsTrFpM4YdYLfTWWE9aaKrYQ1/s4032/210.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBD-kzNibqAlxVT7xdHeeie44VuA-ljAPPNuPER3mwnXGbE1GlBJdmAq-9X2kSa_gcIyOaZBui5IYUsXQgeRFrWZ-mGVQsuIf0ABY-VnH_2daGrg07eDxYYFfbQrFUVNwXVvwGA8j_bZE4nBwh6mDIMiYuSmZ2eCFKi4wsTrFpM4YdYLfTWWE9aaKrYQ1/w400-h300/210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">The Spitzkoppe window</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The day time heat by now is a real challenge to deal with requiring early movements after camping overnight. Again we had the choice to head to Hentiesbaai on the gravel track but opted to get back on the main road and head to Swakopmund on the main road. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD85SERrUgFsRTbtMGVpw9W10Dtf5iiORyNdy37TXkf-If30XO9aPqaubYQAG5ihBdKdqHkcOxFGeu7qdd1VF6oizAE4XmXWtnk47kGu3BilpCVScFGUVsz7mX-tf1bDe7mgVVB4DG3YYfX92mrZAvJUA-AtxaeyVMrmU8W8kA7usLsMIFcpfMWUhdqA3/s4624/20230414_072451.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD85SERrUgFsRTbtMGVpw9W10Dtf5iiORyNdy37TXkf-If30XO9aPqaubYQAG5ihBdKdqHkcOxFGeu7qdd1VF6oizAE4XmXWtnk47kGu3BilpCVScFGUVsz7mX-tf1bDe7mgVVB4DG3YYfX92mrZAvJUA-AtxaeyVMrmU8W8kA7usLsMIFcpfMWUhdqA3/w400-h300/20230414_072451.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Camping outside the reserve offers the best views in the mornings.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first thing to note about Swakop is the sea mist which hangs like a strange ghost off the coast and rolls in unannounced without a warning bringing a chill factor that cannot be ignored. So there we arrived in Swakop in shorts and t-shirts after Spitzkoppe desperately looking for warm clothes at midday in a confused state. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6vYIZXjCm9jbZI-h0cnGUkkyKLAfTVv_NSUe6jbm6RSP9cVjeBLV72tsWLUuQfVVUavzkrTVjS0gYj3W4ZK_n9ZU19O00HRzIZSleZ8GHc9FTgQBEcMws2__tVhBjkAajnH89XjQcQf1Jbh2a9i33B7FwTOWuNK31zW-JWZIj3bAsSQiXqwB2rPsjdIf/s4624/20230414_072623.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6vYIZXjCm9jbZI-h0cnGUkkyKLAfTVv_NSUe6jbm6RSP9cVjeBLV72tsWLUuQfVVUavzkrTVjS0gYj3W4ZK_n9ZU19O00HRzIZSleZ8GHc9FTgQBEcMws2__tVhBjkAajnH89XjQcQf1Jbh2a9i33B7FwTOWuNK31zW-JWZIj3bAsSQiXqwB2rPsjdIf/w400-h300/20230414_072623.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sand campsite, slippers or shoes?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Swakop is an interesting town full peculiarities such as salt roads, European like beach fronts, dune fields, sea mist, moonscapes, strange Welwitschia plants and a strong German culture and presence. It is the second largest city in Namibia so if you are not going to Windhoek like us, this the next best place to get anything sorted out. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIE2qCe7qR9C3YciVCbbONWXAnvasQBy_pMw5NMSTbniG0Exy5NJZM9ZBu7a4U59c-Mh7wann0DjiTrbjDOlk346duFRljfnihfDi95nIUTMY7PROfaFW7DuwCTpt9nH-UVF2cjuQsvPEQT7LbWPFZPv-eQ3BsRaVqozBPfL-mgbpwXzevbPZIEmbvU1f/s4032/231.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIE2qCe7qR9C3YciVCbbONWXAnvasQBy_pMw5NMSTbniG0Exy5NJZM9ZBu7a4U59c-Mh7wann0DjiTrbjDOlk346duFRljfnihfDi95nIUTMY7PROfaFW7DuwCTpt9nH-UVF2cjuQsvPEQT7LbWPFZPv-eQ3BsRaVqozBPfL-mgbpwXzevbPZIEmbvU1f/w400-h300/231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Alte Brucke in Swakopmund<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The best place to camp is Alte Bruche which one could use as the blueprint for the perfect campsite, albeit looking a bit artificial in the middle of town. We headed for Walvis Bay to climb the famous dune 7 only to be told the dune was closed due to vandalism. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyPTs-VnEmjMrJ7xZWJgAMmY9dlIH_ZPzo6S1IFqMNKdvH8zHM2kpuIEB_6Y3ojhf6HixomzyDC80SeDyBwcA6k5MZNHSKpLSOvB45w1v_V3mTMsGTXRhH-a5d04NfOh10_W-Tlw9I4OvGacLW4uC5hSb1vZiqW_eY5Q3NkWMu9Rg0tPCb5mSRsYq_Xxc/s4032/219.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyPTs-VnEmjMrJ7xZWJgAMmY9dlIH_ZPzo6S1IFqMNKdvH8zHM2kpuIEB_6Y3ojhf6HixomzyDC80SeDyBwcA6k5MZNHSKpLSOvB45w1v_V3mTMsGTXRhH-a5d04NfOh10_W-Tlw9I4OvGacLW4uC5hSb1vZiqW_eY5Q3NkWMu9Rg0tPCb5mSRsYq_Xxc/w400-h300/219.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The road between Swakop & Walvis divides dune and sea</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Never understand the logic of vandalizing public property but on dune 7! The bonus was flamingos with dunes in the background and the awesome drive between the two twin cities just 70 KMS apart. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHheZKs_2AIUOXjMM8gr_quc4VJmg3eG4umEINMYnRak0JPasEzI3xbg96nfBRvpznU5gzpe8lYLvsnp3fEyJqPbMSb1e9rsPuxClKwh2sKHKv5izdsT_MLpsu3QghobkvEHyx4kIQWd66agFwD-EVslkdTayRgmsAgQtxC-70dF8ew5H5mb9gFZdcOM8s/s3264/20230414_181618.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHheZKs_2AIUOXjMM8gr_quc4VJmg3eG4umEINMYnRak0JPasEzI3xbg96nfBRvpznU5gzpe8lYLvsnp3fEyJqPbMSb1e9rsPuxClKwh2sKHKv5izdsT_MLpsu3QghobkvEHyx4kIQWd66agFwD-EVslkdTayRgmsAgQtxC-70dF8ew5H5mb9gFZdcOM8s/w400-h300/20230414_181618.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The infamous sea mist rolls in Swakop, it really is like nothing else.</span> <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is a story that upon independence, South Africa were reluctant to handover Walvis Bay which was the main harbor but regardless the drive is breathtaking and hair-raising saddled between the sea and sand dunes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGhZTjsIbRf7PtMKuOiLjpX00MEK9XRA4p7IKQdp5xHMf0IeOr-_BvE1vFfP6pw6ixaQ-eDjR3Ml41RfIz_kBMjX18yqnJoMnfatOoetSiIGqBmjPac7a2fe5fstN2-sttGdAMKQbit35a1jfor-s_IXznBIwtNhW5ryQ4yvI6rO-Bb-FXsjD5Bt4H8gC/s4603/238.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3452" data-original-width="4603" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGhZTjsIbRf7PtMKuOiLjpX00MEK9XRA4p7IKQdp5xHMf0IeOr-_BvE1vFfP6pw6ixaQ-eDjR3Ml41RfIz_kBMjX18yqnJoMnfatOoetSiIGqBmjPac7a2fe5fstN2-sttGdAMKQbit35a1jfor-s_IXznBIwtNhW5ryQ4yvI6rO-Bb-FXsjD5Bt4H8gC/w400-h300/238.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Plenty of seals at the Cape Cross colony</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">The Cape Cross seal colony is located 130 KMH north past Hentiesbaai which is a decent lunch stop on the way back. Get to the seals early so you don't get caught out by the weather and also the seals are on shore overnight and only venture out with sunlight so best to get there early and take they only open the gate at 9AM so don't rush off a 6AM! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQph3HAsidyU12FnCDG1540roKd5_6VIgUZwFmFwl4LGgQH6zCq_lk45ytpI-HoZSqgM5_RYBgtJynE7jGxIVvjzp0UuuHxfM9zjmz0bgkpgnAWbJyi9bBmW4FdDUU_r9xc6Wb0d6AeGN8tWwZaTc4ySQpuQQeifH-biy-XQsUDIq4oOmOPUmVKWaf98b/s4624/20230415_112621.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQph3HAsidyU12FnCDG1540roKd5_6VIgUZwFmFwl4LGgQH6zCq_lk45ytpI-HoZSqgM5_RYBgtJynE7jGxIVvjzp0UuuHxfM9zjmz0bgkpgnAWbJyi9bBmW4FdDUU_r9xc6Wb0d6AeGN8tWwZaTc4ySQpuQQeifH-biy-XQsUDIq4oOmOPUmVKWaf98b/w400-h300/20230415_112621.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Relaxing after a day of fishing</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">There are seals all along this coast as far down as Cape Town but Cape Cross is special by the huge numbers and close beach access. It is called Cape Cross due to the cross placed on the ground up on the arrival of the first Europeans on this wild coast. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekShVRI-EcHANkJLOpUjBYoNFBIdOBn9iLSLVDhr8ps3nUuxCmYTalLsKBiNJ3m_5piALav0CquB35kKKvsDEbL7C70G0uzVDVYZXvLvt0wmFE0s-pI8wjVcLt3eWuGqac9OeQhVhT-QLBjOq8whmtrZvA8ejsS5HUlXCqfc7U3ZlfOpY8pgG2OjXtSkU/s4624/20230415_121733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekShVRI-EcHANkJLOpUjBYoNFBIdOBn9iLSLVDhr8ps3nUuxCmYTalLsKBiNJ3m_5piALav0CquB35kKKvsDEbL7C70G0uzVDVYZXvLvt0wmFE0s-pI8wjVcLt3eWuGqac9OeQhVhT-QLBjOq8whmtrZvA8ejsS5HUlXCqfc7U3ZlfOpY8pgG2OjXtSkU/w400-h300/20230415_121733.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Cape Cross, guarded by the Seal colony. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next day, we checked out the Living Desert Tour which is a must do from Swakop. It starts early morning and there are a few tour operators but we used 'living desert tours' who were awesome. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8iWgQpc6rznxoAO9aVjGjLqPl806eZRh-XVkIWgk3cCJCy2-SvVwSI3KIT3xi3vS57v_O8Y4pcAFArQIyER80m3bXjvoV0XcdS_x5Wf3il-82aoDfDdLMQVe2HHeYvxSXhn-1IleIyJLC-1K8RCeAnBGMZDqPrCtqA1zr9a5UpMdjA7vSgg_W0UptiN6/s4624/20230416_092416.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8iWgQpc6rznxoAO9aVjGjLqPl806eZRh-XVkIWgk3cCJCy2-SvVwSI3KIT3xi3vS57v_O8Y4pcAFArQIyER80m3bXjvoV0XcdS_x5Wf3il-82aoDfDdLMQVe2HHeYvxSXhn-1IleIyJLC-1K8RCeAnBGMZDqPrCtqA1zr9a5UpMdjA7vSgg_W0UptiN6/w400-h300/20230416_092416.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Side-Winder snake disappearing in to the sand. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's hard to imagine how an eco-system could survive in the Namib desert but there is water, plants and animals who live of each other ensuring an entire eco-system is busy at work but you will only notice it, if you go in with an expert who knows what to look for. What ever you do, don't just hammer around the dunes looked for stuff and the most likely outcome is the destruction of this fragile eco-system.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyqe599fC0NnFQyX9bBJLBxzz2vOVr0IWDHe6bIEcx2NCzZeEjD2aG0bKnGg8Jm-8ZeJwYsK8pcspvZZau3RBL_5R4UB5GxHaMSyUN1FzSVgRoXww-PeBUJd3WHKP8vaDQEukPfmGcKMTc1NRj1h5dW1vPAcOc7D-LM27mf9nfqBghOj9NuXz5bkt_wfB/s2000/249.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyqe599fC0NnFQyX9bBJLBxzz2vOVr0IWDHe6bIEcx2NCzZeEjD2aG0bKnGg8Jm-8ZeJwYsK8pcspvZZau3RBL_5R4UB5GxHaMSyUN1FzSVgRoXww-PeBUJd3WHKP8vaDQEukPfmGcKMTc1NRj1h5dW1vPAcOc7D-LM27mf9nfqBghOj9NuXz5bkt_wfB/w400-h300/249.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The world's only lizard with 4 webbed feet lives in the Namib desert!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The toughest part of the drive lay ahead from Swakop to Sossusvlei which is a 400 KM drive through the Namib with absolutely nothing. The Namibian gravel roads require some caution and adjustment per the condition of the road so don't bite off huge chunks of distances to cover in a day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvuM4wWwsbP5AujipVwP8PGWayNPNYb7TSaqwPSr6JO87RKXeZ25Ei-LCcpZr6ed3v7nURsUyVsmppA7Ryd933K47yOb5GQIpYxyN7F1Gm99V51oUFP109vzNxqtw05i08AJX0d-t3eDNnRr5gB008e4Qwokovgh12JMzZs4Cqg29-bKI-2Ng6gj5xIjy/s3264/20230416_101150.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvuM4wWwsbP5AujipVwP8PGWayNPNYb7TSaqwPSr6JO87RKXeZ25Ei-LCcpZr6ed3v7nURsUyVsmppA7Ryd933K47yOb5GQIpYxyN7F1Gm99V51oUFP109vzNxqtw05i08AJX0d-t3eDNnRr5gB008e4Qwokovgh12JMzZs4Cqg29-bKI-2Ng6gj5xIjy/w400-h300/20230416_101150.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The moving sand dunes of the Namib. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also don't fall in to the trap of speeding along on a smooth gravel road only to hit a rough patch and losing control. The Namibian gravel roads are deceptive for those of us from outside and require caution to negotiate. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRRfjFYA9sFPnPxJSoeO3QTGnY7NdE7iG4kSQ5tQuLkBiqOfsDrouJrEJq_b-PnOUy7tST4Cq5pwznt2njBmqE67z4qr9dPMGmwVzZSCXiDhmtdcYcvBpfFf-ADV73w5f5kflLcQrZ4xKBn6GT0i7TuuClSPTpvIzkyit3d7yZeVLTW4eTfNxKrnCVkFM/s4624/20230415_162331.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRRfjFYA9sFPnPxJSoeO3QTGnY7NdE7iG4kSQ5tQuLkBiqOfsDrouJrEJq_b-PnOUy7tST4Cq5pwznt2njBmqE67z4qr9dPMGmwVzZSCXiDhmtdcYcvBpfFf-ADV73w5f5kflLcQrZ4xKBn6GT0i7TuuClSPTpvIzkyit3d7yZeVLTW4eTfNxKrnCVkFM/w400-h300/20230415_162331.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Moonscape of Swakop. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dropping tyre pressure is a must we are told and the few times we did this, there was a marked difference in handling and suspension stress. However, you obviously need a trye inflation kit with you as driving on a tarmac with deflated tyres is one sure way to shred the sidewall. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_8d0NYfiTRAZTvMkCHwwyy9FQkF85bfEIVkINsKTGa3NOcseXuQmnL2DiwN-Cg5AYZ7Fu0TQUbgKA4r3kn4rUC3JUUgaGsAz2qNU_YA5lxeMClHidawpgerFzMU4GaLZsmFvm4ITDE9mdU-w7db7JK4Kaouw7QJ9KQA3Uctb0ta5J7uBBeFCIymWoM3-/s3264/20230417_152957.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_8d0NYfiTRAZTvMkCHwwyy9FQkF85bfEIVkINsKTGa3NOcseXuQmnL2DiwN-Cg5AYZ7Fu0TQUbgKA4r3kn4rUC3JUUgaGsAz2qNU_YA5lxeMClHidawpgerFzMU4GaLZsmFvm4ITDE9mdU-w7db7JK4Kaouw7QJ9KQA3Uctb0ta5J7uBBeFCIymWoM3-/w400-h300/20230417_152957.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Solitaire, the one horse town between Swakop and Sossusvlei. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is a fair amount of fuss made about the one horse town of Solitaire, the only stop between Swakop and Soss but it's more to do with the relief of finding a human being and basic supplies than anything close to an attraction. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf1O-DENiVvwTnEYRdwkY4MWMjm_pRZtIHVMpqeMj1FYqfmfljFTOL6WB1ulXQfXt4Gpu-hIbp_WldaY8OF0UPdSNgTCc0TaIVrJjTyZU2IOETXxH6PI4YA12MPgFm8hX9AgtgaTzk-2NmVbNkag5Scc0OxzmGpRKdKTD2daGDYps-eWh-oeQ_mNDUa4S/s4624/20230417_175809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf1O-DENiVvwTnEYRdwkY4MWMjm_pRZtIHVMpqeMj1FYqfmfljFTOL6WB1ulXQfXt4Gpu-hIbp_WldaY8OF0UPdSNgTCc0TaIVrJjTyZU2IOETXxH6PI4YA12MPgFm8hX9AgtgaTzk-2NmVbNkag5Scc0OxzmGpRKdKTD2daGDYps-eWh-oeQ_mNDUa4S/w400-h300/20230417_175809.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Dune 45, the sandstorm was that strong, folks climbing had to get down. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is also a lot of noise made about the apple pie of Solitaire but Dru didn't find anything special about a pie made from tinned apples (Cheryl thought it was good)! What it is a good stopping point given Sesriem (the entry to Soss) has even less to excite you except for a much needed tarmac road providing some relief from the corrugated gravel. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UmjiHTyJVZxpcUu-NBvJxUkw1GZeErI6Ol7kbVIaYqLU_8SZv7AXY0eD5YJMlj3g_1lP529k6c8QGS7mu18rYhv8H_JeQtifP3vBrtvTRV1GOw6Yk1yJ5v9e9bLWMFT-GiCDCfqVfjzctOTLb2UUHxUBD6lvHM88IUyStgn2NeoZRqgHG8SuqPmp8rsU/s3264/20230417_180953.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UmjiHTyJVZxpcUu-NBvJxUkw1GZeErI6Ol7kbVIaYqLU_8SZv7AXY0eD5YJMlj3g_1lP529k6c8QGS7mu18rYhv8H_JeQtifP3vBrtvTRV1GOw6Yk1yJ5v9e9bLWMFT-GiCDCfqVfjzctOTLb2UUHxUBD6lvHM88IUyStgn2NeoZRqgHG8SuqPmp8rsU/w400-h300/20230417_180953.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Footprints on the Sossusvlei sand dunes. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As it has been noted with Namibian National Parks, one needs to take note of park gate opening and closing times and where your accommodation is located (i.e. inside or outside the gate). </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUNn7-yQ0MmwA3Tewc5UaDkQJtkze1hR3vE_CpI7tWEArjWLTEq4eGgwzcjsuZBVKwySYI0sySK_I_HW2WpMHqWxojhQ53vXi4_e_L8V5RtOfKRLIKJlBFzt90jYAuxcErBoSVMWhPb8rFa4jjzMpaQ1GtBuruyPgNzk9U529zo7fcipvhY5joIN1V6Ka/s4624/20230417_181019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUNn7-yQ0MmwA3Tewc5UaDkQJtkze1hR3vE_CpI7tWEArjWLTEq4eGgwzcjsuZBVKwySYI0sySK_I_HW2WpMHqWxojhQ53vXi4_e_L8V5RtOfKRLIKJlBFzt90jYAuxcErBoSVMWhPb8rFa4jjzMpaQ1GtBuruyPgNzk9U529zo7fcipvhY5joIN1V6Ka/w400-h300/20230417_181019.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Individual dunes take their own shape in the Sossusvlei dune fields. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">From what we gather, if your accommodation is inside the gate, you get an extra hour of sunlight (both at sunset and sunrise) to enjoy while those staying outside the gate need to get out! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7diIry2oWMtk8V4187WaT3ShlOy4Ot4hDVahCoYmyJzfpcAdL-0mGBTiFqo7EuzIrKq3OhXi6r369fxo7Y-ZJWSv7q4xbA_dt6CjaS-vFtgm2SK4T3Cx5CThFxzCnuCxFdXQmMFhVUHt72wkX3FORrxu5Lnynbv31z_fsjHu50ncqgjdEE9dIujcaixbV/s4624/20230417_182115.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7diIry2oWMtk8V4187WaT3ShlOy4Ot4hDVahCoYmyJzfpcAdL-0mGBTiFqo7EuzIrKq3OhXi6r369fxo7Y-ZJWSv7q4xbA_dt6CjaS-vFtgm2SK4T3Cx5CThFxzCnuCxFdXQmMFhVUHt72wkX3FORrxu5Lnynbv31z_fsjHu50ncqgjdEE9dIujcaixbV/w400-h300/20230417_182115.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sunset paints two sides of the dune in different shades. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you camping in the NWR (Namibian Wildlife Resorts) facilities, they are always inside the gate. We also found the NWR facilities in excellent order with hot water and flush in shared toilets while there was power and water at your campsite. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2nxe8751s5aOlOV2FIoDU4gp-uQUfIDmkRqkO2ZXCjEPetlZrKij7XBy8tqXVpUXOFVJuWT6Ch8eA75KqG7xpVrh7aIiYIi6BFgz_EYDhX9tS6kiK-6rsEcLIG5zaOy_3RBUw3r2FBj2PhcNulVDhKHjYFol9SgSPPghAMdyd646EspA7mqQP4VbFD5f/s3264/20230418_074210.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2nxe8751s5aOlOV2FIoDU4gp-uQUfIDmkRqkO2ZXCjEPetlZrKij7XBy8tqXVpUXOFVJuWT6Ch8eA75KqG7xpVrh7aIiYIi6BFgz_EYDhX9tS6kiK-6rsEcLIG5zaOy_3RBUw3r2FBj2PhcNulVDhKHjYFol9SgSPPghAMdyd646EspA7mqQP4VbFD5f/w400-h300/20230418_074210.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Deadvlei, the ancient lake cut off by sand dunes. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Soss is like no other place on earth and the star of the show is Deadvlei which you must work with to get those special images. The classic image of the dark trees against the golden sand dune requires you to be there for sunrise and that's where the accommodation location inside or outside the gate comes in to play. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekPqpjF-bLZg55wOUMnbYjMylBMkA4qbD51Ir8RxfZm3R4q-0F_zfQByAr7ElK3PlKzQg4oYJ8cAbSOW0peyPpaZKrAd9Wh0UGGXLNp36wGUbg8-Icg1575oo4LBfzcCaDtTL1H8rs8fmb0vTDgK39jgKBCPO1NyEpjDGhJc7zSgveqWEGrc8ryPB91nM/s4624/20230418_080037.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekPqpjF-bLZg55wOUMnbYjMylBMkA4qbD51Ir8RxfZm3R4q-0F_zfQByAr7ElK3PlKzQg4oYJ8cAbSOW0peyPpaZKrAd9Wh0UGGXLNp36wGUbg8-Icg1575oo4LBfzcCaDtTL1H8rs8fmb0vTDgK39jgKBCPO1NyEpjDGhJc7zSgveqWEGrc8ryPB91nM/w400-h300/20230418_080037.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Trees a thousand years old, still standing.</span> <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It appears if you stay in certain lodges, you can bypass the gate and get on the dunes ahead of sunrise but these are for guided tours we presume. Deadvlei itself is almost like a prehistoric Jurassic like attraction and get in before the run gets to you as there is no shade obviously. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFaPQQYcrJD8CYpepNFYzMEc4nRSE9Jnauq6IT95maa_fcLeKiXEuLERyE_5uOnns8EyWjeBJ1SND4QutcnZabeUGnzC8kCL-g4lFTqwwOz0Tn5xd_hdRQAlBW-nVOMQ1tqwx2j4-0lNAtHAkWUYvbMpQqcLJ-30qEeGVkrSFwTMWLQly0j24I5d4HIe3/s4624/20230418_093824.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFaPQQYcrJD8CYpepNFYzMEc4nRSE9Jnauq6IT95maa_fcLeKiXEuLERyE_5uOnns8EyWjeBJ1SND4QutcnZabeUGnzC8kCL-g4lFTqwwOz0Tn5xd_hdRQAlBW-nVOMQ1tqwx2j4-0lNAtHAkWUYvbMpQqcLJ-30qEeGVkrSFwTMWLQly0j24I5d4HIe3/w400-h300/20230418_093824.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Dune climbing is not as easy as it looks and get in early morning.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are other dunes, some of which can be climbed which was surprising given the fragility of the eco-system. Don't make the mistake we made of trying to climb Big Daddy in the heat of the morning (after spending the early hours on Deadvlei floor). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhvIkzIhaEVFnJDWRrthoudSmox6_4Shp_Rcx5TrUJoHqUQbOvA5h5peidEwMy3gPxPwk6gwGRKx9uZwLFtv-z8CHltr3AV7JCXrEYRG_AFCylFRSPwmZhH-KjrAg3hgYJXltkwH_KLwAnLX6qu5-iX5TK5whVIHycGpJrGB2xPFSUN8ftDocA20SHdtj/s4624/20230418_080022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhvIkzIhaEVFnJDWRrthoudSmox6_4Shp_Rcx5TrUJoHqUQbOvA5h5peidEwMy3gPxPwk6gwGRKx9uZwLFtv-z8CHltr3AV7JCXrEYRG_AFCylFRSPwmZhH-KjrAg3hgYJXltkwH_KLwAnLX6qu5-iX5TK5whVIHycGpJrGB2xPFSUN8ftDocA20SHdtj/w400-h300/20230418_080022.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Get to Deadvlei before sunrise<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The climb of Big Daddy is far from a walk in the park and carry plenty of water and go barefooted! We understood dune 45 is an easier climb but the most important thing around here is weather. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVb6LrBt-apEUpomRXcJZiREzgMOsfx5_-VqF45vY_BI-gihu38E7xTc2t18fto0RsvJpNUYmQ2JeAiC9cZgAXSEZY456u4e05LCCHAC2o4zCiJdGNeQDEkoVwkv5WSowpKhQ7_6UPbv-P-WBuYy4LL_oN0chyCoIDR4I-RqYGEGE4ISATWq1dLNCVy-V/s4624/20230418_090842.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVb6LrBt-apEUpomRXcJZiREzgMOsfx5_-VqF45vY_BI-gihu38E7xTc2t18fto0RsvJpNUYmQ2JeAiC9cZgAXSEZY456u4e05LCCHAC2o4zCiJdGNeQDEkoVwkv5WSowpKhQ7_6UPbv-P-WBuYy4LL_oN0chyCoIDR4I-RqYGEGE4ISATWq1dLNCVy-V/w400-h300/20230418_090842.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Big Daddy, the largest dune in Soss. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Others told us how they had to scamper down the dunes and abandon Sossusvlei altogether due to sandstorms! Not sure how these work but we negotiated a few sand storms through Namibia and they are not to be messed around as visibility can be a challenge as is handling a moving car so standing around outside let alone on a dune is simply not an option. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0hzslSr1WFZsxJTaoZBdnQ8qUdYhb3hJGYfPGzddjjyGN8LGWzHQeWRoUAOyzKa-ie04iC3seXkhVc85IWLeF8d7kEYqaWqF5X5vfwWR2apY7LsY85C8QNFLlSyGyvsM-xc_MaP-tuPNgVpNk23YVaERd9SfvwArpiCfcEqTCpF6PZpSSDADlo3BfUEp/s4624/20230418_100214.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0hzslSr1WFZsxJTaoZBdnQ8qUdYhb3hJGYfPGzddjjyGN8LGWzHQeWRoUAOyzKa-ie04iC3seXkhVc85IWLeF8d7kEYqaWqF5X5vfwWR2apY7LsY85C8QNFLlSyGyvsM-xc_MaP-tuPNgVpNk23YVaERd9SfvwArpiCfcEqTCpF6PZpSSDADlo3BfUEp/w400-h300/20230418_100214.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Big Daddy guards one side of Deadvlei</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sossusvlei to Luderitz is another bone crunching 500 KM cross of the Namib with a few different options all on gravel. We blew a trye 10 minutes after leaving Soss and thus needed to hit the nearest big town to get a new tyre and thus ended up spending a night to reach Luderitz using as less gravel as possible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHDc_A9P16CV2vUaQR820Ej24qDvTyzJQOTQ-hD1R4TLAdBJ9_ryxuKzQLG5X7sAIYnKObnLemX2Vu0Bfz-1suqzY_bn4SS15uhIzRdbhPXAug93vz-n3q0FE7gc-N_ezQDUMJSVQFC5lea03QD-6IaS7UCP6oQDJYjkNB96H9Zk3TOlTzrvHJqqgmGGW/s4624/20230418_095818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHDc_A9P16CV2vUaQR820Ej24qDvTyzJQOTQ-hD1R4TLAdBJ9_ryxuKzQLG5X7sAIYnKObnLemX2Vu0Bfz-1suqzY_bn4SS15uhIzRdbhPXAug93vz-n3q0FE7gc-N_ezQDUMJSVQFC5lea03QD-6IaS7UCP6oQDJYjkNB96H9Zk3TOlTzrvHJqqgmGGW/w400-h300/20230418_095818.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Ancient trees and new dunes. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are told it doable in a day on gravel but being cautious solo travelers, we settled for the safer and longer route on tarmac. Camping options are available and can be as diverse as a nice secluded campsite next to a river in Maltahohe to camping behind the Engen Fuel Stop in Keetmanshoop. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTJL5yV-zNKTd_OsLghnUEcjM9qy4sjc-9goULb-dHLwxsefDMjua3j7nsVlRP2-qZ53S4btuYtgYF3qSjKQiSWGatFbobh1boFcadm3gvv17z6iVY6i0-VZmDBUYhYwEYc-cICBGVi4pfTR4YWPPXY2Z-bMwSb_wDSn1lHGJFf8MJD_ZEqVeBg0sYTlx/s4624/20230419_151844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTJL5yV-zNKTd_OsLghnUEcjM9qy4sjc-9goULb-dHLwxsefDMjua3j7nsVlRP2-qZ53S4btuYtgYF3qSjKQiSWGatFbobh1boFcadm3gvv17z6iVY6i0-VZmDBUYhYwEYc-cICBGVi4pfTR4YWPPXY2Z-bMwSb_wDSn1lHGJFf8MJD_ZEqVeBg0sYTlx/w400-h300/20230419_151844.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The peculiar Quiver tree thrives in these parts. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While camping is possible at Luderitz, all indications are that the wind factor could be a significant deterrent and hence we settled for Aus but there are only two camp sites here so get on to those bookings as opposed to just rocking up like us.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYwQmuXrlmsjADL96PMGE2O4-DIf_ND3epmHUqVrVUTbtPANLfyxR_noU49X4PAeY1n7GM5vK8rKzt6ktGngNpw9uR1dqvPs-81bdbJCHrG9ENph2rWxJIm85k-gIZ4PLNG0EG5-5RwjusLnZTU63txXJQUwNLOWoxqf8ldO9kk7H7b_sZLKCQ0r2xP2I/s2000/365.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYwQmuXrlmsjADL96PMGE2O4-DIf_ND3epmHUqVrVUTbtPANLfyxR_noU49X4PAeY1n7GM5vK8rKzt6ktGngNpw9uR1dqvPs-81bdbJCHrG9ENph2rWxJIm85k-gIZ4PLNG0EG5-5RwjusLnZTU63txXJQUwNLOWoxqf8ldO9kk7H7b_sZLKCQ0r2xP2I/w400-h300/365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Our very compact camping spot in Aus - go for the "luxury" option</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luderitz has a fishing harbor and hence is well serviced and lies about 10KM from Kolmanskop which is where the main attraction, the ghost village is located. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRZLqlPlc74B02WBy75T5Dfbsl5Ge0BfT0ZYD32qe8ZbyXfBquh8yEyAt4tV4hDncPklTa0KYs0uSOwu5iz6_rs76sKq7c3T6HQaw51em7aWtN7laZ85tq5zJ3gTdioGykjjgUzeDrZIIFOvHnDY3WqPcX4EtIGxk3pzexJ7IElIeXMbfl1MK4kjDu7aZ/s4624/20230420_124054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRZLqlPlc74B02WBy75T5Dfbsl5Ge0BfT0ZYD32qe8ZbyXfBquh8yEyAt4tV4hDncPklTa0KYs0uSOwu5iz6_rs76sKq7c3T6HQaw51em7aWtN7laZ85tq5zJ3gTdioGykjjgUzeDrZIIFOvHnDY3WqPcX4EtIGxk3pzexJ7IElIeXMbfl1MK4kjDu7aZ/w400-h300/20230420_124054.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Kolmanskop is a another uniquely Namibia attraction. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is an old mining town that is been slowly swallowed up by the shifting desert sands. It is worth a visit as is the Portuguese fish restuarant in Luderitz, their Fish Potjie is winner. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCA-HjGrlMPjGkgkuKquTkxtjYk9lJNgMkX3cxBMlslEi4UhwvFi9OqCXvHTs3lzgJODCCThck-XqyLmVAIcWXYBImO2wyDgh7ptjl6ysBU_jJGf_Ed4Y7xb7QAHMc41n71EEiLSHxMOXsI9vdEX2zNFtMbNMg8tKJ1BP6nF04vz_dgnh2ZbSB-KjsHK7/s3264/309.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCA-HjGrlMPjGkgkuKquTkxtjYk9lJNgMkX3cxBMlslEi4UhwvFi9OqCXvHTs3lzgJODCCThck-XqyLmVAIcWXYBImO2wyDgh7ptjl6ysBU_jJGf_Ed4Y7xb7QAHMc41n71EEiLSHxMOXsI9vdEX2zNFtMbNMg8tKJ1BP6nF04vz_dgnh2ZbSB-KjsHK7/w400-h300/309.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The ghost town of Kolmanskop near Luderitz</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The importance of chatting to fellow travelers was highlighted in a brief chat when the guys coming north firstly pointed out the correct viewing point for the Fish River Canyon and then made us aware of the route. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5meA_EKpLFMhyqi1mlojI3FU59tRCPYxKKVCTJLNuQzza0LFCPQDk5QwT4GBQITGvjra6J7eqoUSc8Baz5QqCJ2B0YV6WUM-O2g-6MCTmoRVou-RiIZ_ReWVxyufm-A4wxDWvL9v88I60hYov79SCZ5pQRdDL_M1jvnThgbFHIuX0K4ZYDq-D-2D8Zy2/s3264/314.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5meA_EKpLFMhyqi1mlojI3FU59tRCPYxKKVCTJLNuQzza0LFCPQDk5QwT4GBQITGvjra6J7eqoUSc8Baz5QqCJ2B0YV6WUM-O2g-6MCTmoRVou-RiIZ_ReWVxyufm-A4wxDWvL9v88I60hYov79SCZ5pQRdDL_M1jvnThgbFHIuX0K4ZYDq-D-2D8Zy2/w400-h300/314.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were originally planning to head down to Rosh Pinah and enter South Africa through Oranjemund mainly as a result of being tired of dealing with the gravel roads. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ9QHnehh9NqYzMmgds_FUxXpHbypjZb99PFbjWYLvg_X1FeHGaZpuo5vNQg4JoxbPYACtIHfY4PA8iMIYpcMP3ZXFYkhCOOO8YijkwckgIq47WnkP-W4xo0_CVllUURwAZ_eGfqS64fCbio6CHam-0DU26yjQmt_7WNJrZCYdC7mOtANaqzWT5kRcS8D/s3264/20230420_115148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ9QHnehh9NqYzMmgds_FUxXpHbypjZb99PFbjWYLvg_X1FeHGaZpuo5vNQg4JoxbPYACtIHfY4PA8iMIYpcMP3ZXFYkhCOOO8YijkwckgIq47WnkP-W4xo0_CVllUURwAZ_eGfqS64fCbio6CHam-0DU26yjQmt_7WNJrZCYdC7mOtANaqzWT5kRcS8D/w400-h300/20230420_115148.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sand up to the door frames in some rooms. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, folks traveling up indicated that the road to Hobas and Ais Ais was in excellent condition with Hobas being the best view point for the canyon. This being a rushed last minute trip, we hadn't done the adequate research including a single booking and thus were not fully aware of all our moves. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PiE7rDOugGfV20K8_cQAwhFa_yxlaYQ8gElnmJn9d8FKvBF3_ISFtK81uw0JamLj8KAa53NsoEj5d1ZwHwZuiINC5wUBjohJPA2rMPNoMLx2ZJ_l0x-pzD1hPXaenNHhhqveazkOECXFlkn6y9bVRFmxyz3xpyLNmyXLRUnudYwS3h82n78IMRwVRy-0/s4624/20230420_165211.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PiE7rDOugGfV20K8_cQAwhFa_yxlaYQ8gElnmJn9d8FKvBF3_ISFtK81uw0JamLj8KAa53NsoEj5d1ZwHwZuiINC5wUBjohJPA2rMPNoMLx2ZJ_l0x-pzD1hPXaenNHhhqveazkOECXFlkn6y9bVRFmxyz3xpyLNmyXLRUnudYwS3h82n78IMRwVRy-0/w400-h300/20230420_165211.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">An old abandoned railway station. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Fish River canyon, which we were debating about skipping due to the roads, is definitely a must visit. We understand it is only second to the Grand Canyon in America and it's just amazing to see the scale of erosion over the years. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEAZSHMb_INjs6R_7H0TuTNuWULSzghpGyPlNeJcczVP3_QjV23Jw_W9KZXx_Fnhl0XVSWwwvRv1JI_cg2ajH-hVHMe2X1L7VWxI6M_uKaj0kunp0eO2OXeK2qlHiV1iMS47lvqD2VwCqeH--h_oIvToVnYsFxJLp0gB2TzDGZULhX33TjFcbOU2-o6Nk/s2000/303.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEAZSHMb_INjs6R_7H0TuTNuWULSzghpGyPlNeJcczVP3_QjV23Jw_W9KZXx_Fnhl0XVSWwwvRv1JI_cg2ajH-hVHMe2X1L7VWxI6M_uKaj0kunp0eO2OXeK2qlHiV1iMS47lvqD2VwCqeH--h_oIvToVnYsFxJLp0gB2TzDGZULhX33TjFcbOU2-o6Nk/w400-h300/303.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">More tyre replacements needed, this time in Mariental</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's also hard to visualize the scale of the ancient river systems, but when you consider a super river larger than the Amazon once flowed through Namibia and Botswana, you can begin to understand how a canyon this large could be carved out. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOagskoDHBLYonLCmbe9WABfZrPcT9_iiBXUb2yFuCrrwAYOjlPco_Trydd5XDp8RNLbNvzeWy1GhHVApXChaPF2OPq4EKL9yviWv7RtO-jjhTZ-fZoiJoZoDgiPQ9OQUfAED2cGDWeMqMSlRsmjkgOav6aGncnpY7EXCGrWmuEG2tXiEvdThkIITlUSyH/s4032/302.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOagskoDHBLYonLCmbe9WABfZrPcT9_iiBXUb2yFuCrrwAYOjlPco_Trydd5XDp8RNLbNvzeWy1GhHVApXChaPF2OPq4EKL9yviWv7RtO-jjhTZ-fZoiJoZoDgiPQ9OQUfAED2cGDWeMqMSlRsmjkgOav6aGncnpY7EXCGrWmuEG2tXiEvdThkIITlUSyH/w400-h300/302.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Spending a night under a working windmill</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are these river bends and erosion carvings we saw on our way to Tsabong in Botswana where today it's just a desert. It is possible the same super river that flowed through this section of Namibia also went through Tsabong and to the Orange river. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zg6dE_Aki4ATw2j6m2VM7ijhaOynfB0bsERPHiINQgavoxSub9Lqyfr4-EkMlkH_ZK8_dOgOl-SPIOdgdmo7NQTj0xqePnHz6RQ4U4WAKx04s3d2ksHOkx8B2xZP5-mivs4MP9FL_puew32OmEDc1HKQrwe_vd2EV2hf4z5Q7QsijS0gwwFG5AHemmKM/s4624/20230422_095008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zg6dE_Aki4ATw2j6m2VM7ijhaOynfB0bsERPHiINQgavoxSub9Lqyfr4-EkMlkH_ZK8_dOgOl-SPIOdgdmo7NQTj0xqePnHz6RQ4U4WAKx04s3d2ksHOkx8B2xZP5-mivs4MP9FL_puew32OmEDc1HKQrwe_vd2EV2hf4z5Q7QsijS0gwwFG5AHemmKM/w400-h300/20230422_095008.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Fish River canyon only second to the Grand Canyon in size. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The last stop in Namibia was Ais-Ais, a peculiar destination based around hot springs along the Fish River canyon about an hour from the South African border. Our thinking was any sort of oasis in this desert would harbor a healthy collection of birds including endemics and so we pulled in for a night. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZucdU0HZQOkGcdFJGhGl8x6AkXCvFOKlNksQWMNSqTSmuJOvT-0EHQbW4hHRCsSz-tZrlsiIX50UM1sW1ItxlUA2YjtEYchxhuAOk6pvIgbGxOVqPu1bTpag-w7kFNJuRC71U0ldZPWVWJJzaNBEtYFThYKgKVLDIrhtR1kC9L3lmc9wUBxsrdeSxHYH/s4624/20230422_110250.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZucdU0HZQOkGcdFJGhGl8x6AkXCvFOKlNksQWMNSqTSmuJOvT-0EHQbW4hHRCsSz-tZrlsiIX50UM1sW1ItxlUA2YjtEYchxhuAOk6pvIgbGxOVqPu1bTpag-w7kFNJuRC71U0ldZPWVWJJzaNBEtYFThYKgKVLDIrhtR1kC9L3lmc9wUBxsrdeSxHYH/w400-h300/20230422_110250.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The river flows a few times a year leaving behind pools of water. <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The camp itself is impressive but with up to a 100 camp sites our suspicion was this to be a local hangout for weekends from nearby towns including the close by diamond mines. The expected birds numbers weren't there but it was our last night in Namibia before heading for the South African border. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4XaCzsi5VTqVBR7RjurTQ8IaFm9xNPXskF1rENE85AScmJZxu8mkkydGMZFpZYpMO8-QYCMyEJW7m6TPxePmcAaNTKmYLglGlaXnGGzMJuKbK0NPrWyloj6LD-bjrlETtjjKTar43KIxheThFuBi5RlLkZV-uU_suPUS1cp9P-QUvQIzRtNSCMCkIoMq/w400-h300/368.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Canyon view</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4XaCzsi5VTqVBR7RjurTQ8IaFm9xNPXskF1rENE85AScmJZxu8mkkydGMZFpZYpMO8-QYCMyEJW7m6TPxePmcAaNTKmYLglGlaXnGGzMJuKbK0NPrWyloj6LD-bjrlETtjjKTar43KIxheThFuBi5RlLkZV-uU_suPUS1cp9P-QUvQIzRtNSCMCkIoMq/s2000/368.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It has taken us nearly a month to cover Namibia and it has been a tough and interesting adventure. The diversity of this amazing country is captured between the river based Caprivi Strip (now Zambezi) home to large African mammals, the arid Etosha Pan with the big five and the Namib desert where life on the desert clings on by harvesting the sea mist as moisture. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlw3EOCiWdBdrJwZm99WZkbI8GZ60k14nZA_SNEZU5f1C7QZ6hP-SYIlvMzYykeRY4HCfxB_AS1mWSrylNYVRB2cNdcbdiiwNMyI5mjU4M4RRhJgMgYoWSgW6i_YpT4SzuT-kzez7tx50W4cPSJbxEsR3RByjvRssKoeNEz-W1iu6XkwLMCRN-AOanZWm/s4032/355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlw3EOCiWdBdrJwZm99WZkbI8GZ60k14nZA_SNEZU5f1C7QZ6hP-SYIlvMzYykeRY4HCfxB_AS1mWSrylNYVRB2cNdcbdiiwNMyI5mjU4M4RRhJgMgYoWSgW6i_YpT4SzuT-kzez7tx50W4cPSJbxEsR3RByjvRssKoeNEz-W1iu6XkwLMCRN-AOanZWm/w400-h300/355.JPG" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Church of the Rock in Lüderitz</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The distances are vast and the roads require your full attention, particularly the gravel roads where the surface can change without a warning. There are also truly remote and inhospitable corners to this country such at the Skelton Coast and parts of Damara land where caution is required before venturing and not advisable for solo travelers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoT75XrpKvErpJEYsIXMeNgnnSN9qG12NbUuwzLu_c9dsIjRF2nsFCWxt-xsN8gkK2LgsVcrJCD9a7G90wyBDUZ8xKoGQwXAU2FkMYbSNBPmvhCwTdXeAK-lHskpVUKIB6i4q9iErvUPht_JbUwQBdpC0PtOgXhMQmjSWb9n3Q-TwScGLWlH8r55KqtAY/s2000/357.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoT75XrpKvErpJEYsIXMeNgnnSN9qG12NbUuwzLu_c9dsIjRF2nsFCWxt-xsN8gkK2LgsVcrJCD9a7G90wyBDUZ8xKoGQwXAU2FkMYbSNBPmvhCwTdXeAK-lHskpVUKIB6i4q9iErvUPht_JbUwQBdpC0PtOgXhMQmjSWb9n3Q-TwScGLWlH8r55KqtAY/w400-h300/357.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Delicious fish potjie in Lüderitz<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The facilities offered by the Namibian Wildlife Services is amazing with well run campsites available at all major attractions including power and running water. We plan to be back someday in Namibia in the dry season to check out Etosha and the horse shoe lagoon which should be at its best. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqWVgKCT0-ebHPXpQiJhOssjcvKvXOz0kIq5P31WcOEVrffV2DrJd-Og6nc9iWxmS6Juks8ZoQnji2EGw--E4xNbFOgAC7hYaNuTZc8_ksvW2Wuc8MuJrROFhVRRpohShIR0HjzQOdXCqE5yTaZ5D5ztCkqbR7J34MWOaAQw1vJ_F3zneOaKANl7RoSJD/s4032/364.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqWVgKCT0-ebHPXpQiJhOssjcvKvXOz0kIq5P31WcOEVrffV2DrJd-Og6nc9iWxmS6Juks8ZoQnji2EGw--E4xNbFOgAC7hYaNuTZc8_ksvW2Wuc8MuJrROFhVRRpohShIR0HjzQOdXCqE5yTaZ5D5ztCkqbR7J34MWOaAQw1vJ_F3zneOaKANl7RoSJD/w400-h300/364.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Fish river canyon views<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The South African - Namibia border as expected was the easiest of border crossings and a welcome relief after dealing with chaotic East African borders over the last decade. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAai266tjiSmRW95YImH-_IhQqdNxTN88jgE1XLNvWCkJFe1NGFrjsU2Id_EteoZD9BaAeehl-Mctik5MBbXGJ3ipcF10FYZTTVvIzCmhx14CUJqTdwWqCkvtIAW_41rfeBuftdr-fTGfTFH0KBgWVs6zvvqB5DrivtaaUyf1bDg1Miv4n6IfcYHBf7Uw/s4032/223.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAai266tjiSmRW95YImH-_IhQqdNxTN88jgE1XLNvWCkJFe1NGFrjsU2Id_EteoZD9BaAeehl-Mctik5MBbXGJ3ipcF10FYZTTVvIzCmhx14CUJqTdwWqCkvtIAW_41rfeBuftdr-fTGfTFH0KBgWVs6zvvqB5DrivtaaUyf1bDg1Miv4n6IfcYHBf7Uw/w400-h300/223.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hotel in Swakopmund</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Tanzania - Zambia border crossing in 2010 took more than 24 hours including us sleeping the night at the border in no mans land. Even the Malawi - Zambia border, a seemingly straight forward task given we were residents of Malawi would take over 2 hours at best. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhZ-iJpffXJLMOqnNryYp9AIpgy36bzqq-PMs3o4ZqFaXkPoqgCQLZnv3Zey8Knvq0cXscneBSkrN2ZF6JMTXQtDW7tCph4vCG2BXQOqLpf8reD4Ovk7Ib6164RQmHc2o6UlXWSc7EI6utoB9YUmFTGSUNbRG_IVCYsHVBLfpKPAqGyeuiR1Fz-W7W3D5/s4032/346.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhZ-iJpffXJLMOqnNryYp9AIpgy36bzqq-PMs3o4ZqFaXkPoqgCQLZnv3Zey8Knvq0cXscneBSkrN2ZF6JMTXQtDW7tCph4vCG2BXQOqLpf8reD4Ovk7Ib6164RQmHc2o6UlXWSc7EI6utoB9YUmFTGSUNbRG_IVCYsHVBLfpKPAqGyeuiR1Fz-W7W3D5/w400-h300/346.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Endless vistas in Namibia</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the game changes has been digital money which means one no longer has to deal with the money dealers at the border. While digitizing has it's advantages, nothing worse than watching a border official trying to complete an application with one finger typing. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw-QjmorInU0od5boKdxI5p4ONENKJ_s_A0QyQ4socSa0BcDELBDmzeupqu1i_IJiPp8zwRrs27NNGUNhLCmxDutIdwjhXMt5raUkCxqEtIM4ig2cXyiOrTkeO9O9__pcWuOSx5N2iZHhEzeFFxeNw-WEo2kFnVo68_LI_aEmpDpN5HtJmEqb9XLS1nC5/s4032/360.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw-QjmorInU0od5boKdxI5p4ONENKJ_s_A0QyQ4socSa0BcDELBDmzeupqu1i_IJiPp8zwRrs27NNGUNhLCmxDutIdwjhXMt5raUkCxqEtIM4ig2cXyiOrTkeO9O9__pcWuOSx5N2iZHhEzeFFxeNw-WEo2kFnVo68_LI_aEmpDpN5HtJmEqb9XLS1nC5/w400-h300/360.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Gravel roads criss cross Namibia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also in both Botswana and South Africa, you are spared the 3rd party insurance leg which usually requires dealing with an 'insurance broker' who insists on being paid in local currency which brings the money dealer in to the transaction. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglairwB2Ui1soPJuqdThjMw62tkH5AgdxNSJLE0jRP2fYEY0COtBVC4hBk2-fAFaPJfNrZFJevLNUskikSaZ7fhxeBn-Dv193hbABPmHKnHOgA3ke-vlyLreOxRQ6uRE0WMQjhNQLTxo-NEzCc66JqJUaOJkO6zyRVS47DClf4OWGdhDylpPsG_38_rOSw/s2000/193.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglairwB2Ui1soPJuqdThjMw62tkH5AgdxNSJLE0jRP2fYEY0COtBVC4hBk2-fAFaPJfNrZFJevLNUskikSaZ7fhxeBn-Dv193hbABPmHKnHOgA3ke-vlyLreOxRQ6uRE0WMQjhNQLTxo-NEzCc66JqJUaOJkO6zyRVS47DClf4OWGdhDylpPsG_38_rOSw/w400-h300/193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Camping in the middle of Namibia</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Namibia-22.95764 18.49041-51.26787383617885 -16.66584 5.3525938361788441 53.64666tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-67387896776671008872023-03-16T16:38:00.004+03:002023-08-09T22:38:45.128+03:00Lake2Cape - Botswana<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWS3Hmry6qIGPqIUS9oFkFfrri9ANrAe2rKl7y1R5Wy2HpuKMHwQKy-RsX7U1nf4fZTBFuLBhalrMwBsMLiA7QHvAAs4XM9zWhnb4R84gSMlrz8a97poeEiTcUdkJGxor__1AYG7KLphJ4SBwY-23bZxhmASRXIxbItOyOqAs0p4URAeYCfbx9MYpRg/s2000/0J9A1648.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWS3Hmry6qIGPqIUS9oFkFfrri9ANrAe2rKl7y1R5Wy2HpuKMHwQKy-RsX7U1nf4fZTBFuLBhalrMwBsMLiA7QHvAAs4XM9zWhnb4R84gSMlrz8a97poeEiTcUdkJGxor__1AYG7KLphJ4SBwY-23bZxhmASRXIxbItOyOqAs0p4URAeYCfbx9MYpRg/w400-h266/0J9A1648.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Senyati waterhole in Botswana</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The original plan was to cross to Namibia through Zambia via Katima Malimo but the intel we were picking up was the road on the Zambian side was a disaster. So we only crossed in to Botswana to cross in to Namibia through the Ngoma border which is a well maintained tarmac road. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl9G4i-Xbvl8m0xvmGVc7xU9WL5n9PXacos9cZU11IUdUQ2BEFyH8CZaJdD25mnq_Fd8dQJvDK-3_ZQQabxIcxHTkzG_K7yTsAn4uY-_a24AntO770myXakf6gYkZy0Av8v5J6XgFOd_wYGbhuO9xfOE1xJ9s5M4HDsYr2hhKaxjW8o82rzCFAe3XGJWG/s1280/3521AE16-1BDD-40D1-8374-8A765C366721_FC0F46A0-18B0-45B3-907C-79E0576A68EC.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl9G4i-Xbvl8m0xvmGVc7xU9WL5n9PXacos9cZU11IUdUQ2BEFyH8CZaJdD25mnq_Fd8dQJvDK-3_ZQQabxIcxHTkzG_K7yTsAn4uY-_a24AntO770myXakf6gYkZy0Av8v5J6XgFOd_wYGbhuO9xfOE1xJ9s5M4HDsYr2hhKaxjW8o82rzCFAe3XGJWG/w400-h300/3521AE16-1BDD-40D1-8374-8A765C366721_FC0F46A0-18B0-45B3-907C-79E0576A68EC.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Our first view of the Botswana border across the Kazungula bridge</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In fact there was even a discussion on driving straight to the Namibian border but it was decided that we could not drive past Chobe National park without having at least a quick look and thus the plan was to spend a day in Kasane and move on to the Caprivi.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjdjYzgIQyBIBuDvI9NN65gea4mnbUesj4Cco2aNfixkAJh0V_cQMKdse572k4SVGXxt4o_hIXl9oYX982cI4I_KLFkq78MSxvEscKnGndD6lXXuOSARm6AGHdOwci2xO5q6BsBd8Zg4ig_1cuFg-zJGGmqmzmo_ae5D4wKdeoc3L4YqzIwgrelP3QMn2/s1280/BB7904C4-5059-4EA2-9371-516ECE7BAA42_13F0577F-2D68-4DB9-9E26-F2478F0791C1.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjdjYzgIQyBIBuDvI9NN65gea4mnbUesj4Cco2aNfixkAJh0V_cQMKdse572k4SVGXxt4o_hIXl9oYX982cI4I_KLFkq78MSxvEscKnGndD6lXXuOSARm6AGHdOwci2xO5q6BsBd8Zg4ig_1cuFg-zJGGmqmzmo_ae5D4wKdeoc3L4YqzIwgrelP3QMn2/w400-h300/BB7904C4-5059-4EA2-9371-516ECE7BAA42_13F0577F-2D68-4DB9-9E26-F2478F0791C1.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Senyati means "Place of the buffalo", but it's really a home for elephants</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks to apps and everything digital, one can gather intel that was previously word of mouth or through Lonely Planet literature. While checking for potential camping spots, the old spots of Chobe Safari, Thebe Safari and Toro Safari (now called The Big Five Chobe Lodge) were still around but there was a host of new option of which Senyati caught our attention. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEndTPnigIdKfbJHk1V7S5tW3p8SAQfsFMHmnnWIdJO4Gzy0DRsYJU5voz7M_RfHnnzOvX4LCY5fgMBwGy3N_R0lrZnOlIsk3JR3a5jMgMVHQflDCXel2F3OsEtbBo5B6ZH48VTx5CiYvRf1-YSYAc6AKp0fRoG2kisGMhw1udYP8g1Et8wBcHHWaDw/s4624/20230312_075746.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEndTPnigIdKfbJHk1V7S5tW3p8SAQfsFMHmnnWIdJO4Gzy0DRsYJU5voz7M_RfHnnzOvX4LCY5fgMBwGy3N_R0lrZnOlIsk3JR3a5jMgMVHQflDCXel2F3OsEtbBo5B6ZH48VTx5CiYvRf1-YSYAc6AKp0fRoG2kisGMhw1udYP8g1Et8wBcHHWaDw/w400-h300/20230312_075746.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Individual campsite with toilet, power and shade is perfect</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It boasted a water hole with a shooting hide and individual campsites with amenities. We decided to check out Senyati for a day or two before heading to Chobe Safari and then on to Namibia. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYgcKpTNfj0sLPk1QMdz9qVoIqr2qEdbbC9xwbzMurGW8g_GHzslwhAF6fjneiCH5Abcn1V1e_wYVvKOtRGXl4WjzQ6W12VbWIu5vyzgN1LPh4I_JrNT7ob77OTBwZtiOLg9jyCR8UmuVieUh7TKd-UpS027UoBkzkUqhMw-5pMYzyzncOBIgrxA2hw/s4624/20230309_173056.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYgcKpTNfj0sLPk1QMdz9qVoIqr2qEdbbC9xwbzMurGW8g_GHzslwhAF6fjneiCH5Abcn1V1e_wYVvKOtRGXl4WjzQ6W12VbWIu5vyzgN1LPh4I_JrNT7ob77OTBwZtiOLg9jyCR8UmuVieUh7TKd-UpS027UoBkzkUqhMw-5pMYzyzncOBIgrxA2hw/w400-h300/20230309_173056.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Senyati waterhole is a gem with 3 shooting levels - this is the ground level</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">What was planned to be a quick crossing through Botswana was now looking like a week's stay but this was a trip without a plan, research or bookings which meant we had the freedom to make up the plan as we went along. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YhE7M5dw9EolFsERPWfhW9pv6eHL-BGW8KtOaAhxvVJCi6YTl7D31jxLItTLluqS8asv9bgLechhDBueVEbHKCZoWzuo6Z2DtcuFD6wqV9plKZTGcW65eroiXdgUjOn8P2h6SMEk8C4i6D1SZy8-JGlStwPwPddntCz9HywrOKTD1Thib937J1q2Cg/s4624/20230310_180128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YhE7M5dw9EolFsERPWfhW9pv6eHL-BGW8KtOaAhxvVJCi6YTl7D31jxLItTLluqS8asv9bgLechhDBueVEbHKCZoWzuo6Z2DtcuFD6wqV9plKZTGcW65eroiXdgUjOn8P2h6SMEk8C4i6D1SZy8-JGlStwPwPddntCz9HywrOKTD1Thib937J1q2Cg/w400-h300/20230310_180128.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The rush of being at the elephants foot level is amazing</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This also meant we only stumbled upon obstacles along the way at short notice and so there were a couple of matters we needed to take into account. The first was to ensure that we reached George in South Africa by end of April to ensure we met up with family coming from Australia. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdzm-N4gZ-xK60G67wQZvv7pFELfoTbMkhHkdqEticEGsCtnXO_kMo-Ue5BUOeCh_n9RLSMh1M_ss-wVC-wvFdUfty-xVj-DjCP9PkKVjNWraAABxt4sw1-ri_VF3hd16-9Xo_xMAdK9kznbsgQwOYpS9yqoOlHANbaFj98zKDzMity61Z7QCJfSc5g/s2000/0J9A1484.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdzm-N4gZ-xK60G67wQZvv7pFELfoTbMkhHkdqEticEGsCtnXO_kMo-Ue5BUOeCh_n9RLSMh1M_ss-wVC-wvFdUfty-xVj-DjCP9PkKVjNWraAABxt4sw1-ri_VF3hd16-9Xo_xMAdK9kznbsgQwOYpS9yqoOlHANbaFj98zKDzMity61Z7QCJfSc5g/w400-h266/0J9A1484.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Look out for the troop of banded mongoose in the camp</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next was to ensure we negotiated the school holidays and Easter break as we did not have bookings and holidays were bound to book out the popular attractions. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURAqeYBBB3FdnQHGJUSpVcxlj26AYd95_0khZTzy54An97Wrx6HDpjBciMxBtCoKPuDJQAuWLwhfAP5cO9hK3LbIP8TSUxtWYptT_bz2s2KYkoDhOTkFfmbjMDC6fyPhMm1PfRoZp5FxVC40APQrWxhQ7GmSXz1rUrbvexxjDlyDAkdqwULZeJ5ZD1g/s2000/0J9A1120.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURAqeYBBB3FdnQHGJUSpVcxlj26AYd95_0khZTzy54An97Wrx6HDpjBciMxBtCoKPuDJQAuWLwhfAP5cO9hK3LbIP8TSUxtWYptT_bz2s2KYkoDhOTkFfmbjMDC6fyPhMm1PfRoZp5FxVC40APQrWxhQ7GmSXz1rUrbvexxjDlyDAkdqwULZeJ5ZD1g/w400-h266/0J9A1120.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Red-Billed hornbill provides entertainment around the campsite</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was now decided that we needed to hit Etosha in Namibia for the Easter break as this was the one place that appeared to have plenty of camp sites and our best chance of not getting caught without a campsite. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1bFSwBSgUfF001e06KBFZrMj6w64qNUqdpM9EFCGyJ_DE3eD-cnSRybkRKC6IToLqvu7JCZuqAY8IS0YnPqmsEFCHAhWpZiDtDfiT5CceQ1P4lJFuynyl6AGw8xaKg8InZ59NO58ngLDUdXNj9ORDC0tKms7pxQdWu9_IEjHVTJ4sAyvt3JODCuW1A/s2000/0J9A1264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1bFSwBSgUfF001e06KBFZrMj6w64qNUqdpM9EFCGyJ_DE3eD-cnSRybkRKC6IToLqvu7JCZuqAY8IS0YnPqmsEFCHAhWpZiDtDfiT5CceQ1P4lJFuynyl6AGw8xaKg8InZ59NO58ngLDUdXNj9ORDC0tKms7pxQdWu9_IEjHVTJ4sAyvt3JODCuW1A/w400-h266/0J9A1264.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">But the elephants stole the show</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This now meant working backwards and some semblance of a plan was beginning to take shape to our trip to the Cape. We also had to get the car serviced at the 5,000 km interval but this was tricky as it all depended on how we moved but it was another part that needed to fall in to place. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjggRRo-j1sGSxwdwshdyxo8ffl7QLoT0wdKBu87J3SXPbTsrIFl4nFeXSo7fMKv4aiV90qwX6I8YuC1ZSsYecHW_1ID0tLxLeIxKNoqXh6wDw8X4r7mwugzKbaccRfmzhflrKOby-zsyQs3rhDhmtSbW8x2OwcNTl7xgKxQBch3t9oleY5wyubE0AjQ/s2000/0J9A1647.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjggRRo-j1sGSxwdwshdyxo8ffl7QLoT0wdKBu87J3SXPbTsrIFl4nFeXSo7fMKv4aiV90qwX6I8YuC1ZSsYecHW_1ID0tLxLeIxKNoqXh6wDw8X4r7mwugzKbaccRfmzhflrKOby-zsyQs3rhDhmtSbW8x2OwcNTl7xgKxQBch3t9oleY5wyubE0AjQ/w400-h266/0J9A1647.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The evening sun is perfect for shooting the waterhole </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Senyati was nothing short of sensational with elephants providing a treat at the shooting hide. There were also signs of lions around, who has showed up after a two year absence due two being shot for taking stock, but we missed the lions by a day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby8KSnxF4eouU66B6lC9uN6dzL-uE4PMFQIIzKogdY6Atc_KauDcYtwi1SZDZ9lW8DzyTTUdHdJl1z2q46fJ7EFI_WGk4z5EetB9sYVIjggfcMpjyckk3Pk2VlJx6krAjGHOn85Q92g-xrOZpKGKAqJDB1XZS4eeN8kxeph-TDzP22LPiis7WVCr4DNl9/s1280/F7071A81-6434-44A2-8A9A-0C7069714CF8_CE5BF3FC-5748-467F-BD61-DC65EDC9E726.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby8KSnxF4eouU66B6lC9uN6dzL-uE4PMFQIIzKogdY6Atc_KauDcYtwi1SZDZ9lW8DzyTTUdHdJl1z2q46fJ7EFI_WGk4z5EetB9sYVIjggfcMpjyckk3Pk2VlJx6krAjGHOn85Q92g-xrOZpKGKAqJDB1XZS4eeN8kxeph-TDzP22LPiis7WVCr4DNl9/w400-h300/F7071A81-6434-44A2-8A9A-0C7069714CF8_CE5BF3FC-5748-467F-BD61-DC65EDC9E726.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">They would come all night as well</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We could not get enough of the elephants which saw us spending four nights at Senyati. We heard lion at night but they showed up the day after we left setting a theme for our near misses with cats through this trip. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59wrtkLKqu0iVjJvshwbdh9N-3OCE_63MJfMzYHca4avYMdlwxXKkoouNapmKtIEnmVUkeMaNHathH96G2wenh1VzW0Oj6vb_AtuU0IHIp47hhcUbmTs19M519ZKjo0mv5LrSotS7JaPu0C0_MnuUdWEcjQJDhZ0wfl-H8_NUhNIqrljvsZAADzV_6dJm/s1280/1BEED22B-07A0-413B-B258-5E5B30D51D4F_AFA0FC1A-4064-4E9E-A134-FE17B2ACA780.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59wrtkLKqu0iVjJvshwbdh9N-3OCE_63MJfMzYHca4avYMdlwxXKkoouNapmKtIEnmVUkeMaNHathH96G2wenh1VzW0Oj6vb_AtuU0IHIp47hhcUbmTs19M519ZKjo0mv5LrSotS7JaPu0C0_MnuUdWEcjQJDhZ0wfl-H8_NUhNIqrljvsZAADzV_6dJm/w400-h300/1BEED22B-07A0-413B-B258-5E5B30D51D4F_AFA0FC1A-4064-4E9E-A134-FE17B2ACA780.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Senyati provided hours of elephant entertainment</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kasane itself had moved on as expected from our time back in Botswana. There was even a Toyota agency in town along with new shopping malls and plenty of new accommodation options. We moved in to Chobe Safari lodge to check out Chobe National Park over the next two days. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2gkiPWKlB-eIX6Zfu2dRnyEjNPBod2CtGAsz_h9nSJoRGavhxl0aHeyQMkvKGoFgA4f5V_PdJd2QDytD_nbLJB752N88sMDnMY57QY6NOgzSwelMbOyIHQoeLIMB7uDENN_5hIZA2OdfDLyNJk6TtF4gBrnRUPbkp-2j0a2XcbajfDxNWjS5UKi75A/s2000/0J9A1919.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2gkiPWKlB-eIX6Zfu2dRnyEjNPBod2CtGAsz_h9nSJoRGavhxl0aHeyQMkvKGoFgA4f5V_PdJd2QDytD_nbLJB752N88sMDnMY57QY6NOgzSwelMbOyIHQoeLIMB7uDENN_5hIZA2OdfDLyNJk6TtF4gBrnRUPbkp-2j0a2XcbajfDxNWjS5UKi75A/w400-h266/0J9A1919.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">There are Lions in Chobe but hard to find<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have many good memories of Chobe where once we could not find a single elephant due to the rains and on another trip, had to start ignoring lions as they were all over the place. Both our sets of Parents had also visited Chobe national park and thus was a special place for us and it was great to be here after all these years. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5wXyPPr9_zA9X94pN99fHZbQTabA5kUDC546AS7AL3vnJ5GKzuNLICuFyEmZ0gwEjimw_DORBrt_Ht8dY0q8xhqfADEQ5oPi1VM22xXA_qB4KF3R6VIknlrvEvo809HoKPhHOKwr68eqM-Id_sfLzKnZIQrHRhtxTVrOknIREII5-myUi5leNjeeLw/s4624/20230315_170310.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5wXyPPr9_zA9X94pN99fHZbQTabA5kUDC546AS7AL3vnJ5GKzuNLICuFyEmZ0gwEjimw_DORBrt_Ht8dY0q8xhqfADEQ5oPi1VM22xXA_qB4KF3R6VIknlrvEvo809HoKPhHOKwr68eqM-Id_sfLzKnZIQrHRhtxTVrOknIREII5-myUi5leNjeeLw/w400-h300/20230315_170310.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The most chilled of them all - the ellies of Chobe </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Time had stood still at the Chobe entrance gate! We were still filling out the same old book although there was a new booking office for the now privatized camp sites. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JmHRDiGEIPYLytle687QCL68BMX2_9z-YrMe7NtQlmOdYrRQ3gjZ1VivECVGJMYPbwz9jAbbbfQphsfeIsyDf8lCBL1G_0FWoYW1_0TVnNytLkTrojtOhbxFLlmITdawgTJfASPVdvwIXkX9X9hmm-ZLlS4LIQpQ4Lqbb0vD4lI9kLiy_qmP-AB5Xw/s2000/0J9A2078.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JmHRDiGEIPYLytle687QCL68BMX2_9z-YrMe7NtQlmOdYrRQ3gjZ1VivECVGJMYPbwz9jAbbbfQphsfeIsyDf8lCBL1G_0FWoYW1_0TVnNytLkTrojtOhbxFLlmITdawgTJfASPVdvwIXkX9X9hmm-ZLlS4LIQpQ4Lqbb0vD4lI9kLiy_qmP-AB5Xw/w400-h266/0J9A2078.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">There are few drives to beat the riverside drive at Chobe<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was also some complication with one way roads which was explained to us and with signs around the park too, but we didn't really get it and no one seemed to pay attention to it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYr1AOP_LWmUg2s3wpR9omniDKRq3hhEmuEP7hq2krqHxmGiFb2ksedTnbrHscsm2OpuZNq5WOYDEg2d1koHaZJ5pC6HjgcaoqSxuqlypcpsmdHDYTyrUrosYxi2uiQQLXsCUvH4jhFWiG5Vh9pX4ukFFJYWFbhaDl1zQeOUFUhx9zlHl7k0eRRXvgw/s2000/0J9A1777.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYr1AOP_LWmUg2s3wpR9omniDKRq3hhEmuEP7hq2krqHxmGiFb2ksedTnbrHscsm2OpuZNq5WOYDEg2d1koHaZJ5pC6HjgcaoqSxuqlypcpsmdHDYTyrUrosYxi2uiQQLXsCUvH4jhFWiG5Vh9pX4ukFFJYWFbhaDl1zQeOUFUhx9zlHl7k0eRRXvgw/w400-h266/0J9A1777.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The sunset cruise is a must and get a seat on the left for best shooting</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some work had been done on the roads which was great but also took out some of the fun of driving on the sand. The river was swallowing some of the roads and grazing grounds for the animals but time had stood still in this wonderful corner of the world. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-tGP3-p3Bymdh4tKbXbECIqU1Amkd8qig3_8G_KKEldW_kwDECX6MSU8u_HelZv42dsL8ETVVd4BqLQOXVfI_oeXvprr-nBcn5jb8uAPxA5OETEBQ-VBW8SAnNJ_dKQSqiv7oVYbaYFFnVlsqEmE7oAhH-l-eWpwwyOfVS345EFdAuUajEbaHOYiXg/s2000/0J9A2160.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-tGP3-p3Bymdh4tKbXbECIqU1Amkd8qig3_8G_KKEldW_kwDECX6MSU8u_HelZv42dsL8ETVVd4BqLQOXVfI_oeXvprr-nBcn5jb8uAPxA5OETEBQ-VBW8SAnNJ_dKQSqiv7oVYbaYFFnVlsqEmE7oAhH-l-eWpwwyOfVS345EFdAuUajEbaHOYiXg/w400-h266/0J9A2160.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Blue skies, big herds along the river, the Chobe essentials<br /><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Somehow despite the rise in numbers the park authorities have managed to preserve the park well which was great to see. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCxj58xZvzpOPgfbKlL_MfcPP8LtyZSXyDZBq4dMGV7VQRg4K4sCgO-G51JhRz6pLBqoO73GTYtV2fk4NFlpnULWSL1zHarGs4hyxtfyGiw0AwBZAODEXzCN5pNuy1i_TaK9afaPOsA2nP-g9avXJ-naZ_lnyMRAKcYQoWAIvvSScu_ztKOXTE2IFfA/s2000/0J9A2131.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCxj58xZvzpOPgfbKlL_MfcPP8LtyZSXyDZBq4dMGV7VQRg4K4sCgO-G51JhRz6pLBqoO73GTYtV2fk4NFlpnULWSL1zHarGs4hyxtfyGiw0AwBZAODEXzCN5pNuy1i_TaK9afaPOsA2nP-g9avXJ-naZ_lnyMRAKcYQoWAIvvSScu_ztKOXTE2IFfA/w400-h266/0J9A2131.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A baboon tried to snatch a baby mongoose who was protected by the band</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Ihaha campsite which is probably one of the best in Africa has sadly had a few incidents of tourist attacks and thus we reluctantly gave it a miss. This is a real shame as it is such an iconic location and the story that we were given was it is the Namibian villagers coming over the Chobe river on boats and attacking tourists at night in Ihaha. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX89ajaFOzgEoxQTy0z-QNfvZ617sU02ingblD2fjLTigKFrjGtBwHKSoylqnrLwWCymCS85Qli0WY1KeLr1uY6w55NbmYqXjjLJTN6JLgeQEf5IirCoIZlgKSGCf0Mq7zJAlz-B1m66t1jchIVBqb4Z_0VrD31MXQRbuclkngKVzQ_GtKh6rpMvFe9A/s4624/20230314_140308.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX89ajaFOzgEoxQTy0z-QNfvZ617sU02ingblD2fjLTigKFrjGtBwHKSoylqnrLwWCymCS85Qli0WY1KeLr1uY6w55NbmYqXjjLJTN6JLgeQEf5IirCoIZlgKSGCf0Mq7zJAlz-B1m66t1jchIVBqb4Z_0VrD31MXQRbuclkngKVzQ_GtKh6rpMvFe9A/w400-h300/20230314_140308.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The magical Ihaha campsite, sadly with a security concern!</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blaming someone else is an easy cop out but it's a real shame that this awesome camp spot is now a problem for solo travelers like us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwUSFVN0FlY7eW2g_Irv9xYzNIIFTVmMt12IV8JfxdNMLSRtddHMQf3ZyxDnNVzkCSDKaXCsvSOVvRnll1yV0WtzLUTimiqlxM9x9jlxHJ_Z-WijrCMU1bNYTiVBSFAF_mKC3VEoxdl1QH_Aeuabhm4JToJqrszAHp6VmJgt5LNmTawH9-POKzsdm8XoN/s1440/F4E682EB-CBF5-4CE3-8713-F807E28578D6_9877BCA1-775E-4370-B477-B7295314E136.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwUSFVN0FlY7eW2g_Irv9xYzNIIFTVmMt12IV8JfxdNMLSRtddHMQf3ZyxDnNVzkCSDKaXCsvSOVvRnll1yV0WtzLUTimiqlxM9x9jlxHJ_Z-WijrCMU1bNYTiVBSFAF_mKC3VEoxdl1QH_Aeuabhm4JToJqrszAHp6VmJgt5LNmTawH9-POKzsdm8XoN/w400-h266/F4E682EB-CBF5-4CE3-8713-F807E28578D6_9877BCA1-775E-4370-B477-B7295314E136.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Crested barbet kept us amused in our Chobe safari campsite</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now that we had figured out a rough timeline, it was decided to spend sometime in Northern Botswana and cross in to Namibia at a later date. So we decided to checkout Elephant Sands, a spot which we first visited almost 15 years ago when it only had a camp site. We had seen online that the place had grown beyond imagination and this is what we saw when we got there. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS852WYUXQu8pcGg1rivZTnLKbGdQ2l-PsJ7IxRHh4DhXaCZmKXpT_qhN4zRbN60_rPWDE07B6thmA2igjmv7xiU7WlUeNfR22Db9j_K9VbCVuOwmhWydaTQQkBL-Q-14puq0hyNAWcSDaj7EwUo-3wUIp-TvsmLq2kJ5D6hKUHBc5h3l-GWHuYC9Ipbv/s4624/20230317_151155.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS852WYUXQu8pcGg1rivZTnLKbGdQ2l-PsJ7IxRHh4DhXaCZmKXpT_qhN4zRbN60_rPWDE07B6thmA2igjmv7xiU7WlUeNfR22Db9j_K9VbCVuOwmhWydaTQQkBL-Q-14puq0hyNAWcSDaj7EwUo-3wUIp-TvsmLq2kJ5D6hKUHBc5h3l-GWHuYC9Ipbv/w400-h300/20230317_151155.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Elephant Sands - What was a small mud wallow is now a full size waterhole</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The waterhole looks much larger than what I recall and the elephants appeared to be using this as a permanent waterhole. We have seen elephant drink out of the swimming pool at Elephant Sands but all that apparently changed when a baby elephant fell in and the panic stricken herd ran through some of the walls of the old bar!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhngw26zoqQ9mrqxrRqg5A3du7ZYB0fpLemAObkhZ8h0I5kUaSbUjTjE--v18iP0M9akkTJnCJh7-E9J-jsE_GfjA-1tIEikmpj3KU_JnHRKJodHAaDpdeM5hwveVR5trXNFgMowVODM_gc0mpqj41K5O5kx5LCP-MZ8bnVXgZ8gaEqrboQ5xspF7SDg0M/s4624/20230317_152937.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhngw26zoqQ9mrqxrRqg5A3du7ZYB0fpLemAObkhZ8h0I5kUaSbUjTjE--v18iP0M9akkTJnCJh7-E9J-jsE_GfjA-1tIEikmpj3KU_JnHRKJodHAaDpdeM5hwveVR5trXNFgMowVODM_gc0mpqj41K5O5kx5LCP-MZ8bnVXgZ8gaEqrboQ5xspF7SDg0M/w400-h300/20230317_152937.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Best seat in the house is at the bar!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We touched on Nata Bird Sanctuary but being off season and dry, there weren't any birds in the park but only water birds on the shoreline which has also receded. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aNBKeJVHJo-VRWJLwZnqXo_TZFxRrlnc_NOSFezKBcAUY1fgCEMgVbGzBuhkSBuwqhepaa5xfomDvG-PaHMAVm1GYTWsqD_0X-IirHsjh45joldqWvYtET5jOzEBbFUU2Lq2vpov1qZj-FKilVe_8Vb4Eb2qLpNb_hdrN_UhLhas00lQgKcixmvhDC_E/s3264/20230317_171223.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aNBKeJVHJo-VRWJLwZnqXo_TZFxRrlnc_NOSFezKBcAUY1fgCEMgVbGzBuhkSBuwqhepaa5xfomDvG-PaHMAVm1GYTWsqD_0X-IirHsjh45joldqWvYtET5jOzEBbFUU2Lq2vpov1qZj-FKilVe_8Vb4Eb2qLpNb_hdrN_UhLhas00lQgKcixmvhDC_E/w400-h300/20230317_171223.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The camp ground is well positioned, but no shade<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our next stop was Gweta and the road from Nata was in a worrying state in sections. Planet Baobab was our destination and this place too had expanded as expected over the years. It was now part of a larger franchise and able to offer a higher level of service. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYfZaQC5ijGqg70k8jHvrmn-DeOivoWp8FhEfYcEUCnX4oBFEQ80mFYVbZoO923_02EbRu73-2-_Fja6xYoSZeRbjNhsY_uttgdGBJNOZyezTh4Pybux3mi_uXB0iAOBMxqyMkzas35TUbMt15dLx1WfRklOxbt4l_PRgoHHozgUFi1RnyKA3QS5kTbjp/s1280/BF48B33C-9001-427B-A811-ADA5A39A5A7C_6A4710B6-2781-4455-A2A4-F302FAF01508.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYfZaQC5ijGqg70k8jHvrmn-DeOivoWp8FhEfYcEUCnX4oBFEQ80mFYVbZoO923_02EbRu73-2-_Fja6xYoSZeRbjNhsY_uttgdGBJNOZyezTh4Pybux3mi_uXB0iAOBMxqyMkzas35TUbMt15dLx1WfRklOxbt4l_PRgoHHozgUFi1RnyKA3QS5kTbjp/w400-h300/BF48B33C-9001-427B-A811-ADA5A39A5A7C_6A4710B6-2781-4455-A2A4-F302FAF01508.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Nata sanctuary and its salt pans<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We decided to take up the Planet Baobab activity of exploring the Makgadikgadi pans including checking out the meerkat colony. Despite living in Botswana in the past, we never got down to checking out the pans or the meerkat colonies on the pans edge. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8LShEIgz6QQrdMozgS3Z1-_CO0iJyIjwwg3HbutK0o7l_ncWMl8YTaLUUh59MP-y4vJR-1HbNA1Cze-JCwpZDmLUr9Xz4mLi3Dz4JlPerJ9mCXZ_W_RcYohNCJag3_c36JAUvtUy0oXQ8hPxU4ZGO42uGc0XgbaxnhlURp_uQ-sZp2iTHS1DKDEEweEr/s4624/20230319_105925.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8LShEIgz6QQrdMozgS3Z1-_CO0iJyIjwwg3HbutK0o7l_ncWMl8YTaLUUh59MP-y4vJR-1HbNA1Cze-JCwpZDmLUr9Xz4mLi3Dz4JlPerJ9mCXZ_W_RcYohNCJag3_c36JAUvtUy0oXQ8hPxU4ZGO42uGc0XgbaxnhlURp_uQ-sZp2iTHS1DKDEEweEr/w400-h300/20230319_105925.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The amazing Baobab<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We would also advise the use of a local lodge for the meerkats as they have access to habituated colonies which are monitored to enable easy access. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHjBfyS495LDih2zBwGHyaW6Xam-dXuDSMN42wxBYpEQrC791wiGjF0sYcISalR4RARi68SQ3oXRa5VND8ddrUNEABT9cnTDac31nZSyp-wrUfqArTBaGu7lP8CxUfzRJU6eNe89qtWo5Ap1WewMPZIbpUmZKpH71pJKIEBY8c1x_JPcNHVzjZuhINY1l/s1280/A7EA386D-3B6A-489F-B687-2C787B051B83_409E6663-515C-463E-B997-0D1B972C3FD9.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHjBfyS495LDih2zBwGHyaW6Xam-dXuDSMN42wxBYpEQrC791wiGjF0sYcISalR4RARi68SQ3oXRa5VND8ddrUNEABT9cnTDac31nZSyp-wrUfqArTBaGu7lP8CxUfzRJU6eNe89qtWo5Ap1WewMPZIbpUmZKpH71pJKIEBY8c1x_JPcNHVzjZuhINY1l/w400-h300/A7EA386D-3B6A-489F-B687-2C787B051B83_409E6663-515C-463E-B997-0D1B972C3FD9.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Cheryl trying to blend in with the meerkats<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It would be a serious challenge to work this out on your own and the key issue is the early morning timing. You need to reach the colony before they go out foraging to get the good shots when they warm themselves in the first light. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnLp0at5rF58dNVYIfNNWkdU2HXWP2h3ZE7E_OekUOQCtp0PhZZ-E21IUVKuhzWEmjxtiB-mk8vCH516vsW-A-e1UR9r4ehfveg_ycjjySIb2kaFDguWLETRLiGOmXvxuOKdW4X5UzPOnyauMD8yrfuMNLUkRgdzwld3EIF9z29v36fsmeRWuTPr0SZjW/s4624/20230319_065847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnLp0at5rF58dNVYIfNNWkdU2HXWP2h3ZE7E_OekUOQCtp0PhZZ-E21IUVKuhzWEmjxtiB-mk8vCH516vsW-A-e1UR9r4ehfveg_ycjjySIb2kaFDguWLETRLiGOmXvxuOKdW4X5UzPOnyauMD8yrfuMNLUkRgdzwld3EIF9z29v36fsmeRWuTPr0SZjW/w400-h300/20230319_065847.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Need to catch the meerkats at this moment, first thing as they sun. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Planet Baobab also marked the first time we had an issue with the car, but luckily an easily solvable one. While stopped for fuel, we noticed some cuts in one of the tyres. We weren't sure what caused it but decided to be rather safe than sorry and change the tyre with a plan to get a new one once we were in a bigger town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK7FIuTjChcQ2_o2AhEpypdzYDqe_q1gJqIbsMeXkbt3hgybOEEY-BGbvDjfHT-_v3qADDX9vA-pY1a6Pa6MeNVWWSfaPejl6-7n7pLrcaLVoPfkt85GLnFOCPeFdgTqIBrAJmxaL-bQNIVDmH1vvq1g68Ywy4bMr99aZUYayBiYqYHrBHRzI8uMWCOyt/s3264/20230319_085549.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK7FIuTjChcQ2_o2AhEpypdzYDqe_q1gJqIbsMeXkbt3hgybOEEY-BGbvDjfHT-_v3qADDX9vA-pY1a6Pa6MeNVWWSfaPejl6-7n7pLrcaLVoPfkt85GLnFOCPeFdgTqIBrAJmxaL-bQNIVDmH1vvq1g68Ywy4bMr99aZUYayBiYqYHrBHRzI8uMWCOyt/w400-h300/20230319_085549.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Ntwetwe pan, Makgadikgadi pan system<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next stop was one of our favorite spots in Botswana, Nxai Pan National Park. Besides probably the best maintained toilets we have come across in Africa thanks to privatizing, nothing much including the dog of a sand track to the pan has changed here too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqdm9d17GMWlqTQ0mhNIO5NswAHcubSe9VZ1d7eRAmJAJiZq_2X7XYHrK2hBdQjQpKf1K2eT7uu2mXez-VpA5Vd36OQGdN80DlTaI4vTKchhErpY-mZZtqpSGcy_-Ftcft5StMR6ZFDOCTC2I2u2trObIt9mUeZubLkhnmSIHKqp4XWy-0jWIjoh-e51s/s1280/CEAE4B7C-2821-4783-8E37-927E3C53478D_5DA17368-5812-4164-BCE2-6EAA780599B3.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqdm9d17GMWlqTQ0mhNIO5NswAHcubSe9VZ1d7eRAmJAJiZq_2X7XYHrK2hBdQjQpKf1K2eT7uu2mXez-VpA5Vd36OQGdN80DlTaI4vTKchhErpY-mZZtqpSGcy_-Ftcft5StMR6ZFDOCTC2I2u2trObIt9mUeZubLkhnmSIHKqp4XWy-0jWIjoh-e51s/w400-h300/CEAE4B7C-2821-4783-8E37-927E3C53478D_5DA17368-5812-4164-BCE2-6EAA780599B3.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Quick tyre change in Gweta before heading to Nxai Pan</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The camp site had expanded and with two new toilet blocks which were immaculately maintained and could not be further opposite than the previous ablution plan here. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORzC4IpXm6fvdFUMrrPRQEXUnujaMmAHHvnDA41X7JzhH7dhfOHNuE5CSI6z79bNBkUvwOliIEFTf45f0sYKYSIRkoUUzwvWDBXx9kCNjZzu0d8-ib-P1Mfqi0NBAMOuoXYgLsnBwiB1VHEGW4tFtCmIl-qPplgYJPrUA3kzH9kyuXvPckFifRCinUA98/s1280/4EC89732-887D-40C9-B472-DF2163AEDFA5_3CFED424-C66B-42FF-B8F6-4FB94CF4AA70.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORzC4IpXm6fvdFUMrrPRQEXUnujaMmAHHvnDA41X7JzhH7dhfOHNuE5CSI6z79bNBkUvwOliIEFTf45f0sYKYSIRkoUUzwvWDBXx9kCNjZzu0d8-ib-P1Mfqi0NBAMOuoXYgLsnBwiB1VHEGW4tFtCmIl-qPplgYJPrUA3kzH9kyuXvPckFifRCinUA98/w400-h300/4EC89732-887D-40C9-B472-DF2163AEDFA5_3CFED424-C66B-42FF-B8F6-4FB94CF4AA70.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Back to Nxai Pan after a 15 year absence</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had a horrifying experience once in the past where a leaking tap attracted elephants who would line up to suck water from the leaking tap all night long right next to us.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioajsvNpzQeDKqOOrlwuLVd1NFjs0Jzrqta-Rrgn8VQn10FkdPW7QQJDqlz14TTkDJdsxlMptqusotmxovmpDdv2vjDOTJ3ldIKuP9wOLm25-YLo6Yf6StVTtfdaxcHDWcU5ZlS7noRBmExNEiozNODXPnr6Tf06WQbyFurSAJPKYATGW30zp6pZwj14VY/s4624/20230320_183426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioajsvNpzQeDKqOOrlwuLVd1NFjs0Jzrqta-Rrgn8VQn10FkdPW7QQJDqlz14TTkDJdsxlMptqusotmxovmpDdv2vjDOTJ3ldIKuP9wOLm25-YLo6Yf6StVTtfdaxcHDWcU5ZlS7noRBmExNEiozNODXPnr6Tf06WQbyFurSAJPKYATGW30zp6pZwj14VY/w400-h300/20230320_183426.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The magic of the Nxai Pan waterhole </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The other surprise was that no one had seen a cat here in 3 months which was almost unbelievable given the presence of all 3 big cats in the past and was easily one of the best places for cheetah. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9MSgtyU6XzaRBZNUGj0thk0oBQWGx7don727Sw20SbFfXdm3zKEN6tXYuLAItfHJjQs7w_aBdx4eWU-zodnFstqDubfthYlf0rsEfbwq13T0AGQzPphP4CseC_q0D9DYzc1twFou9OA_JnzTESD0HgdnaVeXg5-Rxl9XKMIvKo3VRVnB-v45XXjwS0yL/s1280/77151CB8-1518-47E0-989B-EE2E6C199338_0C9033CE-478D-4D10-895F-E101D7C33E53.jpg.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9MSgtyU6XzaRBZNUGj0thk0oBQWGx7don727Sw20SbFfXdm3zKEN6tXYuLAItfHJjQs7w_aBdx4eWU-zodnFstqDubfthYlf0rsEfbwq13T0AGQzPphP4CseC_q0D9DYzc1twFou9OA_JnzTESD0HgdnaVeXg5-Rxl9XKMIvKo3VRVnB-v45XXjwS0yL/w400-h300/77151CB8-1518-47E0-989B-EE2E6C199338_0C9033CE-478D-4D10-895F-E101D7C33E53.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Big bulls in Nxai Pan</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The massive elephant bulls seemed to have got larger and older and dominated the waterholes. The large herds of zebra were here for the season and there were a few new roads thanks to a high end lodge that has now taken over Nxai Pan.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHW0LuWHb93UA61y9Gm69TzeMnqYXWxxa4-DDyOCPHRl6UGlp35_5qT0H6uCcIZ92GUiaNts2m2kS29QlK-LqwLFgYjXLdW_HHpjiWeEIwRrwqp4Nyltq63umpQvZ5vgunrkt1cVHemTWLuRV_b2YG0eA85q2obZWUCxy2LwkZ1lTvvm1QqESNBYJsbna/s4624/20230321_115745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHW0LuWHb93UA61y9Gm69TzeMnqYXWxxa4-DDyOCPHRl6UGlp35_5qT0H6uCcIZ92GUiaNts2m2kS29QlK-LqwLFgYjXLdW_HHpjiWeEIwRrwqp4Nyltq63umpQvZ5vgunrkt1cVHemTWLuRV_b2YG0eA85q2obZWUCxy2LwkZ1lTvvm1QqESNBYJsbna/w300-h400/20230321_115745.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hiding in the camp site</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Only the campers ventured to Nxai pan in the past but like all great places, access is now open to all provided you're able to fork out the fancy prices. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4Qwh2VC1TUxsPLIIavMtdE-Rukf_Pg_wcqqD4VXkfk2E9lMDBcfpB_1oyzp6JQ6VjUdnbfzCoqiWbDLcLc-XJimxI5gYHv3y9W8vSmTcvZ4sxnuD9gLKcL-5l0Fse5JUyHZvRhXwrPqwGY34Jl-F01_OAd9RoY4yV9oaq2zoD0HB8TbIN4pS_jVru2rl/s3264/20230322_112504.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4Qwh2VC1TUxsPLIIavMtdE-Rukf_Pg_wcqqD4VXkfk2E9lMDBcfpB_1oyzp6JQ6VjUdnbfzCoqiWbDLcLc-XJimxI5gYHv3y9W8vSmTcvZ4sxnuD9gLKcL-5l0Fse5JUyHZvRhXwrPqwGY34Jl-F01_OAd9RoY4yV9oaq2zoD0HB8TbIN4pS_jVru2rl/w400-h300/20230322_112504.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">An Elephant arrives at our camp site</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next up was Maun and we had a few car matters to deal with. First up was a routine 5,000 km service after working out that there is a bit of a drama with servicing a Japanese spec Toyota in Southern Africa which was not a problem in Malawi. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLju3yJD6lm4mgQeDiuPaspnQIXkRjsv9oGgSQk2_TDRKLW2JIY0NpbNLxdQvPyb8jVgOpeMWdUd8CrtZ4aRj3EuJacRHfOuQqRQRbNb0OBZqctdAcpma1OWU2i3tOFjWUsgXD7ZdUbFFZVbA0-VLsb0P2m_ImxEr9z0Ph9HJECKGPwb1o_GvBlCTEofCH/s4624/20230322_095133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLju3yJD6lm4mgQeDiuPaspnQIXkRjsv9oGgSQk2_TDRKLW2JIY0NpbNLxdQvPyb8jVgOpeMWdUd8CrtZ4aRj3EuJacRHfOuQqRQRbNb0OBZqctdAcpma1OWU2i3tOFjWUsgXD7ZdUbFFZVbA0-VLsb0P2m_ImxEr9z0Ph9HJECKGPwb1o_GvBlCTEofCH/w400-h300/20230322_095133.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Nxai Pan bulls will test your nerve but are largely tolerant<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Regardless, parts remain a challenge everywhere with a 4 day wait time for delivery in Maun. Also needed two new tyres after noting one of the tyres having an unhealthy looking marks on the side wall. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbkggK4dy7lmh6F7NZESq_NA5Z2zMDNPU1zjF1tFAWoB3hMy5PUqYwLcnXhq-kZNygziFK4-sgnoojWCESAMan4irMsuIADFF35n5q1Pxl7Kl_lo1BffDFFityWD4BCg8ghOAiZl-Nm3V8jDVx7qqBFOnnnhwiKFAyD6z1euBKG9dHlSiud4Hbbicvvo3/s1280/4F780511-9ABD-4A6B-95B4-C992C8BC5C36_68CAE641-AFBD-480A-B495-54BA744567EE.jpg.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbkggK4dy7lmh6F7NZESq_NA5Z2zMDNPU1zjF1tFAWoB3hMy5PUqYwLcnXhq-kZNygziFK4-sgnoojWCESAMan4irMsuIADFF35n5q1Pxl7Kl_lo1BffDFFityWD4BCg8ghOAiZl-Nm3V8jDVx7qqBFOnnnhwiKFAyD6z1euBKG9dHlSiud4Hbbicvvo3/w400-h300/4F780511-9ABD-4A6B-95B4-C992C8BC5C36_68CAE641-AFBD-480A-B495-54BA744567EE.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The 30km road into Nxai Pan is still a sand trap</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rather oddly, it was pointed out that the radiator cap was missing which was a mystery but thankful for the guys sourcing a new cap as we had a long way to drive with the whole of Namibia still ahead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXMSeMmMLhnEpYrfCgwIU271kf7d_Cpl_cW56zd0JX5oLfoSdV4yEz0BSVtqkjFByZ2qofEPa43u0DPCknPE74bitiBkOwNBz-vUr7fZbz7NdI4BehY-Dh1Wl_lSq6lQydKX1dzQZTfHup4YQLmE8EJ-Tf9r4eZ2mLBt6jGWXpNqsR8ke3IuJziGz3SDX/s1280/F0B364A4-CB12-4C4B-9E3C-E79D08FDF80F_8CA25874-2B67-4F32-8236-040A259AF8EE.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXMSeMmMLhnEpYrfCgwIU271kf7d_Cpl_cW56zd0JX5oLfoSdV4yEz0BSVtqkjFByZ2qofEPa43u0DPCknPE74bitiBkOwNBz-vUr7fZbz7NdI4BehY-Dh1Wl_lSq6lQydKX1dzQZTfHup4YQLmE8EJ-Tf9r4eZ2mLBt6jGWXpNqsR8ke3IuJziGz3SDX/w400-h300/F0B364A4-CB12-4C4B-9E3C-E79D08FDF80F_8CA25874-2B67-4F32-8236-040A259AF8EE.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Our first night not camping on this trip</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In all our time in Botswana, we never visited Shakawe which was really a destination for the fisherman and the really keen birders. We were now keen enough to catch some birds, particularly the Pel's fishing owl which was known to be sighted around Shakawe. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpU4S-dsiv-Vc4E_FVg2w4L4VnBPhdXuVJW3_ORy4bOhtAK_HnUu_u4j1OOA8e-av3REEx7wBuK0KUKppDMWzHvSuxDc5bio0ZdAJqEk5xxkkeWxGp-vU_KebqCnR7REzX-gIOopMxBmxcvl7agFjzik7YOYiXI0sKWsGlG9sJK9EwcIJUWjWStkLW30A/s1280/9CE7F6C9-2FDC-465E-98C3-D4AFDA37588D_3BDB01B7-1110-4998-8175-5AC945ADD4C3.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpU4S-dsiv-Vc4E_FVg2w4L4VnBPhdXuVJW3_ORy4bOhtAK_HnUu_u4j1OOA8e-av3REEx7wBuK0KUKppDMWzHvSuxDc5bio0ZdAJqEk5xxkkeWxGp-vU_KebqCnR7REzX-gIOopMxBmxcvl7agFjzik7YOYiXI0sKWsGlG9sJK9EwcIJUWjWStkLW30A/w400-h300/9CE7F6C9-2FDC-465E-98C3-D4AFDA37588D_3BDB01B7-1110-4998-8175-5AC945ADD4C3.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Drotskys cabins - a landmark in Northern Botswana</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We settled for Drotsky's cabins which has been around for ever it seemed and they have a great campsite with shade, power and water. We did a lot of chasing the Pels fishing owl and had two sightings including one in the campsite and got a clear shot albeit from a the moving boat. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJP3YMSfz4u1FPy2kl4m9CR-PLpB2tLvR7R_4LM3HMHi9XgjkMGXHNIfLw8ygkFazPwJThMtUO3GW4lTC-8b1rOAO2bcYkaW_H92DHF036-_ITLITInL4NjEBgYNAzX6QggB3cBSmK4VfAqt5CM1B7QpQkgluOE-dKiLQlIxQqXzFLMqIK9ijyY6wLE7P5/s1440/CAEE7258-AFC0-41EC-8661-623444EDAECA_3AC7E939-005C-4BB6-92A9-4979341CB0DE.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJP3YMSfz4u1FPy2kl4m9CR-PLpB2tLvR7R_4LM3HMHi9XgjkMGXHNIfLw8ygkFazPwJThMtUO3GW4lTC-8b1rOAO2bcYkaW_H92DHF036-_ITLITInL4NjEBgYNAzX6QggB3cBSmK4VfAqt5CM1B7QpQkgluOE-dKiLQlIxQqXzFLMqIK9ijyY6wLE7P5/w400-h266/CAEE7258-AFC0-41EC-8661-623444EDAECA_3AC7E939-005C-4BB6-92A9-4979341CB0DE.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Finally caught the Pel's fishing owl</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We also caught the Lesser jacana and White backed night heron which were both lifers and we ended up lazing around for 3 nights in Shakawe.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8sTtF4MkPlRc6tsYqMTgeDK3r4w4DerMpVjxfk6oc1BWvgWcwEVCsG6VZNrlSlTAcfrlSQkbERZNzYFDdoug1qh-Tqe6YaLW49rKKCH0qYbOsZ-oVuoWTx_9DS5veNhHzaux5pplZgEW3C1eoNjUH-L5331sZ1PuKoAVNiy2XsK-9Zz2WLVqNHDiuAAF/s1440/0BEE8518-1A94-4C4F-9E9F-32331088631D_A19922DD-3F72-4202-BD5E-5DB7E76D32E4.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8sTtF4MkPlRc6tsYqMTgeDK3r4w4DerMpVjxfk6oc1BWvgWcwEVCsG6VZNrlSlTAcfrlSQkbERZNzYFDdoug1qh-Tqe6YaLW49rKKCH0qYbOsZ-oVuoWTx_9DS5veNhHzaux5pplZgEW3C1eoNjUH-L5331sZ1PuKoAVNiy2XsK-9Zz2WLVqNHDiuAAF/w400-h266/0BEE8518-1A94-4C4F-9E9F-32331088631D_A19922DD-3F72-4202-BD5E-5DB7E76D32E4.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pygmy goose - on Chery's list of birds she wanted to see</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spending time in places that we'd never seen or wouldn't reallyhave considered is what this trip is all about ant time in Shakawe but now it was time to head across the border and into the next leg of our trip - Namibia.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGg6Mb4NqFl3Md0tufJZuhzACl_eHL4cqu63_sFhdWHdaWN2kxZ8xm8SSgbebSea0_Rxh4Kqqj1ARYK_dIeoe4ofH10Wiru7oBMLhnnBT-4pEE7hbjCR9PKLZTubpQYACsqUnya_mjO9fVhFLh2OBplpjvgSLU6gYjKJWzubGuMtSW1mn7emBId2dlrejQ/s4624/20230326_090329.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGg6Mb4NqFl3Md0tufJZuhzACl_eHL4cqu63_sFhdWHdaWN2kxZ8xm8SSgbebSea0_Rxh4Kqqj1ARYK_dIeoe4ofH10Wiru7oBMLhnnBT-4pEE7hbjCR9PKLZTubpQYACsqUnya_mjO9fVhFLh2OBplpjvgSLU6gYjKJWzubGuMtSW1mn7emBId2dlrejQ/w400-h300/20230326_090329.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">River cruise on the Okavango pan handle.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Botswana-22.328474 24.684866-50.638707836178845 -10.471384 5.9817598361788455 59.841116tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-76103410206805838212023-03-09T16:39:00.001+03:002023-08-09T22:38:39.356+03:00Lake2Cape - Zambia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbktF7PY-pj2G01gZktJYCOaP4gvwrQU8I6ja4-wkZtmoY7NEb5optLvPTXCoHaoRpOEySANiPFJyLXgN717cKgmzFZrK-3Tsbcks8IFaLQgg74LbTvPazWS6AodetzpJ_P-TjSHE6IE7EBu1TAchEFkT2wLFMSaUTXmlZx0ZB5jxV8n5pEQripuX6w/s4624/20230308_093231.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbktF7PY-pj2G01gZktJYCOaP4gvwrQU8I6ja4-wkZtmoY7NEb5optLvPTXCoHaoRpOEySANiPFJyLXgN717cKgmzFZrK-3Tsbcks8IFaLQgg74LbTvPazWS6AodetzpJ_P-TjSHE6IE7EBu1TAchEFkT2wLFMSaUTXmlZx0ZB5jxV8n5pEQripuX6w/w400-h300/20230308_093231.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Vic Falls from the air - The Zambia/Zimbabwe border</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Due to the effects of cyclone Freddy which has already dumped rain on Zambia and on its way back after gathering strength off the coast, the Zambian leg saw us bypassing South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, both of which were flooded, and heading straight to Livingstone to check out Victoria Falls. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLpfLFW10JftWmLXXp79KzbsGcMfkTOSfWtPnXUJvT4OQLRLa5sNKS7iXhwZRKyt32atHSQksss0qrZDs5LmLDRVR6ioezGbBVbWOMI5rwqcPK41FZ1c60g2-rjssLaRPXZYPIEh-lQZzRcHReHI_PjupDnx3YJKOmRwj5FQ9Q2CuNuX3DX0MY63S40J3/s1280/519E7C28-BB8A-49FB-BA10-02C9A0BC89C0_1E193804-DCB6-4E88-869A-D098F9DC0AD7.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLpfLFW10JftWmLXXp79KzbsGcMfkTOSfWtPnXUJvT4OQLRLa5sNKS7iXhwZRKyt32atHSQksss0qrZDs5LmLDRVR6ioezGbBVbWOMI5rwqcPK41FZ1c60g2-rjssLaRPXZYPIEh-lQZzRcHReHI_PjupDnx3YJKOmRwj5FQ9Q2CuNuX3DX0MY63S40J3/w400-h300/519E7C28-BB8A-49FB-BA10-02C9A0BC89C0_1E193804-DCB6-4E88-869A-D098F9DC0AD7.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Falls are full of water at this time of year</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While we have experienced Vic Falls from the Zim side, this was the perfect opportunity to give the Zambian side a go and it proved to be spectacular with the waterfall full of water, and even with a raincoat you will definitely be soaked!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_MWnqkDft3_VwbKg8vikL9C8dRZaU613iB01jLp5G5y5RDREYrkF7UKA-cj-QXUaRxJuCg0_uwRCu0Y-iME6XspzdhjvwbhoKevcyabJjk-i2I_8c1R1mneMB1m3sVh8Fl6zyVTS3i4puLXkQLvUQK0VbxS1y1oONBlJFmVNRjSXj94oJuMwGPCnsg/s4000/20230307_183603.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_MWnqkDft3_VwbKg8vikL9C8dRZaU613iB01jLp5G5y5RDREYrkF7UKA-cj-QXUaRxJuCg0_uwRCu0Y-iME6XspzdhjvwbhoKevcyabJjk-i2I_8c1R1mneMB1m3sVh8Fl6zyVTS3i4puLXkQLvUQK0VbxS1y1oONBlJFmVNRjSXj94oJuMwGPCnsg/w400-h300/20230307_183603.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Don't miss the sundowners on the Zambezi</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vic Falls ranks one of 7 natural wonders of the world and it's best to get in the air to appreciate its full beauty. Given all the rain around, the river was flowing bank to bank resulting in a spectacular large waterfall. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQddEMOMzdxMT_ewFE-Zssw03O_FCOXiREEHHzuApb1uQ593E_ES8hOT_G92A-2QB3IK_5pDPI2r8mTrwN_uNZpJGDukm021ubollPPJ0Soxv7XT1O83bmqhGfIadIBkiIQunaciY8F84mg-X3kabr7U41iAAPOCMvv2G6J-l06AKV7HSC_huDChv99aLx/s1280/603DE322-0802-450E-8946-D13755FCE95C_37FC3084-F290-4FD7-9334-85C9DD19F0F7.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQddEMOMzdxMT_ewFE-Zssw03O_FCOXiREEHHzuApb1uQ593E_ES8hOT_G92A-2QB3IK_5pDPI2r8mTrwN_uNZpJGDukm021ubollPPJ0Soxv7XT1O83bmqhGfIadIBkiIQunaciY8F84mg-X3kabr7U41iAAPOCMvv2G6J-l06AKV7HSC_huDChv99aLx/w400-h300/603DE322-0802-450E-8946-D13755FCE95C_37FC3084-F290-4FD7-9334-85C9DD19F0F7.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The new 1 stop border crossing between Malawi and Zambia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Border crossings with your own car can get hairy but as we arrived at the Botswana - Zambia border, the expectation was the worse was behind us which is what is proved to be. No more wild haggling with money changes and touts claiming to assist you as everything is electronic and cards are accepted. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ICHvMjcgB7Xyf-Q6jmkvEwmSNoPnBNPJORn62A7oKTfwOr5LSyDzZU1HyjaC9cMCZvaq-mkxmKn7KYYTKWsHHLE0V8EkqsQyuT11Kthkk_6u0qND2GJLSBQsNFutP-hID8urXyM5cGB5YzIRFAv8IP0DDWx5aAQn4AG8FLYejPZK7sLY0O6sX6kNndZg/s1280/DF4BB71E-1AEB-4016-83BB-C570DF767964_73AC3650-219C-4BBD-B9F3-FBF3E01BB95A.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ICHvMjcgB7Xyf-Q6jmkvEwmSNoPnBNPJORn62A7oKTfwOr5LSyDzZU1HyjaC9cMCZvaq-mkxmKn7KYYTKWsHHLE0V8EkqsQyuT11Kthkk_6u0qND2GJLSBQsNFutP-hID8urXyM5cGB5YzIRFAv8IP0DDWx5aAQn4AG8FLYejPZK7sLY0O6sX6kNndZg/w400-h300/DF4BB71E-1AEB-4016-83BB-C570DF767964_73AC3650-219C-4BBD-B9F3-FBF3E01BB95A.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">On the banks of the Zambezi - you have been warned!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The last time we crossed the Zambezi on our way to Tanzania it was on a pontoon and rather awkward. Now there is a swanky bridge across the Zambezi and we entered what was the sleepy village of Kazungula to find a sprawling shopping center with chain stores. Things have certainly moved on from the time we left Kazungula in 2010 heading to East Africa. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik85wU81ymTIzPsI-SiHE-iV5gDqo9EAAuB9EbcX8XnXp6oGie1Qz44qcxo_KyKKqg0-Mu1V8Zdo8LQfmfWsPF_gRVYK-kKMDSr5SLZ99yG7PfOnH0ZGcxiguVBm-EBNr-ihZ41L4ZiTSQyJ6e2xxBAbjozWuI8nlumU1lXVouvjEH8kagD7Qd36Y9xR0M/s1280/95E2F6CE-A7BA-4EAB-BB4C-EB6D2EDA9EA0_07F903C7-E8B1-49B4-BA96-230A0B51A7C9.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik85wU81ymTIzPsI-SiHE-iV5gDqo9EAAuB9EbcX8XnXp6oGie1Qz44qcxo_KyKKqg0-Mu1V8Zdo8LQfmfWsPF_gRVYK-kKMDSr5SLZ99yG7PfOnH0ZGcxiguVBm-EBNr-ihZ41L4ZiTSQyJ6e2xxBAbjozWuI8nlumU1lXVouvjEH8kagD7Qd36Y9xR0M/w400-h300/95E2F6CE-A7BA-4EAB-BB4C-EB6D2EDA9EA0_07F903C7-E8B1-49B4-BA96-230A0B51A7C9.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Moorings campsite - a stopover between Lusaka & Livingstone</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Zambia-13.133897 27.849332-41.444130836178843 -7.306918 15.176336836178846 63.005582000000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-50957736798242523102023-03-01T16:43:00.013+03:002023-08-09T22:38:28.658+03:00Lake2Cape - Malawi<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfVKfDbVSca-UNsenYQdOpi1oVbQpXWWknXSA4q2XB4BfMWXJA7AKM051zWIZldPYhbbyf0y2xmcnIL_PwFCX2pYiBHZXTYZa45K25MxOFqSUT2adRfV0S03uuVR1hvgaUOFJa_PcYO8nsy69peJx9xqo6H1Z-Wk6fCpVSCbHHa6nWV61M4FmmJa2xGu6/s1280/2217398B-E319-411F-9BBC-40F7993B0515_7C0A49C1-410A-4B1C-A86C-B0E8A3ABB971.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfVKfDbVSca-UNsenYQdOpi1oVbQpXWWknXSA4q2XB4BfMWXJA7AKM051zWIZldPYhbbyf0y2xmcnIL_PwFCX2pYiBHZXTYZa45K25MxOFqSUT2adRfV0S03uuVR1hvgaUOFJa_PcYO8nsy69peJx9xqo6H1Z-Wk6fCpVSCbHHa6nWV61M4FmmJa2xGu6/w400-h300/2217398B-E319-411F-9BBC-40F7993B0515_7C0A49C1-410A-4B1C-A86C-B0E8A3ABB971.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The official start of our trip - Lake Malawi<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our final day in Blantyre was here with the cleaners cleaning out the house as we left for Lilongwe to get the car fridge fitted out at Northside Motors. Fridge fitted and we headed off to Salima so our official start point would be at the Lake. <span></span></span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyXnIQHue8vFhWrln2cW90XyUJbRyWkpGSOGcD4Zm15gVDSMKsM_A4r2rF19NO5LWVNtQCdnvcz7i-9sB1X7-T5eIUPe_-ZfOuGQQsKmlmP5ZE3cKDKeICy0YZ-BAFP5x83-pIqolsGDzJ0oNRs811cIbKbDt3GOZ7qdT1qg08cjSFFQcH9rtY0047r3K/s1813/16A4C287-E97A-423E-A3DD-F287FEE86491_88A485EA-8796-4A5D-99E3-E884DA34E61F.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1813" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyXnIQHue8vFhWrln2cW90XyUJbRyWkpGSOGcD4Zm15gVDSMKsM_A4r2rF19NO5LWVNtQCdnvcz7i-9sB1X7-T5eIUPe_-ZfOuGQQsKmlmP5ZE3cKDKeICy0YZ-BAFP5x83-pIqolsGDzJ0oNRs811cIbKbDt3GOZ7qdT1qg08cjSFFQcH9rtY0047r3K/w400-h211/16A4C287-E97A-423E-A3DD-F287FEE86491_88A485EA-8796-4A5D-99E3-E884DA34E61F.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Saying goodbye to our home in Blantyre, Malawi</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">As luck would have it, a kid threw a stone at the car causing a chip on the windshield which finally resulted in a crack that we were only able to fix in George due to the unavailability of parts along the way. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtypbjVv2d-n20JAmA2-rto_TxYmOusnV-zKMFidfvrIiexYHqbkudwP6eQgP70fLDoa6bN2v9Sy-F9ZqDKb3eOjkZ-JRInlOjvIjX48vh2DSJ6xMUEwwzugd_EQ8JldcpRU1s_VJFSFzsyZ5gz6FdoGr_TyzIqg6k3Xy4b4hg-z3qTEUwBjC7ChNI_2RY/w400-h300/258D61E9-3C04-48F5-9157-F7509EF7482F_17316352-7DA5-441B-9A5B-7753BA4A0A45.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Cyclone Freddy loomed large over the start of our trip</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtypbjVv2d-n20JAmA2-rto_TxYmOusnV-zKMFidfvrIiexYHqbkudwP6eQgP70fLDoa6bN2v9Sy-F9ZqDKb3eOjkZ-JRInlOjvIjX48vh2DSJ6xMUEwwzugd_EQ8JldcpRU1s_VJFSFzsyZ5gz6FdoGr_TyzIqg6k3Xy4b4hg-z3qTEUwBjC7ChNI_2RY/s1280/258D61E9-3C04-48F5-9157-F7509EF7482F_17316352-7DA5-441B-9A5B-7753BA4A0A45.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Following a couple of days in Salima, it was on to the new one stop Malawi/Zambia border which is a refreshing change from the chaos of the past. The first great change is there aren't touts trying to sell or assist you with what should be a basic administrative matter that most of us should be able to negotiate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSL_kFFv8mrXwe_WM_SwoSYriz13qxGb3oyttPGVJdA1q4gBgwSZt98Tgq5w5vWxaCjFsLU_lTwhimFAJX3gGZ_wu50ZvuB9z5KZ24Jgr8BA5RlAJo3qkGGbO0Ap31tP0RSSDrRpayYVJ5mLj5rs7Oionq2tQ_z6LkohkaQne9KViXNINwzCrSPm8uIUG/s1280/FCB46383-650C-41FA-BF12-AEEA175A40ED_A800B679-D9D1-409D-A11F-F40CD093784C.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSL_kFFv8mrXwe_WM_SwoSYriz13qxGb3oyttPGVJdA1q4gBgwSZt98Tgq5w5vWxaCjFsLU_lTwhimFAJX3gGZ_wu50ZvuB9z5KZ24Jgr8BA5RlAJo3qkGGbO0Ap31tP0RSSDrRpayYVJ5mLj5rs7Oionq2tQ_z6LkohkaQne9KViXNINwzCrSPm8uIUG/w400-h300/FCB46383-650C-41FA-BF12-AEEA175A40ED_A800B679-D9D1-409D-A11F-F40CD093784C.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">An orphaned baby hippo being cared for on the lakeshore<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The other change is the border officials have no where to hide in the back rooms so they are forced to actually get the job done quickly. I also felt the guys manning the stations were a lot more capable that the previous staff who just seemed to take for ever to hit a key on the computer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqZmrfhdetsERc1d-NIp8oP--i_E9tp7zOByDdZjgFwy_6Avitt0pple-z11wxNVzt67a6eywLAHYKqYQzpkecv1bvHAR-MhjDg7xKUA5S1eFPBtAMfEAmo1C4KxMEI8KrA1Bf54jWMDeGBrIPSHUvKOhw8axjM2ewjWwEMgkExNXO5eFC4S8fqkHhw/s4624/20230303_132103.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqZmrfhdetsERc1d-NIp8oP--i_E9tp7zOByDdZjgFwy_6Avitt0pple-z11wxNVzt67a6eywLAHYKqYQzpkecv1bvHAR-MhjDg7xKUA5S1eFPBtAMfEAmo1C4KxMEI8KrA1Bf54jWMDeGBrIPSHUvKOhw8axjM2ewjWwEMgkExNXO5eFC4S8fqkHhw/w400-h300/20230303_132103.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tobacco drying racks - tobacco is a key crop in Malawi</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we leave Malawi, it's time to reflect on our time in this beautiful country blessed with friendly warm people. We arrived in Malawi on one of the last flights before the COVID hit and it was a challenging time to adjust to a new country in the midst of a pandemic. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgAIqQx7xx2-V0pvU3ADcsGJ6rTUhNAznKwLC3mAF9hbX00PSg8k1eDdj15woQCGB9dtQmJ1ZQs6U0r9L5zJ7cnPzxk0snkxYRxxcHNBpVkJVojl1_108rBnQD1kqWrPcQmil65yQlBuBkyr1FEYQRNv9UjXy9rD7V0c4wsf8X_0jm8LLMA_-N2mrNJoS/s1280/9548C90B-FE90-482D-8F5F-09E1D312E818_13DD5E19-F1DB-47A6-B326-AF2B0940C31B.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgAIqQx7xx2-V0pvU3ADcsGJ6rTUhNAznKwLC3mAF9hbX00PSg8k1eDdj15woQCGB9dtQmJ1ZQs6U0r9L5zJ7cnPzxk0snkxYRxxcHNBpVkJVojl1_108rBnQD1kqWrPcQmil65yQlBuBkyr1FEYQRNv9UjXy9rD7V0c4wsf8X_0jm8LLMA_-N2mrNJoS/w400-h300/9548C90B-FE90-482D-8F5F-09E1D312E818_13DD5E19-F1DB-47A6-B326-AF2B0940C31B.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Agriculture everywhere in Malawi<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite not being on the main wildlife map, Malawi offered us some of the best wildlife shooting opportunities one could wish for. Both Majete and Liwonde are within a two hour drive from our doorstep and both parks are stocked with decent game. There was also Nyika which was remote but a place like no other and of course the Lake of Stars that has something special about it. We leave Malawi with fond memories and hoping to return someday to the warm heart of Africa. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcwuHROJWxrux2ZkGAkW5sCAucXQsn7yeyh3w2sO7t61zb7wZ8NlzlefpiWs35ogA1G-P_BT1LlgJpASFuAmpxrGvh_KoPgs3z8Af41ufx8Bf1LBDSH1fWq0xEo7yF6cXc8e4asmXt8KBhyVaMWmxOj2zWV77wwK2y6KZI7YboA4Qtl_jRRD82zhAaJ0a/s1280/4423BE37-BACD-4653-A731-96A45EC039AE_6E8472F6-C83D-44A0-B1B8-028C0BE7809E.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcwuHROJWxrux2ZkGAkW5sCAucXQsn7yeyh3w2sO7t61zb7wZ8NlzlefpiWs35ogA1G-P_BT1LlgJpASFuAmpxrGvh_KoPgs3z8Af41ufx8Bf1LBDSH1fWq0xEo7yF6cXc8e4asmXt8KBhyVaMWmxOj2zWV77wwK2y6KZI7YboA4Qtl_jRRD82zhAaJ0a/w400-h300/4423BE37-BACD-4653-A731-96A45EC039AE_6E8472F6-C83D-44A0-B1B8-028C0BE7809E.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Steps Campsite, Senga Bay</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Malawi-13.254308 34.301525-41.564541836178847 -0.854725000000002 15.055925836178846 69.457775tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-50586301632006090102023-02-28T09:50:00.003+03:002023-08-09T22:42:21.368+03:00Lake2Cape - Our planning... or lack of it... for a trip of a lifetime<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Check out the </span><a href="https://www.polarsteps.com/CherylDru/6694538-lake-2-cape" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Polarsteps</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> daily entry for a log of our </span><a href="https://www.polarsteps.com/CherylDru/6694538-lake-2-cape" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">'Lake2Cape' trip</a></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZzOKLjq7IPUB1okYEEnJyq-mLvKydUyBcF0-SmC5-0lf12vBVnZ2tY55_ss8nXU6RAwMk-nR_sByjg5EVFmscIqU5NArhXge25_God7T0i2Srn1v1Zzo-QYlhvI3mJkJhrtYoAIFIfl6sd6itJBxiaz1ZKMwW3jJiucRvXAZAiY5rJyeFEZCuvg-5A/s797/Polarsteps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="797" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZzOKLjq7IPUB1okYEEnJyq-mLvKydUyBcF0-SmC5-0lf12vBVnZ2tY55_ss8nXU6RAwMk-nR_sByjg5EVFmscIqU5NArhXge25_God7T0i2Srn1v1Zzo-QYlhvI3mJkJhrtYoAIFIfl6sd6itJBxiaz1ZKMwW3jJiucRvXAZAiY5rJyeFEZCuvg-5A/w400-h333/Polarsteps.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Overlanding 60 days over five Countries</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This was an adventure of a lifetime that all overlanders dream of, a long trip over a month or more. Not many of us get this opportunity due to work and family commitments or simply don't have the gear to last much more than a long weekend of camping. </span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had always dreamt of a long overlanding camping trip once we were retired and had the perfect overland vehicle kitted accordingly for the trip. As things would work out, out time in Malawi was up with no forward destination finalized opening up a rare window of opportunity to travel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There would be no time for planning, bookings or the perfect vehicle other than pack our trusted Hilux Bakkie with our existing camping gear and hit the road with a vague plan of heading to George in South Africa the long way round via Namibia. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikeeSKGudx9IPQi1pgEGtR1fmKk_nBCustYaZCEMKMylYZ0lawHtzI4rDM5jb27iP51YxuzWqVIokn1YYM4r9DL91xgI7j1kVQVKcekwxBsmaP--g-PfuUJIcCnj1M49Z3d7TKosainZwwMejgtJJO8aT5h8dbcUV-fUNw10fP7MjXalVuud9fXtECQ/s4624/20230304_175100.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikeeSKGudx9IPQi1pgEGtR1fmKk_nBCustYaZCEMKMylYZ0lawHtzI4rDM5jb27iP51YxuzWqVIokn1YYM4r9DL91xgI7j1kVQVKcekwxBsmaP--g-PfuUJIcCnj1M49Z3d7TKosainZwwMejgtJJO8aT5h8dbcUV-fUNw10fP7MjXalVuud9fXtECQ/w400-h300/20230304_175100.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Standard Hilux with no modifications except for the roof tent</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With cyclone Freddie lurking off the coast of Madagascar after making landfall once and going back to the Indian Ocean, the prediction was for it to return to hit Malawi and Zambia about the time were to leave Malawi. Besides the fact we were yet to explore Namibia it was most likely to be the driest place on the many possible routes down to George, so it was decided the way down would be via Namibia.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j-BQhlZrpUAK5jiBCAxODap4gFUT7qwIRbvpVqx17rgItrefLK0BFbYOXjSYoIupN8AHmbaCyRzHcjyWtK_X06tOlqemii5e72tOQPRVxhDqlw_3DOyVng9UdMoIFdZJVp5P5S8xvug7o0CsRP3k0ScxcOx43tSL9BEKJaR3u2CbIkzJKXInW8lLVA/s4624/20230227_105835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j-BQhlZrpUAK5jiBCAxODap4gFUT7qwIRbvpVqx17rgItrefLK0BFbYOXjSYoIupN8AHmbaCyRzHcjyWtK_X06tOlqemii5e72tOQPRVxhDqlw_3DOyVng9UdMoIFdZJVp5P5S8xvug7o0CsRP3k0ScxcOx43tSL9BEKJaR3u2CbIkzJKXInW8lLVA/w400-h300/20230227_105835.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Household packed in to storage with destination unknown.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was very little time for planning as the original plan was to close shop in Malawi by selling the car and buying a car in South Africa from where we would start travelling. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The decision to start the trip from Malawi was made less than a month to go. The main logistical addition was a car fridge and after much discussion, the Engel was ordered to be delivered to Lilongwe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The idea was to have it fitted a couple of weeks ahead of travel and test it in Blantyre before heading on the long drive. However, logistical challenges resulted in the fridge arriving a few days before we left which means the fit out had to take place on route! </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINNuqT-DxhTxG4T29S7rRRA__BaLLNS5IZGkKDz6H2jNBcL307SQNNhCaqUvMnlLyeItMxykWeDcDK-46wCTwfij7Qilf_lOrzpQtsG4RbkzAqyZdY3aV2ExF319idDQKycrlWDJDbCGMgx9zj72_41JOCRtlcSWLFMhsR8axsNP5EfBhoOZOaVSMZw/s4624/20230227_110928.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINNuqT-DxhTxG4T29S7rRRA__BaLLNS5IZGkKDz6H2jNBcL307SQNNhCaqUvMnlLyeItMxykWeDcDK-46wCTwfij7Qilf_lOrzpQtsG4RbkzAqyZdY3aV2ExF319idDQKycrlWDJDbCGMgx9zj72_41JOCRtlcSWLFMhsR8axsNP5EfBhoOZOaVSMZw/w400-h300/20230227_110928.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">All this needed to fit in to the bakkie</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Much debate and research took place around dual battery systems, awnings and alu cabs all of which was awfully difficult and expensive to resolve from Malawi. In the end it was concluded that only the car fridge really mattered and it was ordered with a slider but the slider never arrived. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The fridge was wired through a cigarette lighter socket in the bakkie which was the least complicated set up. The lighter was wired to the ignition to ensure it was only on when the ignition was on to ensure the fridge could not run down the car battery. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA-K12LNiTwlXs9dPKCyeLaRoIg4GmPtaizUBwLpj6256T_Qb4q7gOTG94o7AdgxJ-O9NjG75okJwGRRfgCOqT1ow5jfyiQfcxOKN7PgjuMfupS_byj9pLph5Prtuy_yGBJhAezBR79TW8Xl4YsT1srrfd33RNO-Tvyak8bWnhMMKXVpL7lNKdbFerw/s4624/20230316_161032.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA-K12LNiTwlXs9dPKCyeLaRoIg4GmPtaizUBwLpj6256T_Qb4q7gOTG94o7AdgxJ-O9NjG75okJwGRRfgCOqT1ow5jfyiQfcxOKN7PgjuMfupS_byj9pLph5Prtuy_yGBJhAezBR79TW8Xl4YsT1srrfd33RNO-Tvyak8bWnhMMKXVpL7lNKdbFerw/w400-h300/20230316_161032.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span>A 80 liter Engel fridge freeze combo takes up a fair chunk of space in the back</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />After the packers had taken away our household to be stored in Lilongwe until our destination was known but at this stage we have two quotations for South Africa and Australia as potential destinations. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">And so D-Day arrived and we were off on our epic adventure, through 5 countries over the next few months:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2023/03/lake2cape-malawi.html" target="_blank">Malawi</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2023/03/lake2cape-zambia.html" target="_blank">Zambia</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2023/03/lake2cape-botswana.html" target="_blank">Botswana</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2023/04/lake2cape-namibia.html" target="_blank">Namibia</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2023/04/lake2cape-south-africa.html" target="_blank">South Africa</a></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Blantyre, Malawi-15.7666707 35.0167866-44.076904536178844 -0.1394633999999968 12.543563136178845 70.1730366tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-6247737655263950912023-02-26T12:00:00.005+03:002023-03-03T08:30:45.995+03:00Malawi - the warm heart of Africa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSwl5lp5vEz7tFTvTvI4fMgoPP1Aop8MtbXCO7euWfeNu3r5BtgWotqoguVA7LnqRvqYRDvqvDSlNTWDsLzxt-M84gNJlHlJ7dWnERXMOtEsdDo6ZbJ-5fZso2R_akrdi80R8TxqNd2Ixr7CLYMH6BQpmI-MTP9jMx3M3Yumb72MzlYb4JqSUibcVzg/s2000/20220525_170816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSwl5lp5vEz7tFTvTvI4fMgoPP1Aop8MtbXCO7euWfeNu3r5BtgWotqoguVA7LnqRvqYRDvqvDSlNTWDsLzxt-M84gNJlHlJ7dWnERXMOtEsdDo6ZbJ-5fZso2R_akrdi80R8TxqNd2Ixr7CLYMH6BQpmI-MTP9jMx3M3Yumb72MzlYb4JqSUibcVzg/w400-h300/20220525_170816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Lake of Stars</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Throughout our travels in Southern and East Africa, Malawi had never been on our radar. What
little we knew about the country was about it being the home of Lake Malawi (known as the Lake of Stars). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
first time Malawi got our attention was when it ran into a dispute with
Tanzania on the demarcation of the international border between the two
countries. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next was a fellow traveler making reference to a national park
in Malawi as the best place in Africa to view roan antelope, which is a rare
find. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Apparently there were large herds of roan in Malawi which is what brought
Malawi on to our radar as roan is awfully hard to find. There was no real plan
to visit Malawi other than a vague idea of including it in an overland venture.
That was until work got in the way and directed us to Malawi on a 3 year contract.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXodke8chFkm92sjgQXMgDGduAPfOPXsIYNLBRH3ymqgHV9yKXgR1CvVRImr6QBZJwtOZixhbTgQp2P2ckuaBqYyk3lx6KokFgAm7OtbuFVD5oqMJYO7PkjvIt8IdFuqbTM6PxOhGXfRgfh6uhW4hoKHknIaSzoC19zjf0ig69MRXsGDnYGNR0_9sfdg/w400-h300/20220526_170633.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The drink of choice</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXodke8chFkm92sjgQXMgDGduAPfOPXsIYNLBRH3ymqgHV9yKXgR1CvVRImr6QBZJwtOZixhbTgQp2P2ckuaBqYyk3lx6KokFgAm7OtbuFVD5oqMJYO7PkjvIt8IdFuqbTM6PxOhGXfRgfh6uhW4hoKHknIaSzoC19zjf0ig69MRXsGDnYGNR0_9sfdg/s2000/20220526_170633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We could not
have picked a worse time than March 2020 to enter a new country with the
outbreak of Covid. The airports and borders closed literally the week we
arrived with our household goods being stranded in Rwanda for the next 6
months. As things started to ease, first on the agenda was a new set of wheels
as we had to once again sell our car as Rwanda was left hand drive. What better
choice for Southern Africa than the much loved Toyota Hilux bakkie.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofco_Eax8OlIOtFlOQ5fUyMtNoUAF-6eVCUqEAfSviCQDM7HpGkws7eCgAZ7HT9YCfdqzwuqQ2ON3BlDtA0kcpBA1oHy6ZKgDDpuxr96Axw6urYLem-Dpszas-1hq9K7cxO0gR9Z_QuRsGm9q_8qNi740KDhnd20NhWHnOhKer3Tc6WCMfcKx2goX3w/s2000/20220910_172911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofco_Eax8OlIOtFlOQ5fUyMtNoUAF-6eVCUqEAfSviCQDM7HpGkws7eCgAZ7HT9YCfdqzwuqQ2ON3BlDtA0kcpBA1oHy6ZKgDDpuxr96Axw6urYLem-Dpszas-1hq9K7cxO0gR9Z_QuRsGm9q_8qNi740KDhnd20NhWHnOhKer3Tc6WCMfcKx2goX3w/w400-h300/20220910_172911.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The wheels of choice</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malawi is a
thin long country, 900 KMS in length and 150 KMS across with Lake Malawi
straddling over 500 KMS of the Eastern border. Malawi shares borders with
Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique, all destinations well worth exploring. Malawi
has a distinct Southern African feel with English being a common dialect and
the presence of Southern African brands, both of which are largely absent from
East Africa. Malawi is an agricultural based country with Tobacco being the top
exporter with notable crops of tea and maize. Tourism is an important contributor
to Malawi with opportunities for development and compete with neighboring
countries.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbPuJO7K1_v5uuLSJT41FsCLSQA-RJavg0a7d9Q4j6rfAKFVRpL0ZTM7_gs0CkM3Jab-vEHgoq14vurmo1-4A-O_ZEAI0eNrnxZyZj2aiVS9CEIG3qKAZt-4VAoLhFoIbbRwZeygfKXqteduLyN_Vnkpfk818h42XRvxz7qr3q3Llk-8wl9TBxbBsNA/s2000/20220619_091245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbPuJO7K1_v5uuLSJT41FsCLSQA-RJavg0a7d9Q4j6rfAKFVRpL0ZTM7_gs0CkM3Jab-vEHgoq14vurmo1-4A-O_ZEAI0eNrnxZyZj2aiVS9CEIG3qKAZt-4VAoLhFoIbbRwZeygfKXqteduLyN_Vnkpfk818h42XRvxz7qr3q3Llk-8wl9TBxbBsNA/w400-h300/20220619_091245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tobacco - the crop of choice</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The country
is split in to 3 regions - South, Center and North - and the political power bases
are also aligned to these regions. The road network in the country is dominated
by two main trunk roads, the M1 connecting the major economic cities of
Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu with a Lake Shore road connecting the towns along
the Lake. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbf3mQFvFWDNAbzUPl00eQro8lwYmHhuBp14AVBXbLFeWjnDaRvJQPU0kHdwehKcKoa1aH0-wksoWpO3xL7E9QEeefVG8A6eTdtUjen3Snm4FzkWaKLGNZV2O59RkDzcelxi0_QNvBNqACdwLzc1URY2tTi5-TMVjYMwDor0lpwODnDh7HuKMjsetrg/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0042.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbf3mQFvFWDNAbzUPl00eQro8lwYmHhuBp14AVBXbLFeWjnDaRvJQPU0kHdwehKcKoa1aH0-wksoWpO3xL7E9QEeefVG8A6eTdtUjen3Snm4FzkWaKLGNZV2O59RkDzcelxi0_QNvBNqACdwLzc1URY2tTi5-TMVjYMwDor0lpwODnDh7HuKMjsetrg/w400-h300/IMG-20230225-WA0042.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The modern city of Blantyre</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The capital city is Lilongwe but we lived in Blantyre which is the
second largest city in the country. It really is a case of twin cities with
people and economic activity running between the two cities located about 300 kms apart. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ53NR7E4yScfbnFAazSMstn4hz8yieK-n1HitruyXqJ1l1IJzKd863YDfZejZzp3nB_hdFWxoMygwmdln8ReZOQkDekmJBCU9Th2Aqtp2PRsGe5YUy5qCHtuXQkQwLnmBMhEnVGaUvq-9bJmd61yJYCSFPwR7QFegirsuyMxeIwFLp0ZPnGM_-fYGQ/s2000/IMG-20230226-WA0006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ53NR7E4yScfbnFAazSMstn4hz8yieK-n1HitruyXqJ1l1IJzKd863YDfZejZzp3nB_hdFWxoMygwmdln8ReZOQkDekmJBCU9Th2Aqtp2PRsGe5YUy5qCHtuXQkQwLnmBMhEnVGaUvq-9bJmd61yJYCSFPwR7QFegirsuyMxeIwFLp0ZPnGM_-fYGQ/w400-h300/IMG-20230226-WA0006.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Blantyre is surrounded by hills</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the
self-driver, it is an easy country to move around with reasonable accommodation
available in all major areas. Camping is available and an improvement on East
Africa but it is still only a sprinkling of camp sites across the county. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlMzcnVq644cjJN-TunnZZ-8bNod4hYn0K9hHc5l6OXUNBfoEbUB11hRD6LEitiDC5_Tnltvtk6JDQ4WyBRxlf-xeRpJI0zHQQBBDf8iPWoJxWaNU-2TxvVO9hfBWNfdMa_vBsmPy0OS5EvmktPlN-tdRWLqiwM65iSjZhD2iuiPfhnH23uYdHcpJKQ/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlMzcnVq644cjJN-TunnZZ-8bNod4hYn0K9hHc5l6OXUNBfoEbUB11hRD6LEitiDC5_Tnltvtk6JDQ4WyBRxlf-xeRpJI0zHQQBBDf8iPWoJxWaNU-2TxvVO9hfBWNfdMa_vBsmPy0OS5EvmktPlN-tdRWLqiwM65iSjZhD2iuiPfhnH23uYdHcpJKQ/w400-h300/IMG-20230225-WA0033.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span>Fellow road users, firewood bikes</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fuel
is available across the country with most towns having multiple filling
stations but check fuel availability before entering as fuel shortages can
occur. Roads are in reasonable order but check local conditions before getting
off the tarmac and stick to the basics of driving on the continent by
controlling speed, patience and not driving after dark.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFELWqr2jlIbWYR_qCQH_He7NTrJPNHKaIUf_r5VvWXKHu_NS3TR0Dp3Q0BNJyZ9LVYjzMXxsZBCWF1MDzP1b5Z8xLiX94mczHr1zGBSRJjauJgwLV7itTF8mMUcEkbuVAy2VFv2FRR2KTr0HLe9ScFW6Xp_Gd2oKz4OwnChR_ZewQNTOeb7ANQ9erQ/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0055.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFELWqr2jlIbWYR_qCQH_He7NTrJPNHKaIUf_r5VvWXKHu_NS3TR0Dp3Q0BNJyZ9LVYjzMXxsZBCWF1MDzP1b5Z8xLiX94mczHr1zGBSRJjauJgwLV7itTF8mMUcEkbuVAy2VFv2FRR2KTr0HLe9ScFW6Xp_Gd2oKz4OwnChR_ZewQNTOeb7ANQ9erQ/w400-h300/IMG-20230225-WA0055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Shire river snaking into the lower Shire, from Blantyre to Nchalo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A good
starting point to start exploring Malawi from the South is Majete Wildlife
Reserve, only a 90 minute drive from Blantyre. The park is set on the banks
of the Shire River and the main tourist area is densely vegetated but the key being
it is an all-weather park doable in the wet season. </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6_qILNnNaN-CNjm2GnIBnUfiziVlOke31_Q448nYVS8Vd8rMiMLmmujzw5dynzXjXQvcAsM8ZwfiXMwSxUh16GRn63cbqJoL6FJUG2wpqQisJpPjXtw5hvIQmJVMijTTyd8XF8BjLy9HGjXNayTIchm_RVkaACKobBLcc5bacnlVg8EpRPY3DvnFlw/s2000/0J9A9457.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6_qILNnNaN-CNjm2GnIBnUfiziVlOke31_Q448nYVS8Vd8rMiMLmmujzw5dynzXjXQvcAsM8ZwfiXMwSxUh16GRn63cbqJoL6FJUG2wpqQisJpPjXtw5hvIQmJVMijTTyd8XF8BjLy9HGjXNayTIchm_RVkaACKobBLcc5bacnlVg8EpRPY3DvnFlw/w400-h266/0J9A9457.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Majete is the only place for Giraffe in Malawi</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The park has an excellently
serviced campsite inside the park and there are two upmarket lodges also inside
the park. While the park is relatively big with grassland to the south with few roads, the main game driving area is rather small but it’s a power packed
destination carrying the Big 5 as well as the recent introduction of wild dog and cheetah. </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1ztaAQ2dIdq1dWqoGLjZA0w_LDI2gEAreraUBS3_-haHpOFQmXBycEKhGRNQvfZBQL7X9Dz2-dqEDdpHKlUjezJJ9OLLO8zBe3wW31DhmRvRAG3PAMVfyyFWJZ_jB8d4_lDGDN35bsiS43CoororH3GIPPPGBdUxHHzyMKzjRBvcORX8zupDSSqV6g/s2000/0J9A9433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1ztaAQ2dIdq1dWqoGLjZA0w_LDI2gEAreraUBS3_-haHpOFQmXBycEKhGRNQvfZBQL7X9Dz2-dqEDdpHKlUjezJJ9OLLO8zBe3wW31DhmRvRAG3PAMVfyyFWJZ_jB8d4_lDGDN35bsiS43CoororH3GIPPPGBdUxHHzyMKzjRBvcORX8zupDSSqV6g/w400-h266/0J9A9433.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cheetahs are now a regular sighting in Majete<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You need a keen bush
sense to find animals in this park due to the dense vegetation but a good place
to sharpen your bush skills. We were often rewarded with fantastic sightings of cats, elephants, the many varieties of antelope and the rich birdlife. For a more detailed writeup about this park, check out <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2021/03/majete-wr-malawi-remarkable-recovery.html" target="_blank">this blog post.</a></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGVrxhIbCJu2-XP_IXGWczoZpl4fWKHJClStlMgVz4_srvuJY1u4ts5cfWDX5Hlkpo7i_6hyGFE8Syqqh6rOCLIwiA8vOBoUdeji34SPG4CkLba3-BtNRFzOvZq7tQIcFxVuMqqge9wlq0_mz3Qk9l-7CwYSfhanLLhkPsjT0BfRKl2B3tq87Ht5sIA/s2000/0J9A0323.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGVrxhIbCJu2-XP_IXGWczoZpl4fWKHJClStlMgVz4_srvuJY1u4ts5cfWDX5Hlkpo7i_6hyGFE8Syqqh6rOCLIwiA8vOBoUdeji34SPG4CkLba3-BtNRFzOvZq7tQIcFxVuMqqge9wlq0_mz3Qk9l-7CwYSfhanLLhkPsjT0BfRKl2B3tq87Ht5sIA/w400-h266/0J9A0323.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Majete is currently the only place for wild dogs in Malawi</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mulanje is
another place of interest to the south of Blantyre and home to the highest mountain in
the country with hiking trails and overnight huts for the keen climber. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSDK5zfQCaSvXIZBNJ8JjYPJBGFiTzwrpj2bv8xQnvBu_OrfN0-qJZWlsqu6EGpiDJ64eEe8tS5MKS-RR9TSvgU52da36C2gDRBO8oY0LgYNtWTgacwPqQiL2Z2c_aZALY-te4Z0RiuY11nbEgCW-0P36pk32h2CfRXuD635JaS9P5sYIVHAnZZGJmg/s2000/20220521_151637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSDK5zfQCaSvXIZBNJ8JjYPJBGFiTzwrpj2bv8xQnvBu_OrfN0-qJZWlsqu6EGpiDJ64eEe8tS5MKS-RR9TSvgU52da36C2gDRBO8oY0LgYNtWTgacwPqQiL2Z2c_aZALY-te4Z0RiuY11nbEgCW-0P36pk32h2CfRXuD635JaS9P5sYIVHAnZZGJmg/w400-h300/20220521_151637.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mount Mulanje watches over the tea fields</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
is also a border crossing to Mozambique past Mulanje but the highlight of the
area is the tea estates. Located 50 kms from Mulanje is Thyolo the epicenter
for tea activity with a notable colonial history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpv24An_4AeaRUFgg4GlhD6uHHO2LNpwZHXmyLxapLDyZlJSNlocVaEWXhL0CsD72Z5VN_nB71i7wRF2H45xSnsxBJko0WdzZizcD1zODiB243owsVoxbm6ds6VF_5kojBSuE34Cf4zoTiwWRWRBHuvCoYE5dQwWKGIt2Blr4lqI0PIksm5FzmVHDCg/w400-h300/20220521_110757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tea tasting session at Satemwa tea estate<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A factory visit for tea tasting is a must and
there are good accommodation options both on the Satemwa tea estate and around Mulanje.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkmm4D6BruuuqhBDl5DS5ooxgHtt8JxLbI_u7Goj8-M2YcasaGgJCllCYH-qIBe6--utjHeMbtqowRDq5Ygw2ynKBZEELkDXm14Ggn85W-V6JqmDxKKvWAbdgju9QwUQr4jSrtF0YY2bYE6smwYl4v7NM3ekD_nRZ-Nm62knNNwWV5lCjmrK0hQJ4fA/s2000/20220521_105713.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkmm4D6BruuuqhBDl5DS5ooxgHtt8JxLbI_u7Goj8-M2YcasaGgJCllCYH-qIBe6--utjHeMbtqowRDq5Ygw2ynKBZEELkDXm14Ggn85W-V6JqmDxKKvWAbdgju9QwUQr4jSrtF0YY2bYE6smwYl4v7NM3ekD_nRZ-Nm62knNNwWV5lCjmrK0hQJ4fA/w400-h300/20220521_105713.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span>Choices of flavors</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is a
direct road from Mulanje to Zomba, the old capital city well worth a stopover.
The town has some historical colonial buildings in decent shape and the
waterfall is worth a look. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKkbRmH3G_3y-Rkld37xeZTRegRzMNUW_-YgEAe_hjg07TkVzdB2vs8Qt13a3IiW6N1gc3iOCOwo1FH-Z5cCTfMhfPFQ509w424pIX_904g_WEvV3zoYEHbGKRpH0Crwkitkl3lKul1JemIqOA0zH0ryX5IE2Y6I2vkuiiBAKBhRfpqtPWhSAFdSYaw/s2000/IMG-20230226-WA0007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKkbRmH3G_3y-Rkld37xeZTRegRzMNUW_-YgEAe_hjg07TkVzdB2vs8Qt13a3IiW6N1gc3iOCOwo1FH-Z5cCTfMhfPFQ509w424pIX_904g_WEvV3zoYEHbGKRpH0Crwkitkl3lKul1JemIqOA0zH0ryX5IE2Y6I2vkuiiBAKBhRfpqtPWhSAFdSYaw/w400-h300/IMG-20230226-WA0007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zomba Plateau, Zomba - Liwonde road</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is an beautifully scenic drive up the mountain
to the Zomba Forest Lodge, although would be quite nerve-wracking in the rain. The lodge is a quaint converted bungalow which offers good accommodation and food.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SgwZeuwi98_PznT_gb1jlSmR0UMRwF7CwambkU2kif9P7yjwQJzB_Ym3LdlQeU2Mjw9u_3R7MvK26IXuS1JBX5cHevfjHSTfbMVcPnKu8TRCioUV-qNvzPyYJRjo1avhFpeOrzOD3q3u7x6vt5bJ4g7tLvk-oKc5qVaAZynvYUvrglpOJoE1BU5yPw/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0050.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SgwZeuwi98_PznT_gb1jlSmR0UMRwF7CwambkU2kif9P7yjwQJzB_Ym3LdlQeU2Mjw9u_3R7MvK26IXuS1JBX5cHevfjHSTfbMVcPnKu8TRCioUV-qNvzPyYJRjo1avhFpeOrzOD3q3u7x6vt5bJ4g7tLvk-oKc5qVaAZynvYUvrglpOJoE1BU5yPw/w400-h300/IMG-20230225-WA0050.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zomba plateau offers spectacular views</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Heading
north and next stop is Liwonde National Park, our favorite hangout in the dry
season. The park is located on the flood plan of the Shire River, which is the
outlet for Lake Malawi, connecting with the Zambezi River across the border.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp608bukP4vCvDF2ctRXMIuwaf7OaY5Jl979M271Iftj4lWcwRZEAMgBgbBvKlWwMKUIvA2e8N-DV5hLUdZrGUmN4j-__LL0PO431W3zId_BY2o2cuXCoRqCpY4B_Ab2i68QAC__IVUigWoWyilckNSMs8ch2tRPCIA5u3vscgNGMtSPE-K2hbYsOvw/s2000/0J9A1706.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp608bukP4vCvDF2ctRXMIuwaf7OaY5Jl979M271Iftj4lWcwRZEAMgBgbBvKlWwMKUIvA2e8N-DV5hLUdZrGUmN4j-__LL0PO431W3zId_BY2o2cuXCoRqCpY4B_Ab2i68QAC__IVUigWoWyilckNSMs8ch2tRPCIA5u3vscgNGMtSPE-K2hbYsOvw/w400-h266/0J9A1706.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Liwonde NP - big herds of everything</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Liwonde has good accommodation options but very limited camping, currently
restricted only to Liwonde Safari lodge about 10 minutes from the park gate. There is a campsite inside the park at
Mvuu lodge but the pricing is not in line with camping so we don't use it.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></o:p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMrF0eJ7iZFC-NPHdwLOfFJerGzH_XNHTuwN5IApYkhMwPwdfV6pXdnm8SwAbnqHNsSJIAeY0xuhh2xQ-2XuEWjv8OIqw_mL6MT7Sf-7YIlkUhlhtGiw4aWwbv1Njeb5hwD1glKqaXatubpX0CMKw9BlwZFdm3VQV2VK9xTF2kXTXXcbJTGn4ys8_SQ/s2000/20220528_154623.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMrF0eJ7iZFC-NPHdwLOfFJerGzH_XNHTuwN5IApYkhMwPwdfV6pXdnm8SwAbnqHNsSJIAeY0xuhh2xQ-2XuEWjv8OIqw_mL6MT7Sf-7YIlkUhlhtGiw4aWwbv1Njeb5hwD1glKqaXatubpX0CMKw9BlwZFdm3VQV2VK9xTF2kXTXXcbJTGn4ys8_SQ/w400-h300/20220528_154623.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Boat cruise on the Shire river is a must at Liwonde</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Liwonde has
some great game viewing and photographic opportunities in the dry months with
large herds of Elephants, Buffalo and probably the best place in Africa to see
large herds of Sable antelope. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPImz7HgFrPQtbPza3jNU3atsn0Qeab-svoNLqGgdyDMjfjWnvN3Uc0wxiCsSIPKpfP6MGPiKcCNKmWrKH82cBQsQ3cce9xsVHiPnFwIGrjpUfaNrOe17p8OlqSw-vrvtYJxON12hEMqAu-54JLsRBbhFWrJwekoLybwEfr11tFkf_E39M5dLLkBzVYw/s1600/0J9A1434.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPImz7HgFrPQtbPza3jNU3atsn0Qeab-svoNLqGgdyDMjfjWnvN3Uc0wxiCsSIPKpfP6MGPiKcCNKmWrKH82cBQsQ3cce9xsVHiPnFwIGrjpUfaNrOe17p8OlqSw-vrvtYJxON12hEMqAu-54JLsRBbhFWrJwekoLybwEfr11tFkf_E39M5dLLkBzVYw/w400-h266/0J9A1434.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Mother of 6 gave us a treat over a couple of years</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are good Lion and Cheetah numbers but
interestingly no Giraffe and very few Zebra. A cruise on the Shira River is a
must do and if you want to catch the African Skimmer colony and it’s best to go
with Mvuu lodge as the Skimmers are on the Mwalasi river mouth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTwBT29wiTkrIu8GCLc6iljE_Gc7CCPt4uwss15r4YfUvLzstSAesZy4qt9xJK8kg5_GziqqB1MQS4RwM0CDtz8V8niztp7Es81xdmf_0r2YACm7Co0-odOiBZd6t0SfjykIcgGa6kszQTf5LbN0Nc7ADWTK7tSJSIJtXcEuHHBFQF5DYFll_H9tZnw/s2000/0J9A0544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTwBT29wiTkrIu8GCLc6iljE_Gc7CCPt4uwss15r4YfUvLzstSAesZy4qt9xJK8kg5_GziqqB1MQS4RwM0CDtz8V8niztp7Es81xdmf_0r2YACm7Co0-odOiBZd6t0SfjykIcgGa6kszQTf5LbN0Nc7ADWTK7tSJSIJtXcEuHHBFQF5DYFll_H9tZnw/w400-h266/0J9A0544.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Rhino are a hard and lucky find</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are Rhinos
in the park but are shy and hard to find while the introduction of Wild Dogs in
2022 was successful with a litter but unfortunately the pack was wiped out due
to poisoning, the constant challenge of running wild life reserves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm2CLU_vhn3cSvau1qmNS_QlmNnSQeh7KP1iXBjAMmmRAEuONXoCyx4MNho9x8KCLOV1fQQSU5QhFuasqtzry8sZPUOdlecCYOn22JvdUAG_Kdod8aH8SIKBq9T2TNFBqQ2wbL_l9le_TfB_bCFKV45EaRp5OIGFXcObJoqK9ddvcD4RGgSIguhZhaQ/s2000/0J9A2352.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm2CLU_vhn3cSvau1qmNS_QlmNnSQeh7KP1iXBjAMmmRAEuONXoCyx4MNho9x8KCLOV1fQQSU5QhFuasqtzry8sZPUOdlecCYOn22JvdUAG_Kdod8aH8SIKBq9T2TNFBqQ2wbL_l9le_TfB_bCFKV45EaRp5OIGFXcObJoqK9ddvcD4RGgSIguhZhaQ/w400-h266/0J9A2352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chobe- the handsome male from the North</span></td></tr></tbody></table> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">In our time living in Malawi, we spent a lot of time in Liwonde NP and it never disappointed. It is well worth a visit and more detailed information can be found in our blog post about the park <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2020/11/liwonde-np-malawi-hidden-gem.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BHvueK83cnaHBC74ylhrbez8rv1Ja2iwj87kxbalSjoaWXhEHTc7wWRO2iGk8H4cfxMkvCPoIVh4htbsgUCC2slKHm86226YDGIqA5p2I4YvAURtKd8f8AJlznjNzpJ0XKTRORYQZeOlqRINq-ytzTBDJJe2JXrdx5xC0rWUi64DvKlnAiZyiWEwlw/s1600/0J9A1736.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BHvueK83cnaHBC74ylhrbez8rv1Ja2iwj87kxbalSjoaWXhEHTc7wWRO2iGk8H4cfxMkvCPoIVh4htbsgUCC2slKHm86226YDGIqA5p2I4YvAURtKd8f8AJlznjNzpJ0XKTRORYQZeOlqRINq-ytzTBDJJe2JXrdx5xC0rWUi64DvKlnAiZyiWEwlw/w400-h266/0J9A1736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Large herds of sable antelope can be seen in the dry season</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next stop up
the road north is Mangochi, arguably the most popular destination for beach
holidays, music festivals and partying in Malawi which is also the reason we
have kept away! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoAE2IB9sl44gUzjzvq6WfT9t3VRtOjS-o3spUr5rYB7BVE9obsJCKnyfePmAi6335lvXS3QNo19UO3M25Bt3-_OmjLWx7FNkdUJiI30Vql97gZzw7H9BB8CgE7EJkAfL-uwS6TRyJ9KdaDHnMYyUga4Rp9M4KAEIfjMVDRxZg6i9iWaYHpX905xr6A/s2000/IMG-20230226-WA0005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoAE2IB9sl44gUzjzvq6WfT9t3VRtOjS-o3spUr5rYB7BVE9obsJCKnyfePmAi6335lvXS3QNo19UO3M25Bt3-_OmjLWx7FNkdUJiI30Vql97gZzw7H9BB8CgE7EJkAfL-uwS6TRyJ9KdaDHnMYyUga4Rp9M4KAEIfjMVDRxZg6i9iWaYHpX905xr6A/w400-h300/IMG-20230226-WA0005.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Roadside clothes shopping</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are large hotels with white sands and Lake access and a
variety of smaller lodges and private bungalows with lake access. Camping is
limited and restricted to Kingfisher Inn in Mangochi and Normal Carr Cottages, which is
further up the road towards Monkey Bay. Kingfisher has good facilities with
camping on the beach with grassed lawns and spectacular mountain views across
the water.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7dD-fIzi5R-ZolDyXEFKssoxr7L4imOOUAS6xvvtopMpxn8SnYyxL_RvIOdqTsSKE5KESDs4HB9KzhMnnVZb4eseENsTzXTKKApi9MIIJbxdzW9LKNrrOgCZZU-zE6wKw1vXKxI03838LG3wDdvCbYY9-xj8l2AxjXKNXL5vnJFE5nFHmxhw--S7iA/s2000/20220525_170716.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7dD-fIzi5R-ZolDyXEFKssoxr7L4imOOUAS6xvvtopMpxn8SnYyxL_RvIOdqTsSKE5KESDs4HB9KzhMnnVZb4eseENsTzXTKKApi9MIIJbxdzW9LKNrrOgCZZU-zE6wKw1vXKxI03838LG3wDdvCbYY9-xj8l2AxjXKNXL5vnJFE5nFHmxhw--S7iA/s320/20220525_170716.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sunset cruise from Normal Carr</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Normal Carr
is an owner managed lodge with great beach access and most importantly, a boat
service for highly recommended sunset cruises and snorkeling for cichlids. What’s more the owner Taffy is a great
guy to hang with and they have another lodge, the only lodge on the Eastern
side of the Lake that we unfortunately never got to. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUQYgVr6YpuOYSbkz7fObaOWKE-XoDJWzksMjr2F0eFXF_QYh2_D8pWYUC5ymdfsYtTUAiWgzJLNtXpBWV0ceb9e-jzRDpncV5rvBShrqzeLFL3DwbjR_BNdCtLHOg1VTxddLzmDwHd3SLeWVhmxJNvxeOep-gYwibFE8HoOBRfQTBPTikuLVKkmadQ/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUQYgVr6YpuOYSbkz7fObaOWKE-XoDJWzksMjr2F0eFXF_QYh2_D8pWYUC5ymdfsYtTUAiWgzJLNtXpBWV0ceb9e-jzRDpncV5rvBShrqzeLFL3DwbjR_BNdCtLHOg1VTxddLzmDwHd3SLeWVhmxJNvxeOep-gYwibFE8HoOBRfQTBPTikuLVKkmadQ/w400-h300/IMG-20230225-WA0051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The jetty at Normal Carr<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is a road via Mangochi to the Lodge
on the Eastern side but check local conditions before venturing through. The camp site
is grassed with good shade and there is a great jetty for sundowners. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mRskux8JjoBbXLSwBxRMC8UeYcI2ofreWCgYEtswBnhxxgAEwnK1k7gvaDTMJfFq1yj0A0e_g2rfCEAh3xN1XViSzsv5WPvuHEbHWPxPE7qhxkA0-xeXVWr87tXOz5fEJ8y3HmRWLfawvM8VR00gTn6ygmHZGycc40ZzHyb6zOnJ036bWEWAVE7_qw/s2000/IMG-20230226-WA0019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mRskux8JjoBbXLSwBxRMC8UeYcI2ofreWCgYEtswBnhxxgAEwnK1k7gvaDTMJfFq1yj0A0e_g2rfCEAh3xN1XViSzsv5WPvuHEbHWPxPE7qhxkA0-xeXVWr87tXOz5fEJ8y3HmRWLfawvM8VR00gTn6ygmHZGycc40ZzHyb6zOnJ036bWEWAVE7_qw/w400-h300/IMG-20230226-WA0019.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Something special about sundowners and sunsets on the lake</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Monkey bay
is the next stop North with Chembe Eagles Nest at Cape Maclear the only
facility offering decent camping. Monkey Bay itself is a harbor town which we
actually never visited. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUQThEUf1WRRcJQiYlLThqzOKgcSMESvPP4ufCxVhvL3nGFgsgNI6zNsrKm4Djbcn2xK0y1mY67GgOyjZy4-UPQUMaoYswHHP9-hdyg1igZmOrgrk9HaRhIs6BDBa2kF3HT9eFm3cVfY10K7qAKRjkx2oSG9Q9L9luKSAyCyZgpo6XphGli8Z8TpWlA/s2000/20220526_082528.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUQThEUf1WRRcJQiYlLThqzOKgcSMESvPP4ufCxVhvL3nGFgsgNI6zNsrKm4Djbcn2xK0y1mY67GgOyjZy4-UPQUMaoYswHHP9-hdyg1igZmOrgrk9HaRhIs6BDBa2kF3HT9eFm3cVfY10K7qAKRjkx2oSG9Q9L9luKSAyCyZgpo6XphGli8Z8TpWlA/w300-h400/20220526_082528.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chambo - the fish of choice from Lake Malawi</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cape Maclear is a decent stop but dominated by a
village around the lodge. The campsite is pleasant if you can get the site at
the lower level as it’s away from the village path next to the perimeter fence
next to the sites at the upper level. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkpQlCEKzJb6H3kbQZNiRcQXr0FiW4jwtg1y09PqfAmlfjsE9jPopCauiKULPjIILPnjXYDwsWLXttkYTqJIsUJ90TGrR97XXtZpGfmp7xEStwQEy4P8c8eJOlRiS4l7bvuMRGv9JPBNHF_C2c3GvDzWZaVWQ2lRqsazPeGXqKNmFjYRWtsM9mw5TpA/s2000/20220525_115415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkpQlCEKzJb6H3kbQZNiRcQXr0FiW4jwtg1y09PqfAmlfjsE9jPopCauiKULPjIILPnjXYDwsWLXttkYTqJIsUJ90TGrR97XXtZpGfmp7xEStwQEy4P8c8eJOlRiS4l7bvuMRGv9JPBNHF_C2c3GvDzWZaVWQ2lRqsazPeGXqKNmFjYRWtsM9mw5TpA/w400-h300/20220525_115415.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Mountains, Lake, Pool and Sun!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Salima would
be the next stop up the Lake and it is the Mangochi equivalent from Lilongwe being only an hour and half away. Large
hotels and lodges with good beach access and a reason we haven’t flocked there
with everyone else! Senga Bay is the main the destination with two large hotels and a decent camp ground at Livingstonia Hotel but be aware of the weekends when the camp site can turn in to a party ground. A much quieter option is the Wheelhouse Marina with a shaded campsite on grass lawns and Lake views at Kambiri bay. There are a host of other accommodation options between the two bays. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgUK5MixQUOp3DILwdKEJmzeNzMzNpN7NfnPZrNAkgWAKtzl9HT3jGKKVsGNJWz6JPctsNPuCG4vfNU4fxxlvDoH-F3MdNsP0DlqphB3bnk41lVRAkF3IDaHTh4JXcTNgXCAAK8XnuzKBV0T2vCkevLXzIkVGRr60QfX1xOUqafmKhBPJ_zGzcOz4Cw/s2000/20220525_095418.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgUK5MixQUOp3DILwdKEJmzeNzMzNpN7NfnPZrNAkgWAKtzl9HT3jGKKVsGNJWz6JPctsNPuCG4vfNU4fxxlvDoH-F3MdNsP0DlqphB3bnk41lVRAkF3IDaHTh4JXcTNgXCAAK8XnuzKBV0T2vCkevLXzIkVGRr60QfX1xOUqafmKhBPJ_zGzcOz4Cw/w400-h300/20220525_095418.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lake time</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">North of Salima are the key Lakeside towns of Nkhotakota,
Nkhata Bay, Karonga and others which we cannot really talk about as we never got
to exploring up the Lake. From the research we have done, there is ample
accommodation for all budgets up and down the Lake but with limited camping options.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KQQmf3jNxNdM81oEyo1HQBG799LWMEGJ9aZOc13K0NCU90A23YGMyROfb8yqCKCsDBLfuFLEanTiQJUZ8sLWwxYBRD1TZDgxTt_a-YAeVMr_OhWGCFj2r6yod-8_v4y39y_xBDjwB0CalXFUbTXBj9O1sdR7ajnGhM2aht9t-jwTYOzujSVgOzH5aA/s2000/20220616_091339.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KQQmf3jNxNdM81oEyo1HQBG799LWMEGJ9aZOc13K0NCU90A23YGMyROfb8yqCKCsDBLfuFLEanTiQJUZ8sLWwxYBRD1TZDgxTt_a-YAeVMr_OhWGCFj2r6yod-8_v4y39y_xBDjwB0CalXFUbTXBj9O1sdR7ajnGhM2aht9t-jwTYOzujSVgOzH5aA/w400-h300/20220616_091339.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span>CRB lodge, Nkhata bay</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have gone
up the M1 road from Blantyre to Mzuzu via Lilongwe. This is also the main
artery of the country and hence the busiest. The drive from Blantyre to
Lilongwe to Mzuzu is largely uninteresting with large pine plantations towards the northern part of the drive. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zlr_VkZXqXL2JIgwGo-49_5tz82zNAh2lCyfRsUIge6NjFNe5D0zfKXX74MrHPk3BT4JVSPnIXdBW5cn8zQcVcyTjo5Q84YW0cW4vPb4RwlXKai05jMDBnvBJ-bf8w_wjFxz1dirRZ-q4dEdM4IqHzmZNjOuls9_ePAj4psvSwQzY98jIWEy0U358g/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0073.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zlr_VkZXqXL2JIgwGo-49_5tz82zNAh2lCyfRsUIge6NjFNe5D0zfKXX74MrHPk3BT4JVSPnIXdBW5cn8zQcVcyTjo5Q84YW0cW4vPb4RwlXKai05jMDBnvBJ-bf8w_wjFxz1dirRZ-q4dEdM4IqHzmZNjOuls9_ePAj4psvSwQzY98jIWEy0U358g/w400-h300/IMG-20230225-WA0073.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Luwawa Forest lLodge is worth a stopover<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2022 the road was in decent
conditions except the part from Lilongwe to Kasungu which was in a poor state.
We also understand the road from Karonga to the Tanzania border is in need to
attention. A place worth checking out between Lilongwe and Mzuzu is Luwawa Forest Lodge located close to Mzimba offering a variety of accommodation
including camping. Also worth a check between Lilongwe and Blantye is Dedza Pottery, which offers rooms and basic camping.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisZB_x3sRxCZ09-MjDTjsPaExDUQybMvB5Yh72qDlAnNPZaCjMVExmbhpY93oUGnyfeAVBfbrkdCujkw8hy5Ff1e1t77AONGXRtPprbT4uRgnV4MR6ZACKgqkDaj25trWWiv0QH3KLqSvYqqP1Fv4uDpv-vdAg3ZCe7nCnKMj2g6C3ia-7JvHGFQ3rQ/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0066.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisZB_x3sRxCZ09-MjDTjsPaExDUQybMvB5Yh72qDlAnNPZaCjMVExmbhpY93oUGnyfeAVBfbrkdCujkw8hy5Ff1e1t77AONGXRtPprbT4uRgnV4MR6ZACKgqkDaj25trWWiv0QH3KLqSvYqqP1Fv4uDpv-vdAg3ZCe7nCnKMj2g6C3ia-7JvHGFQ3rQ/w400-h225/IMG-20230225-WA0066.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Lilongwe - Kasungu section requires work</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are
two other parks in the central region, namely Kasungu and Nkhotokota, both
recently rehabilitated for tourism. While Malawi featured all the big game
associated with Africa, almost all of it was the subject of terrible and
unchecked poaching that has haunted the rest of the continent. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malawi has
plenty of game parks and reserves available to wildlife and thankfully left in
the hands of experts such as AfricanParks to manage. The wildlife at both
Kasungu and Nkhotakota is sparse and unsettled and hence the reason we have not
explored either park.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YQGecR9ZfwnbYAzyM65mx1xnWJLIi-ghOY0nLndCzU7KZ5OQkXHDKeSAJ723QRhAPQBH2-Wg_KselQ7aQye3C3NTQUBM0RkPSbxx2bqihwCmleu_hx-p9OuiVa9hoe2qssSA6AXGmenT8tthpAYJPpU2Ty2ybv0vMrH8D-E-qXXq8wYWF11G8r4zQQ/s2000/IMG-20230225-WA0074.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YQGecR9ZfwnbYAzyM65mx1xnWJLIi-ghOY0nLndCzU7KZ5OQkXHDKeSAJ723QRhAPQBH2-Wg_KselQ7aQye3C3NTQUBM0RkPSbxx2bqihwCmleu_hx-p9OuiVa9hoe2qssSA6AXGmenT8tthpAYJPpU2Ty2ybv0vMrH8D-E-qXXq8wYWF11G8r4zQQ/w400-h300/IMG-20230225-WA0074.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Elephant rock, between Lilongwe and Mzuzu</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Northern
town of Mzuzu is set up on hills surrounded by forests both cultivated and
indigenous. The town is well serviced including a Shoprite and accommodation
options and the gateway to the Northern sector of the Country. It takes an hour
to reach the Lake from Mzuzu and the popular town is Nkhata Bay, a fishing
village also hosting some accommodation options. The road from Mzuzu heads
north to Karonga and towards Tanzania which we never got to drive.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5PTn87CM_D_SE64X_kVwsreAiL0qu21_VsGZGKh5qJwW7wCkD6jYv_GzHRSUlspwvK9wfEgoxChUdmGVopy8MZCL9VaaaM09aM1YdyeRfj0B1Gpo62pLTTnYbbXEcu0Z8VbM251FTdntv4mH7MuXxfr5oxElqBclgU0o4GXGIbodXykwtA5531EfUA/s2000/20220616_092000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5PTn87CM_D_SE64X_kVwsreAiL0qu21_VsGZGKh5qJwW7wCkD6jYv_GzHRSUlspwvK9wfEgoxChUdmGVopy8MZCL9VaaaM09aM1YdyeRfj0B1Gpo62pLTTnYbbXEcu0Z8VbM251FTdntv4mH7MuXxfr5oxElqBclgU0o4GXGIbodXykwtA5531EfUA/w400-h300/20220616_092000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Beautiful views all along the lake</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nyika
National Park is a touch 6 hour drive from Mzuzu through the small town of
Rumphi with very little or no facilities and where the tarmac ends. Vwaza Marsh
is also in this general area but with very limited facilities and unknown road
conditions, we were not brave enough to check it out, although reports of leopard may have got us interested for a future trip. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWICisi7mIvyycgnssRC5UIF22_xMzZmu8oVkSgfP_XHKdrlQCItg2cNBSiurTfE8RCB-y9XbimVv96qLicFJgVIw00zSadzwIA8lbF3pIjtWHiOmUE5eCl4gkZ-AfCaP0aEGO3rzWCk09kXNtT_JsztCaCrj4Bm3wrow6iZwyZC1Nj1tzHyMJBLRLQ/s2000/0J9A9549.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWICisi7mIvyycgnssRC5UIF22_xMzZmu8oVkSgfP_XHKdrlQCItg2cNBSiurTfE8RCB-y9XbimVv96qLicFJgVIw00zSadzwIA8lbF3pIjtWHiOmUE5eCl4gkZ-AfCaP0aEGO3rzWCk09kXNtT_JsztCaCrj4Bm3wrow6iZwyZC1Nj1tzHyMJBLRLQ/w400-h266/0J9A9549.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The rolling hills of Nyika NP</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nyika is a must visit and
requires a basic 4x4 to reach. The only accommodation in the park including a
campsite and an up market lodge is located at Chelinda, an old logging camp
with a colonial history. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5njSFOzwduD5byMEri0xraQSOAnWU4LJJ_fSZOV7hJsroZK-bz69BKbcwRfTMYw8h6Wzd1FMRqGr_fq5zOy_uKzDxBMA2IIGWhpcPSlcHFirOfo-E4PJYa2ubk4KtJazW5ygOIR6DtdsPU36uDFGlASFd3_vRN8_2YpKKNe_TCzgvX7t7kr4klkiYg/s2000/0J9A9728.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5njSFOzwduD5byMEri0xraQSOAnWU4LJJ_fSZOV7hJsroZK-bz69BKbcwRfTMYw8h6Wzd1FMRqGr_fq5zOy_uKzDxBMA2IIGWhpcPSlcHFirOfo-E4PJYa2ubk4KtJazW5ygOIR6DtdsPU36uDFGlASFd3_vRN8_2YpKKNe_TCzgvX7t7kr4klkiYg/w400-h266/0J9A9728.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The elusive roan is common in Nyika</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nyika is home to large herds of roan antelope with
claims of the best place in Malawi to see leopard. There is a spotted hyena den
close to the Chelinda Camp and reports of roaming lions from Zambia. There is a
herd of 100 elephants who are restricted behind a huge fenced off area with
unconfirmed reports of a relocation that was not as successful as hoped. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVUzzZbOhX0mKNyPfSzn4bEJpq1iMzqJlB3KAsYFERuleaDrjwvcSu88tnNrSQzfabtMhNYEXhvPfmAzoF7anPf-TJ1EUMRmORMXd4K3xofDuWbru-gdYxU044a268-6o3o6DmIoR_ecXFyT9lZKELNIK3Bw9k6i9yatBr_SO3QN6fN8swJadYabM8w/s2000/0J9A9680.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVUzzZbOhX0mKNyPfSzn4bEJpq1iMzqJlB3KAsYFERuleaDrjwvcSu88tnNrSQzfabtMhNYEXhvPfmAzoF7anPf-TJ1EUMRmORMXd4K3xofDuWbru-gdYxU044a268-6o3o6DmIoR_ecXFyT9lZKELNIK3Bw9k6i9yatBr_SO3QN6fN8swJadYabM8w/w400-h266/0J9A9680.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Eland are common and chilled</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The short grass
plains located at high altitude is nothing short of spectacular and a must
visit in Malawi. There are reports of the Bar Tailed Trogon sightings in Nyika
but we couldn’t find it. Check out our trip report on Nyika in more detail <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/06/nyika-np-malawi-where-water-comes-from.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></o:p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We arrived
in Malawi not knowing or expecting much from what has been a real gem of a
destination. We leave Malawi reluctantly in the hope that we will be back one
day. With two great national parks stocked with healthy game within two hours
of our doorstep and Lake Malawi a further hour away, Malawi has captured our
imagination and will be on the radar going forward.</span></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Malawi-13.254308 34.301525-41.564541836178847 -0.854725000000002 15.055925836178846 69.457775tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-28112194269989029442022-09-17T15:55:00.005+03:002022-12-07T13:13:52.420+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 7<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5358a6cMaXlRVcDwZS-DUUGzSi8hT24RTP-AXhaZdQO3pOpno60BjhbnUtGGZipZjhTpAMrSc4dkDssExAuo6zEc259Y5PheCV6Ch_ZJyq91OCSB59JiJ788GvzChV4uvlwWz2uLpZcP_CqkeLNXLz5LYPd9VI-z4XOtjZEaGNnTDykclBFgIaFUdQ/s1600/0J9A3863.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5358a6cMaXlRVcDwZS-DUUGzSi8hT24RTP-AXhaZdQO3pOpno60BjhbnUtGGZipZjhTpAMrSc4dkDssExAuo6zEc259Y5PheCV6Ch_ZJyq91OCSB59JiJ788GvzChV4uvlwWz2uLpZcP_CqkeLNXLz5LYPd9VI-z4XOtjZEaGNnTDykclBFgIaFUdQ/w400-h266/0J9A3863.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Elephant family at the hide </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We didn’t need to get up at 5am to do a game drive, but habits die hard and we were up not long after that to catch the sunrise. Our plan was only to get across the border, not all the way home to Blantyre so were weren’t in a hurry to get going.</span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMvpePRkT_fsUJ9pVq4OFWnzNfw1KCIiGK3P6ArFafDog7r38GXXxm3i9GtZM6wP9-rtgJQKHUkx8tOnTPz4upH0qiN50l6puc7NKJRLzlvjQBknyJ12aeNf2bAD1E6SZPwUhBuQyPSxi2C_9oEGHKes1PFPJRz2IU1UC-otFjnj9UMZ6HNTn0KHthA/s1600/0J9A3643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMvpePRkT_fsUJ9pVq4OFWnzNfw1KCIiGK3P6ArFafDog7r38GXXxm3i9GtZM6wP9-rtgJQKHUkx8tOnTPz4upH0qiN50l6puc7NKJRLzlvjQBknyJ12aeNf2bAD1E6SZPwUhBuQyPSxi2C_9oEGHKes1PFPJRz2IU1UC-otFjnj9UMZ6HNTn0KHthA/w400-h266/0J9A3643.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Saddle-billed stork</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It also gave us an opportunity to spend time at the hide, which has a underground part, allowing some nice low angle shots. First thing in the morning only had some birds fishing, but did include a hunting saddle-billed stork so it paid off.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidszxQWWHXeuJPPZ4YdtEuE8r8BwCquq5EGeMkCYkPvODjKEC7UptGDokojuFNrgpwnB2nr4X8syF00RoPLg4tFA0g3xIqqIqMVm-PZZgqqpYPXn3IY07-B3IjixPH9C6TfeqJbZ4MQ8ZhR7-upWhh-vJ_T1DBaRJ2WfH44v4k1wGWGv1M6HB3_zHL-A/s1600/0J9A3651.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidszxQWWHXeuJPPZ4YdtEuE8r8BwCquq5EGeMkCYkPvODjKEC7UptGDokojuFNrgpwnB2nr4X8syF00RoPLg4tFA0g3xIqqIqMVm-PZZgqqpYPXn3IY07-B3IjixPH9C6TfeqJbZ4MQ8ZhR7-upWhh-vJ_T1DBaRJ2WfH44v4k1wGWGv1M6HB3_zHL-A/w400-h266/0J9A3651.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Grey heron fishing</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were also entertained by the resident baboon troupe, who are obviously very used to people and were hanging around our campsite looking for food. Our food was packed away but they wandered around our site in hope, giving us some nice opportunities for photos.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qV1Ls8w7iW3UoyThkS2tIdc2I3O-MHd5orZJRGMwTSig5sZzApNSDhQdFDkVyoTTxZHsy_Eg8fhMUVWYnA0sw6WursqmRXRAuU2qR7OCej0q8yK8g8JG2tULBpzA2Hw7jg8RA3f9gvgtPz3YvT5Doo5kLpHYmZm2Ad5xEw95zzt0MtAINugQyJFUkg/s1600/0J9A3731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qV1Ls8w7iW3UoyThkS2tIdc2I3O-MHd5orZJRGMwTSig5sZzApNSDhQdFDkVyoTTxZHsy_Eg8fhMUVWYnA0sw6WursqmRXRAuU2qR7OCej0q8yK8g8JG2tULBpzA2Hw7jg8RA3f9gvgtPz3YvT5Doo5kLpHYmZm2Ad5xEw95zzt0MtAINugQyJFUkg/w400-h266/0J9A3731.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Baboon just chilling first thing in the morning</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then we were treated to a final gift from South Luangwa – a small herd of elephants arrived on the plain and we were able to spend a bit of time photographing them from the campsite bar. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2Wzve4IVvPVt0LBTRSYlOX_seTdeF3NCH9bCA6yWo6tLqD8oSjjTrz6mjxb0HdY5h28FHT75GBdA_QTH3UL0KouMANZieFjxVhAjPAQFVBGA3SSWQdkjhLWp9TSxAhtFq1CvHXP5ZFDGzjjA-s-USmA_fBjR8TtQmZyVd-lamQWWLiX1W8DiaEgOWw/s1600/0J9A3757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2Wzve4IVvPVt0LBTRSYlOX_seTdeF3NCH9bCA6yWo6tLqD8oSjjTrz6mjxb0HdY5h28FHT75GBdA_QTH3UL0KouMANZieFjxVhAjPAQFVBGA3SSWQdkjhLWp9TSxAhtFq1CvHXP5ZFDGzjjA-s-USmA_fBjR8TtQmZyVd-lamQWWLiX1W8DiaEgOWw/w400-h266/0J9A3757.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Mom and baby</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then they surprised us all by walking straight through the campground, past our campsite and to the hide for a morning drink. Dru quickly headed to the hide and got some lovely shots in morning light of them drinking from the waterhole – a fitting final scene.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdHAxaR7IanCd65nFVqPDe0MfDGZ_oPv3_wFBGFeQ_IyarvnYw1Yl7lZMpmnvXpTslR7HTh8XVkaEP4BUbYGNX7XK-LE1ZAbjcWjX8J0GZsAh8BH1Dl32tlIyAbFOhpJFinYv4oPaENCOA3ue1kPqETJutwDKXRviaOAkZpCwv9Cyced6cQ7JsTcLmA/s1600/0J9A3774.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdHAxaR7IanCd65nFVqPDe0MfDGZ_oPv3_wFBGFeQ_IyarvnYw1Yl7lZMpmnvXpTslR7HTh8XVkaEP4BUbYGNX7XK-LE1ZAbjcWjX8J0GZsAh8BH1Dl32tlIyAbFOhpJFinYv4oPaENCOA3ue1kPqETJutwDKXRviaOAkZpCwv9Cyced6cQ7JsTcLmA/w400-h266/0J9A3774.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Elephants from the bar!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After packing up and paying our bill, we were on our way to the border filling up in Chipata on the way as we knew Malawi was having a fuel shortage. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ65qfizYYelZEsOLh-w2aiEdEpLFhaJ5ALTWqEHU0Ws0-r8yAYxSL8v8nMnw5KV4QjzlzeFFEHRQnvPhPM0OK8tMiYNG2dnpILcpvj-7Y6MQMJf29vzcbOntvzIO4K-7g4bOSATM45wocCj8fUANDTLi5qFs_lAeU9q_AIB6OPNQVy8YTNZ0Aj4isOA/w400-h266/0J9A3801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">They walked straight through camp past our car on the way to the waterhole<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just as well, as Lilongwe didn’t have any fuel except for a few filling stations that had hours long queues, but we were able to make it back home without needing to fill up at all (and then were able to get diesel as soon as we got into Blantyre – a real bonus for us).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQQV1IwHPsJJMeuMDRLl14frn3fZGbRajTEoyl6JmQx54MIifBqNjdsfo7kxCC1l-aIbt9orhpT7kdkaORBE8tW-5OMSbb0XaezpfvJxnMiiRKcLoIla4eTtGuHJpMIBd4KXMS4V_FHqkC5mh6QTvhe24cHbtAdEe4Ud9miy6UBUOCcj7UiYOjXCRTw/s1600/0J9A3665.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQQV1IwHPsJJMeuMDRLl14frn3fZGbRajTEoyl6JmQx54MIifBqNjdsfo7kxCC1l-aIbt9orhpT7kdkaORBE8tW-5OMSbb0XaezpfvJxnMiiRKcLoIla4eTtGuHJpMIBd4KXMS4V_FHqkC5mh6QTvhe24cHbtAdEe4Ud9miy6UBUOCcj7UiYOjXCRTw/w400-h266/0J9A3665.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Awesome sighting from the hide</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another successful trip to South Luangwa and we were already planning our next trip even as we were going through the photos of this one!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEB2ZV526YdcRTEcUOHqCG_xDgdCCErjWD6pe3G2GYAzVIZLKNKRBHmo4yMy4oex6Euy21FeRvJfxl5Wsc0ADfumCYIYAFwHy339ovaRJ0vxvmk8fEoiDTTwmkiCc3ISc6g84o8i_q9CS9raTFovXA5vBmxIwbU70tiO3-2lLUNbcd_jvj_8Zd2RCaA/s1600/0J9A3700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEB2ZV526YdcRTEcUOHqCG_xDgdCCErjWD6pe3G2GYAzVIZLKNKRBHmo4yMy4oex6Euy21FeRvJfxl5Wsc0ADfumCYIYAFwHy339ovaRJ0vxvmk8fEoiDTTwmkiCc3ISc6g84o8i_q9CS9raTFovXA5vBmxIwbU70tiO3-2lLUNbcd_jvj_8Zd2RCaA/w400-h266/0J9A3700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" target="_blank">Intro</a> <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> << </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span>Day 7</span></a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-71697792773712148122022-09-16T14:08:00.003+03:002022-12-07T13:12:53.247+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 6<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlKdAsB-ZyAGxhRso0avZ5D8lFQ-H5Q6087yPI40ZRAqRtXSihjqS2s0jFB54e-PUazAaB5lLhejAYFHi8YknfyXdDSdNRJaGlB6y-o7NsEfLAbg9AjLXR_6_vjFYugOIajhgNBMP9qhatqZuAa65Q4fxdYgrbGFFvXJ6v2raZN3t0ekVKgA5kIWSRA/s4863/034A0869.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3241" data-original-width="4863" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlKdAsB-ZyAGxhRso0avZ5D8lFQ-H5Q6087yPI40ZRAqRtXSihjqS2s0jFB54e-PUazAaB5lLhejAYFHi8YknfyXdDSdNRJaGlB6y-o7NsEfLAbg9AjLXR_6_vjFYugOIajhgNBMP9qhatqZuAa65Q4fxdYgrbGFFvXJ6v2raZN3t0ekVKgA5kIWSRA/w400-h266/034A0869.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The magnificent African crowned eagle</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our last day in South Luangwa and as usual we were up and at
the gate just before 6am. Nothing of
significance wandered into our path and soon we were headed to the Mfuwe lodge
area where surprise, surprise the lions hadn’t moved more than 20 meters from
where we’d seen those full lionesses the previous evening. Except that the males and the lionesses that
we’d seen the previous day had joined up with the 2 females and now the pride
was 8 strong.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmklnJhMZW7qN7IxibclGFuA83oaWV472poesq5YG-U3-aFPmNeni4VCi0jh8ZIsVXbHHA78zD5jNvEkaC3xVZ3LPDQh1rMwYqKCAvRxqettusRGap8-8PcRCTQi-NLF6bCWasskHT1SeL85h6p25hu2YE0u4zBVMOgAigvfbuVjKPDHHkZ2KYgNjP3A/s1600/0J9A3223.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmklnJhMZW7qN7IxibclGFuA83oaWV472poesq5YG-U3-aFPmNeni4VCi0jh8ZIsVXbHHA78zD5jNvEkaC3xVZ3LPDQh1rMwYqKCAvRxqettusRGap8-8PcRCTQi-NLF6bCWasskHT1SeL85h6p25hu2YE0u4zBVMOgAigvfbuVjKPDHHkZ2KYgNjP3A/w400-h266/0J9A3223.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Southern carmine bee-eater</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had arrived a bit late after having detoured towards the
south so by the time we got there they were already starting to settle for the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately we had to leave soon
after finding them as one of us needed an emergency toilet break 😉
So we headed off down an unused path to remedy the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there, we heard monkeys alarm calling
and although we were hopeful for a leopard it turned out something we’ve only
seen once before – an African crowned eagle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGpmcNt0atwFPdryWk_4hrdTh4VINSUNhiulSFX-cBhpl6AAijLOxQA48OU9HU1-B62fMjvlPov5uV5S2ia0XWXi9C4NYKFhlk5TaadG2opaR7RoBjdUUkp2it793gq0JvcX_gz3eJTHmsaIrsUZRkKN3o1xWbIjE8mjSQsmTXpCQBc8CzAi2KjqH0Q/s4572/034A0851.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3048" data-original-width="4572" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGpmcNt0atwFPdryWk_4hrdTh4VINSUNhiulSFX-cBhpl6AAijLOxQA48OU9HU1-B62fMjvlPov5uV5S2ia0XWXi9C4NYKFhlk5TaadG2opaR7RoBjdUUkp2it793gq0JvcX_gz3eJTHmsaIrsUZRkKN3o1xWbIjE8mjSQsmTXpCQBc8CzAi2KjqH0Q/w400-h266/034A0851.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The lions hadn't moved far overnight</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ironically despite searching for one we’d never seen this charismatic
bird of prey in all the time we’d been in the bush until about 2 weeks ago when
we’d finally spotted a nesting pair in Liwonde NP. And now suddenly we’d seen
another one soon after and this was a much better sighting so we were able to
get a few shots of him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGfUS2IW0HI-Bv-Qw-Vf_3XW4HzVN_IdBL7FGs9mp_gmzKVAmXoOX9ZVvMnT0FRVajn8qL1FMtw2bKg-FgyYjEeye9wJkYRU-K1_aqtCMng5Kk2C3aF3akIqf7J76So5uvHrPA0Ic7tRN0lfSY9Hjrdhn4jTh8RzU1FS3QFDEktYOT-trVRMB1VC0MA/s1600/0J9A3234.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGfUS2IW0HI-Bv-Qw-Vf_3XW4HzVN_IdBL7FGs9mp_gmzKVAmXoOX9ZVvMnT0FRVajn8qL1FMtw2bKg-FgyYjEeye9wJkYRU-K1_aqtCMng5Kk2C3aF3akIqf7J76So5uvHrPA0Ic7tRN0lfSY9Hjrdhn4jTh8RzU1FS3QFDEktYOT-trVRMB1VC0MA/w400-h266/0J9A3234.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Only our second ever sighting of this bird of prey</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Knowing the lions were settling down for the day, we decided
to investigate the northern part of the park with the idea of going back to the
lions a bit later.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We came across an
alert hyena but couldn’t see why he may be some watchful.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We also came across a “live kill” – a great
egret had managed to get breakfast in the form of a frog which he gulped down
quickly.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuNPbE4DX2QNIr4nnb5vMIMDC_QOBjqQdAutWkiN8z_ft2DZcA3b0RzP5cMBb7szYyGR3q4cMIZ6ijpzpqfPXAe-HgBcpotF2TO1umARtj7QKFbnAdlHLlKUATfkpKK-4h6Oh3fVhoDo0KdgIHDsYjsrqkdk1KJKRrFftUmirV_hjNk90rBU9XFr_XA/s1600/0J9A3239.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuNPbE4DX2QNIr4nnb5vMIMDC_QOBjqQdAutWkiN8z_ft2DZcA3b0RzP5cMBb7szYyGR3q4cMIZ6ijpzpqfPXAe-HgBcpotF2TO1umARtj7QKFbnAdlHLlKUATfkpKK-4h6Oh3fVhoDo0KdgIHDsYjsrqkdk1KJKRrFftUmirV_hjNk90rBU9XFr_XA/w400-h266/0J9A3239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Alert hyena</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We found some carmine bee eaters on the banks of the river
but were unsuccessful in managing to shoot them in flight and then found a nice
scene – a couple of giraffes were crossing the Luangwa river from the game
management area back into the national park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was quite an unusual sighting so we were glad to capture them in good
light as well as some statuesque grey-crowned cranes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrBeLKCOv9G4A_A01R-UJea0F_erGC2MFNmvj0T0zMKiFBgNgflTyEM44aeesHr0uTRp3L7c4lCSiCfJH8W08Px5e_8drvjJxzkOBMQG8G4Bf01-e7Kwn7KvFz597resfscMeYuKHDbJfhJRp7gO4kx0Kt6am93JQgZLUKVhHbL1yq1Y0GPiCxF3HUg/s1600/0J9A3347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrBeLKCOv9G4A_A01R-UJea0F_erGC2MFNmvj0T0zMKiFBgNgflTyEM44aeesHr0uTRp3L7c4lCSiCfJH8W08Px5e_8drvjJxzkOBMQG8G4Bf01-e7Kwn7KvFz597resfscMeYuKHDbJfhJRp7gO4kx0Kt6am93JQgZLUKVhHbL1yq1Y0GPiCxF3HUg/w400-h266/0J9A3347.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Beautifully colourful grey-crowned cranes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Besides that we couldn’t find too much on the northern side,
so we crossed the road and went back to the riverside drive area, a really nice
forested spot that always has plenty of plains game and elephant.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And soon enough we found a nice big elephant
bull that had come to drink on the other side of a waterhole, but once he
started crossing the water and heading towards us we decided that it was
probably time to leave him 😊</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwwPtC4MaQZU4NHSHKDcuGbSMThQkTqhP2F86iQSCGkqLLs3IYIwzqQyBk3S4zC5Y5BunhEZumBD2Fgjve0of_KY-y9a5MSIvWkemnV9Nk1a9yBMnIznmwpWdhBcFK9ip1Djxovjh7zv9qnAIW8B6yfrykIVC-_u5E_mAf77qM6XvqSwhrvReAfu_Yg/s1600/0J9A3315.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwwPtC4MaQZU4NHSHKDcuGbSMThQkTqhP2F86iQSCGkqLLs3IYIwzqQyBk3S4zC5Y5BunhEZumBD2Fgjve0of_KY-y9a5MSIvWkemnV9Nk1a9yBMnIznmwpWdhBcFK9ip1Djxovjh7zv9qnAIW8B6yfrykIVC-_u5E_mAf77qM6XvqSwhrvReAfu_Yg/w400-h266/0J9A3315.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Unusual to see giraffe crossing the Luangwa river</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The rest of the morning drive was pretty quiet so it was
back to the campsite for our last Mosi beers in Zambia and then lunch and relax
before the afternoon game drive – our last drive of our trip.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were lucky to be treated to a small herd
of elephants crossing the plain in front of the camp to get to the river – this
campsite really is magical!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0SWLRE00y5CDddvK1jvobI_Y22AzXJ8w3GYWSRQue2E6zmaKUUFgESk0YhekGj8t4zIQmAAUW4_Up4WHTE5Kxea4NHab4tY1XIR3FqKRZbbzPJUGgmdpzc-4TSVQR1GxC3dL3UCTQPwVFBuxjFBajXMk1sD7F_OlkgraFA1IMVVGyDDCfir4SMpv_g/s1600/0J9A3378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0SWLRE00y5CDddvK1jvobI_Y22AzXJ8w3GYWSRQue2E6zmaKUUFgESk0YhekGj8t4zIQmAAUW4_Up4WHTE5Kxea4NHab4tY1XIR3FqKRZbbzPJUGgmdpzc-4TSVQR1GxC3dL3UCTQPwVFBuxjFBajXMk1sD7F_OlkgraFA1IMVVGyDDCfir4SMpv_g/w400-h266/0J9A3378.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He made us a bit nervous when he started to come towards us</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The afternoon we first went to check on the lions and they
had hardly moved from where we’d seen them in the morning except to follow the
shade.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">There didn’t seem too much point
in hanging around as it was still too hot for the cats to be moving.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA27XF3DsrzzI4ITBAT3DJgyCcIRNDkT7dagZrQvykOhMJyOtntNXUihWvSevLFpzRCIfd_dmkKfzFZ9eXGXr7-MRIGH4-hNA03QKNwRYiA3VksF9-LhwR8eWuc1_tOJfYPlTSn9ZcSE6dzkhaRPK3-m6727GD4w-x3734P8f8JG9s8mfWZn_2L8ppUQ/s1600/0J9A3278.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA27XF3DsrzzI4ITBAT3DJgyCcIRNDkT7dagZrQvykOhMJyOtntNXUihWvSevLFpzRCIfd_dmkKfzFZ9eXGXr7-MRIGH4-hNA03QKNwRYiA3VksF9-LhwR8eWuc1_tOJfYPlTSn9ZcSE6dzkhaRPK3-m6727GD4w-x3734P8f8JG9s8mfWZn_2L8ppUQ/w400-h266/0J9A3278.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jacanas hitching a ride on a hippo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Considering it was our last drive, we wanted to get some
photos of some of the more common animals that we had paid no attention during
our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen so many waterbuck
in Liwonde that we tend to ignore them, so we had to find a nice male waterbuck
in this park just so that we had at least a record shot of one 😉<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOuXgqKKVtHXQAnl-4swsa9RKi_2Cr3W3MH6npj9WeUk17fXYIUvUshPvWXmY6cP8_nxlEKC3qwXgcQReVdjui0ymlz1b9RDUg-dv6pWs3oPEjYvUcv2Dnh0OqOyoZFp0qq4vaI2_e3SH9_7GDShYWvchuFs63aq5d_se3IbbM2YR27W6RuM-Q_LIKw/s5472/034A1256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOuXgqKKVtHXQAnl-4swsa9RKi_2Cr3W3MH6npj9WeUk17fXYIUvUshPvWXmY6cP8_nxlEKC3qwXgcQReVdjui0ymlz1b9RDUg-dv6pWs3oPEjYvUcv2Dnh0OqOyoZFp0qq4vaI2_e3SH9_7GDShYWvchuFs63aq5d_se3IbbM2YR27W6RuM-Q_LIKw/w400-h266/034A1256.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A suitably handsome waterbuck</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were cruising around the riverside drive area when we
rounded a corner and there was a lioness just chilling next to a bush.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And hidden in the bush nearby was another
lion, a young male fast asleep.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20OU8Z0yj-0NVj9vWBhjaRn2UnIeb-miBFCzg_VYLyfY5mtVMBWoP6NS3r7wDMyes9v4kevB7g6AFZuIh-KZ-87xv4KmPvDRjX7m9pzn7gZ9rJFXnfj0tY3wNsGOEYETTjS0AOSGPE_32D2vBITz-8y71FtZ6PTLPeEfZCNIvTRqtUUiQ_yDxVLSxoQ/s1600/0J9A3254.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20OU8Z0yj-0NVj9vWBhjaRn2UnIeb-miBFCzg_VYLyfY5mtVMBWoP6NS3r7wDMyes9v4kevB7g6AFZuIh-KZ-87xv4KmPvDRjX7m9pzn7gZ9rJFXnfj0tY3wNsGOEYETTjS0AOSGPE_32D2vBITz-8y71FtZ6PTLPeEfZCNIvTRqtUUiQ_yDxVLSxoQ/w400-h266/0J9A3254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A live kill - great egret catches a frog</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We
couldn’t figure out who these 2 lions were as the pride was only about half a kilometre
away but we hadn’t seen these lions with the pride at all, so maybe a breakaway
or even a different pride – we’d heard that there was a small pride of 3 that
were across the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxc_aN3c45jp3xi9r3ltAGQ8uy8Qe_NhaIrmLrLRnRRY9dnP2vDhyxEecVMq4Mi85F5waX8uObYODDb08U4I06_2LvG2mvRdpuoGRE1kiJA4ofDmn0dkDfhQLiThhrOn-kJm4Gv02S2Egsii37eYZAJVcnxNKOBCCgkCEWmsBnWrX1nhG7hNxFKY2hA/s1600/0J9A3433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxc_aN3c45jp3xi9r3ltAGQ8uy8Qe_NhaIrmLrLRnRRY9dnP2vDhyxEecVMq4Mi85F5waX8uObYODDb08U4I06_2LvG2mvRdpuoGRE1kiJA4ofDmn0dkDfhQLiThhrOn-kJm4Gv02S2Egsii37eYZAJVcnxNKOBCCgkCEWmsBnWrX1nhG7hNxFKY2hA/w400-h266/0J9A3433.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chilled out cat<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whoever they were they didn’t seem to be inclined to move
anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the female yawned and
groomed a bit, the male hardly moved from his spot so we were left to wonder
who they were and if they were going to do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLzp9Ba12kq5NkUjpDJ5mLuOjwMdjiIB18_dW36av04ibYh0ZdeJUyLQThjzOGXEQ1kROtnBirT0gjJs63Fu1QzrS4OCewEBeDzIVxWyTko-zAV3W26gKlWQ6yO6mt63DjhYP0LbglwG_hLkc8NPJ3tp6sQWkpHRgkFRnI-49xECfFtujCKs8E_ehMg/s1600/0J9A3455.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLzp9Ba12kq5NkUjpDJ5mLuOjwMdjiIB18_dW36av04ibYh0ZdeJUyLQThjzOGXEQ1kROtnBirT0gjJs63Fu1QzrS4OCewEBeDzIVxWyTko-zAV3W26gKlWQ6yO6mt63DjhYP0LbglwG_hLkc8NPJ3tp6sQWkpHRgkFRnI-49xECfFtujCKs8E_ehMg/w400-h266/0J9A3455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Big yawn!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Turns out they weren’t going to do a thing, and now we had 2
sets of lions and had to decide which group to hang with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And quantity won out at the end of the day –
8 lions is much better than 2, and so we were soon headed back to the big pride.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD9HxuA9gXnQ6OUAexuiFcF_qyf_AMuYETczRsdcP3AeT1Qciqf5zeIjnzbHHnz0z6YN1D8h4IJXzIhmn4H0GZ-L0gn_sq4Vim-YupyaxV9P4srCkys9KH6WBj1znWj1c6-5pf9WaX-FSnv0NECLLZi1sUNMM3Igmhp1NsyR69ZQLzsTOZgLID8TGhg/s2863/034A1113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="2863" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD9HxuA9gXnQ6OUAexuiFcF_qyf_AMuYETczRsdcP3AeT1Qciqf5zeIjnzbHHnz0z6YN1D8h4IJXzIhmn4H0GZ-L0gn_sq4Vim-YupyaxV9P4srCkys9KH6WBj1znWj1c6-5pf9WaX-FSnv0NECLLZi1sUNMM3Igmhp1NsyR69ZQLzsTOZgLID8TGhg/w400-h266/034A1113.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Crowned hornbill</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We sat with them for quite a while until they finally
started to move around as they do – one at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t do much but at least they did
come out into the open a bit more and so we sat with the lions as the sun
started setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they didn’t do
too much, it was a nice enjoyable way to finish our trip in South Luangwa
national park, with a pride of lions as the sun slowly set.</span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdySe9ti66aVpUrPYtcATsDWwNNh9NAs4tOzI94O71n86Bj2NncUjMnGwVldlrVhfCXdWRpasxvYDraJy_hKVnot02CsKVtFX4crB6IfDp85I0S3rF8b9Zx2k0Oi5UPudGIt1NaXrXYf4t34ffq7kkdjhwVP9Y5cbRap044BnBdXwM6s9asQO73xLaw/s1600/0J9A3537.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdySe9ti66aVpUrPYtcATsDWwNNh9NAs4tOzI94O71n86Bj2NncUjMnGwVldlrVhfCXdWRpasxvYDraJy_hKVnot02CsKVtFX4crB6IfDp85I0S3rF8b9Zx2k0Oi5UPudGIt1NaXrXYf4t34ffq7kkdjhwVP9Y5cbRap044BnBdXwM6s9asQO73xLaw/w400-h266/0J9A3537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The lions were pretty lazy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our final night at the campsite was actually in a different
camp spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camp had been so busy
that our campsite had already been reserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a result we moved from the river side spots to one at the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t too bad as our final camp site was
next to the hide which is quite busy, especially at the height of the dry
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPYMNe42MP2_zijogxlU_lGLCQt7otv28jfaoBytP8YcTgtib6iyZK0Irrg87cSgemkuTYxFTEi91LX1JEBJ774GHTk5MO1IfXKTG2oqPlBsZQC5Qx07vmCkLoSB60QT9H46Zov_ySe3E5xxuAfQCK6NWsNy3xwReGrgFuUnOS6_YASreEDsDfQu6ww/s1600/0J9A3578.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPYMNe42MP2_zijogxlU_lGLCQt7otv28jfaoBytP8YcTgtib6iyZK0Irrg87cSgemkuTYxFTEi91LX1JEBJ774GHTk5MO1IfXKTG2oqPlBsZQC5Qx07vmCkLoSB60QT9H46Zov_ySe3E5xxuAfQCK6NWsNy3xwReGrgFuUnOS6_YASreEDsDfQu6ww/w400-h266/0J9A3578.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The 2 pride males finally got up<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We set up our trail camera for the afternoon and night for
the hide, but not much except resident genet, a couple of elephants during the
afternoon and then the resident troupe of baboons were caught on camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9vNUqm5lodFAxvN5RzG0kKKWDlvb9rybhOGFgpxckmeEU1IsfbyVCIu4MgbC7G2Q09UrbrIiUvoRO1PHhR_vevmdGBlpWFithf96eLKqZskx_UKB6avOBPhEt-CoTOB8-YZGxC8nSpdRHbCcnPfydBE5YCBryo9xCaF4FHGkibwBf3GlKGZub2VEOw/s1600/034A1094-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9vNUqm5lodFAxvN5RzG0kKKWDlvb9rybhOGFgpxckmeEU1IsfbyVCIu4MgbC7G2Q09UrbrIiUvoRO1PHhR_vevmdGBlpWFithf96eLKqZskx_UKB6avOBPhEt-CoTOB8-YZGxC8nSpdRHbCcnPfydBE5YCBryo9xCaF4FHGkibwBf3GlKGZub2VEOw/w400-h266/034A1094-001.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Bushbuck is an antelope we rarely have chance to photograph</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Better than a few nights previously where the trail camera
captured a pair of eyes just at our campsite, despite us flashing around regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We suspect leopard but we never saw or heard it and it was
while we were braaiing, so you just never know what is around!<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNlB80JK5j-8IEc3UXQE2PkF64BuulQXxnOouUbErbaPTaeFDk-OyY97uECXDbR_sERpVoqWZB88Tfgfde9PQEBfrsNBskpq360_Gwqpc7POKFznIZMqGBI_vnmjpAdEjWm5-9sFD4vj27MeDOSdmOz02pRkCgRjBPwHCzV4US4bSmzX8I4ER_-26dQ/s1600/034A1516.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNlB80JK5j-8IEc3UXQE2PkF64BuulQXxnOouUbErbaPTaeFDk-OyY97uECXDbR_sERpVoqWZB88Tfgfde9PQEBfrsNBskpq360_Gwqpc7POKFznIZMqGBI_vnmjpAdEjWm5-9sFD4vj27MeDOSdmOz02pRkCgRjBPwHCzV4US4bSmzX8I4ER_-26dQ/w400-h266/034A1516.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lions finally starting to get up</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only downside of the camp is that it is right next to
the road to the next-door bush camp, so when the safari vehicle drives past to
drop off guests there is dust everywhere during the dry season! </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRtiqqbyr09-kOmOGjOiJZZLb8Le_YXW0zHCm_kughG0lFt0nqWv4Orsb7LpFNokrcK-Kbqe6a6e8WoWyj4sm0Oe4Tk66vN4SJacCV7Iz87H-VXgVVZybYRPdMXAwVm3K12f76gvU6t5XiwjwQHx_ipaFDhOJdC7_EHOzPPoc0E_ppvM7c7xfT93pWQ/s1600/PICT0202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRtiqqbyr09-kOmOGjOiJZZLb8Le_YXW0zHCm_kughG0lFt0nqWv4Orsb7LpFNokrcK-Kbqe6a6e8WoWyj4sm0Oe4Tk66vN4SJacCV7Iz87H-VXgVVZybYRPdMXAwVm3K12f76gvU6t5XiwjwQHx_ipaFDhOJdC7_EHOzPPoc0E_ppvM7c7xfT93pWQ/w400-h300/PICT0202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Freaked us out when we saw the footage the next morning!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luckily there weren’t too many drive-bys except
for when a 3 car convoy drove up in the dark looking for their campsite; turns
out one of them had our previous spot.
Otherwise, we spent a peaceful evening reminiscing about our awesome
trip trying to decide which were our favourite moments.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcMlzYyzkiYtDkAYLRp-R1aPOTDWJ7yQJnutAaiq8tyCkY3uCQvJOBt7Q34fxpxC64Bc49IDp7NhMa-WNv7IttXSKD8sCDifyREkrlwYE4gWIjBNVZKsS5uDq_wkbAePoXc3E-b0Ki8T7nsWea4OqhTnpdh4taaHNsHfAa9WC6lU7gCvA2g-QMQvIrg/s1600/034A1485.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcMlzYyzkiYtDkAYLRp-R1aPOTDWJ7yQJnutAaiq8tyCkY3uCQvJOBt7Q34fxpxC64Bc49IDp7NhMa-WNv7IttXSKD8sCDifyREkrlwYE4gWIjBNVZKsS5uDq_wkbAePoXc3E-b0Ki8T7nsWea4OqhTnpdh4taaHNsHfAa9WC6lU7gCvA2g-QMQvIrg/w400-h266/034A1485.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Playing with light while waiting for the lions to move</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" target="_blank">Intro</a> <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-size: small;"> << </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-size: small;"> >> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank"><span>Day 7</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-59678354024840529362022-09-15T12:00:00.007+03:002022-12-07T13:10:51.185+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 5<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGDTr5Q1835s9u1lz808WG_fkP3Qi1ixXjoIdYvBeMDeUGuRqAKjqZm70YKJWEsmQQb0i0-GWrXfQHY8BJZylDKYGHWmw28XoIjGWI00nwr4P9hmzBpP1pS-dgf9kLZ-Lv_ER0rEBooHtPZEMyDYvWZ4-E_1Uac7jYYxri0iy3LVZ_iPWF2o7PAoqgQ/s1600/0J9A2920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGDTr5Q1835s9u1lz808WG_fkP3Qi1ixXjoIdYvBeMDeUGuRqAKjqZm70YKJWEsmQQb0i0-GWrXfQHY8BJZylDKYGHWmw28XoIjGWI00nwr4P9hmzBpP1pS-dgf9kLZ-Lv_ER0rEBooHtPZEMyDYvWZ4-E_1Uac7jYYxri0iy3LVZ_iPWF2o7PAoqgQ/w400-h266/0J9A2920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Male lions watched on by the zebras</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A good day yesterday, so could today live up to it? There
was no question about where we were heading to first – Wamilombe! So it was through the gate past the same self-drive
car that was shooting the sunrise again and straight to the plain.</span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewoXZneivLWYknrKTvevlZctWn_LC8BNQNtBsaTO_2A-caBU3Q-JVl1BnGRHNt8zeB0QPdevo44KB6P_SGK2sj64gzl8Bnh0BNmaFvJQgQLnTLLw65NUtOvr66rtE9XBGmn6EFt-mcF80vWsz5cvsYQMV3n1NKlR5OfeRX8HNWQW76x23ufxpfXxrjQ/s1600/034A0123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewoXZneivLWYknrKTvevlZctWn_LC8BNQNtBsaTO_2A-caBU3Q-JVl1BnGRHNt8zeB0QPdevo44KB6P_SGK2sj64gzl8Bnh0BNmaFvJQgQLnTLLw65NUtOvr66rtE9XBGmn6EFt-mcF80vWsz5cvsYQMV3n1NKlR5OfeRX8HNWQW76x23ufxpfXxrjQ/w400-h266/034A0123.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lounging on Wamilombe first thing in the morning</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And for the 2<sup>nd</sup> day in a row, it paid off –
lions!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lions that we’d seen the
night before had moved all the way from the gate through riverside drive to
Wamilombe and were now sleeping on the plain – a male and 2 females.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was quite a distance from where we’d
left them the previous night. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then
we spotted another male a bit further into the plain sleeping on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So 2 males and 2 females in total. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_JZJZ0Rb1YwONky5BBqIiao4vy_a3alfXq6FJkbKiZL2fo6Y5_qqyMpcvozozW6hBDE9cDxP7lkenMdrwx5XUMFwStQtWn4KlDuqJab9w3FeW4TZObQx7usEoEWD7TLZTeYnn0Oc_-gCa7-2Q2usXJ2tqk96kUMixJIGLRgKhzBkyP5rsC40D-KB5w/s1600/0J9A2839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_JZJZ0Rb1YwONky5BBqIiao4vy_a3alfXq6FJkbKiZL2fo6Y5_qqyMpcvozozW6hBDE9cDxP7lkenMdrwx5XUMFwStQtWn4KlDuqJab9w3FeW4TZObQx7usEoEWD7TLZTeYnn0Oc_-gCa7-2Q2usXJ2tqk96kUMixJIGLRgKhzBkyP5rsC40D-KB5w/w400-h266/0J9A2839.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lazy lion</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The spot that we found them couldn’t be spotted from the
main road, so we were curious to see if anyone else would drive past and see
them, but in the meantime, they weren’t moving so we wanted to do a quick round
through the plain and the adjacent loop just to make sure there wasn’t anything
else around that we were missing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVrivflFc6DndzTE0kjSrYn5jHw0hsc12S9FIILb9Z9xjGNAjI20j1ekIgXTY13pXKXLEy1yOUQ9ZmcuJtIvzPyC-tJR7mFUCAj34yJCR_9EhSpUcIn0movxgnVgjcNjmVCdADnuJkSEXAkErcv0IywdKbtCpAk2bH4hxAwzBdYDbey8stComCHzJQA/w400-h266/034A0136.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">One of the females has a short tail</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We got to the small adjacent loop (where the lions had
hunted) and as we arrived, we heard the alarm calls of a few helmeted
guineafowl.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anticipating a predator and
suspecting a leopard, we came around the corner to the big sausage tree, looked
up and there she was – a leopard lounging on the lowest branch of the
tree!</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Awesome!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QGNDU7U87f5EaDlBiuMTmpJmYQSrXQYN8TO3gE4LeAYN5IiS5Us11Qkq-shlRDkpMrIeVMJWWoZuQv0KI9w9_SdthXxQupYgXyIk-XcazxKipbQMwbFtMer3nHFSfqMWuQh61cby_UnkvImNaFIIwyyHfcnZPxIQ7HKmtoFKSj-SBuppJA_pftcEmg/s1600/034A9975.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QGNDU7U87f5EaDlBiuMTmpJmYQSrXQYN8TO3gE4LeAYN5IiS5Us11Qkq-shlRDkpMrIeVMJWWoZuQv0KI9w9_SdthXxQupYgXyIk-XcazxKipbQMwbFtMer3nHFSfqMWuQh61cby_UnkvImNaFIIwyyHfcnZPxIQ7HKmtoFKSj-SBuppJA_pftcEmg/w400-h266/034A9975.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">An unexpected bonus with a leopard on a tree</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She was awake but didn’t seem to be giving any indication of
getting up and so we had a really nice dilemma on our hands – lions or
leopard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to go back to the
lions for a while, the deciding factor being light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The morning sun was going to be on the lions, who were out in the open, hopefully giving us some nice shots if the lions decided to move, while the leopard was in deep shade and unless she got up, the photos would be grainy and probably not great until it got a bit brighter.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a hard decision, but eventually we headed back to the lions.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-o0O_jXQGST3nuGcI6ZHaQ9XBNBzbYQd557m09W0-Oxme0lBx0uDxl6k28mwlflSKdKDlpeeLodc_oM8LZYPgyqVXc8O8GSfv8u9FoK1frs4p0ba_T2_70w1BK-CaIqzM9_nd-h3RJFXxplUD2v5VHL69QuV-WBJnzoW5f49SN5_pRS8TsVaeZhjXQ/s1600/034A9985.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-o0O_jXQGST3nuGcI6ZHaQ9XBNBzbYQd557m09W0-Oxme0lBx0uDxl6k28mwlflSKdKDlpeeLodc_oM8LZYPgyqVXc8O8GSfv8u9FoK1frs4p0ba_T2_70w1BK-CaIqzM9_nd-h3RJFXxplUD2v5VHL69QuV-WBJnzoW5f49SN5_pRS8TsVaeZhjXQ/w400-h266/034A9985.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">She was pretty sleepy and didn't look like she'd get up anytime soon<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the way, we passed a safari vehicle who had managed to
miss the lions.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The entrance to the
plain is such that unless you skirt along the side you could miss the small
area where the lions were lying.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We’d
seen the vehicle and knew that they hadn’t gone down the right road, so had
missed the lions.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">So we became instant
heroes by not only telling them about the lions, but also a bonus sighting of a
leopard 😉</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqI98XYdV2S1OGU0Htjr7hPx79bI7Hr-d-w1X9OgwAESJsxETmyHFD1zPshrBt6KyudBkV0UhYCtTU2mdZOLmzlaSQNrXt0RFrUwrxb_Gb0LJ1dX3BxlbZFuC-1APVlqllNdL0Xien4ZQRafBt2M4HkCtc3txNSzrTCKNdjfILvsdQcifIl39GS-aQA/s1600/034A0118.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqI98XYdV2S1OGU0Htjr7hPx79bI7Hr-d-w1X9OgwAESJsxETmyHFD1zPshrBt6KyudBkV0UhYCtTU2mdZOLmzlaSQNrXt0RFrUwrxb_Gb0LJ1dX3BxlbZFuC-1APVlqllNdL0Xien4ZQRafBt2M4HkCtc3txNSzrTCKNdjfILvsdQcifIl39GS-aQA/w400-h266/034A0118.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Awake for a bit</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were soon back with the lions, who luckily hadn’t done
much since we’d left them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male
closest to us was awake and the lionesses were moving around, but no one seemed
too keen to move off, probably because it was pretty cool despite them being in
the open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, the other
pride male was fast asleep in the middle of the plain, surrounded by wary puku
and impala. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVgiwegx_O6HRtsHVfmRSq88h1UDyzqp7coTmUfuEHEcQ2Sy96Z7qWU16gAXrskI7SvOE8N262KFe74UoogIdpIWUyXWFqqKYPgcCyHt52aq3X6Lsb6sOjehSoBa0tqgFoCphA7RhEtHeYjOkp_av8weCMeSRARMU39As3Kpw5PnVnPz9ofTiuUcosA/s1600/0J9A2918.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVgiwegx_O6HRtsHVfmRSq88h1UDyzqp7coTmUfuEHEcQ2Sy96Z7qWU16gAXrskI7SvOE8N262KFe74UoogIdpIWUyXWFqqKYPgcCyHt52aq3X6Lsb6sOjehSoBa0tqgFoCphA7RhEtHeYjOkp_av8weCMeSRARMU39As3Kpw5PnVnPz9ofTiuUcosA/w400-h266/0J9A2918.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">His brother also looked up briefly before going back to sleep again</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then they all fell asleep again, completely ignoring the
cars that were coming by as word spread of the cats on Wamilombe. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally, after almost an hour the lioness with the short
tail got up and started to move around, closely followed by the male that
wasn’t asleep.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">He seemed interested in
whether she was in oestrus but she was having none of it, and gave him a sharp
growl to let him know in no uncertain terms that she’d prefer to be alone.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amongst all the safari vehicles was one other self-drive car
– the same car we’d seen on the bridge every morning for the last 3 days
photographing the sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we
hadn’t spoken to them so far, in the spirit of helping out self-drivers, we
stopped to tell them about the leopard giving them precise directions to find
her even though it was pretty straightforward.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyYhAJ8WW37R_rGPWmm3WJrPZ78Ld09Hi8cir62D5QKm8N0P1nDADabAv2mjYRl5dJMXvtruTTVJVAZR4V3aXCBwOD1XDwVXiA6YfXy1qSRxOCRqFQt1EYHRQhkabrdJIvp95gg2kcrGRZKxY99oe70h8gQQryeEP8vNt8-MwO4uDtG14mqVFagYhFw/s1600/034A0206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyYhAJ8WW37R_rGPWmm3WJrPZ78Ld09Hi8cir62D5QKm8N0P1nDADabAv2mjYRl5dJMXvtruTTVJVAZR4V3aXCBwOD1XDwVXiA6YfXy1qSRxOCRqFQt1EYHRQhkabrdJIvp95gg2kcrGRZKxY99oe70h8gQQryeEP8vNt8-MwO4uDtG14mqVFagYhFw/w400-h266/034A0206.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Closely watched while he goes back to sleep</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although it was cloudy, it was starting to get a bit hotter
and soon the lions were on the move, with the exception of the sleeping male,
where concerned puku were replaced by concerned zebras keeping a close eye on
the lion.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6Fvuio0DEgg2rqrGiLK6aaHcemn5Oyr0tfDJsHHE31owtAa_gq9JZxd1jPxNqAoUVDLuynaExPoSQ6-dGiWv4pCEIlmGar8GZHgmW6LKeVhcz9tUf1qRUVURGc8-9OrB9vEJMpXmE32BMIyiEN175AsSbBl6_Z0EPOQMK0hQA59OdbRCeKnZH24fiQ/s1600/034A0162.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6Fvuio0DEgg2rqrGiLK6aaHcemn5Oyr0tfDJsHHE31owtAa_gq9JZxd1jPxNqAoUVDLuynaExPoSQ6-dGiWv4pCEIlmGar8GZHgmW6LKeVhcz9tUf1qRUVURGc8-9OrB9vEJMpXmE32BMIyiEN175AsSbBl6_Z0EPOQMK0hQA59OdbRCeKnZH24fiQ/w400-h266/034A0162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Finally up with a big stomach</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One by one the lions slowly headed off into the bushes for
shade, and this seemed to cue the sleeping lion as well, with him finally
rising and heading straight towards us since we’d positioned ourselves well
scaring all the zebras who were already skittish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, he too ended up in the bushes
probably to sleep off the heat of the day in the shade, and the lion scene was
finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtW3Jnn9uM8fziSAygy_oQe4DM8h9XTHnA5SMjxzAIBJFCO_EudrkSQ91_Aa8YgX3X0t-mdI6X3wxpv8vSp8jadG96CzSwpDRULw5LIK2O3CIUGUgy0YOBxTN2UWSD9IZbRbX2L-a-_QlS3KAcckQufHkzX4xmseSKJv5CzNmK2FWsbDDgP_JH773YNw/s1600/0J9A2948.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtW3Jnn9uM8fziSAygy_oQe4DM8h9XTHnA5SMjxzAIBJFCO_EudrkSQ91_Aa8YgX3X0t-mdI6X3wxpv8vSp8jadG96CzSwpDRULw5LIK2O3CIUGUgy0YOBxTN2UWSD9IZbRbX2L-a-_QlS3KAcckQufHkzX4xmseSKJv5CzNmK2FWsbDDgP_JH773YNw/w400-h266/0J9A2948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Watched closely, the lion saunters off to sleep</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The lions were gone, but we still had a leopard up our
sleeve so there was no question where we were going next. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amusingly, while we were sitting with the
lions we’d seen the other self-drive vehicle driving up and down as if they
hadn’t found the leopard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
straightforward directions and they couldn’t find it? Surely not, maybe the
leopard had climbed down the tree.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tbP5VwHp8hZUiKRAj3u2qMVHHh-rT3HMKGolrZIJB3wrVtvjJwSWkE9Pworcr2yLvH5GrPwI_i1ZRIZX_NLs_IQvq5x7wa4_0s3z8NGImZEZYAnVnpz_bm8Ni3HhX6WsKy-5sJ31l5CxAy8OU5Yp-eyYyNpnnXLsz3QSS6BP1VatNnpXmr0VZNCeSQ/s1600/0J9A2958.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tbP5VwHp8hZUiKRAj3u2qMVHHh-rT3HMKGolrZIJB3wrVtvjJwSWkE9Pworcr2yLvH5GrPwI_i1ZRIZX_NLs_IQvq5x7wa4_0s3z8NGImZEZYAnVnpz_bm8Ni3HhX6WsKy-5sJ31l5CxAy8OU5Yp-eyYyNpnnXLsz3QSS6BP1VatNnpXmr0VZNCeSQ/w400-h266/0J9A2958.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A quick look before heading towards the bushes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we neared the leopard, we came across the same self-drive
car again going in the opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we stopped and they told us that they just couldn’t find it… what?!
Luckily we were headed that way so told them to follow us, hoping that the
leopard was still there and that we weren’t leading them on a wild goose chase.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpbPCLPF3lByR3N04OZAaBwEn_ehm-NMaGHYMRevG6AzyH3ox-BBfLMPeSeOb8VJXfBLnYTncXdJat32QHcoVYkpOtKDDccy6b0fwZzRcMbTu_Bt2XefVpnhggrMed6pwGjrsykr94kRXhCWtRJ099QnyuEYl0H5CCvcNm4rqVIEr2nq9MMJ305SsXA/s1600/0J9A3024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpbPCLPF3lByR3N04OZAaBwEn_ehm-NMaGHYMRevG6AzyH3ox-BBfLMPeSeOb8VJXfBLnYTncXdJat32QHcoVYkpOtKDDccy6b0fwZzRcMbTu_Bt2XefVpnhggrMed6pwGjrsykr94kRXhCWtRJ099QnyuEYl0H5CCvcNm4rqVIEr2nq9MMJ305SsXA/w400-h266/0J9A3024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">In the branches of a flowering sausage tree</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And luckily the leopard was still there in the same spot, so
the self-drivers were pretty happy and thanked us for the tip.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">By now the leopard sighting was well known
and we spent quite a bit of time off to the side while the safari vehicles came
and went with happy guests having snapped photos of a leopard in a tree.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KDe370MNCAQUiLNADvk3xvdLvb4Qrb5N8vwvX6BY4arvJYYXnrBG1XbFMCXjiIM5F9x6693FRzY8XIJoiDArpkqOycNfF8glC49mefq7iTOovV_nwZzIR1rrtojhvSi5PQ1G9pMWzRptTv7rCOhOUbhsJIyXroRRDj2OySaUS6fRsttgR6hLU_xwKg/s1600/0J9A2792.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KDe370MNCAQUiLNADvk3xvdLvb4Qrb5N8vwvX6BY4arvJYYXnrBG1XbFMCXjiIM5F9x6693FRzY8XIJoiDArpkqOycNfF8glC49mefq7iTOovV_nwZzIR1rrtojhvSi5PQ1G9pMWzRptTv7rCOhOUbhsJIyXroRRDj2OySaUS6fRsttgR6hLU_xwKg/w400-h266/0J9A2792.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Leopard paw</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We decided to leave her for a while as there were no signs
of her getting up and went back to the bigger plain, catching a cute baby
elephant learning to use his trunk on the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We found some playful baboons and then vultures hanging around a dead
tree in the middle of the pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lions
must have killed something in the night, or the leopard had and the lions had
stolen it from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRNHTYmnabg2ku7vaBlOGT6vn1NLNsmlZ7J0ayUGftZZrt2uhJ_qUWcNfVRGs7d6-G224OqSBDKTbsf9ch5BnFXj8H2Jt81pAH8UfAwQSl_jSetSywPfzYavyqS_7PExJqOguljG3zCnteYIRlsn0y3-mL0l2DbyW_l0pJWHr3tSaGNFNEREkChJKpQ/s1600/0J9A3001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRNHTYmnabg2ku7vaBlOGT6vn1NLNsmlZ7J0ayUGftZZrt2uhJ_qUWcNfVRGs7d6-G224OqSBDKTbsf9ch5BnFXj8H2Jt81pAH8UfAwQSl_jSetSywPfzYavyqS_7PExJqOguljG3zCnteYIRlsn0y3-mL0l2DbyW_l0pJWHr3tSaGNFNEREkChJKpQ/w400-h266/0J9A3001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Juvenile hooded vulture</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Either way, there was nothing left as we could see no
remains but the vultures and a couple of juvenile fish eagles seemed to think
it was worth still hanging around there so there must have been a few scraps
around.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx24jsktWTM5NEVbK8x0--L2jDp0d5F7aUE35sytNEmkoQ0tYF-w253K4BJbADG_3XMSwtkrWI6BfYHXke-gmbYgDH4hvnMyvkNpk2Y_d-2VSvZ2TRg22_dlrCPeRuv_miXaUbUPQLm_P_YP-aByGdCl9wA9Dvo1hMnUB6TNNfKFl5YYL89ktcw_Hhmw/s1600/0J9A3016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx24jsktWTM5NEVbK8x0--L2jDp0d5F7aUE35sytNEmkoQ0tYF-w253K4BJbADG_3XMSwtkrWI6BfYHXke-gmbYgDH4hvnMyvkNpk2Y_d-2VSvZ2TRg22_dlrCPeRuv_miXaUbUPQLm_P_YP-aByGdCl9wA9Dvo1hMnUB6TNNfKFl5YYL89ktcw_Hhmw/w400-h266/0J9A3016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Adult hooded vulture</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back to the leopard and we were amused to find the resident
male puku under the sausage tree that the leopard was still sleeping in without
any idea there was a cat keeping an eye on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He must have been bewildered as to why there were so many cars nearby
just to see him 😉<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwToMmDU9j4lwTX7RXqOmqUkmhudVvMLenctkbebjt6M6xfNgcITyUOJjDi10wpzLyjHMuSluvYy8ji03uav0oF5YEzTNRrOKBCdNzKf8XOp4MwhJgetIHH459NlTF8Zw8q_iOfYoefuhTrWzlv-TNK8x1VNlwDF5kYHby0MCTf3XCIU-xToMsIddABg/s1600/0J9A3008.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwToMmDU9j4lwTX7RXqOmqUkmhudVvMLenctkbebjt6M6xfNgcITyUOJjDi10wpzLyjHMuSluvYy8ji03uav0oF5YEzTNRrOKBCdNzKf8XOp4MwhJgetIHH459NlTF8Zw8q_iOfYoefuhTrWzlv-TNK8x1VNlwDF5kYHby0MCTf3XCIU-xToMsIddABg/w400-h266/0J9A3008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Just arriving to look for scraps</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eventually he wondered off – maybe a tad too big for the
female leopard – but she was eyeing something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few impala females had wandered into the
pan and were making use of another smaller sausage tree for shade.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE1WzEuK2T-Iqn8iQYbwFoz0kt_nij8V1TBf5Sx7tnD7OXttCrUwKTtQaEFb1ye7ne5O3g2c_tYjFrMo4Lej6oaXII3DohtgOK-myFfJ5ysxsNTfTQd2dUvwO0VPeNpLKOPBDy1zGqxozcuAoAKLO8pVKcLZfPJyGkbx3myE7HadUmctL-czZwAexJA/s1600/0J9A3030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE1WzEuK2T-Iqn8iQYbwFoz0kt_nij8V1TBf5Sx7tnD7OXttCrUwKTtQaEFb1ye7ne5O3g2c_tYjFrMo4Lej6oaXII3DohtgOK-myFfJ5ysxsNTfTQd2dUvwO0VPeNpLKOPBDy1zGqxozcuAoAKLO8pVKcLZfPJyGkbx3myE7HadUmctL-czZwAexJA/w400-h266/0J9A3030.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The resident puku ram didn't know there was a leopard lying above him</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And suddenly without warning the leopard was down the tree,
her eyes trained on the impala.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lay
in the shade of the bushes before leopard crawling to the safari vehicles! She
used them as cover while she watched the antelope. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kL6wl8dnFV9JnE-qvqFuWE3Wi_pz0AGZO7KtWuplCCV61E_2e6ulFDmgyIW3f3SmR7HIdDkxFWHSGQ99OWZSKBo0im2Sae6P7YoH_SXvvH9mNG4k70SqpnLIbZV4pt1sKi7AnPKnt-IOIOAKFMArMzsa920fKDfJqTF9LwdpjKmKeV0mPqCyXnZCAg/s1600/0J9A3059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kL6wl8dnFV9JnE-qvqFuWE3Wi_pz0AGZO7KtWuplCCV61E_2e6ulFDmgyIW3f3SmR7HIdDkxFWHSGQ99OWZSKBo0im2Sae6P7YoH_SXvvH9mNG4k70SqpnLIbZV4pt1sKi7AnPKnt-IOIOAKFMArMzsa920fKDfJqTF9LwdpjKmKeV0mPqCyXnZCAg/w400-h266/0J9A3059.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Focused on impalas while using cars as cover</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She actually lay there is the sun between 2 vehicles for
about 5 minutes keeping track of the impala with all the guests holding their
breath in anticipation of a potential hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHuuomA7BSWT668BR8MITngg2mML3fVyLxTbjTGZnWQ6n6HI58FMTxxyQTPklIWOA6DeasYwgwAIUVeLTo7Ji2Iii9wjn3_8fUL69ARDy-HElAQWgM1Xod__ijyeILbKsJjE2ifoxq_3sO9lBVQPEnn33lNx1K3DfrUdzAfol0FyoFjhvzUO3lt5Gqg/s1600/0J9A3068.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHuuomA7BSWT668BR8MITngg2mML3fVyLxTbjTGZnWQ6n6HI58FMTxxyQTPklIWOA6DeasYwgwAIUVeLTo7Ji2Iii9wjn3_8fUL69ARDy-HElAQWgM1Xod__ijyeILbKsJjE2ifoxq_3sO9lBVQPEnn33lNx1K3DfrUdzAfol0FyoFjhvzUO3lt5Gqg/w400-h266/0J9A3068.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Deciding it wasn't going to work she slunk off</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But eventually the leopard decided that the odds weren’t in her favour
and just as silently and stealthily she crept away and back into her tree and
promptly went back to sleep on the same branch.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was fascinating to watch and especially amusing that the impalas none
the wiser that they were potentially a hearty brunch.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBt4UjKI9mF4xDbqWSic6pA_nymSFUAOo0pc0IQRaI3DY9HRV-Gxllu8qUbQrD8Ns37vlhNNZ-zilHVKBwiE_vuqarDr8cMaGWzgmYmHfKg9tL5aZDs_LbvMLlTW24OZuPo30GhVIcGZiu0wxwpKBw5wbeIfjTiM93Ix9A2xw9KEkfzKhcFRGb65LwQ/s1600/0J9A3078.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBt4UjKI9mF4xDbqWSic6pA_nymSFUAOo0pc0IQRaI3DY9HRV-Gxllu8qUbQrD8Ns37vlhNNZ-zilHVKBwiE_vuqarDr8cMaGWzgmYmHfKg9tL5aZDs_LbvMLlTW24OZuPo30GhVIcGZiu0wxwpKBw5wbeIfjTiM93Ix9A2xw9KEkfzKhcFRGb65LwQ/w400-h266/0J9A3078.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A last look before getting back into the tree</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">By now there were only 3 vehicles left, and we all had the
same thought – would she try to hunt again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was really hot by now, so each of the cars picked a different tree
away from the leopard tree and decided to wait a while and see if the impala
got any closer to her sausage tree – it was after all the best shade of the
pan. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR5iAjw2wJEGtCaNLGA0TjvrPWsh_qojNhSGGfSAug1pdkcsucuSOXsLFm15bDQSDvDUW65SBCTWqFRDxIO9zj34TBqPLys-wgRvH1jjSm77MiPnSixlHrrooJhaVvQvKeKRl3BANVWq2lqVJailK7RoqWqVM8xjMYQRKlDCq7M0jI6I8P0MsuOWRLw/s1600/0J9A3110.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR5iAjw2wJEGtCaNLGA0TjvrPWsh_qojNhSGGfSAug1pdkcsucuSOXsLFm15bDQSDvDUW65SBCTWqFRDxIO9zj34TBqPLys-wgRvH1jjSm77MiPnSixlHrrooJhaVvQvKeKRl3BANVWq2lqVJailK7RoqWqVM8xjMYQRKlDCq7M0jI6I8P0MsuOWRLw/w400-h266/0J9A3110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Back in the tree for a nap</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But after about an hour or so, nothing had happened except
for a safari vehicle or 2 driving up to the tree to get some sightings, so
eventually we decided to let it go and headed back to our campsite, stopping on
the way to photograph 2 bull elephants enjoying a drink in a waterhole outside
the park in the game management area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9TOmMz9X2qYjexy2iIlVJz7hsaYkObzr3EsYD-egMkIK_tL_75O9PpFm31D0PHyOUTgTJPkZQuHlTNFkE9KUFhvZ5jeTt0KBLmbVqWel5GplznY6dLi9Ofh7DI0Eyy3gf6GFntQno6UzN5IwbxxCsdUnJ5kULrRnB4JFHqykFk6Qoat600ep6vES1A/s1600/034A0653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9TOmMz9X2qYjexy2iIlVJz7hsaYkObzr3EsYD-egMkIK_tL_75O9PpFm31D0PHyOUTgTJPkZQuHlTNFkE9KUFhvZ5jeTt0KBLmbVqWel5GplznY6dLi9Ofh7DI0Eyy3gf6GFntQno6UzN5IwbxxCsdUnJ5kULrRnB4JFHqykFk6Qoat600ep6vES1A/w400-h266/034A0653.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Game can be found outside the park too</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As
our guide on the night drive explained, these are probably the same elephants
that come at night from the national park to raid the crops of the local
villages before sneaking back into the park in the morning!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgGOk54Qt_VX5kgvM4kNZvWyuBDmLJcrvq2D4_gNPyUCipKBH6q2dzA7t52XUmV39CvxLsrf-RMpnPFOkrKVSyM81N8xDSibP8MQNf_GurgJQ8sHq_7-KStw8S6R-lXyPTwcwmDhWNl2P58OvkPBgVlxKlEg7NkKQ1H3jDI1MWswaYpZCqQaC5J1PlA/s1600/0J9A3136.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgGOk54Qt_VX5kgvM4kNZvWyuBDmLJcrvq2D4_gNPyUCipKBH6q2dzA7t52XUmV39CvxLsrf-RMpnPFOkrKVSyM81N8xDSibP8MQNf_GurgJQ8sHq_7-KStw8S6R-lXyPTwcwmDhWNl2P58OvkPBgVlxKlEg7NkKQ1H3jDI1MWswaYpZCqQaC5J1PlA/w400-h266/0J9A3136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A potential crop raider ;)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A couple of beers at the bar and lunch in the camp and it
was back for the afternoon drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not unexpectedly the leopard had disappeared from the tree and the lions had not
yet made an appearance so we occupied ourselves photographing birds, the hippos
in the water and whatever other plains game we could find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVjKJcwD6GzaoiY1MOA14Dy8uGyQm_bZ3BFdFQCJqK-nZfrGT4MRR8c9HHkv8abF4iX9sY4t_KfvQDhWLMQFmS3mLeEhPpsB8FYQ-2bmNK3iCojl5mKLewE4FpcI6Mgv4UwsD9RjCOLRTwFZgm2Is_mOBlKPKc1YNnffFi_DYQlnnzGkKKorv592B_A/s1600/034A0701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVjKJcwD6GzaoiY1MOA14Dy8uGyQm_bZ3BFdFQCJqK-nZfrGT4MRR8c9HHkv8abF4iX9sY4t_KfvQDhWLMQFmS3mLeEhPpsB8FYQ-2bmNK3iCojl5mKLewE4FpcI6Mgv4UwsD9RjCOLRTwFZgm2Is_mOBlKPKc1YNnffFi_DYQlnnzGkKKorv592B_A/w400-h266/034A0701.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thornicroft's giraffes can be identified by lack of markings on lower legs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And eventually we found the lions just as they were emerging
from the bush where they were sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>2 of the lionesses and one of the males came out and sat on the plain
for a few moments, but then for some reason decided it was not for them and
went straight back to the area they’d been sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm_ykmBH7w3r1wmLYT23qdOiH8DCvx152Z0GjAflN8wTbk-qFkELLA8FWrBgLaj4hcfM-SuKuSDTCQLweGakkSkRU1YxbmEuhI9nIpXJ9YpG_k0OQNLjrBMS6SiU8vCffRcK5e6pGVuFrU636ZiZFKb_RwnkVB8fDxuFNNjLlBq9vZxNbnZiqz0zZag/s1600/0J9A3161.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm_ykmBH7w3r1wmLYT23qdOiH8DCvx152Z0GjAflN8wTbk-qFkELLA8FWrBgLaj4hcfM-SuKuSDTCQLweGakkSkRU1YxbmEuhI9nIpXJ9YpG_k0OQNLjrBMS6SiU8vCffRcK5e6pGVuFrU636ZiZFKb_RwnkVB8fDxuFNNjLlBq9vZxNbnZiqz0zZag/w400-h266/0J9A3161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Arriving through the golden grass</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a bit too far from the road for any
good photos but was quite entertaining to watch when a flock of helmeted
guineafowl proceeded to mob one of the males as he walked further away from the
road towards bushes that were further away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfFvDg9vOLbRpyfBXxVpVYvoUFZafrLcz0u8dDwD1offJmeRY7urIihwK6ET9UBEh6lUTzNCKnCFIIwQwah6kUx-lFcMVI-lMPnkwuXeXvJfQ8S3z89H-z7UJ3nscTmD5LyamQ5Zwr1AuXt-8uYn8Gp5DdNsAN7B41ODmUCwrh-6VeUGh5UPwbNNNaQ/s1600/034A0747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfFvDg9vOLbRpyfBXxVpVYvoUFZafrLcz0u8dDwD1offJmeRY7urIihwK6ET9UBEh6lUTzNCKnCFIIwQwah6kUx-lFcMVI-lMPnkwuXeXvJfQ8S3z89H-z7UJ3nscTmD5LyamQ5Zwr1AuXt-8uYn8Gp5DdNsAN7B41ODmUCwrh-6VeUGh5UPwbNNNaQ/w400-h266/034A0747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lion brothers</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">By now it was about 5 o’clock and we decided to slowly head towards the gate via riverside drive just to see if anything was around, mainly a leopard on the prowl.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOG7re0KuObQourijebdy3qWnbmBWsuEw-YoJVVkdLnhJmY0cmzhbfVg1gOXKGzB9j8Y2dxyFBbB6sieoThPgI6hdeERWVXtXpBpBQGzEJVv-edTnlOkjCMmOTDYrzPoAt_69VZcbeMayHOqsljz_xXt2fWRWyfJVxzmNmWPSSjV-bZU4kx8Kny8Mvg/s1600/034A0756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOG7re0KuObQourijebdy3qWnbmBWsuEw-YoJVVkdLnhJmY0cmzhbfVg1gOXKGzB9j8Y2dxyFBbB6sieoThPgI6hdeERWVXtXpBpBQGzEJVv-edTnlOkjCMmOTDYrzPoAt_69VZcbeMayHOqsljz_xXt2fWRWyfJVxzmNmWPSSjV-bZU4kx8Kny8Mvg/w400-h266/034A0756.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">One of the males was mobbed by the guineafowls</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead we came
across the same self-drivers that we’d shown the leopard to, and from the chat
discovered that he is an award winning photographer that was on a trip with his
wife and sister-in-law touring around Zambia for about 6 weeks.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We recognised his name as someone we follow
on Instagram for his great shots – always nice to put a face to the photos 😉</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTbmSr3hKBRCgM-e98C4x3umHyVtDPaW3BQUK4a4HNM1aJ7gQCLvxrzbxqCePMZlXkETDEr-aQRvM1GIbxAAeMt7Ho3KjR_ay-dCYMGVVy2XfBnvKH3EqBkbWsiBnzQlsONUQjL42axu3cpECLNkghb_gn0KL8S8rFl0f6X5b-y0jqTPP_dPuyW168g/s1600/034A0678.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTbmSr3hKBRCgM-e98C4x3umHyVtDPaW3BQUK4a4HNM1aJ7gQCLvxrzbxqCePMZlXkETDEr-aQRvM1GIbxAAeMt7Ho3KjR_ay-dCYMGVVy2XfBnvKH3EqBkbWsiBnzQlsONUQjL42axu3cpECLNkghb_gn0KL8S8rFl0f6X5b-y0jqTPP_dPuyW168g/w400-h266/034A0678.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lilac breasted roller<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He gave us a tip that there were some lions further up in
front of Mfuwe Lodge and we soon headed there although by now the sun had
almost set and the light was poor.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> And soon w</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">e
found a few lionesses that based on their stomachs had eaten a baby hippo!</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9emlE_Ub3fb-vXYOh3wpnmc9r8-iKFtSbVCMsEHFqJei6xTK8lEPDuLCGE4yPOasa9arVOqRyD2hU_sbYKBArTaqG2TTzb5WjU1y9wkPtbiyu81sPM4mizqeE_Hi4i9xgDoMpzQDdMTdI2SM2rVJzOzOcIPa-yfhFND8-HGGxrkkCE2k3___IAQUMw/s1600/034A0769.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9emlE_Ub3fb-vXYOh3wpnmc9r8-iKFtSbVCMsEHFqJei6xTK8lEPDuLCGE4yPOasa9arVOqRyD2hU_sbYKBArTaqG2TTzb5WjU1y9wkPtbiyu81sPM4mizqeE_Hi4i9xgDoMpzQDdMTdI2SM2rVJzOzOcIPa-yfhFND8-HGGxrkkCE2k3___IAQUMw/w400-h266/034A0769.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Looking like a baby hippo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the lionesses was lying on her back
legs in the air near the Mfuwe waterhole, while one of her sisters staggered up
to the road before flopping down, also legs in the air struggling to breathe
with that full stomach!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsbMlHYzOpXQIXDS9Afh8m_v1akzONcZo2Qpg4-yvvtb7pY6eCmu_GuvS1tmLWl8aiSN-3uTSx6BOUTnfokf_r_t2IxxUWiw91XoEPfLGpjSI-gAwQqBIWIqmVAWj2UTn1_rtNdUE3fM1eDNipsMOowvJorSYaWoSzwdIsz8J8mLvJhDQz8eFlNbodw/s1600/0J9A3207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsbMlHYzOpXQIXDS9Afh8m_v1akzONcZo2Qpg4-yvvtb7pY6eCmu_GuvS1tmLWl8aiSN-3uTSx6BOUTnfokf_r_t2IxxUWiw91XoEPfLGpjSI-gAwQqBIWIqmVAWj2UTn1_rtNdUE3fM1eDNipsMOowvJorSYaWoSzwdIsz8J8mLvJhDQz8eFlNbodw/w400-h266/0J9A3207.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Her sister was also too full to move!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eventually we left the road lying lioness getting to the
gate up the road just before closing time – another really good day in South
Luangwa!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" target="_blank">Intro</a> <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> << </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> >> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span>Day 7</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-71669602885723942022022-09-14T14:13:00.003+03:002022-12-07T13:09:04.523+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 4<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJbbWo7vKLNYOR2gsFEjx6ONOiAuxC7rSeLiQM2k_Ojy0skVk0dAXFXb0fV9Wpga2lpLyHhiOq238HtRcMLJk-Qjk16lKn6yNEgXEvkygDmBucndAVOh2HqBthuO50f0lUzghC4Y0_MXEvvYA4S4V_jzpgTUTrY2DkkZ_A8Ep_P7MrTrCN7QWBTkzRA/s1600/0J9A2490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJbbWo7vKLNYOR2gsFEjx6ONOiAuxC7rSeLiQM2k_Ojy0skVk0dAXFXb0fV9Wpga2lpLyHhiOq238HtRcMLJk-Qjk16lKn6yNEgXEvkygDmBucndAVOh2HqBthuO50f0lUzghC4Y0_MXEvvYA4S4V_jzpgTUTrY2DkkZ_A8Ep_P7MrTrCN7QWBTkzRA/w400-h266/0J9A2490.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Highlight of the trip!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every evening we sit under the stars with a glass of wine,
listen to the sounds of the bush and decide for the route for the next
morning. And as usual, Wamilombe was at
the top of our list. It’s just too
difficult to let it go knowing that if we see something first thing in the
morning it would be special. </span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCkTEKAPcZsQQrh3xun9nitqnSmFjOGYeVgzA6pwLYdJY_RdkpIuur5c-KBHiLNdE1lqIJnr-Ywca8sP7OA0ElKRujgI-8-BzmFSLJGnZMzzQ075SXqoYI2EEcgl_Ez6QL99eSW9spTn6q5-1zB_Q2hQewvgP-dSHerkL0ecwAz9_5wjtWM8G-0uPNQ/s1600/034A9055.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCkTEKAPcZsQQrh3xun9nitqnSmFjOGYeVgzA6pwLYdJY_RdkpIuur5c-KBHiLNdE1lqIJnr-Ywca8sP7OA0ElKRujgI-8-BzmFSLJGnZMzzQ075SXqoYI2EEcgl_Ez6QL99eSW9spTn6q5-1zB_Q2hQewvgP-dSHerkL0ecwAz9_5wjtWM8G-0uPNQ/w400-h266/034A9055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Little bee-eater</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But it was testing our patience as it had been 3 days
without an early morning sighting. But again, we put our faith in it and headed
straight there to check out the plain, passing the bridge at the gate with the
same self-drive car we’d seen the previous day shooting the sunrise again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_9sIM-PwHr4hK8MBE5GZeRpqy46zQ9wztd3EkTdYx8k0Bez6zaEMNgC7Sqp_H9Ms2_iFGpj44SGgbCm35h3SQDvWjCMCk4hSG4QOwKw_yfdM7--qaLIzlzLoqyv_tB67VON7Nvd-wuRXHxN9oQRGoBFTZhNFCi73kzxodRGLYKwJRd2EdSXKrPwGtg/s1600/034A9106.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_9sIM-PwHr4hK8MBE5GZeRpqy46zQ9wztd3EkTdYx8k0Bez6zaEMNgC7Sqp_H9Ms2_iFGpj44SGgbCm35h3SQDvWjCMCk4hSG4QOwKw_yfdM7--qaLIzlzLoqyv_tB67VON7Nvd-wuRXHxN9oQRGoBFTZhNFCi73kzxodRGLYKwJRd2EdSXKrPwGtg/w400-h266/034A9106.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Puku ram</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our plan was to drive the main road that skirts the plain
and see if any animals were reacting to a potential predator, then do the small
adjacent loop to see if the lions were around (really need to name this place),
and then back to the main plain, driving through it to catch anything we’d
missed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuaZKMlKD4QSey9b46Dm6OgGZTNJr3VTCji_7qQk5xQ5IJFdU57VdYiuzR5frvSAZHcrQbbPKfTE47TD43pLa1bXtI4vOjKz7f7qGV2aVca6khSQ_LF-1K6NmdvkDr3i__ZL1CI0BRpVYSf7P8xdvdiNGOlkEFLcdOL9zubHPO8sRJKulBoeYKTZSEA/s1600/034A9038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuaZKMlKD4QSey9b46Dm6OgGZTNJr3VTCji_7qQk5xQ5IJFdU57VdYiuzR5frvSAZHcrQbbPKfTE47TD43pLa1bXtI4vOjKz7f7qGV2aVca6khSQ_LF-1K6NmdvkDr3i__ZL1CI0BRpVYSf7P8xdvdiNGOlkEFLcdOL9zubHPO8sRJKulBoeYKTZSEA/w400-h266/034A9038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Crocodile basking at a waterhole</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Driving on the main road gave us nothing, as did the little
loop and we weren’t holding out much hope, but as we got back to the main area,
a cat like animal was walking in the distance across the plain. A quick stop to put the binoculars on – cat!
Even better – leopard! And even better than that – with something in its mouth!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlkPGZIkRe7I1he2hcJOTMjVPKDYz-zC3RfMMDS8xKEnzwNDp0iejCJ9mBP9lHoxFkG2pUXZEvNBO_fBb-TI_TTvqyUGE28JSLehRlrsoaYGO-t8c7Vbp6MEnO_6x59evr0FpJ4sJy9FaGd5UUnNe2fmY5RGbkVr-nl3KTuJdXkOdo6blhU4fGFuw1Q/s1600/0J9A2433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlkPGZIkRe7I1he2hcJOTMjVPKDYz-zC3RfMMDS8xKEnzwNDp0iejCJ9mBP9lHoxFkG2pUXZEvNBO_fBb-TI_TTvqyUGE28JSLehRlrsoaYGO-t8c7Vbp6MEnO_6x59evr0FpJ4sJy9FaGd5UUnNe2fmY5RGbkVr-nl3KTuJdXkOdo6blhU4fGFuw1Q/w400-h266/0J9A2433.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">First sighting of the leopard and the monkey</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We quickly raced towards the cat and it turned out to be a
leopard walking with a dead monkey that’d she’d just killed in her mouth. This is what we were looking for and quickly
stopped to get some photos; although the sun was directly in our eyes the light
was soft enough to give us some nice shots.</span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNrYvbMhXdnRlFo1XT4HgvEBjcJafVq0Zy4pz6eILC_nq_D8rYkh4ks1EIBxbmWeaBN5tvwn58XvUL9G-qDvv9uoilxI6y1ygG3DTBS9IiY2J6e4LhyPMRG4YvfnHYQFveHuWv6fDBySY9fk4VUIjj0Bpm0WE0-7G3ToZvdTVf44UYaVctzkqIiGkkQ/s1600/0J9A2468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNrYvbMhXdnRlFo1XT4HgvEBjcJafVq0Zy4pz6eILC_nq_D8rYkh4ks1EIBxbmWeaBN5tvwn58XvUL9G-qDvv9uoilxI6y1ygG3DTBS9IiY2J6e4LhyPMRG4YvfnHYQFveHuWv6fDBySY9fk4VUIjj0Bpm0WE0-7G3ToZvdTVf44UYaVctzkqIiGkkQ/w400-h266/0J9A2468.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Head on shots of a leopard with a kill!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She was heading off the pan along an elephant path and we so
we decided to get back onto the main road and catch her heading towards us on
the elephant path – hopefully! </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw-iVGwGWF5o7VbDZggnzclPdTUQUlSaU_YQ_JQ1mCHfYsGDoWzuj8G0lXjJ0I5h6GKCI5sfV93rYtAhNB8kKkjyfUsbNUzcdjCnSG1jCOJ9otDCB1f-ACIsCv2ea9st0nC5vKX1C_Rd-gS13ZH__2BaAkrGythbu4aRYIS79GQha0AZnTxgvTGQGUA/s1600/0J9A2481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw-iVGwGWF5o7VbDZggnzclPdTUQUlSaU_YQ_JQ1mCHfYsGDoWzuj8G0lXjJ0I5h6GKCI5sfV93rYtAhNB8kKkjyfUsbNUzcdjCnSG1jCOJ9otDCB1f-ACIsCv2ea9st0nC5vKX1C_Rd-gS13ZH__2BaAkrGythbu4aRYIS79GQha0AZnTxgvTGQGUA/w400-h266/0J9A2481.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Straight up the elephant path as predicted</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And it
worked, she was so chilled she walked directly towards us along the path and up
the hill to where we were parked, crossed the road in front of our car and down
the other side, where she ambled to the nearest bush and proceeded to lay down
with her monkey prize – it was unbelievable! And a bit of relief that Wamilombe
had paid off exactly as we had hoped!<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGimJFtaJVa5LDnDrNCejZESVjBNf52yYQlNv89Wrow8E8nVAAmM6mcyugGodEXV_5kgiKaEZf0lrxjQmSCjPXAXfriFWCpG7NPZIza9Hna_C8Q3OpC24JoVVwFeNfn80KZsDpq7M2hg30N4KR7Uu-3V3ECsFT6fmHOe1gCE8W2B0q93XZ88ZPYZIqw/s1600/0J9A2504.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGimJFtaJVa5LDnDrNCejZESVjBNf52yYQlNv89Wrow8E8nVAAmM6mcyugGodEXV_5kgiKaEZf0lrxjQmSCjPXAXfriFWCpG7NPZIza9Hna_C8Q3OpC24JoVVwFeNfn80KZsDpq7M2hg30N4KR7Uu-3V3ECsFT6fmHOe1gCE8W2B0q93XZ88ZPYZIqw/w400-h266/0J9A2504.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">She was unfazed by our presence</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She had picked a nice spot to eat her breakfast, but
unfortunately it was a bit dark in the bush for good light photos, so we
chilled out drinking coffee and watching her devour her monkey. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RxZXBmdWyDWd1n_4thE2hiQcknx4RySB1aEHckvNrMWb4bSECBgUYBgoeTtVqPtuup7yFrTndqcWihvTqYfFzim4r8SlFN83z2ZH0fFGrsQ-oCGBLClDh9NpX7pb5rJy3KOCBxy5vNfKCtlBRyDu-p5TR2xOVEes0cTRtQVAkBIGiajZXG4Z5QlBIw/s1600/0J9A2509.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RxZXBmdWyDWd1n_4thE2hiQcknx4RySB1aEHckvNrMWb4bSECBgUYBgoeTtVqPtuup7yFrTndqcWihvTqYfFzim4r8SlFN83z2ZH0fFGrsQ-oCGBLClDh9NpX7pb5rJy3KOCBxy5vNfKCtlBRyDu-p5TR2xOVEes0cTRtQVAkBIGiajZXG4Z5QlBIw/w400-h266/0J9A2509.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Deciding where to eat</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We spent about half an hour with her before
the first car arrived and soon the news was out, so soon after that we left the
other safari vehicles to the sighting knowing that we’d had the best of it this
morning. It was the first time we had seen a leopard eat a monkey and it simply
crunched through everything, starting with the head and even chomped the arms
and hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEhYTV-Hr_rWPzxqRffi9K-e1nASIKR508Unt7x15X8rsrwJfKW4-D4-4zKb0jActc01v2xdomvKt4ftr6eISO1QMEiPp_cpZrbHXZuvyXCAgzn3RIGlwakr_fVPBy8tlLE1zkIQvetc2gwfojNL_qQ6BwsmGJYVJMOxYH22wJ9kcchPft35o2gOGtw/s1600/0J9A2746.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEhYTV-Hr_rWPzxqRffi9K-e1nASIKR508Unt7x15X8rsrwJfKW4-D4-4zKb0jActc01v2xdomvKt4ftr6eISO1QMEiPp_cpZrbHXZuvyXCAgzn3RIGlwakr_fVPBy8tlLE1zkIQvetc2gwfojNL_qQ6BwsmGJYVJMOxYH22wJ9kcchPft35o2gOGtw/w400-h266/0J9A2746.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A good breakfast for the leopard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nothing else matched the highlight for the morning, although
we did catch some nice birds, buffalo and elephant. On a tip on lions we’d gone across the main
road to the Luangwa Wafwa area, but despite a safari vehicle having just seen
them, we just couldn’t locate them. They
had just melted into the bush and all the safari eyes couldn’t find them, so by
mid-morning we were back at the camp for the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HYiqIz7Fa27zBjn5mvcaUYPIdCpwC1t2KdnsirHwXp3kr2ARECsG8NHzm8reoPH5rcmLj3wTOGrJooRfnOMkZoS0YJgvkplQEcctjdjKx5IREiZXNx_gc9KPstV2NDNBHzA8Z3Faqp-Y1y9QwCBl9g8oqWHJji7_I_P6wbpjSIp2GcWVlzYGSaweZg/s1600/034A9075.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HYiqIz7Fa27zBjn5mvcaUYPIdCpwC1t2KdnsirHwXp3kr2ARECsG8NHzm8reoPH5rcmLj3wTOGrJooRfnOMkZoS0YJgvkplQEcctjdjKx5IREiZXNx_gc9KPstV2NDNBHzA8Z3Faqp-Y1y9QwCBl9g8oqWHJji7_I_P6wbpjSIp2GcWVlzYGSaweZg/w400-h266/034A9075.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Looks like a good joke was shared</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This time it was a bit different however, as Dru had a
conference call that he couldn’t get out of despite being on leave. It was due to take place between 2 and 3pm
which meant that by the time the call was done the afternoon drive would be a
bit late. We’d probably only get to the
park after 4pm and since the light would be fading by about 5.15pm it didn’t
make sense to go for a game drive ourselves.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UokeWsToilXPvuZv2JUvdvVAz4Cfu6Z0pD331lhYIC9ZnX-JOTolt3pZjw-vwPrhyX3sornx3LOEb8X1e-ZtWcKfh5AOR13Q6iJNWyJbq1i0D3VM-AJa1mYXeHh7GITUavnarDEKhyQ4_kFlG-B6HMhh0xWHzlf4CDQOkk6rT-ncArk3p5aahFycmg/s1600/034A9805.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UokeWsToilXPvuZv2JUvdvVAz4Cfu6Z0pD331lhYIC9ZnX-JOTolt3pZjw-vwPrhyX3sornx3LOEb8X1e-ZtWcKfh5AOR13Q6iJNWyJbq1i0D3VM-AJa1mYXeHh7GITUavnarDEKhyQ4_kFlG-B6HMhh0xWHzlf4CDQOkk6rT-ncArk3p5aahFycmg/w400-h266/034A9805.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Grey heron </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead, we opted to do a night drive with the lodge, since
we’d already paid the park fees for the day and it would give us an opportunity
to check the park out at night, since the drive is from 4-8pm. Surprisingly, we’ve never done a night drive
before. Because we self-drive, we always
need to be out the park by closing time at 6pm and since for us it’s all about
catching nature during the day, we had never bothered. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59vMtOLIXT912ZctC_l4o_gOJl3jd8ZYSCoQk9N53tIZyPx3vodi9jYB4R7zfYzMqC9LR3nLd17w-cjggVWp4zCz3rAQ7qcNFy8intfR0JqgOdMO1BKXjXXe6Yz23dDG4ZNRTHo_soFzQajHgDQCi5kUbOA_B53RXuauPzjgwkwj0usrAejTekEDdww/s1600/034A9812.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59vMtOLIXT912ZctC_l4o_gOJl3jd8ZYSCoQk9N53tIZyPx3vodi9jYB4R7zfYzMqC9LR3nLd17w-cjggVWp4zCz3rAQ7qcNFy8intfR0JqgOdMO1BKXjXXe6Yz23dDG4ZNRTHo_soFzQajHgDQCi5kUbOA_B53RXuauPzjgwkwj0usrAejTekEDdww/w400-h266/034A9812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Big calm bull elephant</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, this was a circumstance driven
opportunity and we decided to take advantage of it. We just hoped that we didn’t get stuck with
guests that had never been on safari before otherwise we’d be stopping for
every impala 😉</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9AWT5CYFMIWIMZp_FKHngowy6ClNBpvp99t-zF1je-081h6pLu1saoqcJmbB82IIdwhSkyb7OclEHATJvWZ8WkbNCEL8mTrER2z7Rt5S5ZdZsP0PgMF02pakXtZeyNnVEEJmT1x5EfMKx8xU5uuDEOYQ1Gq1o-6gy4T3Ss4YaME4sekqLWDVw1gcWA/w400-h266/034A9841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Fishing in the Luangwa river in the heat of the day</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9AWT5CYFMIWIMZp_FKHngowy6ClNBpvp99t-zF1je-081h6pLu1saoqcJmbB82IIdwhSkyb7OclEHATJvWZ8WkbNCEL8mTrER2z7Rt5S5ZdZsP0PgMF02pakXtZeyNnVEEJmT1x5EfMKx8xU5uuDEOYQ1Gq1o-6gy4T3Ss4YaME4sekqLWDVw1gcWA/s1600/034A9841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And so of course we got stuck with a first-time safari goer 😉
Luckily, we only stopped for a few impalas and some common birds in the
beginning and then we could look for the night creatures. Unfortunately, by the time we stopped for
beer and popcorn we hadn’t caught anything of significance, but as it got darker,
we were optimistic. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd9j4d_kRFgbFdK2frFz7C6jASjWHm1OxM67_FZyAmnQAzCE56gD8z5T3MENXvHJMtj7w_AwhoTw0p7krvGqu5Ips1fikc5JrjtyATgGzz9VlF3rL9Q_b10xfoMlTQSp088QdrUJwfiVoHn_Zx0n70fAb8obrGIi6Ad8jn9Z6R5u_tgUK3I5zPQQzxg/s1600/034A9818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd9j4d_kRFgbFdK2frFz7C6jASjWHm1OxM67_FZyAmnQAzCE56gD8z5T3MENXvHJMtj7w_AwhoTw0p7krvGqu5Ips1fikc5JrjtyATgGzz9VlF3rL9Q_b10xfoMlTQSp088QdrUJwfiVoHn_Zx0n70fAb8obrGIi6Ad8jn9Z6R5u_tgUK3I5zPQQzxg/w400-h266/034A9818.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Puku chilling <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And we were soon rewarded with a sighting of a
bushbaby. We’d heard them previously in
the campsite, but they’re almost impossible to see, so nice to get a sighting
of them. And then soon after it was a
genet – again, a creature we only see at night around the campsite (in fact,
there is a resident one in our camp we see regularly) and another genet. They seem to be quite common once the sun
goes down. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieyZj_wc-qw8tnfkfM27UFfG4eAMVE-lUSfvtF1KwgpyhqIT8tOECZ1d0PTvQXE9RHDBi5zfxUd9GiN4B0cyEa9-PoDE_aVaMSc7K7cH0OGiXSHjXSB7loUezac24v9fX61bxUO7f3OKzEc3XNBdbXTuSNe-A7rqwonvBhZg3JgDhtP15eWgkU_TZCg/s1600/034A9849.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieyZj_wc-qw8tnfkfM27UFfG4eAMVE-lUSfvtF1KwgpyhqIT8tOECZ1d0PTvQXE9RHDBi5zfxUd9GiN4B0cyEa9-PoDE_aVaMSc7K7cH0OGiXSHjXSB7loUezac24v9fX61bxUO7f3OKzEc3XNBdbXTuSNe-A7rqwonvBhZg3JgDhtP15eWgkU_TZCg/w400-h266/034A9849.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Baby giraffe running - our first sighting of our night drive</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And soon, we turned into a road that a multitude of cars in
front of us – the lions had been found.
But they were far off road, about 4 of them including a male. Off-road driving isn’t allowed in South
Luangwa and they plant wildlife officials randomly in the safari vehicles to
make sure that the guides don’t ignore the rule. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEELLdw7ut4bEcXfMyJriYJqSxyyIE1Ee2Wg9CAespP20mqyJdymgzeiDwaH5bqA_2yK-BogBG1fBXQpkz96jUlNgdhv6mbH6vp8YHNsa-tFJkrFqT3YjV0P9KBW6bJAmdo1CYW9n3UIlBtyfLqJ2hO95st3DI53a08jo9TCw2J9QPMUU47Pl52nEnw/s1600/034A9876.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEELLdw7ut4bEcXfMyJriYJqSxyyIE1Ee2Wg9CAespP20mqyJdymgzeiDwaH5bqA_2yK-BogBG1fBXQpkz96jUlNgdhv6mbH6vp8YHNsa-tFJkrFqT3YjV0P9KBW6bJAmdo1CYW9n3UIlBtyfLqJ2hO95st3DI53a08jo9TCw2J9QPMUU47Pl52nEnw/w400-h266/034A9876.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lions heading for us</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In this case, there were multiple vehicles off-road to see
the lions, but there was a safari vehicle waiting with a wildlife official in
it and as each one came back to the road he would step out and chastise them,
or give them a warning – we’re not sure which.
While we couldn’t get close to the lions it was quite amusing to watch
each vehicle get a warning until the last 2 vehicles just drove off quickly in
a different direction to avoid the official.
Of course, they all know each other, so it produced much laughter from
the rest of the guides and guests.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAxiAm7oPtFIlmiC8gKQDC4IO99bLWcYtwhtWhmhkwYOLVj1nHp0pOZ22DfDL7x42Q8Vvx8gvfQHwglL_gkOhM6AO7FphbhTEhvB2seYpPX63yy4kQFN-L4WGzjgCO5X0iyS2fM5fAB8m05gspT4uVm5ItSgUOjCm2C8PllQwQHxu8GlYnEwA8SuRfA/s1600/034A9885.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAxiAm7oPtFIlmiC8gKQDC4IO99bLWcYtwhtWhmhkwYOLVj1nHp0pOZ22DfDL7x42Q8Vvx8gvfQHwglL_gkOhM6AO7FphbhTEhvB2seYpPX63yy4kQFN-L4WGzjgCO5X0iyS2fM5fAB8m05gspT4uVm5ItSgUOjCm2C8PllQwQHxu8GlYnEwA8SuRfA/w400-h266/034A9885.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">She was intent on heading straight towards us</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With all the vehicles having left, it seemed like the lions
were planning to move as they were starting to groom and yawn, so our guide
made a good call to anticipate where the lions were moving. And sure enough, out of all the vehicles, we
stopped at exactly the right spot to catch the first of the lions coming out of
the dark and into the multiple spotlights trained on them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEx3RGhXxta5ykJLVOirktevUI1MiwcrpYN5Yzdr267V-lYG5Jrd8uD5xtd4c45my-6CblzMQUcvNScsyl9J37MCbsBLJSUvCZYfEuca-yED022X4srypFUMWA01F57bwW0sXGt12Qf94hqa47bx_0JNmAPl_EwDym6YHVwZ4I3C3C10CrkZobcgt5g/s1600/034A9880.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEx3RGhXxta5ykJLVOirktevUI1MiwcrpYN5Yzdr267V-lYG5Jrd8uD5xtd4c45my-6CblzMQUcvNScsyl9J37MCbsBLJSUvCZYfEuca-yED022X4srypFUMWA01F57bwW0sXGt12Qf94hqa47bx_0JNmAPl_EwDym6YHVwZ4I3C3C10CrkZobcgt5g/w400-h266/034A9880.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">She crossed the road just in front of us</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everyone was waiting for the male to arrive and soon he made
an appearance – walking straight towards us before crossing behind our car and
disappearing into the dark behind the females.
Pretty exhilarating!<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCfNH4NzpTa5AZhCNjIJh9ZXaIyrFTTIAYlobogHjt9Dy-Wb--qFqS9Ty51bfw99RiKWCDHjHe45cafkXR30BXR0vp2GN6gkOgI1u3VMr26kozj9RIevg9_x-Pr0uhobZyIKcRhEfJ1ekwe0gq3XTyBDZ7KdigqYmTdATKY1ypkNEPYqtFNzEQVbKnQ/s1600/034A9914.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCfNH4NzpTa5AZhCNjIJh9ZXaIyrFTTIAYlobogHjt9Dy-Wb--qFqS9Ty51bfw99RiKWCDHjHe45cafkXR30BXR0vp2GN6gkOgI1u3VMr26kozj9RIevg9_x-Pr0uhobZyIKcRhEfJ1ekwe0gq3XTyBDZ7KdigqYmTdATKY1ypkNEPYqtFNzEQVbKnQ/w400-h266/034A9914.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The male soon followed</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was a bit of back and forth between the guides in the
local language but when we heard the word “Wamilombe” we knew it could only be
leopard. And sure enough, soon we were
hurtling towards the plain that gave us such a good sighting that morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkP4x-ZL8t569iqQjjeDSBMIi81PJupKumpNEtDmLNIzS8RJEaOUcL01i7VhIMOYzRGyNJf-ZCddXgjyskBTi15nTcz_yt8D9P3u8UvOYnAOKYxKD3WY7-N5nONakvo_8oCnmDCoKZ1ycjvTsGGtbDUgH9U9FXNk3CIZ9fdnOtdWLUFel22hP1RGoiw/s1600/034A9926.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkP4x-ZL8t569iqQjjeDSBMIi81PJupKumpNEtDmLNIzS8RJEaOUcL01i7VhIMOYzRGyNJf-ZCddXgjyskBTi15nTcz_yt8D9P3u8UvOYnAOKYxKD3WY7-N5nONakvo_8oCnmDCoKZ1ycjvTsGGtbDUgH9U9FXNk3CIZ9fdnOtdWLUFel22hP1RGoiw/w400-h266/034A9926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lions look even more intimidating at night</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We arrived to bunch of cars lined up and not a sound from
anyone. Only the red lights were on – a
filter on the spotlight to produce infrared lights so that it doesn’t affect
the antelope. And looking closely with
the red lights, about 20 meters from the herd of impala was a crouching
leopard. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBrmyB20S3JhZH6yh2dP_2l5dt45Pcgb9wetUKZMO-v02TlK8-Ktko01USdDukRUSmjDFCUvCcNjVwkm-GL6qLgcx2t4vEASA9fmCVBe1hXaOxbsLt-PgwWdjKfqavPcSb-t6RSnldgYg_oF4dLmTeBJ5FMF7_CaFszgm9lO-ZH2YUT2sE05uyvLoqw/s1600/034A9938.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBrmyB20S3JhZH6yh2dP_2l5dt45Pcgb9wetUKZMO-v02TlK8-Ktko01USdDukRUSmjDFCUvCcNjVwkm-GL6qLgcx2t4vEASA9fmCVBe1hXaOxbsLt-PgwWdjKfqavPcSb-t6RSnldgYg_oF4dLmTeBJ5FMF7_CaFszgm9lO-ZH2YUT2sE05uyvLoqw/w400-h266/034A9938.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Infrared light on the leopard so advantage isn't given to either the cat or her potential prey</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She was hunting, so close to the impala who were completely
oblivious to her. It was a tension
filled moment, but soon it was time to leave so that we could make the gate in
time for the 8pm closing. Well, all the
quiet sitting and waiting ended abruptly when it was time to leave. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglxv6B7RQSFLU1J8g1vUQAWGKp6TmcC0sCMpxDfNs_IZrJvxu5jejsI1wwXzpbSYQvcn8b7pLz49jsEGgMKs9oyOtFq1k6s7GpoNqAqoMLb8TfKXByeyH4Wo0BHxRnyIL69y6IZOKmru7JzmgaKvzn6QLcGbsOcfpXuXutumP90FOhcR6LpnSf-hM6A/s1600/034A9932.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglxv6B7RQSFLU1J8g1vUQAWGKp6TmcC0sCMpxDfNs_IZrJvxu5jejsI1wwXzpbSYQvcn8b7pLz49jsEGgMKs9oyOtFq1k6s7GpoNqAqoMLb8TfKXByeyH4Wo0BHxRnyIL69y6IZOKmru7JzmgaKvzn6QLcGbsOcfpXuXutumP90FOhcR6LpnSf-hM6A/w400-h266/034A9932.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Apparently infrared is ignored when the cars need to go</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Suddenly the red lights were replaced with
the normal spotlights and all the cars drove right up to the leopard for the
guests to get a close up – so much for leaving the cat in camouflage! Having said that, we found out the next day
that it made no difference as the leopard had pulled down an impala shortly
after that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVBUVKSc8_xGTUuHKc6k9vydBc9P2IOBJYEmrZUyrO_ZH4-uCcLGKoEnnKlEOdF5rX4eN1LfZsFXeMgjObUOpsh6LZzNnQOrzVzaDx_2BgpOknDA4zSqrf1CurBdJMCV0ANGf3_p9W-Y_A2eR_ImNmWycPCRXySepT8lLrFDlw_qE--Q-HzYU5OQ_ng/s1600/034A9931.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVBUVKSc8_xGTUuHKc6k9vydBc9P2IOBJYEmrZUyrO_ZH4-uCcLGKoEnnKlEOdF5rX4eN1LfZsFXeMgjObUOpsh6LZzNnQOrzVzaDx_2BgpOknDA4zSqrf1CurBdJMCV0ANGf3_p9W-Y_A2eR_ImNmWycPCRXySepT8lLrFDlw_qE--Q-HzYU5OQ_ng/w400-h266/034A9931.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Light didn't make a difference, shortly after we left she made a kill</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After that quick interlude we sped off to the gate and made
it before closing and back to the campsite.
The biggest problem we found with the night drive from a logistics point
of view was now we still had to make dinner and other camp chores, which meant
we only got to bed closer to 11pm than our normal early bed time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still, doing the night drive was an interesting experience and while we wouldn't be chomping at the bit to do it every time, it was something to consider if we couldn't do a drive ourselves.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3pXVgF_qilIQY2MnjX6_8pX7I1A7bsKBc1CNMlowJUPLZdknf6wZ9-dTzW7TMbIuFAPN834Q5O-orOZ_A0z6I1oq1Vd_eXLItbzzlvJGF01jPjN4Oj144wUFGRkRQaLcGFlEyhE4dcz2smqbdM15C1QVQcT7R8JZafaHM5wKhIPbckettoLk_eKxvQ/s1600/034A9942.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3pXVgF_qilIQY2MnjX6_8pX7I1A7bsKBc1CNMlowJUPLZdknf6wZ9-dTzW7TMbIuFAPN834Q5O-orOZ_A0z6I1oq1Vd_eXLItbzzlvJGF01jPjN4Oj144wUFGRkRQaLcGFlEyhE4dcz2smqbdM15C1QVQcT7R8JZafaHM5wKhIPbckettoLk_eKxvQ/w400-h266/034A9942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Nice bonus of a bloody hyena as we finished our night drive</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" target="_blank">Intro</a> <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"><< </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="text-align: center;"> >><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Day 7</span></a></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0South Luangwa NP, Zambia-12.9409803 31.904538-56.38856434109573 -38.407962 30.506603741095731 102.217038tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-87578576535712252852022-09-13T20:31:00.003+03:002022-12-07T13:07:27.098+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 3<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9n2rKMW7Qq_8hANfAtkNK2bvb07xq6nMaqCpNQ3jWEZmGis1bKIvm_7gtV9wfGzJqHmXzMHB176p4tq5hrOwotALzs4lLUJh2_QRzxsSHd8JAygoMCZL1wHKaJzPHm4YAcPWDjflbaYWXnB-ATWJoMLwveGnf5dLR3ka-85DXX2egbG43LThMY1sCQ/s1600/034A8730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9n2rKMW7Qq_8hANfAtkNK2bvb07xq6nMaqCpNQ3jWEZmGis1bKIvm_7gtV9wfGzJqHmXzMHB176p4tq5hrOwotALzs4lLUJh2_QRzxsSHd8JAygoMCZL1wHKaJzPHm4YAcPWDjflbaYWXnB-ATWJoMLwveGnf5dLR3ka-85DXX2egbG43LThMY1sCQ/w400-h266/034A8730.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Southern carmine bee-eaters on the Luangwa river bank</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were up early as usual and off to the park first thing,
passing a self-drive car that was on the bridge taking photos of the
sunrise. We went through the riverside
drive just to see if we could find the little leopard again, but no sign of him
so we headed off to our favourite area – Wamilombe. </span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjPlj2bhYb8GSRw2tuUS-43pmqtBL2F2mgL7eHOnsQx2CE1Bk5zaE60AOJvZtiJVCayhu9JjVZCPaWIHNVh2vqDR-whABQ3iOVbZ1CAtCg-_QO-5PSFkrawAgk4eTWvKtLgv4ohaORWEd24fhSqFvbTVX5oFWKs89wcJdZHDMjTqr2HStCvJ06aop8g/s1600/034A8716.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjPlj2bhYb8GSRw2tuUS-43pmqtBL2F2mgL7eHOnsQx2CE1Bk5zaE60AOJvZtiJVCayhu9JjVZCPaWIHNVh2vqDR-whABQ3iOVbZ1CAtCg-_QO-5PSFkrawAgk4eTWvKtLgv4ohaORWEd24fhSqFvbTVX5oFWKs89wcJdZHDMjTqr2HStCvJ06aop8g/w400-h266/034A8716.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Carmines resting on the nearby tree</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But this morning Wamilombe had nothing exciting to offer us
in terms of cats, so we headed to the riverbank to see if we could photograph
some bee-eaters in good light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Southern carmine bee-eaters and to a lesser extent the White-fronted
bee-eaters, come to the banks of the Luangwa river to breed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MJC8wB0A1f5ZiCJtQ7CEL6Nghmzk32fiBcKSKAIn1h5f4MeOaXSQFuKs5NNW8K_1c0MwX4gVd2f6uRdz67M5re3zQdWLLGAMdMTP_bXU7HFUeZ-XFkwpKKUzttDrm1BR0R5XTnVW9s9shVtJow9mBfWMdFTWniRMjq14m_R5HiDGhCC0NB7_hKbJ_w/s1600/034A8727.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MJC8wB0A1f5ZiCJtQ7CEL6Nghmzk32fiBcKSKAIn1h5f4MeOaXSQFuKs5NNW8K_1c0MwX4gVd2f6uRdz67M5re3zQdWLLGAMdMTP_bXU7HFUeZ-XFkwpKKUzttDrm1BR0R5XTnVW9s9shVtJow9mBfWMdFTWniRMjq14m_R5HiDGhCC0NB7_hKbJ_w/w400-h266/034A8727.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Carmines resting on the bank above their communal colony</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They form colonies of hundreds (or in some
areas thousands) and burrow into the sandy cliffs of the river and are a
delight to watch as they swoop overhead and into their holes to feed the chicks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0mp_FHb-97OMPd6xgrCncbjhRFsFu8BZnFVzNsUGf-tKXWwHcVQ7N1wmPH5v9-Eg8LCuW5bl1NTchf_xqmo7PjIn4ZZ2z2HWVjYgNI1aKifYBqyvnrmCAr4p2AbpznkdeTZtEw7_4V2Myktc7HRSSfWiXb2y1FSgbVZ1BcKX6wS92rU3tkLXOFjuLg/s1600/034A8720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0mp_FHb-97OMPd6xgrCncbjhRFsFu8BZnFVzNsUGf-tKXWwHcVQ7N1wmPH5v9-Eg8LCuW5bl1NTchf_xqmo7PjIn4ZZ2z2HWVjYgNI1aKifYBqyvnrmCAr4p2AbpznkdeTZtEw7_4V2Myktc7HRSSfWiXb2y1FSgbVZ1BcKX6wS92rU3tkLXOFjuLg/w400-h266/034A8720.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The carmines can number in their hundreds or thousands</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Previously, there had been a great spot where you could see
the bank and the breeding colony, and also a big dead tree where the bee-eaters
would sit which made for some nice photos.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">But over the last rainy season that part of the bank had collapsed and
the tree had been washed away, leaving the bee-eaters to find a new
colony.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They had settled in Wamilombe
but the sighting wasn’t nearly as good, and we had to be content with shooting
the birds perching on the bank.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmZfts4ou-m78arZCz13_B0ChXjKXjQX0J2JLpna_WiQgh0o-kNEK5N9C-MnI3JpzZ29Bce5af8qf_ecrfItS9sj6TEH3YEkKndpOW07v9v5dwmdXbny03nZoyQSTTOW9E3dO_809pFBSItGUSuHuwTtN6SDkQ5182SGSgyFuyloo6zXR1OROUwma3A/s1600/034A8740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmZfts4ou-m78arZCz13_B0ChXjKXjQX0J2JLpna_WiQgh0o-kNEK5N9C-MnI3JpzZ29Bce5af8qf_ecrfItS9sj6TEH3YEkKndpOW07v9v5dwmdXbny03nZoyQSTTOW9E3dO_809pFBSItGUSuHuwTtN6SDkQ5182SGSgyFuyloo6zXR1OROUwma3A/w400-h266/034A8740.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Carmines in flight</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead of going further south, we decided to return to the
riverside drive area and look for the little leopard again, but despite driving
around we could find any sign of him until…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Showing the importance of listening to what the bush tells
you; we had stopped for coffee at a nearby waterhole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And suddenly in the silence, Dru heard a
faint call of a monkey alarm call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
followed it to where we found the monkeys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were surprisingly hard to see, stuck high in the trees and almost
invisible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monkeys will alarm call for
birds of prey too, so we weren’t sure what the reason was, but it was
persistent enough for us to train the binoculars on the surrounding trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCMeoXeJoF8rznVPT34ocgrmS8DzH-Aqg1XuZRwSk3tbg1UNAP_SsKMp1NjAVdvl39PXhP7m9KAT-L_fz-9St2vU4uvod_tG49KHTdvknZNq1WKk5g3QRuFuSxq-5BFMyPpAj-Zs8bgIn9_O7GQWq_hluSXlYFy3J1FnH4W0ZCSYGlHOcLmaRklt8cg/s1600/034A8763.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCMeoXeJoF8rznVPT34ocgrmS8DzH-Aqg1XuZRwSk3tbg1UNAP_SsKMp1NjAVdvl39PXhP7m9KAT-L_fz-9St2vU4uvod_tG49KHTdvknZNq1WKk5g3QRuFuSxq-5BFMyPpAj-Zs8bgIn9_O7GQWq_hluSXlYFy3J1FnH4W0ZCSYGlHOcLmaRklt8cg/w400-h266/034A8763.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Can you find the leopard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And after what felt like ages, but was
probably only about 5 minutes we finally found him – the little leopard perched
on an overhanging branch of a tree a little further away.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It wasn’t a great sighting as he blended in
so well (as leopards always want to do) but we were pretty chuffed that we had
finally tracked him down again!</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We hoped that the cat would eventually get down and head
closer towards us, but with the monkeys calling incessantly and a spotted hyena
lounging nearby, it was doubtful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
after about half an hour, we left him still chilling on his branch with the
plan to come back later to see if he was still there.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROxE0z1ViY1aHRUC304-qBeY4iL3IJ5BnahGsgThgY27GvNNXhhWXQf8KMSDlQ4GaX_WUTcqIm5O3xbuwLIkfshxf8wRbB_f_TCu3th3Tg6caDDXJrx5LCU_eSERffoea588JTB09cL3BcTfifcw6bdixcTYZwKDQ7ZYrOQ26WkAtJQ03jMUV6j0XuA/s1600/034A8765.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROxE0z1ViY1aHRUC304-qBeY4iL3IJ5BnahGsgThgY27GvNNXhhWXQf8KMSDlQ4GaX_WUTcqIm5O3xbuwLIkfshxf8wRbB_f_TCu3th3Tg6caDDXJrx5LCU_eSERffoea588JTB09cL3BcTfifcw6bdixcTYZwKDQ7ZYrOQ26WkAtJQ03jMUV6j0XuA/w400-h266/034A8765.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">It was a good spot!<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We still had some time before the light got too harsh so we
decided to head back to Wamilombe and see if anything had appeared.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We knew that there were lions in the area
because we’d seen the tracks on the road, but one of the guides we spoke to
said that he thought they’d gone towards the airstrip. We stuck with Wamilombe
instead of a wild goose chase in an area that we weren’t familiar with and luckily,
we were soon rewarded.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLwRWW7LGa5INYEjDEFnfWC6UC4LuK1mzmG-XIKknAzWUkCI4NCnmp4Dx0hIrauHoTxGXq65n4rkAMii6HmEMXxO7OOw01EBzDV7KDrTHjDC-tX_wNJTOhfSKZT1BECchm-_SoLKRD9Te5QtrNorsVVVdViVWx21AEbDfoeAdfcASOizpJ8632HaDGA/s1600/034A0661.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLwRWW7LGa5INYEjDEFnfWC6UC4LuK1mzmG-XIKknAzWUkCI4NCnmp4Dx0hIrauHoTxGXq65n4rkAMii6HmEMXxO7OOw01EBzDV7KDrTHjDC-tX_wNJTOhfSKZT1BECchm-_SoLKRD9Te5QtrNorsVVVdViVWx21AEbDfoeAdfcASOizpJ8632HaDGA/w400-h266/034A0661.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hippo family</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next to the main plain, there is a smaller plain where we’ve
had plenty of luck with wild<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:cheryl.jayaratne@gmail.com" datetime="2022-11-16T09:32"> </ins></span>dog
and leopard sightings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shooting off from
that plain is a dead-end road that we’d never been on because it had been boggy
from the wet season, but now in the dry it was drivable so we wanted to check
it out and named it Rod’s road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
just a small track around the back of the plain, but as we went down the track
something caught our eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Movement in
the shade of a big tree had us stopping the car and the next moment a big
lioness walked straight out of the grass and almost into our car!<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTVgFmOC9yHcuITu9J0bpvURzrj1uT40w6eMc7S3URHIBssF-ko9g4UNlFcg3VD1ystDgBOwZy2nUw2HreRiHnGwc67oiXQHfwM6l1guAhWoXzOC4TuGv9QsQ80U0YED6dITt1w1NS4-tWLn232kIseiNfoTzZaMeABoj08jHhv_up-az2jzMUHf4JA/s1600/0J9A2134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTVgFmOC9yHcuITu9J0bpvURzrj1uT40w6eMc7S3URHIBssF-ko9g4UNlFcg3VD1ystDgBOwZy2nUw2HreRiHnGwc67oiXQHfwM6l1guAhWoXzOC4TuGv9QsQ80U0YED6dITt1w1NS4-tWLn232kIseiNfoTzZaMeABoj08jHhv_up-az2jzMUHf4JA/w400-h266/0J9A2134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">She came straight out of the grass towards us</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It turns out the lions hadn’t gone to the airstrip after
all, but were now emerging from the bush and straight to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 lionesses bypassed our car and carried on
through the grass with hardly a glance to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, despite it was starting to get quite hot, it seemed that they were
on the hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In case we were right, we
figured that they would be targeting any animals that were on the small plain
so quickly turned around and drove to the plain setting ourselves up in case
they started a chase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC4s-TsWvvQkAQBCC_wt6a-S5g02keLUSYoVjooqZo-vj_P7qbVqD6HaKxTYhEO77wpbW9VYnhhbAdTEfRN4FLcxFsaNc9IQ58LQR5nl26bOKI39dChBOZFMoW7Swa3g_lmzx8Nd5lDkXcGlYBV7xW7Jhf_dCV50z-WHPFp2CngpNW3ue_9D3dRnyQA/s1600/034A8811.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC4s-TsWvvQkAQBCC_wt6a-S5g02keLUSYoVjooqZo-vj_P7qbVqD6HaKxTYhEO77wpbW9VYnhhbAdTEfRN4FLcxFsaNc9IQ58LQR5nl26bOKI39dChBOZFMoW7Swa3g_lmzx8Nd5lDkXcGlYBV7xW7Jhf_dCV50z-WHPFp2CngpNW3ue_9D3dRnyQA/w400-h266/034A8811.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Laser focused on the zebra ahead</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then we lost sight of them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not knowing where they were was a bit
confusing, so we slowly reversed the car a bit into the shade to wait it out
and scan the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except we almost
drove into a lioness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well not quite,
but she was out in the open crouching in stalk mode right next to the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Turns out they were hunting and she was laser focused on a few zebra that despite her being only about 20 meters from them
in the open, they were completely oblivious.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFZieLCOTCZoi3MJfPKJyv-FLD1VUgR88FtEVTAr0MXvDB03c62lGLQ1TsXjyMlcjqyIrWhf14Bew8JKgbW79Mgncqid3bfvIpFG97qZ_0R6Picr-6MSkiPETiRbkC-mQLNL3B4NI92MeGgyqt0BHGJMWGZFGwa8wpr4D8K9m7MRLgc14q1xqtf1k3A/s1600/034A8823.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFZieLCOTCZoi3MJfPKJyv-FLD1VUgR88FtEVTAr0MXvDB03c62lGLQ1TsXjyMlcjqyIrWhf14Bew8JKgbW79Mgncqid3bfvIpFG97qZ_0R6Picr-6MSkiPETiRbkC-mQLNL3B4NI92MeGgyqt0BHGJMWGZFGwa8wpr4D8K9m7MRLgc14q1xqtf1k3A/w400-h266/034A8823.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sneaking up to the zebras</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We quickly moved out of the way so as not to influence the
hunt in either party’s favour and watched the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lioness “leopard crawled” – or lion
crawled in this case – and got even closer to the zebra, while we could see her
sisters further ahead but just standing there watching.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7cyL5LymIO2n8Rpfp4PL9GdAKUjV1BDXpxgyo7Pin7at5FZdlygrygDJR0DJa1krfHCLLcWep1XrNljzSI56XYuhN3VnN8-a3nhqfW9UShN5HGx_ZY6XmUegyAZw-fROJbwP6KiDhgYiiOgQsOk8MGSHw_tBUsh11E0LAA9v3LNMJylINY_gfmzxzQ/s1600/0J9A2160.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7cyL5LymIO2n8Rpfp4PL9GdAKUjV1BDXpxgyo7Pin7at5FZdlygrygDJR0DJa1krfHCLLcWep1XrNljzSI56XYuhN3VnN8-a3nhqfW9UShN5HGx_ZY6XmUegyAZw-fROJbwP6KiDhgYiiOgQsOk8MGSHw_tBUsh11E0LAA9v3LNMJylINY_gfmzxzQ/w400-h266/0J9A2160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A quick, but unsuccessful hunt</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Suddenly she exploded and chased after the zebra, but was
just too far away and they quickly noticed her and shot off like rockets.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">She gave chase, with the rest of the
lionesses following behind, but the zebra were too fast and quickly disappeared
into the bush with the lions quickly giving up the chase.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">A quick chase but pretty exhilarating for us,
and made all the better because there was not another car to be seen.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1TARSuideYRnxpDGTLdEbOoqDHZr6V-MYZLpaXLVaIYesspViGyM50GJ-xX9ZLdPP9wqFeIxVEVlpJKBlsB1_WWLdx7TE_1HYKUHqza_jK0E_DGZFkd64fLkgeWi-OzYJps4F6rNXIwkLQfk5K-NiM-YCwLuduLUB7Jb-ZZ7FoKreiQKPQMarZx9eQ/s1600/034A8831.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1TARSuideYRnxpDGTLdEbOoqDHZr6V-MYZLpaXLVaIYesspViGyM50GJ-xX9ZLdPP9wqFeIxVEVlpJKBlsB1_WWLdx7TE_1HYKUHqza_jK0E_DGZFkd64fLkgeWi-OzYJps4F6rNXIwkLQfk5K-NiM-YCwLuduLUB7Jb-ZZ7FoKreiQKPQMarZx9eQ/w400-h266/034A8831.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">In the end the zebras got away easily</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eventually the lionesses regrouped and headed to the nearest
tree on the plain, flopping down in the shade and promptly went to sleep with
the resident giraffe looking on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that’s where they stayed even after the first car arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t move except to follow the shade
and eventually it got too hot for us sitting in the sun watching them in the
shade with no signs of moving, so we left them snoozing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK4pAm4PBORSjlBghttPXpQb6N8bsXgx1MQ2wJpprowHVvuXf4tWyRhWEA4fnqRasqbTOMVzNXGTQ1GWJfkDvED5arPpSHw70gb7GPDSr7mPnc0jtQPHlQ9QT_1L97tkj411FMlncgHElwclX6C2hc23FmJqGF8dTs8ZdAhuvGnnPzUdIFLiNvuz5gw/s1600/0J9A2263.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK4pAm4PBORSjlBghttPXpQb6N8bsXgx1MQ2wJpprowHVvuXf4tWyRhWEA4fnqRasqbTOMVzNXGTQ1GWJfkDvED5arPpSHw70gb7GPDSr7mPnc0jtQPHlQ9QT_1L97tkj411FMlncgHElwclX6C2hc23FmJqGF8dTs8ZdAhuvGnnPzUdIFLiNvuz5gw/w400-h266/0J9A2263.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tired after the hunt</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This corner of Wamilombe
plain has turned out to be awfully productive with leopard, wild dog and now
lion sighting. It also has a landing to the river with lots of animals using it
to access the river. We would need to find a name for this spot on the next
trip. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGL6sojjVwII8YMttTjHWw1c0sgqN6zaSSJTl1fpb1C2j7sFqUKphUDsmpL5v7AJaX60MjFXj67wAs5eotNMhBBwBcRe_XhbQQ2wowmAhUt2m9A-DnpaVt7WW_JhGNzGUUs6PVZaaaJbX78nHTzImOqrAqPwwdgqg41j8j0YkQDoYornGnopOWU7TBQ/s1600/0J9A2271.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGL6sojjVwII8YMttTjHWw1c0sgqN6zaSSJTl1fpb1C2j7sFqUKphUDsmpL5v7AJaX60MjFXj67wAs5eotNMhBBwBcRe_XhbQQ2wowmAhUt2m9A-DnpaVt7WW_JhGNzGUUs6PVZaaaJbX78nHTzImOqrAqPwwdgqg41j8j0YkQDoYornGnopOWU7TBQ/w400-h266/0J9A2271.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chilling in the shade for the rest of the afternoon</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We spent some time with the zebras on the plain using the
sand for dust baths which was quite entertaining to watch, along with the
baboons sifting through elephant dung looking for things to eat, but soon it
was back to the campsite for a couple of beers, lunch and to wait out the heat
of the day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2216kdFNc6REpRo_MyZz2z-N1BZV14q5_UMk-EFSa-karpzFxciYtMS_79tc4q9pquxNMK2emhpm95iLrbw7AGTinwfUwqsRSsTV4E4Yi1JVVkq44U336hbJGveanC_EsHMUIQZFt1z4IBQ3uC_FtJYNoyOguvFb48RrR7cgQDgZ6kOeZMCpWutgU7A/s1600/0J9A2309.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2216kdFNc6REpRo_MyZz2z-N1BZV14q5_UMk-EFSa-karpzFxciYtMS_79tc4q9pquxNMK2emhpm95iLrbw7AGTinwfUwqsRSsTV4E4Yi1JVVkq44U336hbJGveanC_EsHMUIQZFt1z4IBQ3uC_FtJYNoyOguvFb48RrR7cgQDgZ6kOeZMCpWutgU7A/w400-h266/0J9A2309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Enjoying a dust bath</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Knowing where the lions were and assuming that they wouldn’t
move much, we headed back to Wamilombe via the riverside drive to see if the
leopard was still there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No surprise,
but he wasn’t there – he must have slipped off when the hyena moved away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwjpInzVPK1Z5VQgVJkVfoFbD3aSLXpQeykt6AIj3EJ6QLXdtM-WnG-_OzdpxAybVsRA2AhaDyxjG4VdP7Sq_07W0vXpeDvfiRMeN69rGEOaZoKtAaak1NxmT3P4NSGKFDB1Hba89GwavtbcaRqz4LZ4YS_bALXFQqTxjM-_7ft-mYExXvNSFWOYSpQ/s1600/034A9024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwjpInzVPK1Z5VQgVJkVfoFbD3aSLXpQeykt6AIj3EJ6QLXdtM-WnG-_OzdpxAybVsRA2AhaDyxjG4VdP7Sq_07W0vXpeDvfiRMeN69rGEOaZoKtAaak1NxmT3P4NSGKFDB1Hba89GwavtbcaRqz4LZ4YS_bALXFQqTxjM-_7ft-mYExXvNSFWOYSpQ/w400-h266/034A9024.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A baboon sifts through elephant dung for tasty morsels</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the lions had hardly moved so we left them for a bit to
look for some things more active to photograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the zebras, puku and monkeys provided plenty of entertainment for us
and some nice photos in good light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLrh9DrRc9midmXi289Q96ZhXgvviw5cbbUbRp-yLw3nIqezLRfyWOjDUUudWhfZ5aBdVhj7GhuzOLATHSAD-umxf05DW_XUrZCvH7sNMjEORp-oH6q5bbu1uBoAx4fXoS_EXsXgxo6qH34sa-mvQ_elW7ZnOEmIFem-ag8p1ofDNSKoB3aBb1bbl1w/s1600/0J9A2381.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLrh9DrRc9midmXi289Q96ZhXgvviw5cbbUbRp-yLw3nIqezLRfyWOjDUUudWhfZ5aBdVhj7GhuzOLATHSAD-umxf05DW_XUrZCvH7sNMjEORp-oH6q5bbu1uBoAx4fXoS_EXsXgxo6qH34sa-mvQ_elW7ZnOEmIFem-ag8p1ofDNSKoB3aBb1bbl1w/w400-h266/0J9A2381.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebras eating their way through Wamilombe</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We figured the lions should be at least waking up by now, so
headed back to them, only to find them gone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aah!! We didn’t have to look far, although they had actually gone
further than we had hoped – down the bank and to the river’s edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In hindsight we wouldn’t have had many photo
opportunities, but it still annoys us when we miss something happening 😉<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxF-X0K3H382LkuiiyGLW9TnujizvNJIA95TKV8Y2RCf_ctrbLDlDOsE3izteWduryNjGcIcQFhTp8bKh0ehKdmtY4xkcq6-o7iuxd-foORuLjVlzhvxKfDoMn3msI4_Fg4j88GWCS4codtrtwqYU1bvNQ1sOSR8FqUIXZFeRTUF_eT1xTL2j4QUwfg/s1600/034A9134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxF-X0K3H382LkuiiyGLW9TnujizvNJIA95TKV8Y2RCf_ctrbLDlDOsE3izteWduryNjGcIcQFhTp8bKh0ehKdmtY4xkcq6-o7iuxd-foORuLjVlzhvxKfDoMn3msI4_Fg4j88GWCS4codtrtwqYU1bvNQ1sOSR8FqUIXZFeRTUF_eT1xTL2j4QUwfg/w400-h266/034A9134.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lionesses relaxing at the river</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Three of the lions were chilling out at the river’s edge
with their back to us watching the hippos and later we found the other female
had walked further down and was lying in the sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL8uV5Bv-0T746Cae5ctFDPKt5qzpz_xc4Jgc8IdItuht1kKafe8VVNISIVtpuJGvrZ8_CV8sdCs0efXTh00LjBktq28gZvFNWzKT7QmVHsZOkTZj6gJ1-VKPDlwMFXyB8G07SYradE0m67LUMRSdPsfJA5_7FG9Br576S1c83YTGzC5LIAeMH0nX1A/s1600/034A9160.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL8uV5Bv-0T746Cae5ctFDPKt5qzpz_xc4Jgc8IdItuht1kKafe8VVNISIVtpuJGvrZ8_CV8sdCs0efXTh00LjBktq28gZvFNWzKT7QmVHsZOkTZj6gJ1-VKPDlwMFXyB8G07SYradE0m67LUMRSdPsfJA5_7FG9Br576S1c83YTGzC5LIAeMH0nX1A/w400-h266/034A9160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A lionesses on the sand bank at sunset</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having put our money on the lions, we decided
to wait them out to see if they got a bit more active, but an hour later they
were almost in exactly the same position that we’d found them, and after
catching a flock of pelicans flying overhead during the sunset, it was finally
time to leave them and head off back to campsite, with the highlight of the day
being the hunt.</span><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrThVXDht3nvnPlvXUZYyMoaJ5lxq7M2J99V8w9tKnrYpwh_kWevpuiPBcVZr4vHMWDydK5GkfBUYtFmWZ8prXiW_3-zgAlWqQIPxCIO4zGhA5ZpS1Y10_2lxqbD_BSxZerACZy0bGNy30N4NO9bo2TXvvTS-W_03brynhR760NQIQpD9ck1mO0UPbA/w400-h266/0J9A2405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Flying pelicans</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" target="_blank">Intro</a> <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> << </span></span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"> >> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span>Day 7</span></a></span></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-49036945592717403182022-09-12T14:14:00.003+03:002022-12-07T13:03:41.061+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 2<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwMRja2Ha8tJuddNuvlMJ8dYZNbQZ6C3konJTQQ552nrZmEAyT9cCfqPUgVHLUkVHK5LubmNeZXGLw0kb6z_pdmOwNt0DLpdJaegtGhRquglDuUov95m7QSOOzEH0UmN2ZuYpYZOQ37Jgc0lr07s9Xkb3oQ7-1ZrSu6H_5YlmR8UGst19NOCV1gX_5g/s1600/0J9A1983.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwMRja2Ha8tJuddNuvlMJ8dYZNbQZ6C3konJTQQ552nrZmEAyT9cCfqPUgVHLUkVHK5LubmNeZXGLw0kb6z_pdmOwNt0DLpdJaegtGhRquglDuUov95m7QSOOzEH0UmN2ZuYpYZOQ37Jgc0lr07s9Xkb3oQ7-1ZrSu6H_5YlmR8UGst19NOCV1gX_5g/w400-h266/0J9A1983.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Male lion at Twin Baobabs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wamilombe is an area in South Luangwa that is easily
accessible from the gate, only about 15 minutes drive.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The beauty of the place is that it’s an open
plain and perfect for photographing early morning if there is anything special
on the plain.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although we haven’t had
great luck (having said that we’ve seen leopard and wild dog there on a number
of occasions during previous trips) it is an area that is hard to look past
first thing in the morning, and our hope is always that we will find a leopard
on the plain in morning light.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQG_WJieqW7UJPN8PB5qSPU7--w42azwtOTf6o69tUM1oFXupOwF7ZfPvcxw7Q10vuhHaBGDP2BPwaofAA3m4X-uvdwt_STgAXgzI1RalDNNYHwL5DsJw-XYzyZem3CVRLzCtW5kbZsHkBpQdx7ZaK8MTvpSGhOSW7Lecm4tLY7iwkP9EcBfqqwy4gWQ/s1600/034A8060.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQG_WJieqW7UJPN8PB5qSPU7--w42azwtOTf6o69tUM1oFXupOwF7ZfPvcxw7Q10vuhHaBGDP2BPwaofAA3m4X-uvdwt_STgAXgzI1RalDNNYHwL5DsJw-XYzyZem3CVRLzCtW5kbZsHkBpQdx7ZaK8MTvpSGhOSW7Lecm4tLY7iwkP9EcBfqqwy4gWQ/w400-h266/034A8060.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Odd allies - the warthog and egyptian geese</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So of course, that was our target when we entered the gate
at 6am in the morning and headed straight to Wamilombe on the shortest route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick scan told us that there wasn’t a cat
on the plain, but we took some time to photograph the warthogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These pigs have peculiar habits in this part
of the world, where they spend a lot of time digging on the plain with their
snouts, resulting in piles of disrupted soil like someone has walked around and
dug holes all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is especially
amusing is that they are normally accompanied by Egyptian geese, that follow
them around picking out insects and grubs that have been disturbed by the
digging, so all over the plain are little groups of geese surrounding a warthog
patiently waiting for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFyXN0cdkYBAbirVEsL8X_W280aC2MdnFXt0Qz11Z7cvGDs6l6o0Z_InB-lzeXl6yd_n1Heh6bqcE-TPuK23wT6vr_yMSY20AkAjc21TkbQr9abntVYCWFdb80octt4r1yHsA-O95IQJ1yjgqR_zj1PENnzNjzeKqLOxXQ_LGsyBxi3EReU3lGW2q4g/s1600/034A8065.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFyXN0cdkYBAbirVEsL8X_W280aC2MdnFXt0Qz11Z7cvGDs6l6o0Z_InB-lzeXl6yd_n1Heh6bqcE-TPuK23wT6vr_yMSY20AkAjc21TkbQr9abntVYCWFdb80octt4r1yHsA-O95IQJ1yjgqR_zj1PENnzNjzeKqLOxXQ_LGsyBxi3EReU3lGW2q4g/w400-h266/034A8065.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Fish eagle drying his wings</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After making sure that there wasn’t a leopard on the plain,
or that wild dogs hadn’t make their way in this direction, we decided to keep
going along the river the same way that we had the previous day, hoping that
we’d come across the dogs or perhaps some lions.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">From our campsite, we could hear the lions
roaring across the river, and although we couldn’t pinpoint exactly where they
would be, we assumed they’d be in the direction that we headed.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And we did find lion tracks and spent a bit
of time looking for them, but to no avail.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwqTdTB6QEX3KKTbAZuI15toUf51dSkDy4Xv2VVkxSFuluJ8BhRrviVcG_xkbTd31gBWz49JsloOWdiz4lVrcGo30gR_hbsVvv-9S4NsTcZEpdkbsgcXidi8OH46LngRMXaUcWIQw0q5xLWz7eMg22DmmOezEygesYJLCmP5fo3mWAGD5Frhh3vRXvw/s1600/0J9A1706.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwqTdTB6QEX3KKTbAZuI15toUf51dSkDy4Xv2VVkxSFuluJ8BhRrviVcG_xkbTd31gBWz49JsloOWdiz4lVrcGo30gR_hbsVvv-9S4NsTcZEpdkbsgcXidi8OH46LngRMXaUcWIQw0q5xLWz7eMg22DmmOezEygesYJLCmP5fo3mWAGD5Frhh3vRXvw/w400-h266/0J9A1706.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Giraffes in morning light appear to be watching something</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eventually, we found ourselves in a place called Wakumba, a
dry oxbow lake with a plain in the middle that attracts plenty of game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived there and immediately found our
first Thornicroft giraffe of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were about a half dozen of them and they seemed to be acting a bit
oddly but we couldn’t get close to them, so headed towards the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we found a big herd of buffalo, our
first of the trip and had planned to stop with them for coffee, but again we
could see the giraffe in the distance still acting strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all looking in one direction and we
know that is normally an indication of a predator and so we were determined to
find out what they were watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
needed to get closer as we couldn’t see anything with the binoculars but there
wasn’t a direct road, so we spent the next 15 minutes taking different roads in
the hopes of getting closer and finally after getting a bit lost, we finally
got to the giraffe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At first there didn’t seem to be anything there and we were
disappointed to assume that there was something hiding in inaccessible bushes,
but after closer inspection with the binoculars we finally spotted the object
of the giraffes’ attention – leopard!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kCeqY6l1RC6435cDtz0VFn9oVo6wx07VTu9cnLRdin18t0_mR25xDocSBuY9oI1_oRl_oMB5GU_ordmE1wtb__x54t3VId1Ys7iu5yU097sRV7huZuPKcNE-2I_3f0nxN1AgQ3fPJkpoyWqL-Ea8y79cfhZ9MltGYFtEOGxYzo62hXKlAfFfVyc7fg/s1600/0J9A1681.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kCeqY6l1RC6435cDtz0VFn9oVo6wx07VTu9cnLRdin18t0_mR25xDocSBuY9oI1_oRl_oMB5GU_ordmE1wtb__x54t3VId1Ys7iu5yU097sRV7huZuPKcNE-2I_3f0nxN1AgQ3fPJkpoyWqL-Ea8y79cfhZ9MltGYFtEOGxYzo62hXKlAfFfVyc7fg/w400-h266/0J9A1681.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">We found our own leopard!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was lying down in the shade, and from a distance he was
perfectly camouflaged in the fallen leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We finally figured out the road to get closer to him and eventually had
coffee with him, with that buffalo herd in the distance and giraffes looming
over us watching the leopard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshbgL6VWDrFWbhNitzY3W1fajHfe7kVo_SqxDsQWdTBjRoGIXq5bS2r31Q50s7Pu5G9U7pYwNsNfjftQ1zBqjHYI1_5ENSUVnpqXlQOyGV6VkA6e0RoKPKtwgHsyWmiZNPkrioytPOHH4tobOLL-O0t-05rq9-9HqgVT6DUHbfPX4nqLX0IUvS9dvSg/s1600/0J9A1693.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshbgL6VWDrFWbhNitzY3W1fajHfe7kVo_SqxDsQWdTBjRoGIXq5bS2r31Q50s7Pu5G9U7pYwNsNfjftQ1zBqjHYI1_5ENSUVnpqXlQOyGV6VkA6e0RoKPKtwgHsyWmiZNPkrioytPOHH4tobOLL-O0t-05rq9-9HqgVT6DUHbfPX4nqLX0IUvS9dvSg/w400-h266/0J9A1693.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Keeping a beady eye on the leopard</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He wasn’t inclined to move anywhere, rather just chilling
out and keeping an eye on the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There wasn’t too much in the way of smaller game, but every now and then
we would hear the alarm call of a baboon or a puku just reminding everyone that
he was around.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM3dWJeqB8iXi8kgXvARrIcsPl9jkFUHzJZQDuXrQvBEVJhytwamB1G28gd-mAB8m58GGqxitBjMwtWz7m_PRUgTI4owgVcZrnrY9zWrSf8Ua5lCZ5PeyRVuFaORHIz8or0LO30lpTSFYSdgTpQjPDSe-jwMI5q4afcSYaxPv59Z6-OK9-gY9GIV33w/s1600/0J9A1742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM3dWJeqB8iXi8kgXvARrIcsPl9jkFUHzJZQDuXrQvBEVJhytwamB1G28gd-mAB8m58GGqxitBjMwtWz7m_PRUgTI4owgVcZrnrY9zWrSf8Ua5lCZ5PeyRVuFaORHIz8or0LO30lpTSFYSdgTpQjPDSe-jwMI5q4afcSYaxPv59Z6-OK9-gY9GIV33w/w400-h266/0J9A1742.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Something caught his attention for a while</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We spent about 40 minutes with him until he decided that
he’d had enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A big yawn and he was
up and moving into the nearby bushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
lay just at the tree line, but we decided not to follow and try and get more
shots – they would be rubbish anyway and we figured we’d had the best of him
for the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWmWLVN0_cMRv4QMh1blFS_vzDCElJXO1Nzs2WuzA9hYnnudumSUtzyJecThr4LE2zBB4ZhlCb1XuQ9Xmk8VQ7VU3CwI-YPxbUUvR_78awo1OWJMEy8r6pB3aYFWozkREAcSaKFPEQb3UBE6FFCn3O9qJC6ney3LmBrlbex-cY_Yxx2vbSIevIka4hg/s1600/0J9A1781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWmWLVN0_cMRv4QMh1blFS_vzDCElJXO1Nzs2WuzA9hYnnudumSUtzyJecThr4LE2zBB4ZhlCb1XuQ9Xmk8VQ7VU3CwI-YPxbUUvR_78awo1OWJMEy8r6pB3aYFWozkREAcSaKFPEQb3UBE6FFCn3O9qJC6ney3LmBrlbex-cY_Yxx2vbSIevIka4hg/w400-h266/0J9A1781.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A bit of yawning before getting up<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead, the buffalo had still not moved and while the light
was good, we wanted to spend some time with them, especially if they were
chilled out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, we come across
buffalo that are too wary and end up moving away, but this herd was very
relaxed and we spent a nice time photographing them and their accompanying yellow-billed oxpeckers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhhVc-Gni9-4HykRM7eviIS2pHCjfuOa6ZvyT9_9kPhIDvWWbHKyFLDA4evoQUX8Xg6vQvKAP58UxXbr8ZziUIW7AvmMlpAna1v-2pWgAh3yBfP8HldHdZQW6ZL3W_KRdoYE3S-KYkEZI_Y-HuQR_iGHPNvAoV0-L0OaIL8fCdQrai1ubM5HrhWOXYw/s1600/034A8279-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhhVc-Gni9-4HykRM7eviIS2pHCjfuOa6ZvyT9_9kPhIDvWWbHKyFLDA4evoQUX8Xg6vQvKAP58UxXbr8ZziUIW7AvmMlpAna1v-2pWgAh3yBfP8HldHdZQW6ZL3W_KRdoYE3S-KYkEZI_Y-HuQR_iGHPNvAoV0-L0OaIL8fCdQrai1ubM5HrhWOXYw/w400-h266/034A8279-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Watchful buffaloes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While we were with the buffaloes, another car was heading
towards us and it turned out to be the Kiboko guide that we had met the
previous few times that we’d been to the park as we’d recognised the car that
he drove used to be in Liwonde, the park we visit regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After exchanging greetings, he quickly told
us about 2 male lions that were resting near the Twin Baobabs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrV9fbHJDoAItN-JMMpKiT3WFb5qS1ROSsI88XPuySS9G8BtRw3eLlNVtGKRirG1W_4KAwnxGTy9IFcLVgOkYSEdloKbfP9n5Hyg2BZOQEhs8ZE4Zd2byp6TDwlfjLm9gGLZs6Lg-vwSnF0RUXvOkvBVSEQCOK10jx0C8oD5MrwleWtMptbbvP3z0aQ/s1600/0J9A1836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrV9fbHJDoAItN-JMMpKiT3WFb5qS1ROSsI88XPuySS9G8BtRw3eLlNVtGKRirG1W_4KAwnxGTy9IFcLVgOkYSEdloKbfP9n5Hyg2BZOQEhs8ZE4Zd2byp6TDwlfjLm9gGLZs6Lg-vwSnF0RUXvOkvBVSEQCOK10jx0C8oD5MrwleWtMptbbvP3z0aQ/w400-h266/0J9A1836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A buffalo with some oxpecker earrings<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was very grateful when we were able to reciprocate and
tell him about the leopard nearby. Although we didn’t know if the leopard was
still there, we quickly turned around and led him to it and he soon found the
cat resting in the shade of a tree, but it wasn’t a great sighting as it was
surrounded by bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, both him and
his guest were quite happy with the sighting, and we left them with the leopard
while we went to find the lions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixPcem0J0AGTf8o5JnwT0ZGf7OVmJvjYVs3VMeGqiIuD3jq6a33QNoJm8D432u_OjWMgfJjIjzBvDVtjNMZLcjpkMiBIhrqbONo8ocZY8kCGvsJ85yS3hPcXIX_Oowl5kyAFxWMe-m6iFRzsdm7i1E0pz3PT-V5hKbc1DCG1eMMjmkF2c-6xLLLNwRQ/s1600/034A8319-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixPcem0J0AGTf8o5JnwT0ZGf7OVmJvjYVs3VMeGqiIuD3jq6a33QNoJm8D432u_OjWMgfJjIjzBvDVtjNMZLcjpkMiBIhrqbONo8ocZY8kCGvsJ85yS3hPcXIX_Oowl5kyAFxWMe-m6iFRzsdm7i1E0pz3PT-V5hKbc1DCG1eMMjmkF2c-6xLLLNwRQ/w400-h266/034A8319-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Our first lions of the trip</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The directions were simple – right at the road at the Twin
Baobabs, and soon enough we found the two lions resting in the shade of some
termite mounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was only
8.30 the light was getting quite harsh already, so the photographs weren’t
great, but then luckily one of the males – the more handsome one – moved to the
shade and we were able to get some nice close ups of him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVNI2Qt4M5XCzqHaqaw1rBIdqB0aygPF-gv0iT5Po_G4wiLzr6DO5YofSMnrQN5KDVaNc_VQezb2sbFC-qjl64aSxD29fwUadZQ27jUrVG54XK_aaPWPUohlH6A0fgM7EZ2fY41SqEBfGRgk26jjCiJRLkCGODJRh_z-kYA_vqfS7n-OQ08JoneKStA/s1600/0J9A1917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVNI2Qt4M5XCzqHaqaw1rBIdqB0aygPF-gv0iT5Po_G4wiLzr6DO5YofSMnrQN5KDVaNc_VQezb2sbFC-qjl64aSxD29fwUadZQ27jUrVG54XK_aaPWPUohlH6A0fgM7EZ2fY41SqEBfGRgk26jjCiJRLkCGODJRh_z-kYA_vqfS7n-OQ08JoneKStA/w400-h266/0J9A1917.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Starting to get sleepy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We left the 2 lions sleeping in the shade and drove down a
little by road to see if there was a place for water where they may drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a small waterhole, but after
hanging around there a bit it didn’t seem like the lions were inclined to move
for a drink, so we made our way back to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHWFSPdlLaA3EV-DtcYJRf8GrTSNNMlTi9osVXFyDNLUlJfMittUE_GfOqq6OzNZqmld3g6SpEx6BT0I8pVEziMYOXlcIngVls8BAk5jjow2DLtGoufUs_SUL5BLsDudvPsxeb3pUyihbCwNeWJoYH94O-dOacifOVmAuPiwl-vBBoHiC5ymG1Sa4zQ/s1600/0J9A1964.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHWFSPdlLaA3EV-DtcYJRf8GrTSNNMlTi9osVXFyDNLUlJfMittUE_GfOqq6OzNZqmld3g6SpEx6BT0I8pVEziMYOXlcIngVls8BAk5jjow2DLtGoufUs_SUL5BLsDudvPsxeb3pUyihbCwNeWJoYH94O-dOacifOVmAuPiwl-vBBoHiC5ymG1Sa4zQ/w400-h266/0J9A1964.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sitting pretty<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">And sure enough as we arrived, one of the lions got up and crossed the
road, with the iconic twin baobabs behind him, before disappearing into a bushy
area where we lost sight of him.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not a
bad sighting of cats to round off the morning. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">A little more driving around, but it was getting hot and the animals were hiding, so it was back to the campsite for lunch and chill out before getting ready for the afternoon session.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ILgb1pCMNbU3JQaNlryr9f7XYu-7UHbHjRkGFmwztvBzgEfBWwhtUnt83DlfJY8N1tLl0-RdQ-7BUinvHOWMpoCUwcZAccJaYV4UL76rMchPu51-P9CkVXzM2EAOwaZfey7KJRlox1jyUVkdQb8fMdRww0Lt2r0GDN0IGP4tDBCuCBTOSzMzIuDgNQ/s1600/034A8495-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ILgb1pCMNbU3JQaNlryr9f7XYu-7UHbHjRkGFmwztvBzgEfBWwhtUnt83DlfJY8N1tLl0-RdQ-7BUinvHOWMpoCUwcZAccJaYV4UL76rMchPu51-P9CkVXzM2EAOwaZfey7KJRlox1jyUVkdQb8fMdRww0Lt2r0GDN0IGP4tDBCuCBTOSzMzIuDgNQ/w400-h266/034A8495-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">At the iconic Twin Baobabs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were back at Wamilombe in the afternoon, but not much was
happening as it was pretty hot still.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We’d had a tip from one of the campers that had gone on a guided game
drive the morning that they’d seen a leopard cub near the gate.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-6uaVy435c8B1dAvIMv2KH1znpFOuhxGtbUn53gcZFZLsePTTM_MbF1Wvra1gKydLi7gdYWghgjSy2oBW-oCNdrY5uDRNMsiw6-asytfhibi-vH5XLYF95hUylrm6J37qf-yjM_lqGEgHmgRr7D6coFtFAhqeD6KB72kqbe1hLvRTBrmUWohigryjw/s1600/0J9A2003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-6uaVy435c8B1dAvIMv2KH1znpFOuhxGtbUn53gcZFZLsePTTM_MbF1Wvra1gKydLi7gdYWghgjSy2oBW-oCNdrY5uDRNMsiw6-asytfhibi-vH5XLYF95hUylrm6J37qf-yjM_lqGEgHmgRr7D6coFtFAhqeD6KB72kqbe1hLvRTBrmUWohigryjw/w400-h266/0J9A2003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Impala ram having a drink</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She had no idea where except that it was near
the gate and turn left, so we decided that would be our target for the
afternoon.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had an idea of the area
that the young leopard could be but there was no sign of it for most of the
drive.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86GPmM78ql2o-Xuq5cBfKnnf00lN1DLf9gc_94aAVm-JxL2dnjbXmKzq7XhyljFQlxNjMMhv0pWgn-LD6r95EjyNP_8CTtyh7fjzyfwDnELPBFsMkxH2gI162pBqY1M5ntP1341ddNtoXpporDFJeJFS3zSgcaY6pFnYhDIm9Hu1VExj0PKStH57bSQ/s1600/0J9A2047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86GPmM78ql2o-Xuq5cBfKnnf00lN1DLf9gc_94aAVm-JxL2dnjbXmKzq7XhyljFQlxNjMMhv0pWgn-LD6r95EjyNP_8CTtyh7fjzyfwDnELPBFsMkxH2gI162pBqY1M5ntP1341ddNtoXpporDFJeJFS3zSgcaY6pFnYhDIm9Hu1VExj0PKStH57bSQ/w400-h266/0J9A2047.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lizard buzzard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was pretty quiet the afternoon
with the highlight being a band of banded mongoose at a waterhole and a lizard
buzzard dropping from a tree to grab some prey, but just as we were thinking of
heading out when suddenly we spotted a shape through the bushes – leopard!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4CZcv7_3yaEoZKwMrjT_BhIcTCTpw0bdYL6nQJDkDIPQHV5_PDa-DeFpVmCSrGCQglxPR5y6lLSZAndigeKcfTHDIHDcJa3Joe6eVYUOFhJYESG645D_i9KCG026dQcA6pfGV2354EQwYrvvTmfM91htzFKeKinKI6Z330XUwsTKWhwrV6zYs7zwFg/s1600/0J9A2060.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4CZcv7_3yaEoZKwMrjT_BhIcTCTpw0bdYL6nQJDkDIPQHV5_PDa-DeFpVmCSrGCQglxPR5y6lLSZAndigeKcfTHDIHDcJa3Joe6eVYUOFhJYESG645D_i9KCG026dQcA6pfGV2354EQwYrvvTmfM91htzFKeKinKI6Z330XUwsTKWhwrV6zYs7zwFg/w400-h266/0J9A2060.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Found the leopard!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the young leopard we’d been told about, although a
bit bigger than expected.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And not only
was he there, but he’d managed to catch something.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It took us a while but eventually we figured
out he had caught a banded mongoose – maybe even one of those that we’d seen
earlier.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgMupOUsiFepKwuc2G6yoLfhAjckU_TVDd1tq0DIb6tu5fTk4nndqFWGQOSzsmkxZb6wWpkeKhPGj4aMfj9iUw0UyXjEzSuAnBKD-Fj0Hp5_ixVqbpIH9NBIj2zGGcUPCiLEQRjbR_IG2-LIj_1y_QWM9ibcCcQ3kktKJyFfpjcy1S4GNun1l5Bfiow/s1600/034A8554-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgMupOUsiFepKwuc2G6yoLfhAjckU_TVDd1tq0DIb6tu5fTk4nndqFWGQOSzsmkxZb6wWpkeKhPGj4aMfj9iUw0UyXjEzSuAnBKD-Fj0Hp5_ixVqbpIH9NBIj2zGGcUPCiLEQRjbR_IG2-LIj_1y_QWM9ibcCcQ3kktKJyFfpjcy1S4GNun1l5Bfiow/w400-h266/034A8554-001.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Could one of these banded mongooses be one that the leopard caught</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately, he had situated himself nicely that there
were plenty of branches between him and us, so the photos weren’t great, but we
were just happy we’d managed to track him down.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVcL66cktpg5_vVvhb0EEl-sLJq4q9abko74Xtwbqawt7B7VNW76FJgzwgVXyFxP9p8qAsBrfXMxCvz850lxTMXkrMxeyafQtLsFag6v3vnIWTYSWzJa_ak2H_qRFjPGSP_7sNYIdkrvgsZ1MPWYtFFs9LlczwXncl_CwTLw5Zdl_EWqCNcBynSHuiQ/s1600/034A8669-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVcL66cktpg5_vVvhb0EEl-sLJq4q9abko74Xtwbqawt7B7VNW76FJgzwgVXyFxP9p8qAsBrfXMxCvz850lxTMXkrMxeyafQtLsFag6v3vnIWTYSWzJa_ak2H_qRFjPGSP_7sNYIdkrvgsZ1MPWYtFFs9LlczwXncl_CwTLw5Zdl_EWqCNcBynSHuiQ/w400-h266/034A8669-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Leopard with his prize</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He carried on eating his mongoose with little regard for us, and soon it
was time for us to get to the gate before closing time, luckily only a few
minutes away.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">A nice reward to end the
day that we celebrated with another braai at our campsite in front of the Luangwa
river.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLyne7-mQRGK7s86rd9vmSDPj1xXNxSpTI9j-uBAyiyH4PoDuVIQA5MyQfT0n0fzBYIAwicNwquYynG1WBrekF7nCbTrDVg_ZndL_Er7EdB3LQVtelb3kuGyk9_GOfN9-BzlPI4kAnulwyS68JawPoafIlX9dcAQcHWNRZqpLOrR8W7yqZwqBc1KHnQ/s1600/034A8684-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLyne7-mQRGK7s86rd9vmSDPj1xXNxSpTI9j-uBAyiyH4PoDuVIQA5MyQfT0n0fzBYIAwicNwquYynG1WBrekF7nCbTrDVg_ZndL_Er7EdB3LQVtelb3kuGyk9_GOfN9-BzlPI4kAnulwyS68JawPoafIlX9dcAQcHWNRZqpLOrR8W7yqZwqBc1KHnQ/w400-h266/034A8684-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Intro</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a> << </span></span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> >> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Day 7</span></a></div></div><div><br /></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-17497238160956494582022-09-11T10:52:00.023+03:002022-12-07T13:02:15.866+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08xcTG9fGKf2geAaZIx1zR1lRHrZ-Xn9wmgX9Bo4-O9gFzGkRScLWybABto41VTQn0DzWXzOgAbCgBd_lp4-XLLi1Nw_oaG19S4d2ULOdxAr6bDajLJvEWEXfWKko0d6RZrP8XGlyZdpBjlGEUDaBRItvkszK2G-N9X8Y_S_i4IAx6ZBQ7NKjKZVm5g/s1600/0J9A1460.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08xcTG9fGKf2geAaZIx1zR1lRHrZ-Xn9wmgX9Bo4-O9gFzGkRScLWybABto41VTQn0DzWXzOgAbCgBd_lp4-XLLi1Nw_oaG19S4d2ULOdxAr6bDajLJvEWEXfWKko0d6RZrP8XGlyZdpBjlGEUDaBRItvkszK2G-N9X8Y_S_i4IAx6ZBQ7NKjKZVm5g/w400-h266/0J9A1460.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Luangwa leopard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We woke to the sound of something big crossing the Luangwa
River – it could only be elephants.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And
sure enough, a small herd of elephants had just crossed the river and were on
the plain in front of the camp.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were
up and had the roof tent packed pretty quickly as we wanted to get to the gate
as soon as possible to do the paperwork for park entry.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luckily the park authorities were already
there by the time we got there before 6am, so we sorted the details out and
paid them for 3 days.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They promised to
have the permit ready for when we left the park that day, so we headed into the
park without a permit (it’s their normal way of doing things) and into South
Luangwa for the first time this trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hVz9k5znTApRn9XDK13HEUfs91LN6cM2Hh5d2_m-zdFKOQUOQBpuIOvAVBmmD_rUexE5FbYYJhx4flVsVlhnS1UJ0gO6up0oEoMNkBcsojTtkuastsUu1x1jrq9b8pjPcim7RUou86CN0pNgKaYs0s2lbhGFqBhbcnsqwX_1mRI4cCyqTJewufJRvg/s1600/0J9A1367.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hVz9k5znTApRn9XDK13HEUfs91LN6cM2Hh5d2_m-zdFKOQUOQBpuIOvAVBmmD_rUexE5FbYYJhx4flVsVlhnS1UJ0gO6up0oEoMNkBcsojTtkuastsUu1x1jrq9b8pjPcim7RUou86CN0pNgKaYs0s2lbhGFqBhbcnsqwX_1mRI4cCyqTJewufJRvg/w400-h266/0J9A1367.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Grey-crowned crane on the banks of the Luangwa river</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our first photo for the morning was a beautiful grey-crowned
crane in stunning morning light perched on the banks on the Luangwa River, but
otherwise the morning was pretty quiet in terms of sightings and we didn’t see
anything of significance despite having meandered along the river all the way
to Chichele.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit of a let-down
after our exciting end to the day with wild dogs in the camp, but it was soon
about to change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_12-Qk0svZ8vNOmFk5n53oiOxPe4BYrVqIkAKdcGKhIbhHMBqRgEtLer722LmvDyYwgqSgJLnYp261UuygxL_boc6yCcM45cwGbYzd9Ed6eMKJAVSz1D7WmW4Q9AWAXfDGSg2fWaehd78kP54wjk-ZmDb6de64SqXXK269Qmx1ZR4rM_nLZg81EZAQ/s1600/0J9A1614.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_12-Qk0svZ8vNOmFk5n53oiOxPe4BYrVqIkAKdcGKhIbhHMBqRgEtLer722LmvDyYwgqSgJLnYp261UuygxL_boc6yCcM45cwGbYzd9Ed6eMKJAVSz1D7WmW4Q9AWAXfDGSg2fWaehd78kP54wjk-ZmDb6de64SqXXK269Qmx1ZR4rM_nLZg81EZAQ/w400-h266/0J9A1614.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Egyptian geese</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We came across a safari vehicle driven by a guy that we had
seen at the gate – conspicuous as he was one of the few white guys driving a
safari vehicle.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">So we stopped to chat
and see if they’d seen anything for the morning – turns out that not only had
they seen a leopard, but they had left the leopard resting and he was only
about 5 minutes drive away.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">He sounded
German (found out later he’s Dutch) and then proceeded to give us very
German-like directions – very precise and extremely detailed – easy to follow
for us and not something we get often from the guides 😉</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8VrAtL8IF761ndjMdanpnhWNT2fJLnvFxhI3W8I-HUt7YCaJru1RVdyD_hHbhDSbg1JCAAi1DvnaKYI0apxxBA3AjuCrywHNaH_OIoerROl6F8_BVNxapl1oiDVkq3FeFuUs0cy02rQSsTo1U4nCn1TWKO_GIHN-ODzSq7bDW_LHHCPu8bO9sBfqOg/s1600/0J9A2381.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8VrAtL8IF761ndjMdanpnhWNT2fJLnvFxhI3W8I-HUt7YCaJru1RVdyD_hHbhDSbg1JCAAi1DvnaKYI0apxxBA3AjuCrywHNaH_OIoerROl6F8_BVNxapl1oiDVkq3FeFuUs0cy02rQSsTo1U4nCn1TWKO_GIHN-ODzSq7bDW_LHHCPu8bO9sBfqOg/w400-h266/0J9A2381.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebras grazing on the plain</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanking him profusely, we quickly headed off in the
direction he’d come from and soon enough – reward! A leopard right on the side
of the road resting in the shade of some bushes. He perked up when we arrived,
but soon settled down just relaxing on a makeshift pillow made from a rock
with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an old tortoise shell lying close
by as if he had been playing with it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbooIcP3lkRgEsV53x0axIy9x_EC9Ha5ZS6QJU8fbiyFRaSKHmyioHtBS1cxKym5auKq4ckSOjfrLt7IfGwU22DuiC0rgGLmY8BiLrCFVYc_n4bLUUWspRKXvTBi8Up1y4wLIqTH9ECPSZWjgO81WefabmwVjCfJH2RldZb5SvQDlJBZo0GsTsp6ScqQ/s1600/0J9A1409.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbooIcP3lkRgEsV53x0axIy9x_EC9Ha5ZS6QJU8fbiyFRaSKHmyioHtBS1cxKym5auKq4ckSOjfrLt7IfGwU22DuiC0rgGLmY8BiLrCFVYc_n4bLUUWspRKXvTBi8Up1y4wLIqTH9ECPSZWjgO81WefabmwVjCfJH2RldZb5SvQDlJBZo0GsTsp6ScqQ/w400-h266/0J9A1409.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Sleepy cat</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a great sighting, but unfortunately not a great photo
opportunity to shoot because the leopard had placed himself nicely in an open
area, but right next to the road there were bushes and so the twigs and
branches prevented us from getting a clear shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After about 10 minutes of sitting with him and him quite
comfortable with the car – he was actually having a cat nap, we decided to try
and roll the car forward so as not to disturb him and see if we could get a gap
in the branches.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And the move paid off –
one little gap in the bushes allowed us to get a clear shot of his head and
body.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vvCnrkX0tMSoTCJUjCr8utCQKZ0S6hzWRMV8rYsY-H-2awh1DD--1noRw2AZn5jLQSVVMBINLsaVyp4n7FmF_ZaCPwL5QdmLe8BhCH2thPmYgJ81Nck4pLcZ2UZPxUxKUpAuFesrljJV_xDY55X5BXG2m5B6EBNPYuYkzRzLlKJMjYoz3M4g6NP7iA/s1600/0J9A1434.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vvCnrkX0tMSoTCJUjCr8utCQKZ0S6hzWRMV8rYsY-H-2awh1DD--1noRw2AZn5jLQSVVMBINLsaVyp4n7FmF_ZaCPwL5QdmLe8BhCH2thPmYgJ81Nck4pLcZ2UZPxUxKUpAuFesrljJV_xDY55X5BXG2m5B6EBNPYuYkzRzLlKJMjYoz3M4g6NP7iA/w400-h266/0J9A1434.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Watching us</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was a pretty chilled out cat, and looked set to spend the
rest of the morning there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had chosen
the perfect spot with plenty of shade no matter the position of the sun, and we
were convinced that unless something disturbed him, he’d probably be there for
the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our dilemma was
what to do – just sit with him or leave him be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAZ0tOAmjBtjmonnVwOwqzuSmqXE3DlagK-QCn0n1hrdUrEGQVnvEhjQFbAAGk-NISYZZikP-hXWdX-E79zKcKylG_KADQN1trF4dDzymU96W_0MTgaPzi0H8VonmwsiPp7AtC91mAq3Zp9M2mlkhcQAUI9Kh6ISbrIATRF4cMw4GTn2XvGrKko19SQ/s1600/034A7744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAZ0tOAmjBtjmonnVwOwqzuSmqXE3DlagK-QCn0n1hrdUrEGQVnvEhjQFbAAGk-NISYZZikP-hXWdX-E79zKcKylG_KADQN1trF4dDzymU96W_0MTgaPzi0H8VonmwsiPp7AtC91mAq3Zp9M2mlkhcQAUI9Kh6ISbrIATRF4cMw4GTn2XvGrKko19SQ/w400-h266/034A7744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Close up</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were on a narrow byroad that an approaching vehicle wouldn’t be able
to pass us and then all the vehicle noise may disturb him, but to leave a
leopard is almost unthinkable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at
the same time, even a sleeping leopard isn’t the most exciting prospect and it was
only our first day – we also wanted to explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ah, good choices to have!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39JU5W9bO_v_D44NeJUSYWvbMSgKZmwq1TYUM0G6i5gKE2SuaMWQH773FcShyTFM-gJpw4Batle5YKi5m0wtgFBSD1QmZMvCYFSTRwwm94RHyAeu0eRZm6QAbt9m1lhMp7M16KApDHoVBob7sqzvsWKvXP7Wep-l3BnolLhF-E7QECeg31tl04nOVXA/s1600/0J9A1470.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39JU5W9bO_v_D44NeJUSYWvbMSgKZmwq1TYUM0G6i5gKE2SuaMWQH773FcShyTFM-gJpw4Batle5YKi5m0wtgFBSD1QmZMvCYFSTRwwm94RHyAeu0eRZm6QAbt9m1lhMp7M16KApDHoVBob7sqzvsWKvXP7Wep-l3BnolLhF-E7QECeg31tl04nOVXA/w400-h266/0J9A1470.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Suddenly on high alert</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the end the leopard decided for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, a troupe of baboons made the
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While watching the leopard, he
suddenly when into alert mode – it’s quite amazing to watch a sleeping leopard
go from relaxed into stalk mode in less than a second. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1d2EaGzdj8u1aMabHm3tgAxi9b0nwXVpMrRBoQJ9HAMGDvVCzVfPPveCSXEUJyo61BqYHV57SA3QiJ47c73lbKNXlfEdfssa5GFpAVuMAyZQmHNGA-8vOtDkKF6rhMPzOr5ZYOr6O-Hv9NKqFJAh5YvpjmRf1fAblpv8MIa4UIapzoIdOJCbUe6aQDA/s1600/034A7792.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1d2EaGzdj8u1aMabHm3tgAxi9b0nwXVpMrRBoQJ9HAMGDvVCzVfPPveCSXEUJyo61BqYHV57SA3QiJ47c73lbKNXlfEdfssa5GFpAVuMAyZQmHNGA-8vOtDkKF6rhMPzOr5ZYOr6O-Hv9NKqFJAh5YvpjmRf1fAblpv8MIa4UIapzoIdOJCbUe6aQDA/w400-h266/034A7792.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Watching the baboons</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Following his gaze, we soon spotted a troupe of chacma
baboons coming down the road behind us, unaware of the leopard’s presence but
that soon changed as he’d quickly got up and moved towards them.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’m not sure if he was intent on stalking
them or just trying to get out of the area undetected, but the moment one of
the baboons spotted him all hell broke loose!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Being that close to a whole troupe of screaming baboons is
quite the experience, and to top it all he was growling at them – a full
throated growl that we’d not heard before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then proceeded as sort of cat and mouse – or cat and baboon – he would
surge forward and the baboons would scamper up the nearby trees while raising the
noise level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then 4 or 5 of the male
baboons would come down and chase him, causing him to retreat a bit and then
the tables would be turned again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_wb7XaBzsKrektesRcjt-26B2VMrMq2kCk5mbekh7faelby1JVYYw1eP_4lVDQqPVB41V53v8HZHnKcPW7IJVRHzQAUyvMjMr4kFA2IO7zzUUCd-d_3H7bT0xMyl-58Pn0teXBeC4Ov4dY38eKZFY3J5Tqmg22g1zHt9iAwBPk8XtCv4PtHsOPbCsw/s1600/034A7675.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_wb7XaBzsKrektesRcjt-26B2VMrMq2kCk5mbekh7faelby1JVYYw1eP_4lVDQqPVB41V53v8HZHnKcPW7IJVRHzQAUyvMjMr4kFA2IO7zzUUCd-d_3H7bT0xMyl-58Pn0teXBeC4Ov4dY38eKZFY3J5Tqmg22g1zHt9iAwBPk8XtCv4PtHsOPbCsw/w400-h266/034A7675.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Baboons may look innocent, but they can be vicious!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This went on for a few times before the leopard decided to
get out of there and was actually chased by the male baboons – at some stage 4
big males managed to corner him while he growled and bared his teeth at
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually he made a dash for it
into thicker cover and despite the baboons chasing him they couldn’t find him
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite the thing to
witness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, it also happened
behind our car and because the road was so narrow and the bush so dense that it
was impossible to turn the car around quickly, so no photos were taken!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8DO5-iDMC30LuctlbKsBs-3UNj35U7Lhq_r5HYm_4-en1p3mfGNyVIC0aVBdZMgohSCYpuy_0dVlDAggBcO2tlyyZc-hgcNHTwYmAVt9Hfk6xT3fvti3lweun7-X6ZuAE6v2-t_kCgQ_tM9jV0x2LIaeSOgj4F-36DX--mA47-5AjZ93XmIUX_eyHw/s1600/034A7837.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8DO5-iDMC30LuctlbKsBs-3UNj35U7Lhq_r5HYm_4-en1p3mfGNyVIC0aVBdZMgohSCYpuy_0dVlDAggBcO2tlyyZc-hgcNHTwYmAVt9Hfk6xT3fvti3lweun7-X6ZuAE6v2-t_kCgQ_tM9jV0x2LIaeSOgj4F-36DX--mA47-5AjZ93XmIUX_eyHw/w400-h266/034A7837.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">White fronted bee-eater</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a fruitless search for the leopard, we decided to move
on and see what else there was around.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before long we came across a safari vehicle and they gave us news that
we were waiting for – wild dogs!</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">South
Luangwa is known for its wild dogs but as we have learnt, it can be luck of the
draw if you see them.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Because they move
so quickly and never hang around in one particular area for very long unless
they are denning, we knew we had to chase up this lead, because we may not see
them again during our trip.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsTR7_1_1hC8ofwuCtN_krgTfIXeUPVw1jWCsMsvWsD0Z1RxWNwQU_xuo8_MuCGWx32Oi-BjzKS_7X0zu5bO-lNfzzt-piXXl5aJf5-94w37DGdgsBOgqhyOmB7fKUOrLUJn42kgDCfhY6deaz9nF4UGvHksUdxkCJKnIyfMDItq4ZWiR_LyhLvq33w/s5472/034A1094.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsTR7_1_1hC8ofwuCtN_krgTfIXeUPVw1jWCsMsvWsD0Z1RxWNwQU_xuo8_MuCGWx32Oi-BjzKS_7X0zu5bO-lNfzzt-piXXl5aJf5-94w37DGdgsBOgqhyOmB7fKUOrLUJn42kgDCfhY6deaz9nF4UGvHksUdxkCJKnIyfMDItq4ZWiR_LyhLvq33w/w400-h266/034A1094.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Buffalo skull</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But it was quite far away with some dodgy directions – past
Chichele and across the river. We had planned to head out the park and have
lunch at our campsite, but this new information had us changing plans.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And that’s one of the perks of us carrying
everything with us – we are pretty flexible in moving around and so decided to
see if we could find the dogs and since they were about an hour and a half from
the gate from what we could gauge, we’d just have lunch in the park.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ7WG9xniabPd3NikHHghnjLqbU2JNaTLfIaRVDMkOemEdKBcA1GOes22v1TNN1s6DimjJ8QRAj2811H49E3w4I_REsXKycj7RUKPidPc_jERTuTK1f_0gy6f96dEELXauDbdvYuYIjq-LYl_PcnaE9tE8IEftoJK88PgixFh54CfE-RDKcea3ZMT6A/s1600/0J9A1693.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ7WG9xniabPd3NikHHghnjLqbU2JNaTLfIaRVDMkOemEdKBcA1GOes22v1TNN1s6DimjJ8QRAj2811H49E3w4I_REsXKycj7RUKPidPc_jERTuTK1f_0gy6f96dEELXauDbdvYuYIjq-LYl_PcnaE9tE8IEftoJK88PgixFh54CfE-RDKcea3ZMT6A/w400-h266/0J9A1693.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Thornicroft giraffe<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We eventually worked our way towards where we thought the
guide’s directions were sending us and it turned out the river that we’d been
worried about crossing was actually a dry river bed, not the main Luangwa
river. That was a relief although there was plenty of sand so you could easily
get bogged down if you weren’t careful.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was another car that was also on the lookout for the
dogs but hadn’t spotted them yet, so we worried that the dogs had slunk off
into the thick bush to sleep through the heat of the day as it was already
close to midday and stinking hot.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXSN5FWzThzshov8BMYIur-q69VvYP315KjoMzZg1Pai2pTXOS8wSOeEEzaZbwgHIUfslerCVnlvDvSsOTPsimOFE4l6ddXov588RzFcd1gchEwvB3B8hgzvKxc1Um45OD8cshPs6R1G-Ao9qPSDPF058QYINHgSkwub9lkOqenUwrLbTktsJXelnxQ/s1600/0J9A3428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXSN5FWzThzshov8BMYIur-q69VvYP315KjoMzZg1Pai2pTXOS8wSOeEEzaZbwgHIUfslerCVnlvDvSsOTPsimOFE4l6ddXov588RzFcd1gchEwvB3B8hgzvKxc1Um45OD8cshPs6R1G-Ao9qPSDPF058QYINHgSkwub9lkOqenUwrLbTktsJXelnxQ/w400-h266/0J9A3428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Goliath heron</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But just as Dru was talking to the game guide, I looked
river bank behind us that we had just cross and there spotted a speck of white
– the dogs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had taken up residence
on the opposite bank under the shade of a big tree, but since we were in the
riverbed you couldn’t really see them unless you knew where to look – turns out
the guide’s dodgy directions weren’t so bad after all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the big dog pack of about 21
individuals that we’d seen on a previous trip and the one that we’d hoped to
see again on this trip – so we were stoked, and all on the first day!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h32KPxp9kNdCFclLco2vwygRtkOYYtnJdsYor6f_hjnMwyMTIaQAvlqwdAwSHH1mKNAh9jnY3xqRhkpiZSHI-mmBv2Z0MYCCpmIuxUy66R6nZdUS_lFbwB-SQD7Qo7uoDrjKcvivmQGRUFTN4orQ7eB6cSskAAz070CB-ESq6ZleaBB3kL6aABtQqg/s1600/034A7804.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h32KPxp9kNdCFclLco2vwygRtkOYYtnJdsYor6f_hjnMwyMTIaQAvlqwdAwSHH1mKNAh9jnY3xqRhkpiZSHI-mmBv2Z0MYCCpmIuxUy66R6nZdUS_lFbwB-SQD7Qo7uoDrjKcvivmQGRUFTN4orQ7eB6cSskAAz070CB-ESq6ZleaBB3kL6aABtQqg/w400-h266/034A7804.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Found the wild dogs sleeping on the river bank</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The game drive vehicle decided to drive in the river bed to
get a closer look, but it wasn’t something we were prepared to chance – we’d
definitely get stuck and the photos wouldn’t be worth the effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he soon abandoned the chase as well,
after getting himself stuck for a while. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now that we knew where the dogs were and doubted that they
would move through the heat of the day, we decided to find ourselves a nice
lunch spot, since the only tree in the area that the dogs were was taken up by
the dogs themselves 😉<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uffkTSAWxhyZ1z1I-uD3OSf69o7a5JxsvXMJ298haYfIcFWta95OrO2op1BDKZoYVtJj4la_JXiq_AYiVzsTfBDcE3icfkEVGf7kiJxjI13urViRmn41py3s9XIyf21HTyYLMIiBixR5Xhnz3_dLcLjOzg8eOZJ95WOWzJIvECerGnB00pc2zb4rSQ/s1600/034A7850.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uffkTSAWxhyZ1z1I-uD3OSf69o7a5JxsvXMJ298haYfIcFWta95OrO2op1BDKZoYVtJj4la_JXiq_AYiVzsTfBDcE3icfkEVGf7kiJxjI13urViRmn41py3s9XIyf21HTyYLMIiBixR5Xhnz3_dLcLjOzg8eOZJ95WOWzJIvECerGnB00pc2zb4rSQ/w400-h266/034A7850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A nice spot to have lunch</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We’d never been to the area before, so spent some time
meandering along another dry riverbed in what was quite a pretty area dotted
with massive trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually
selected a really nice big tree that overlooked a bend in the river bed, but
which still had water in it, making it a magnet for small birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While having lunch a small herd of zebras
arrived as well and kept us entertained as they first headed to the water to
drink and then did a bit of sparring amongst themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYbojGKE0AvOTNMkkzsur7_y13IWHRrAmsUVF_sbabLxhbUj0re-ZMHG6bSQOpleplx8DhVzjzXzMEFepoPj3heeVhWgwR7QGxvizFF-BxQDLEcPrqiBNxdrrqucYGkXr4y2qOAHK5PnJoeAbgZFxywgYy_msRCqLBqfifLBoDgEQPKxDXlCKnVhPAA/s1600/034A7911.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYbojGKE0AvOTNMkkzsur7_y13IWHRrAmsUVF_sbabLxhbUj0re-ZMHG6bSQOpleplx8DhVzjzXzMEFepoPj3heeVhWgwR7QGxvizFF-BxQDLEcPrqiBNxdrrqucYGkXr4y2qOAHK5PnJoeAbgZFxywgYy_msRCqLBqfifLBoDgEQPKxDXlCKnVhPAA/w400-h266/034A7911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebras doing a bit of sparring</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lunch done and we headed back to the dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit of panic ensued when we couldn’t find
them from our vantage point on the opposite side of the dry riverbed, but it
turned out they had just gone further into the shade – now there was almost
nothing of them to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually one
of them got up and we were hopeful that it would move into a better position
for us, but unfortunately, he just moved further down the riverbed and
eventually took up a spot under the shade of a tree, even further away from us,
preventing us from getting any worthy photos.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx2aAauV5KR1aGZzSSDWeU-kFEL6ODgWCDF_iBTsUUvbWbB-0xFJ4RoDZj-WkBF8o_rVw-UY3AsokG-WPW1gZcecNZpISXZK9vGcuLi--nckRHlL3O99OQ_XbOphGSk2Pmr2SVxxkNxuhTBB1RIKU3F8196lgoKjX0i3MhELzf1dnQqwNN2FI__vdLw/s1600/034A7923.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx2aAauV5KR1aGZzSSDWeU-kFEL6ODgWCDF_iBTsUUvbWbB-0xFJ4RoDZj-WkBF8o_rVw-UY3AsokG-WPW1gZcecNZpISXZK9vGcuLi--nckRHlL3O99OQ_XbOphGSk2Pmr2SVxxkNxuhTBB1RIKU3F8196lgoKjX0i3MhELzf1dnQqwNN2FI__vdLw/w400-h266/034A7923.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebras were full of beans</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An hour later there still hadn’t been any significant
movement besides a few dogs walking to join the other dog under the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d tried without success to find some shade
and still have a sighting of the dogs, so we’d eventually moved to the shade of
a tree where we couldn’t see the dogs with a plan to move back when it got a
bit cooler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzxzX3mJgCJOB67rfJWyJqOzTyj1QT1jx6XPzYl1MBL5DWumzI4PAnfizDLAXNt14QUYfhDlN2CMn9Gi2H5ASUGoSH4UJ1BveoQzoIHHsWNE-bvtdw1lYUDncgR3n86W8uuKFqq5U_btgjZsj9SjyRicaJ07MzDllI-LSLlIUHu10ZCFGcSyzXnNKVg/s1600/034A7825.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzxzX3mJgCJOB67rfJWyJqOzTyj1QT1jx6XPzYl1MBL5DWumzI4PAnfizDLAXNt14QUYfhDlN2CMn9Gi2H5ASUGoSH4UJ1BveoQzoIHHsWNE-bvtdw1lYUDncgR3n86W8uuKFqq5U_btgjZsj9SjyRicaJ07MzDllI-LSLlIUHu10ZCFGcSyzXnNKVg/w400-h266/034A7825.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A baby elephant scampers across the road</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was just before 4pm and we were starting to worry that
we’d need to leave before the dogs decided to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t sure how long it would take us to
get back to the gate before the 6pm close but estimated it would be at least an
hour on the main road – probably a bit more so we need to leave in about an hour
to be sure we’d get them in time for closing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f58_SmA5MYxbIyNCyW0g-bWrHTN4Cv7lukO7wjPadACJeehM7sqoBf3lr9U9Tdfgq0KiYLm2gyY4FkwRfZSgfFYm7tfz70vrmiqIwBFGSHzgXkOQxzKQ-wPEvoEAWPS16W3k6xaKIxSv65CilAk7lO-TQnMP9CUBNZXAVyWLtBdQxY-mLiYJ7DHLSA/s1600/0J9A1492.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f58_SmA5MYxbIyNCyW0g-bWrHTN4Cv7lukO7wjPadACJeehM7sqoBf3lr9U9Tdfgq0KiYLm2gyY4FkwRfZSgfFYm7tfz70vrmiqIwBFGSHzgXkOQxzKQ-wPEvoEAWPS16W3k6xaKIxSv65CilAk7lO-TQnMP9CUBNZXAVyWLtBdQxY-mLiYJ7DHLSA/w400-h266/0J9A1492.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Greeting ceremony of the dogs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just then there was a flurry of activity – it seemed like
some of the dogs in the pack had been elsewhere and they’d come back and the
greeting ceremony was taking place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is quite amusing to watch – just like a dog at home greets its owner – only
this is 20 odd dogs greeting each other with a greater level of enthusiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmx9L7qNT0rrYnK0H5KfkhKfiC9ExsLoyUhEzy8Gs_Vx9yWgyskKap1fAusHWxjPwf-km9umzXkIt3pBUJ-kfsvnjmaez3QMbH8wI_nkT75Cm_woE8-6HBQHRJuaIaP6fasMfA0a-ieBT8jSchII-ZqCysNs6YgJIlHCCXpxwulsNRYnGZlRtWj99uA/s1600/0J9A1502.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmx9L7qNT0rrYnK0H5KfkhKfiC9ExsLoyUhEzy8Gs_Vx9yWgyskKap1fAusHWxjPwf-km9umzXkIt3pBUJ-kfsvnjmaez3QMbH8wI_nkT75Cm_woE8-6HBQHRJuaIaP6fasMfA0a-ieBT8jSchII-ZqCysNs6YgJIlHCCXpxwulsNRYnGZlRtWj99uA/w400-h266/0J9A1502.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lots of excitement!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were hoping that now that all the dogs were up that
they’d start moving, but obviously they had different ideas and decided it was
still too hot to be moving around so they all flopped down and went back to
resting under the shade tree, except for one that decided the other side of the
river bed (the one we were on) was a better option and lay in the shade of the
bank instead.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ7mb1XIqqwdjr8eDlNHwJJs4x2e6Sn_eGiUuOq_cNBhE7tTJ3SXVXnppR1yxALoRl9wgGe6qx5loeIS_nqDH8UIM_ByK28gbH0cJjKJqzqA2HeO17WHy_xe6ZqgMXpBkSPtUywynPYhipgdBzy154A85QuX-jEnyt1_PUb1aj8DmweVra35br7Kx7Q/s1600/034A7976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ7mb1XIqqwdjr8eDlNHwJJs4x2e6Sn_eGiUuOq_cNBhE7tTJ3SXVXnppR1yxALoRl9wgGe6qx5loeIS_nqDH8UIM_ByK28gbH0cJjKJqzqA2HeO17WHy_xe6ZqgMXpBkSPtUywynPYhipgdBzy154A85QuX-jEnyt1_PUb1aj8DmweVra35br7Kx7Q/w400-h266/034A7976.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Solo dog using the shade to chill out</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We worked out that we probably only had another half an hour
before we had to leave and there was still no sign of the dogs moving.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were debating if we should rather be happy
that we’d seen the dogs and cut our losses to have a leisurely drive back, or
wait it out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqA11xxKVtwLAHa_3Sh-dXQ_AdU5FXO4XbGjCnWriJzsCiBVkFJBzFVLECnckw_xikHbjfzHyUaGcr1rAJUBTdjrspHkpq7AV49G1unSxKmZqgcGdKdy9QPaOxRqdzP19JyTZQIzbNA63tfOX1uQ09Vvd6C73bzscCseTsPlr7p4kbRMHXWklwj4ILzA/s1600/034A8002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqA11xxKVtwLAHa_3Sh-dXQ_AdU5FXO4XbGjCnWriJzsCiBVkFJBzFVLECnckw_xikHbjfzHyUaGcr1rAJUBTdjrspHkpq7AV49G1unSxKmZqgcGdKdy9QPaOxRqdzP19JyTZQIzbNA63tfOX1uQ09Vvd6C73bzscCseTsPlr7p4kbRMHXWklwj4ILzA/w400-h266/034A8002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The chase is on!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just like the leopard, the dogs made the decision for
us.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Suddenly in a flash all the dogs
were up and staring intently in one direction.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Turns out an unsuspecting impala had walked towards the riverbed and
became the target of the dogs’ attention.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luckily for the impala she was far enough away for a good head start
when the dogs started running, but she gave the run of her life while about 5
of the pack chased her.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqk-8SYu5noXzvcLf5Sp3TFjDL7R2vN8o2ZHB6GDzB_zcqYGsiAgGhmETDKmmv-SxkGyaG9IAGuiMVhtU6KVAULsiR_UBRCYq_VtP_M55eFnchue51p_F3BeRQuzbtgWRJrugHzV-XifT3NND8iFGsoCW0-dV0tVcNsoQFtZ_UTiUGLm5R3y43gKYEg/s1600/0J9A1533.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqk-8SYu5noXzvcLf5Sp3TFjDL7R2vN8o2ZHB6GDzB_zcqYGsiAgGhmETDKmmv-SxkGyaG9IAGuiMVhtU6KVAULsiR_UBRCYq_VtP_M55eFnchue51p_F3BeRQuzbtgWRJrugHzV-XifT3NND8iFGsoCW0-dV0tVcNsoQFtZ_UTiUGLm5R3y43gKYEg/w400-h266/0J9A1533.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Keeping a close eye</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were a few moments of pandemonium as dogs ran in
different directions, followed by the few cars that were there trying to sight
them.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only thing that wasn’t there
was the impala – she’s probably still running!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwzqWsD9JL-eYcZKaoXwBTI2nlCv4NNBqv7-u0sBvoxYxhwUBG7hVzGPqJ9B7GOjHUUevOF0lBPttro2htQqugvdg7covDgB_SkWsSnQJ7vMjGaI5RP_mYM-w-j0cZtPGbuETwf7YDsnFfv-jSOPjXeheVHVKGyuIGlCCgfv2GV_AdOD6ztrGglMYnA/s1600/0J9A1567.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwzqWsD9JL-eYcZKaoXwBTI2nlCv4NNBqv7-u0sBvoxYxhwUBG7hVzGPqJ9B7GOjHUUevOF0lBPttro2htQqugvdg7covDgB_SkWsSnQJ7vMjGaI5RP_mYM-w-j0cZtPGbuETwf7YDsnFfv-jSOPjXeheVHVKGyuIGlCCgfv2GV_AdOD6ztrGglMYnA/w400-h266/0J9A1567.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Alpha male after the chase</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The unsuccessful and soon aborted chase did result in one
thing – some of the dogs were up and had moved closer to the road in the
river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allowed us to take a few
photos of one of the main dogs – denoted by the collar they wear while the
remaining hunters lay in the grass and the rest of the pack returned to their
same shady tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkMw1YMhp_ndbnHBXgC5IDmKHxkZBnWvjbvt1sM4Af8aU74PKnKE7xbWtgynQjLvaClBpKyaJQ_gL73RkBLaoaRs159Nl7iiRzvqjdApE1cjpkPvb_Imxlo5xtuXVen9nbYV0Tkt5SHQCeY2qgVP5ipzlH0gSMHpM2udGJP40hHdu9WQpmPlHDgDm0A/s1600/0J9A1581.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkMw1YMhp_ndbnHBXgC5IDmKHxkZBnWvjbvt1sM4Af8aU74PKnKE7xbWtgynQjLvaClBpKyaJQ_gL73RkBLaoaRs159Nl7iiRzvqjdApE1cjpkPvb_Imxlo5xtuXVen9nbYV0Tkt5SHQCeY2qgVP5ipzlH0gSMHpM2udGJP40hHdu9WQpmPlHDgDm0A/w400-h266/0J9A1581.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Back to chilling out</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The drama was really exciting but unfortunately didn’t
result in any great shots except a few of the collared dog, and soon we made a
decision that it was time to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
it was a bit of race to get back to the gate, especially since we didn’t know
which was the quickest route to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually we made it with time to spare and were able to get our permit
before the gate closed, but not the kind of wild ride that you want to be doing
on a daily basis 😉<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back to camp and our first braai of the trip – as usual it
was a hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make it a point to braai
when we’re at South Luangwa in the campsite – it’s just so special to have a
fire in front of the mighty Luangwa river and soon we were in bed falling
asleep to the sound of hippos laughing in the river.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Intro</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> << </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> >> </span></span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Day 7</span></a></span></p>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0South Luangwa National Park, Zambia-12.9409803 31.904538-79.944563895116886 -108.720462 54.06260329511688 172.529538tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-481189845423454272022-09-10T16:10:00.032+03:002022-12-07T13:15:33.230+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - September 2022<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vP_uM_Eg7lKZC3kTGx0CSyS2RwDPCGzWdGY16oy3apqeG6iFDoogx1RzhOzuo8RnQoOPCR4R-flHfhzzLZXiF95nbZ_J_83_0qzDCcuD4FCIZiQ9IfVi8X4_yQA3lSGdEBOWdKUYuUjdk-WcOIALPRCXkDyslUYMf-6ll1jg0xi1EDB_hPDC-tMZrg/s1600/IMG-1264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vP_uM_Eg7lKZC3kTGx0CSyS2RwDPCGzWdGY16oy3apqeG6iFDoogx1RzhOzuo8RnQoOPCR4R-flHfhzzLZXiF95nbZ_J_83_0qzDCcuD4FCIZiQ9IfVi8X4_yQA3lSGdEBOWdKUYuUjdk-WcOIALPRCXkDyslUYMf-6ll1jg0xi1EDB_hPDC-tMZrg/w400-h300/IMG-1264.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Luangwa river at sunset</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Five months after our last trip to South Luangwa and we were back at it again. In contrast to our unexpected trip in April (a story for another time) this would be in the dry. We'd actually have preferred to do it about a month later when the dry season was at its peak, but sometimes work gets in the way and we decided to do it in September while we could get away and then hope we could cram another trip in before the seasonal rains come.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And so up at 4.30 am and on the road by 5.30 am, we made good time to Lilongwe. With the fuel crisis in Malawi, we knew we probably not be able to fill up in the capital city, which turned out to be the case, so after a quick toilet stop it was straight to the Mchinji border, eating our precooked lunch on the way.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2NLOiSRruCMFB7FcVIvvHkT1YBFzsdDmmttqTABP_QyGiMS1uyu6fhtdFAV-aGuMASVeGkHbqnpFHvrpXbFfLYjMEmZ3ZaGdubpCL9Y9t3bMeqMqzo5rzo2TcGtqQhjcW83MZcwnBvY-9jr0lxgXwlA8S-hGDylFPhNEEYaMxtHh-pfpv3E8sJYgKg/s1600/IMG-1257.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2NLOiSRruCMFB7FcVIvvHkT1YBFzsdDmmttqTABP_QyGiMS1uyu6fhtdFAV-aGuMASVeGkHbqnpFHvrpXbFfLYjMEmZ3ZaGdubpCL9Y9t3bMeqMqzo5rzo2TcGtqQhjcW83MZcwnBvY-9jr0lxgXwlA8S-hGDylFPhNEEYaMxtHh-pfpv3E8sJYgKg/w400-h300/IMG-1257.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">How much can you carry in your car?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And as usual the border was a stuff up. It seems that you can't have smooth sailing across both Malawi and Zambia. If it's not the printer that's not working, it's the network down, or the officials can't be found - the usual issues with an African border. The biggest problem is the importing of the car into Zambia - it's just a slow process no matter what you do. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">So when we can get through the borders within 2 hours, we're happy and this time it took about 90 minutes - so a win, I guess?</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT0YPLlC4KRhJBAYPYAPVJIWq3Tt6PmmqZN4Sf071tUGw4e8PXGakArw8bKuTKgGcYSxLDyKpvYIJjD9wUVT3AeUaoI0ELNxhgI1ZtJP6wG71x_JAkFAZynhm5dIRIWlTh43emwFENDFXfcV-ECKQ-WHTBhmP6B4px4-f_fHMSgeamcGaaLtuf2oc8A/s1600/IMG-1273.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT0YPLlC4KRhJBAYPYAPVJIWq3Tt6PmmqZN4Sf071tUGw4e8PXGakArw8bKuTKgGcYSxLDyKpvYIJjD9wUVT3AeUaoI0ELNxhgI1ZtJP6wG71x_JAkFAZynhm5dIRIWlTh43emwFENDFXfcV-ECKQ-WHTBhmP6B4px4-f_fHMSgeamcGaaLtuf2oc8A/w400-h300/IMG-1273.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Set up for the evening at our campsite</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first Zambian town, Chipata, is about 20 minutes away so there we fueled up (yay, diesel was available) had another quick toilet break (I don't even know if there are toilets at the border - I'm too scared to look!) and then were off to South Luangwa. The drive takes about 2 or so hours but the road is potholed and getting worse - some places you really need to take your time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But we made good time and arrived at Wildlife Camp at about 5pm, early enough that we could set ourselves up before chilling out at our awesome camp spot in time for a sunset beer. South Luangwa, here we come!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-september-2022.html" target="_blank">Intro</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">>> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-4.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-5.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-6.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Day 6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2022/09/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-7.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank"><span>Day 7</span></a></span></p>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-65174888605945721102022-06-17T22:00:00.007+03:002022-08-29T16:21:46.279+03:00Nyika NP, Malawi - "where the water comes from"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvG6Gw7Vjjh2u70UvrU2845mxwj2Q0LSioBI2FD-rMyRkDqv5p9ZBZJidQvxIlL2z3o-WNyKFIXzJzeXyA8yWgF-Bk1cJcXSBTa-55Q3QgRwKEHfvGs_tyMkRUSG8vWuqT9BYBQwoChNEGFICP2KL4KokGDEFwa8UoVlPZfXKEATV-bCvWsXDpYBeGQ/s2000/0J9A9495.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvG6Gw7Vjjh2u70UvrU2845mxwj2Q0LSioBI2FD-rMyRkDqv5p9ZBZJidQvxIlL2z3o-WNyKFIXzJzeXyA8yWgF-Bk1cJcXSBTa-55Q3QgRwKEHfvGs_tyMkRUSG8vWuqT9BYBQwoChNEGFICP2KL4KokGDEFwa8UoVlPZfXKEATV-bCvWsXDpYBeGQ/w400-h266/0J9A9495.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Roan in Nyika NP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nyika is not a name that immediately conjures up any distinct images –
not like vast open spaces when mentioning the Serengeti or the beautiful palm dotted
landscapes when thinking of the Okavango Delta.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">In fact, I didn’t know anything about the national park nestled in the
middle of Malawi, except that it had roan antelope. And that was our primary
reason for finally visiting this little-known reserve.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">But it really delivers so much more and is well
worth a visit for hardened safari goers that are looking for something a bit
different.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobFEBNQ4W38cS2fad28LwQuSMu3I7jOr_0oSdyNqaIuKnZ6vDz9huiCCYDxVzdIO-KOyulj6xy3r30oYWB1wE6j0nQlxGrz85PsOlWJctTVfmDA56UQvorhjq7tvPT4bNM3HSRkkpICpDPpnOYVLD1TD1r4h6zK4YEwodUt39eTsG0_ArrheETY4l9A/s2000/IMG_9837%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobFEBNQ4W38cS2fad28LwQuSMu3I7jOr_0oSdyNqaIuKnZ6vDz9huiCCYDxVzdIO-KOyulj6xy3r30oYWB1wE6j0nQlxGrz85PsOlWJctTVfmDA56UQvorhjq7tvPT4bNM3HSRkkpICpDPpnOYVLD1TD1r4h6zK4YEwodUt39eTsG0_ArrheETY4l9A/w400-h300/IMG_9837%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Nyika NP landscape<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The biggest national park in Malawi and sitting at an
altitude of over 2000m, Nyika is best visited in the dry season, otherwise even
the main roads become impassable, so it was in the middle of winter that we
headed to Nyika.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had timed our visit
while we were in Mzuzu, as it’s only 165km to travel, compared to the 750km
from our home in Blantyre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, that
165km is over a 4-hour slog to get to the Nyika Thazima gate. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTRLwKJRpNVFW346OzhgHkGtf9LsD4ZHDQq3udB2tC_yxtlWJJ-LoREqJm0EMat4FApomhH7ZbUiERyS2sGQkW3gFnK91ISkEKquejDBTlN4s7yMZSC7ZgJFpfidLukiWXLZ43_qXm7EZ_PKMvxmSV6Luu_3ZRIDa6U_km7EaZxwPvKXb-r-_7K6oEQ/s2000/IMG_9936%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTRLwKJRpNVFW346OzhgHkGtf9LsD4ZHDQq3udB2tC_yxtlWJJ-LoREqJm0EMat4FApomhH7ZbUiERyS2sGQkW3gFnK91ISkEKquejDBTlN4s7yMZSC7ZgJFpfidLukiWXLZ43_qXm7EZ_PKMvxmSV6Luu_3ZRIDa6U_km7EaZxwPvKXb-r-_7K6oEQ/w400-h300/IMG_9936%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Road from Rumphi to the Thazima gate</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Up until about 20km past Rumphi the road is as fine as you
can expect on Malawi’s highways, but after that it rapidly deteriorates and
once you start climbing towards the Nyika plateau, it’s as if you’re on a wide
goat track that hasn’t seen any goats since the last heavy rains.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRigWJogwwS3OJ09rQ8hYKBPGBBIYgqkKH7T5l11zAUfcysrA1BgOGUHLCxIyiPKv7JcbISN2CbFOAlCoDNIPz2tvWOXM1MtcN62zg-cgFpLh6aqUM9Ze31SNehvUieEZHC_ii1k1NojKGfmBR8jUz_mvhw_UowYDa0AZTMLBbHx2zurfEQcMaE_sbIA/s2000/IMG_9679%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRigWJogwwS3OJ09rQ8hYKBPGBBIYgqkKH7T5l11zAUfcysrA1BgOGUHLCxIyiPKv7JcbISN2CbFOAlCoDNIPz2tvWOXM1MtcN62zg-cgFpLh6aqUM9Ze31SNehvUieEZHC_ii1k1NojKGfmBR8jUz_mvhw_UowYDa0AZTMLBbHx2zurfEQcMaE_sbIA/w400-h300/IMG_9679%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The bad roads don't stop the taxis!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally, we arrived at the Nyika gate and 2 very friendly
game rangers signed us in and took our payment and gave us an idea of the road
ahead because for the first 30km or so, the road is still public as it straddles
the Malawi / Zambia border and is a thoroughfare to the northern part of Malawi
which leads to the Tanzanian border.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo13z7zYQXRHUytzgYjSAogd2LMH066Gu0bQ8OwFOOz25gHHOTIXU2m7q6h17qhU7vEOx4yXTa3rc6E-K6WtxedAaIEQskN-BUEmF_g7UXXItqPihTRpg-e8lni_6HVlhsTPlYw6602KDQCn0C04NulW4jjf4l4UMmZy38j9reYo06_97L_rgNv3wuzA/s2000/IMG_9694%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo13z7zYQXRHUytzgYjSAogd2LMH066Gu0bQ8OwFOOz25gHHOTIXU2m7q6h17qhU7vEOx4yXTa3rc6E-K6WtxedAaIEQskN-BUEmF_g7UXXItqPihTRpg-e8lni_6HVlhsTPlYw6602KDQCn0C04NulW4jjf4l4UMmZy38j9reYo06_97L_rgNv3wuzA/w400-h300/IMG_9694%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Forested road that straddles Malawi and Zambia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the intersection you turn off from the public road and it
was another 30km or so until we got to Chelinda – where the only accommodation
in the park was and where we’d be staying for the couple of nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ranger told us the 60km or so shouldn’t
take much longer than an hour, but we knew better – if a ranger said an hour,
we could comfortably double that and probably still be short.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtwXjnC2OUKBNjR2KGw9nLnL2T91rS0F0yS6gXlriC9M9XoMtzTDb3UDFoMT-n03bVcZ2gmd9fJwpOxusEBrIk3cFibZkEYlDstW3uTbIayqUea_ZDn2INVqeNU7tfwkgPL0VZ0qbnRBg0nDTA6HeMFlaoSTFZc6vr4ssmlyJco5AVA78XXsdwOy4VA/s2000/034A5467.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtwXjnC2OUKBNjR2KGw9nLnL2T91rS0F0yS6gXlriC9M9XoMtzTDb3UDFoMT-n03bVcZ2gmd9fJwpOxusEBrIk3cFibZkEYlDstW3uTbIayqUea_ZDn2INVqeNU7tfwkgPL0VZ0qbnRBg0nDTA6HeMFlaoSTFZc6vr4ssmlyJco5AVA78XXsdwOy4VA/w400-h266/034A5467.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Look out for the proteas in the forest in Nyika</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And so it was – it actually it took us 3 hours to do the
60km.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">At first the road is corrugated
and winds through an odd forest of stumpy trees and strangely enough
proteas.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had thought proteas could
only be found in South Africa’s fynbos, but about 10% of the species are found
elsewhere, including Nyika NP.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqX-3q_L47FjT1au0TbBABFGA_qftAfVfRx7oY3NJlLzOjZs2D3WiIz-R4qWMZNpcW32oLjQRcbZJx_6ng0TmG3kTJNO4s0v6QEwvNRRdqU-Yx7V4fBv1VbsRJBCY8UacLEgqys238aSXlpjvFB6WTdDLG3yBFioTJ8uwkdu-C7V31YzwsiKCCdztyg/s2000/0J9A9549.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqX-3q_L47FjT1au0TbBABFGA_qftAfVfRx7oY3NJlLzOjZs2D3WiIz-R4qWMZNpcW32oLjQRcbZJx_6ng0TmG3kTJNO4s0v6QEwvNRRdqU-Yx7V4fBv1VbsRJBCY8UacLEgqys238aSXlpjvFB6WTdDLG3yBFioTJ8uwkdu-C7V31YzwsiKCCdztyg/w400-h266/0J9A9549.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A view of the Nyika hills</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>For most
of the time we drove what is essentially the border between Malawi and Zambia
and could at first see little houses dotted along the road on the Zambian side
before becoming less and less eventually becoming national park on both sides
of the road – essentially the Nyika Transfrontier Park that is incorporated
into the larger Nyika-North Luangwa Transfrontier Conservation Area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE9gOvR-wtrzFQSk6U4VGCcMvC3qXxCP9EimYJ8ef6BjAvH7smZNKdEEpY8vjsTGWOCDwjFaERKP3yJRjusA4CDVwyHjGmjjBdf__Cbr7EerwL7whqFnNElVmK1lHQL6jKVgsm0BIinQN16Se-O9cpQCEoE1mYRu1o99SxX0T1v1j5RHqYNITXHOYEQ/s2000/IMG_9808%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE9gOvR-wtrzFQSk6U4VGCcMvC3qXxCP9EimYJ8ef6BjAvH7smZNKdEEpY8vjsTGWOCDwjFaERKP3yJRjusA4CDVwyHjGmjjBdf__Cbr7EerwL7whqFnNElVmK1lHQL6jKVgsm0BIinQN16Se-O9cpQCEoE1mYRu1o99SxX0T1v1j5RHqYNITXHOYEQ/w400-h300/IMG_9808%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tiny blue wildflowers carpet the landscape</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Along the road on Malawian side is also an electric fence
for about 12km – apparently it is a large fenced area where about 100 elephants
that were translocated from one of the other national parks a few years ago are
being housed as they are still being habituated to Nyika before they are
released.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd1o4pLfnlmjuRD4kRnI4W7hcQtDCg55m7dZyXIdxO9sDY34_rUzwyLJKa9f3LzXX0XtbfwsrUxnQTdingRKxmdGjIGq7QRD5m2SOHnVdUYSMshqdL5bBzDf3isN069azQuEbsUslw8lEJAqInzl5g6iP5jcAGYT3K_ExCWhzyEobN5shttVS9O9Vwg/s2000/IMG_9848%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd1o4pLfnlmjuRD4kRnI4W7hcQtDCg55m7dZyXIdxO9sDY34_rUzwyLJKa9f3LzXX0XtbfwsrUxnQTdingRKxmdGjIGq7QRD5m2SOHnVdUYSMshqdL5bBzDf3isN069azQuEbsUslw8lEJAqInzl5g6iP5jcAGYT3K_ExCWhzyEobN5shttVS9O9Vwg/w400-h300/IMG_9848%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The dam near Chelinda</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After about 20km it finally opens up and you see the beauty
that is Nyika – empty grass covered hills dotted with small patches of evergreen
forest in the valleys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is a
unique and dramatic landscape, unlike anywhere else that we’d been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3SNpI5lwa2JxN90SOelvFGIPumMqUsoIgnfC46Vd3IvIAgIuBX4R-ycVpl_nRkTEYS1HI7E2ZUhJo7fGOfoytF_MNNSJM675bfixBEG2BZSqqClB8Om-fz6NBySFtXgEl-HpqgIBqNs0R753xoWdiBYOnJNfeHuHPty8d8wJYBZT0FXbQ2cXsPN6PA/s2000/034A4653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3SNpI5lwa2JxN90SOelvFGIPumMqUsoIgnfC46Vd3IvIAgIuBX4R-ycVpl_nRkTEYS1HI7E2ZUhJo7fGOfoytF_MNNSJM675bfixBEG2BZSqqClB8Om-fz6NBySFtXgEl-HpqgIBqNs0R753xoWdiBYOnJNfeHuHPty8d8wJYBZT0FXbQ2cXsPN6PA/w400-h266/034A4653.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Reedbuck are a common sighting in the hills</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luckily, the views made up for the lack of game – in fact,
we didn’t see anything except a troupe of wary vervet monkeys until we started
getting closer to the Chelinda area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then slowly but surely, we started making out dots on the hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us a while to work it out – reedbuck
in amongst the grasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an antelope
we seldom see, there were plenty of them out in Nyika. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLoeMLr8QiwfH_bt44iuhg4QRSj05Kp7qslrboM1zFF_pvJBVgOtkSQ2jpFLEXKnt4dkRD7EP0Xk3WKax97WNckHELbW2tq2BvRyHxXT_MiapLmO5vtTPhZvH6fbJyP_GxfkBY5g7NLMbHdvAkVZ1VoJqUEDGGD-zeCWksaK3Rg1eVbf1iaZ1K4Lpjw/s2000/0J9A9623.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLoeMLr8QiwfH_bt44iuhg4QRSj05Kp7qslrboM1zFF_pvJBVgOtkSQ2jpFLEXKnt4dkRD7EP0Xk3WKax97WNckHELbW2tq2BvRyHxXT_MiapLmO5vtTPhZvH6fbJyP_GxfkBY5g7NLMbHdvAkVZ1VoJqUEDGGD-zeCWksaK3Rg1eVbf1iaZ1K4Lpjw/w400-h266/0J9A9623.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Roan antelope - one of the reasons we'd come to Nyika</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then we finally got a sighting of what we’d come for –
Roan antelope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a bit far away,
but we photographed him nonetheless, just in case it was the only one we would
see for the weekend 😉 Roan are scarce anywhere in Africa and we’d
struggled to find them in Southern Africa with only one or two being
sighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_k_LgZwNOO5uVMKLipGsRrAvPqBc_Mh5ktpd4WqdiwHvJ-fhP5TUuS7eLh_YamLJGK9rcLhPgWjYW3DY8slcud161dbexhMboLy37o68ckQCmk4vsOpF0PZeg_oa8HA3u467EnX1RfOZkSzNw5tM00rIjPcgbZomJDy2tME8fhn9ww81Xeymu8qP_w/s2000/034A5220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_k_LgZwNOO5uVMKLipGsRrAvPqBc_Mh5ktpd4WqdiwHvJ-fhP5TUuS7eLh_YamLJGK9rcLhPgWjYW3DY8slcud161dbexhMboLy37o68ckQCmk4vsOpF0PZeg_oa8HA3u467EnX1RfOZkSzNw5tM00rIjPcgbZomJDy2tME8fhn9ww81Xeymu8qP_w/w400-h266/034A5220.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Zebra on the plains</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We’d finally found herds of
them in Akagera NP, Rwanda but had heard that this was the place to see them
and so far it had proved true.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And it
didn’t take us long to find that the one roan was not alone – it was a herd,
but unfortunately too far away for us to get a really good sighting or photos.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still, we were happy that at least we’d seen
what we’d hoped for, but hopefully that wasn’t the extent of it!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xvs7mOP6RbQovWOIWhJB5kkig0VOcP09zRVOgYmJBQIxXJcKJbeD0PPAsH7eQzOeTawOiFhXCEzdNU5EV2ychGskzfo0bOwGENXsFDJ6VuOrK7ji4GcwheckP_90l9_Qxhj0GYpeYYcqlr-RzWBNuRjGpNxbhCQnIq4ovs-RosnysGQr29KnGjmdOQ/s2000/IMG_9816%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xvs7mOP6RbQovWOIWhJB5kkig0VOcP09zRVOgYmJBQIxXJcKJbeD0PPAsH7eQzOeTawOiFhXCEzdNU5EV2ychGskzfo0bOwGENXsFDJ6VuOrK7ji4GcwheckP_90l9_Qxhj0GYpeYYcqlr-RzWBNuRjGpNxbhCQnIq4ovs-RosnysGQr29KnGjmdOQ/w400-h300/IMG_9816%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Self catering cottages at Chelinda Camp</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Passing some eland along the way (that shockingly didn’t run
off at the sight of us!) we finally pulled into Chelinda camp in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although they do have a campsite, we’d
decided not to camp this time around and rather check out the cottages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an upmarket lodge with cabins
reminiscent of Swiss chalets, self-catering cottages for 4-6 people, or just a
self-contained room which we opted for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE505dnIu882byXQv0G4AJARP1jufMrgnm8R3rCudJVCVUL7A6SxEcaivBOogMpJEVE819c1dutBDxYS5abW7mAsnc8pnKsyEKyV8sRldO43-w_jEZaNShyvJVsD_TmtPWCOQC8NDEvGLKSj95OXG0YFBgUJt6JtJenBk8jE06apTgrF6rafLjfce33w/s2000/IMG_9786%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE505dnIu882byXQv0G4AJARP1jufMrgnm8R3rCudJVCVUL7A6SxEcaivBOogMpJEVE819c1dutBDxYS5abW7mAsnc8pnKsyEKyV8sRldO43-w_jEZaNShyvJVsD_TmtPWCOQC8NDEvGLKSj95OXG0YFBgUJt6JtJenBk8jE06apTgrF6rafLjfce33w/w400-h300/IMG_9786%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Swiss style chalets at Chelinda Lodge</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks to Covid, the staff have been reduced from 40 to 10
people, and so all accommodation is self-catering but they do have a chef on
hand to cook your meals with whichever supplies you have brought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d decided to braai, but quickly discovered
that they only have one braai stand!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luckily it was quiet the weekend that we were there, so we quickly
commandeered the braai and the camp manager promised that he would keep it for
us for the next 2 days.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9bWO4luBF8KZthcT3d7m1RzSCyPMshgnRBfTmOqQM0LZPfy0MRce5LE5gxoHotlMo5PGD_5iH1az2kQCVhNFMPFhzGYeShPfvORG5mWGJZnlpE6fndJTTiUPyOUq3YFO3jlkKdkUxq-6KBt1kyCSsL91mDwuIIAWOeEl_ZicL5EaMfw5Sx-rW9Rrxg/s2000/IMG_9712%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9bWO4luBF8KZthcT3d7m1RzSCyPMshgnRBfTmOqQM0LZPfy0MRce5LE5gxoHotlMo5PGD_5iH1az2kQCVhNFMPFhzGYeShPfvORG5mWGJZnlpE6fndJTTiUPyOUq3YFO3jlkKdkUxq-6KBt1kyCSsL91mDwuIIAWOeEl_ZicL5EaMfw5Sx-rW9Rrxg/w400-h300/IMG_9712%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Inside the communal area at Chelinda camp</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After getting the low down from the camp manager, we got the
general layout of the park and where to go from one of the guides.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was really helpful in telling us which
roads were closed or to avoid, so soon enough we had a plan on where we wanted
to explore for the early evening and see if we could catch some more roan.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40e4tpWRaLvqzEi_EP70c1RvVSBMBjYVaXFOQC4Aa_9O7T6tpih4UmrNvrxtJ2XOk8FlSv478CJ7Ggjhz9HFLhWMD6GSvdhm5uEQ_CAPhW82IL2fvbF5Bd7wPQ0gZKUzd3NMGdq26ANlQ1RzyJAtfx9IWPcFJ7T64rPExS4nDVqvC6-ptDFv_uNXXQw/s2000/IMG_9741%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40e4tpWRaLvqzEi_EP70c1RvVSBMBjYVaXFOQC4Aa_9O7T6tpih4UmrNvrxtJ2XOk8FlSv478CJ7Ggjhz9HFLhWMD6GSvdhm5uEQ_CAPhW82IL2fvbF5Bd7wPQ0gZKUzd3NMGdq26ANlQ1RzyJAtfx9IWPcFJ7T64rPExS4nDVqvC6-ptDFv_uNXXQw/w400-h300/IMG_9741%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chosi viewpoint, Nyika NP<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We headed down one of the more popular drives with the with
the Chosi viewpoint in mind to get some panoramic views of the landscape.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although the sun was shining creating some
beautiful light, it was cloudy and the windchill factor dropped the temperature
enough to be lightly freezing 😉</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEXHPXiyQioZSuvWe7I8MvcPd-GpFz4dzcthNuFwYB472ffhph4OLebSaaD39pm3VsGm7fih-flmvGdwtRv-C3GOFuy15ZEoInvA29SbRFxM5TMRWQJSvl1iWzl_0HksLBjqT2ct4PCVYHh1tr6nnAf8Vc46o9YWpQhdsNphORrZckekkrPNGRRdeng/s2000/034A4829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEXHPXiyQioZSuvWe7I8MvcPd-GpFz4dzcthNuFwYB472ffhph4OLebSaaD39pm3VsGm7fih-flmvGdwtRv-C3GOFuy15ZEoInvA29SbRFxM5TMRWQJSvl1iWzl_0HksLBjqT2ct4PCVYHh1tr6nnAf8Vc46o9YWpQhdsNphORrZckekkrPNGRRdeng/w400-h266/034A4829.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">An LBJ in Nyika</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We didn’t see too much in terms of game on our way to Chosi,
with the highlight spotting a red-winged francolin hiding in the tall grass and
not allowing us any good photos, a posing reedbuck and some zebras grazing on
the rolling grasslands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYDMrKt_7HEebBfyTGLut3K30_uYnZOHW9oz7YnwS3_1HRZrFJPVa9Ep5YclDewO5uSeBGDJhqQYYnmqDB2HHgzytgK_43BxhGbCRIJ2li2VCA_xHlVslHm8e47K_-Y1vABUNqiE8Y32RKN9SAwgEE_NxOrGSaWqTinUj5PlPgx9k7hHCobDTHRl_sQ/s2000/IMG_9817%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYDMrKt_7HEebBfyTGLut3K30_uYnZOHW9oz7YnwS3_1HRZrFJPVa9Ep5YclDewO5uSeBGDJhqQYYnmqDB2HHgzytgK_43BxhGbCRIJ2li2VCA_xHlVslHm8e47K_-Y1vABUNqiE8Y32RKN9SAwgEE_NxOrGSaWqTinUj5PlPgx9k7hHCobDTHRl_sQ/w300-h400/IMG_9817%20conv.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Malawi-Zambia transfrontier park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Standing on top of the Chosi viewpoint gives you a fantastic
360<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°
</span>view of Nyika and is well worth a visit, but it was also cold standing
up there on top of the hill when no longer protected from the wind by the car,
so we were soon heading back down the hill before the sun set and the
temperature would really drop!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oIyfuk3LzfaraA0W2paBWqyXTCYLbt6A2iWK4G4pVW8Ejoz2FrUOocTfPMKcZZr2d7zrslVrMGeZqUkiMbQWALB5bdZdQ8gmeK8WsWOk3MWe1ulenWwuYltEfWHKrHHoCtoxEWr9AguEDu4M3TOuUt1Wi85V4-i8EmVd6uAiexpDn4IcWbDdeGmqBw/s2000/034A4747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oIyfuk3LzfaraA0W2paBWqyXTCYLbt6A2iWK4G4pVW8Ejoz2FrUOocTfPMKcZZr2d7zrslVrMGeZqUkiMbQWALB5bdZdQ8gmeK8WsWOk3MWe1ulenWwuYltEfWHKrHHoCtoxEWr9AguEDu4M3TOuUt1Wi85V4-i8EmVd6uAiexpDn4IcWbDdeGmqBw/w400-h266/034A4747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebra portrait</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Heading back towards the camp, we decided to try and see if
we could find the airstrip as according to the visitor’s book, that was where
they had last seen a leopard and we couldn’t resist chasing after a cat even if
it was a remote possibility and not what we’d come to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew that Nyika had leopards, but
considering how huge the park was and how skittish they would be considering
the lack of regular visitors, we weren’t expecting to see one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7e6qB2g1Ra7GZcTz687B94cTQ4hX5Hqs3-Vjuyi8jlJ9eKJe5gjBadxf9ZssRS73QOhXoSlsVU0JNQ0I24M79HaCujJg3PX576W_GuCMSHiXl0jiKlN7gDw_o-q-yX_ExhWL9xADKjtvmBBIkRZgMiI_8Ui0fUGlxWTBeFwZmz9mw9NDyFGG5JYZsg/s2000/0J9A9756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7e6qB2g1Ra7GZcTz687B94cTQ4hX5Hqs3-Vjuyi8jlJ9eKJe5gjBadxf9ZssRS73QOhXoSlsVU0JNQ0I24M79HaCujJg3PX576W_GuCMSHiXl0jiKlN7gDw_o-q-yX_ExhWL9xADKjtvmBBIkRZgMiI_8Ui0fUGlxWTBeFwZmz9mw9NDyFGG5JYZsg/w400-h266/0J9A9756.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Rolling hills and reedbuck</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Turns out we couldn’t even find the airstrip 😉
and ended up driving in a different direction, but were rewarded by finding
some roan walking down the road and we headed back to camp.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">In fact, there was a whole herd of them right
in the Chelinda camp, so much for driving around looking for them – we should
have stayed for sundowners right outside our room!</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a bit too dark to shoot, so we were
hoping that they would hang around that night and we’d be able to catch them
the next morning instead.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_as289IeiWY2xqcVdOQFT6jwT4IbH5IcJKB3xMvnECw3Q4Gy-Qf8F5tCWtfgFxbQRdTp42mVxIQs8TS_izEQ7NFaB8AhKizHc6eFDA63gPxCYuHkkkYtCffe03X4WqxOvOQWDoavok9NfsK1GNGtmTH9-s1uym2k8sfbbjvGAGlFOPekhnCZj5GLlQ/s2000/IMG_9854%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_as289IeiWY2xqcVdOQFT6jwT4IbH5IcJKB3xMvnECw3Q4Gy-Qf8F5tCWtfgFxbQRdTp42mVxIQs8TS_izEQ7NFaB8AhKizHc6eFDA63gPxCYuHkkkYtCffe03X4WqxOvOQWDoavok9NfsK1GNGtmTH9-s1uym2k8sfbbjvGAGlFOPekhnCZj5GLlQ/w400-h300/IMG_9854%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Brrrrraai time!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">By the time we got into camp, the sun was setting and the temperature
was dropping rapidly.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luckily for us the
camp attendant had lit a fire for us in the braai stand as well as in our room,
so we quickly got a drink and warmed ourselves around the fire before heading
to sort out our dinner for the evening.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7fwSRZdb8QSwsbQklheexALyo8eXzIoFQvYJrp9LaI2qSGrTienB0iniD-jxCM3y9KLIBj3rpifw9Tbszzn0KON13HuDbXnLrmVI6jqIN-gE4z3finYRw_k_H_zsz0Oyy8HaD96pdF4cYybBoxbSK5UBcFn9632a2yleHkBlxYdmmz60EgHmh4jJUA/s2000/IMG_9865%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7fwSRZdb8QSwsbQklheexALyo8eXzIoFQvYJrp9LaI2qSGrTienB0iniD-jxCM3y9KLIBj3rpifw9Tbszzn0KON13HuDbXnLrmVI6jqIN-gE4z3finYRw_k_H_zsz0Oyy8HaD96pdF4cYybBoxbSK5UBcFn9632a2yleHkBlxYdmmz60EgHmh4jJUA/w300-h400/IMG_9865%20conv.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Cosy fire in our room</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wine, plenty of meat and some jacket potatoes later, and we
headed off to our room – luckily kept nice and warm thanks to the fire
crackling away in the fireplace as it was close to freezing outside!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgfExnFJHj1POmkSAtyUfm601FVnOnY2M8lJYvEOWFPhB9rwiyt3-wDVlMWn3uTL8RpB6DMUWbzZit8BuzZfl_vxXrFCizelzRcVzZKZZxzd5o_8tfjJmt0jE1K7N_Yk5FTph07IkPkdj4age-WSMu4QO_vvDJBJW_eBz8er7Vv0N59YiNMcpRDJjJg/s2000/IMG_9867%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgfExnFJHj1POmkSAtyUfm601FVnOnY2M8lJYvEOWFPhB9rwiyt3-wDVlMWn3uTL8RpB6DMUWbzZit8BuzZfl_vxXrFCizelzRcVzZKZZxzd5o_8tfjJmt0jE1K7N_Yk5FTph07IkPkdj4age-WSMu4QO_vvDJBJW_eBz8er7Vv0N59YiNMcpRDJjJg/w400-h300/IMG_9867%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">View from our room</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next morning we were up before sunrise and a quick
breakfast of muesli with coffee before heading out into the fog covered
hills.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course, the roan that had been
milling around the camp were nowhere to be seen, so we headed back to the
airstrip just in case there were any cats still milling around in the cool
air.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKmdx3QSCRN3HdUhxaAr-h3RnOZq8weu1P-vJ2UWgd_AAw9OKDNKxzqmfC63Ojj9YL5uHGyYtSFAhM1TmBqoJN8ANqSg5uNtLPn4TRFneMQqOyhMm7bFy0LHeBr12zkuFRrc_8DV79j0GNJnKLT4uQRzIvNNY1eY_NciEOmMkJDRnpHM2Ld06OcmEBg/s2000/IMG_9843%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKmdx3QSCRN3HdUhxaAr-h3RnOZq8weu1P-vJ2UWgd_AAw9OKDNKxzqmfC63Ojj9YL5uHGyYtSFAhM1TmBqoJN8ANqSg5uNtLPn4TRFneMQqOyhMm7bFy0LHeBr12zkuFRrc_8DV79j0GNJnKLT4uQRzIvNNY1eY_NciEOmMkJDRnpHM2Ld06OcmEBg/w400-h300/IMG_9843%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A bright flower amongst the dark grasses</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately there were none to be
seen although we did see a lot of hyena tracks along the road.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead, we were treated to a few zebra in
early morning light with the hills in the background that still had mist
rolling over them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnYV-tSryF-V9E02cf8IeUQETA7fTQv_TH5A1tpuPtrfr6WjIpff0gjcqYQnRYITY8qG5RdyxFSxbXJ3jnVguUMnm71jguX0LLnrJJ9s6Djlw05NXh_yALpGn3kyuEAaNOti-PxwnWWz0y68_hAGNTma80C4f_y8A6pxrg0H4Hn4mX5GOa-6XWiNVVQ/s2000/034A4732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnYV-tSryF-V9E02cf8IeUQETA7fTQv_TH5A1tpuPtrfr6WjIpff0gjcqYQnRYITY8qG5RdyxFSxbXJ3jnVguUMnm71jguX0LLnrJJ9s6Djlw05NXh_yALpGn3kyuEAaNOti-PxwnWWz0y68_hAGNTma80C4f_y8A6pxrg0H4Hn4mX5GOa-6XWiNVVQ/w400-h266/034A4732.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebra overlooking the mist covered hills</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Deciding to switch tactics, we headed back down the same
road as we’d done the previous evening – towards Chosi viewpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed the most promising as there were 2
dams along the way and we were quickly rewarded with the roan herd from last
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were moving away from us,
but we decided to move around and try to cut ahead of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp9zmrZd-rfzDrpl8O-3nNCEB8YiIJNvuppTFWeW79U0oxgRSrgWm85sBdn7ZRaemHxXtXZJSpMwVrTGWeSK5tSORrK1ixmi_U7vhY3XmMMdvng25-h02V5k0zR-8RgLFxxjKdFu5cNlZFjUyHVuawHjq2kJDZP77IDcpbyYYlU1QHOGBzK-Zxh3H0A/s2000/IMG_9770%20conv.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp9zmrZd-rfzDrpl8O-3nNCEB8YiIJNvuppTFWeW79U0oxgRSrgWm85sBdn7ZRaemHxXtXZJSpMwVrTGWeSK5tSORrK1ixmi_U7vhY3XmMMdvng25-h02V5k0zR-8RgLFxxjKdFu5cNlZFjUyHVuawHjq2kJDZP77IDcpbyYYlU1QHOGBzK-Zxh3H0A/w400-h300/IMG_9770%20conv.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A dam in Nyika NP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We needed to be patient, but eventually some
of them headed towards us, including some of the younger members of the
herd.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the biggest herd of roan
we’d even come across – a nice breeding herd of adults and plenty of youngsters
– obviously Nyika is a stronghold for these beautiful antelope.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-H-bjiQBTKaXWOLbneXAqdPKQNJd7wou8vGAM5oKVVOAP2M0QDnyP4iM96QNp114qKV8bSnmWIoT_ASzVwqS6O29idB505hDN2B_d6nGrXBymKjociN6g1v7UtAfgMbwHgCehanZo0-reT5Y77tUn7wO_Z0UfhHqcBII2vGpOJ2-j3CNZTxLmn9mvA/s2000/034A5118.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-H-bjiQBTKaXWOLbneXAqdPKQNJd7wou8vGAM5oKVVOAP2M0QDnyP4iM96QNp114qKV8bSnmWIoT_ASzVwqS6O29idB505hDN2B_d6nGrXBymKjociN6g1v7UtAfgMbwHgCehanZo0-reT5Y77tUn7wO_Z0UfhHqcBII2vGpOJ2-j3CNZTxLmn9mvA/w400-h266/034A5118.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Roan</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After spending quite a bit of time with them without any
real closeups of the animals, we moved on to see what else was around.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Besides reedbuck we didn’t come across too
much else, eventually leading back to one of the dams where we spent an
inordinate amount of time trying to identify a bird.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It turned out it was a Baglafecht’s weaver,
but in a morph that we hadn’t seen before, which explained the difficulty.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSNTHL_PwmKZChA-gepMkOYP9FVQYaGND9oUcsYaT5O5wsCyu_82lrge_haIYBbTzrtz8XA8DlWyuonnV9GZG-m9tIll5s3SPqy0lLxtI1rBvYFTL7vucx0kOvwA_JzC1A9DubIbf5MqIegvDJxPc5Hy8AaXEUzmDN1UUy2rn4mRG8FjRQIfApg0RXg/s2000/034A5035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSNTHL_PwmKZChA-gepMkOYP9FVQYaGND9oUcsYaT5O5wsCyu_82lrge_haIYBbTzrtz8XA8DlWyuonnV9GZG-m9tIll5s3SPqy0lLxtI1rBvYFTL7vucx0kOvwA_JzC1A9DubIbf5MqIegvDJxPc5Hy8AaXEUzmDN1UUy2rn4mRG8FjRQIfApg0RXg/w400-h266/034A5035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Young roan antelope</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Slowly heading back towards the camp, we came across the
roan again, this time even closer to the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But just as they were getting nice and close in the right light, they
all started running away from the road and we soon saw the reason for it – a
ranger and his anti-poaching dog walking up the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With those 2 on patrol, the roan weren’t
hanging around, so we gave up chasing them and headed back to camp for a good
breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwICK3S7fLGUF5y3v_E3icbeiqgm95J_mcpSf8UaTcZlefi6Q8eRiCJJRU7R6ERBNFqSG6kXsgcDZWV0u5bffJYDWvTlCi8kkireyUd1orAZFaQ2VOstbsp0_4HfDDLOerkLah19JOQqFgqn_0VukTR6ulkvIa80bJ7-ACSjVYxtlFtG2uGysQBsUZgA/s2000/IMG_9872%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwICK3S7fLGUF5y3v_E3icbeiqgm95J_mcpSf8UaTcZlefi6Q8eRiCJJRU7R6ERBNFqSG6kXsgcDZWV0u5bffJYDWvTlCi8kkireyUd1orAZFaQ2VOstbsp0_4HfDDLOerkLah19JOQqFgqn_0VukTR6ulkvIa80bJ7-ACSjVYxtlFtG2uGysQBsUZgA/w400-h300/IMG_9872%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chelinda campsite</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the way we stopped off at the campsite to check it out
for future visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camp ground is
set in a forest of pine trees, but opens in a large open area with a covered
site for each campsite overlooked the rolling hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With proper ablutions, it looks like a good
site to camp if we were ever back there to camp, although our nice warm
fireplace in our chalet at night would be hard to give up!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSQLWsIaj_o3HNgGzdmoBX4atATOYaeKqg6un1PmEXEYbkZXYYqEG3b09fDPrW7KWAicGSG37sY2tax4y9WZs2SlcBeXu64od7kfnGbndQ1lYT3fj5zmhbmc2ij4uAtMWn5yHNx8OhZEq7onB8RJsjEMSYgNEr9FiNJzYO6aeunKzfjy9aiViJgGspg/s2000/IMG_9772%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSQLWsIaj_o3HNgGzdmoBX4atATOYaeKqg6un1PmEXEYbkZXYYqEG3b09fDPrW7KWAicGSG37sY2tax4y9WZs2SlcBeXu64od7kfnGbndQ1lYT3fj5zmhbmc2ij4uAtMWn5yHNx8OhZEq7onB8RJsjEMSYgNEr9FiNJzYO6aeunKzfjy9aiViJgGspg/w400-h300/IMG_9772%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chelinda campsite setup and view</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We don’t often have a fry up breakfast when in the bush, but
this was too good an opportunity to miss – there was a real old-style oven in
the camp kitchen which reminded Dru of the old cookers he grew up with, so he
quickly commandeered it to serve us up a delicious bacon and egg breakfast, enjoyed
outside while overlooking the small lake.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NRRTQJPSe0PZwfuUDvt5W7Gwk4mRrbP4dvYwgKIoYtquUfgTeZi3kqwRzrWu5IKne6XxvhlBsdoYe7d8K4swP_kBJHqaOdttyr838-Ycf_yDHdgFDf6Z8s60WGZHTNGRj735QeCDFufx-lUuAYfgH8miIpfXqCOc8KoOQ5KlwWH6mz9TvkLjW2mIOA/w400-h300/IMG_9780%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A good fry up after our morning drive</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead of heading back out after breakfast, we decided that
we’d take a walk around the area and see if we could catch any birds.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The whole camp and lodge are set in a copse
of pine trees that were planted when Nyika was still used as a timber
plantation.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nowadays there is still
planting and harvesting of new pine, but these old pine trees are now protected
from felling.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YlSvOBqyG-L2FUMQnzAQE5hIKejhy8AufJyZ-BPt-LCcIhkrPWHTXFeqs1nktV5W2LvNdHe4UJwALBgwp3P7DUdxjCXdRKt8-FSzvFTrfG-uGQbG6GSFUKY2qyXtNSXCXXPqPc12ubl6rNmE3OpBIZHtJOaJ0vaEVOBVaDZLbhyaSgwJXfomXKhWgw/s2000/IMG_9805%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YlSvOBqyG-L2FUMQnzAQE5hIKejhy8AufJyZ-BPt-LCcIhkrPWHTXFeqs1nktV5W2LvNdHe4UJwALBgwp3P7DUdxjCXdRKt8-FSzvFTrfG-uGQbG6GSFUKY2qyXtNSXCXXPqPc12ubl6rNmE3OpBIZHtJOaJ0vaEVOBVaDZLbhyaSgwJXfomXKhWgw/w400-h300/IMG_9805%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Old and new pine trees in Nyika NP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It wasn’t a particularly productive bird walk, not
unexpected as we were walking just before midday, but it was nice to meander
around the forest and check out the local area, including the exclusive lodge,
set up like Swiss chalets overlooking the Nyika hills.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKOKfSgS_BylZk90y7wBOK_VSA9amJ-_q19-JrZXN0tuBfDPE11AAwM1CvA2R2zxnmOJ8pKdX3GVpPHF1P3lUi7qGdT5Orbw_zkkDak8UMEL2de3PmgdU21HwgiDteio04XaokL9vn8h-2YxQ9RDBXTatP1PFhlD9kmHyBJqZL4DRD3VMYXgc89US8Q/s2000/IMG_9717%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="2000" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKOKfSgS_BylZk90y7wBOK_VSA9amJ-_q19-JrZXN0tuBfDPE11AAwM1CvA2R2zxnmOJ8pKdX3GVpPHF1P3lUi7qGdT5Orbw_zkkDak8UMEL2de3PmgdU21HwgiDteio04XaokL9vn8h-2YxQ9RDBXTatP1PFhlD9kmHyBJqZL4DRD3VMYXgc89US8Q/w400-h305/IMG_9717%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The old style cooker in the kitchen</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eventually we headed back in time for lunch –
leftovers from the night before with Dru taking to the cooker again to sort it
out while I looked to photograph the Giant Kingfisher that was hanging around
the lake in front of the camp.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lunch was
more successful than my photographic attempts </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">😉</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrwKsIm_Me9dMRNHuJDBc8_leuc4HAuch-CwRnBLw6-4TwdMIFk0J55XiFMfkgzN-EQZg2bmmDP8F3X76qWXU4tfClPM1mdtwJRaJ-NDBBseTISfI-p9rbKT1o--3AkEwaFS81ieiI91KG1vvxVh_Xislm-aVGpKC8iOp88mI_mLXNRMF31BLDMI23Q/s2000/034A4662.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrwKsIm_Me9dMRNHuJDBc8_leuc4HAuch-CwRnBLw6-4TwdMIFk0J55XiFMfkgzN-EQZg2bmmDP8F3X76qWXU4tfClPM1mdtwJRaJ-NDBBseTISfI-p9rbKT1o--3AkEwaFS81ieiI91KG1vvxVh_Xislm-aVGpKC8iOp88mI_mLXNRMF31BLDMI23Q/w400-h266/034A4662.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A unique landscape of Nyika</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a cloudy, but sunny afternoon when we headed out for
our evening drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like the
clouds would band together and produce a massive thunderstorm, but it never
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it made for stunning
lighting across the unique landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2qrJBPmPrpveyskQwJi1dxrlbQ78ocY1ad59iHFstPFyt_QGfTl9_mPYEQ2-QiQn6tK-W9m7uezVG0t3dUFEmnlFzSFO64_j-KRPhp5C6o-FX7bU0NyrRMIRi6Wq1DixsVph916cbvzveM5o6oBEYIe36Jw0-lkeaHyJuWbmrBYvQeo1YxLJzp1jpQ/s2000/034A5006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2qrJBPmPrpveyskQwJi1dxrlbQ78ocY1ad59iHFstPFyt_QGfTl9_mPYEQ2-QiQn6tK-W9m7uezVG0t3dUFEmnlFzSFO64_j-KRPhp5C6o-FX7bU0NyrRMIRi6Wq1DixsVph916cbvzveM5o6oBEYIe36Jw0-lkeaHyJuWbmrBYvQeo1YxLJzp1jpQ/w400-h266/034A5006.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Roan chilling </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">First it was to the airstrip area to see if we could find
the zebra that we’d found in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, we found what we’d come to Nyika for – a breeding herd of roan,
nice and close to the road and very chilled out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they were on the top of a hill, the
photos came out quite nicely, with the rolling hills behind them making for
some unusual backdrops for the photos.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HMUMN3xZTZGSskTpmwI6iFTv8uQG-QQ-VM-NdrK_vpL7gGZqGZ71pAgpeSa7TV9B00WOwIm0eCqTarsmPzAK7l4zjhvzDkaHfndFWgMtiEez1oLk_wmm6ApaAFE1VgDG6kw2vwosmXuB33XeSWcC1gjZXhzwD-LqFV80cf7kKYkPH_azMcbiqA9RNQ/s2000/0J9A9554.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HMUMN3xZTZGSskTpmwI6iFTv8uQG-QQ-VM-NdrK_vpL7gGZqGZ71pAgpeSa7TV9B00WOwIm0eCqTarsmPzAK7l4zjhvzDkaHfndFWgMtiEez1oLk_wmm6ApaAFE1VgDG6kw2vwosmXuB33XeSWcC1gjZXhzwD-LqFV80cf7kKYkPH_azMcbiqA9RNQ/w400-h266/0J9A9554.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Roan closeup</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We spent quite a bit of time with the roan before leaving
them to graze peacefully and took a road we hadn’t driven yet, which led us
down the edge of the old pine plantation. We found some more roan (definitely
the place to visit if you’re looking for them!) and zebra, which an unusual
background of pine trees – not something you see in a national park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, with the exception of an Augur
buzzard, we didn’t see much else although we did spot our first warthog for the
trip!<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HEtLHFtUagF0dXeJU3MIPG6agQ98TCjVj9C9driBQGmMDFOI85w3a8ere2Ux-JwU1MvnDuZtLlw63-L-oJ-zQ_WH7AHWthtLAsagd9vkGUVJ53_sbTHsMlkOaa60j6HWPha2T4DBXKbM53hwJWm_868aDSBoW9iIMYfNuSUdwK6KF3fYOEEuYXN__g/s2000/034A4680.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HEtLHFtUagF0dXeJU3MIPG6agQ98TCjVj9C9driBQGmMDFOI85w3a8ere2Ux-JwU1MvnDuZtLlw63-L-oJ-zQ_WH7AHWthtLAsagd9vkGUVJ53_sbTHsMlkOaa60j6HWPha2T4DBXKbM53hwJWm_868aDSBoW9iIMYfNuSUdwK6KF3fYOEEuYXN__g/w400-h266/034A4680.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">So many roans!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We headed further afield this time around and went to check
out Kaulime Dam, about 10km from the camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A stunning little waterhole with lovely trees surrounding it, but
unfortunately without much fauna to watch, so we headed back towards the dams,
where the bulk of the animals seemed to congregate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIh6ZvuaiOjEjZFeO0ANlaK7RumzUcjyywgt8whh8iu7yHahtQRerxom-2RnwsCfyenQcIQ_rPanwNuXjQdVBcFO2NtnCfQafpGj6qDMRdsYQDKAYtVsujKLWmdbSUdEqhll2rsqKzkY0gwIAXjZmP3AOiGgCBrRJALYwrcl9ISCQGfHU0SeQYYKD5w/s2000/IMG_9834%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="2000" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIh6ZvuaiOjEjZFeO0ANlaK7RumzUcjyywgt8whh8iu7yHahtQRerxom-2RnwsCfyenQcIQ_rPanwNuXjQdVBcFO2NtnCfQafpGj6qDMRdsYQDKAYtVsujKLWmdbSUdEqhll2rsqKzkY0gwIAXjZmP3AOiGgCBrRJALYwrcl9ISCQGfHU0SeQYYKD5w/w400-h189/IMG_9834%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Kaulime Dam</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The sky had darkened to the point that it seemed a massive
thunderstorm was imminent, but there still wasn’t any rain, just the light
making the rolling yellow hills absolutely spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came across some more zebra and roan on
the hills and tried to capture (with varying degrees of success) the beauty of
both the terrain and the skies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfiHv_j3geU4GEdKUoaUXIDkzF-HUcq1gNP3huzG05sbazYd5uRPUklWRe6ScGif_mWVejAnJlDAoBWA5gK_7Fx7ttKgQiTS-WtQsETzbkgUJNwyAsHfZhLFK_L46zeNL9K1NtTKZ7zcT9C437dfxfoX5O6ddkmoF2IrXIPpm7ZW_JS8e9k_DsrI75w/s2000/034A5240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfiHv_j3geU4GEdKUoaUXIDkzF-HUcq1gNP3huzG05sbazYd5uRPUklWRe6ScGif_mWVejAnJlDAoBWA5gK_7Fx7ttKgQiTS-WtQsETzbkgUJNwyAsHfZhLFK_L46zeNL9K1NtTKZ7zcT9C437dfxfoX5O6ddkmoF2IrXIPpm7ZW_JS8e9k_DsrI75w/w400-h266/034A5240.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Darkened skies make for dramatic landscapes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We also managed to come across a herd of eland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly, we usually spot eland when they are
already running away from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
biggest antelope in Africa, they sure are skittish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this herd was relatively calm and
although they didn’t let us get too close, they did allow us some photos before
they decided they’d had enough and then all we could shoot was their backsides
as they walked away from us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrd6TG1X54Y2uLY6mVva74_wN7bYb1IO8f8AjZKiC8wpTZ4RLHwreHCkElHACLOan4-E5C2SoWMnoWV4LQMVh_iR-a7LG5nUGkvEv5HJg6gOacC7ejDXH4ojxkrkbj4u9kDV6rIcjCz03Jnou_4_96w7ClIWccStlt7c3zF9pxR5vlkwa_3gNMu1q1g/s2000/0J9A9645.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrd6TG1X54Y2uLY6mVva74_wN7bYb1IO8f8AjZKiC8wpTZ4RLHwreHCkElHACLOan4-E5C2SoWMnoWV4LQMVh_iR-a7LG5nUGkvEv5HJg6gOacC7ejDXH4ojxkrkbj4u9kDV6rIcjCz03Jnou_4_96w7ClIWccStlt7c3zF9pxR5vlkwa_3gNMu1q1g/w400-h266/0J9A9645.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A roan herd in evening light</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had an alternative reason why we wanted to hang around in
the area that we were headed to – hyenas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the guides had told us that there was a hyena den that could be
seen from the road between the two main dams albeit far away on the opposite
hill face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxffwW5Ru4fvSWIcFiMoOpGQfmJHpWvv0NEWZR4kNKc0gp9qw3IazK4ab08enB33omDWolKNFQFdK0NSeRMYqws7dHJqy9BXq8L7vGRMSJR5_JoDb-rNhk7xjruL7pXH_aan34KO5Iq1ZlhasZCtl4TutL5s06DnRWLTHvl2H6OWh1W3OqxjENhUmNg/s2000/0J9A9599.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxffwW5Ru4fvSWIcFiMoOpGQfmJHpWvv0NEWZR4kNKc0gp9qw3IazK4ab08enB33omDWolKNFQFdK0NSeRMYqws7dHJqy9BXq8L7vGRMSJR5_JoDb-rNhk7xjruL7pXH_aan34KO5Iq1ZlhasZCtl4TutL5s06DnRWLTHvl2H6OWh1W3OqxjENhUmNg/w400-h266/0J9A9599.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebras in front of old pine growth</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The guide said that it was in a clearing just past the 2<sup>nd</sup>
dam and it took us all of 5 seconds to find it – a large clearing on the other
side of the valley – exactly where we would have set up a den if we were hyenas
😉 </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UErpLnzecxyuLEtCmUp75RUSg4srX3XoH9sUF2ggIIExZytpbKMIBfVWjYy4dbNtcB8CT_hZdiRaDfWNjxtp7XXJMWvEX8PfFz2TTgbQH1C2AEdkzjZ3ivFSr4751zNy7XeAC9SS9nRQxcpyUtW74xtOz9fxjv2sX4yMdev2yKCzNPWSBwpubtkmGA/s2000/034A5336.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UErpLnzecxyuLEtCmUp75RUSg4srX3XoH9sUF2ggIIExZytpbKMIBfVWjYy4dbNtcB8CT_hZdiRaDfWNjxtp7XXJMWvEX8PfFz2TTgbQH1C2AEdkzjZ3ivFSr4751zNy7XeAC9SS9nRQxcpyUtW74xtOz9fxjv2sX4yMdev2yKCzNPWSBwpubtkmGA/w400-h266/034A5336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The hyena den in the middle of a hillside</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately, it was so far away that even
with binoculars it was a difficult sighting, but we were rewarded with a few
black blobs – hyena pups!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
about 3 of them, playing outside the den overseen by an adult hyena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t see much more than just the
shapes, but we were quite happy that we’d finally seen a predator in Nyika.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUTXu5x9qa5G3z5ipmf1dPnl6e2bXt8USgnr_TxpS30RpVFVu8hv1PFLWv7ye_a4Oah13sYMQPPZkYEbjRIlBmS25YYLQt3Xosvx50L7erd8nbcMt4HVGPfr1IvDCDFMe9Dj9syw8K2rAC3s_6evS4ZDeN1yl8ZwmXMR_Nny1JIfZvjnOv87nam2B5A/s2000/034A5269.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUTXu5x9qa5G3z5ipmf1dPnl6e2bXt8USgnr_TxpS30RpVFVu8hv1PFLWv7ye_a4Oah13sYMQPPZkYEbjRIlBmS25YYLQt3Xosvx50L7erd8nbcMt4HVGPfr1IvDCDFMe9Dj9syw8K2rAC3s_6evS4ZDeN1yl8ZwmXMR_Nny1JIfZvjnOv87nam2B5A/w400-h266/034A5269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Eland in Nyika are pretty relaxed</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were also lucky that a roan herd, probably the same one
as yesterday that had encountered the patrol dog, were grazing in the same area
we’d stopped to watch the hyenas, so we spent a peaceful half hour watching the
roan close by and the hyenas far away as the sun started to dip towards the
horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb-ieUwDTfBGPRIgIsgR-JpZO42yS7pt6qJVZbJe60zkv4cn8eXjvCzQswqKtOSQoyhIG6EcmRNkC8VgpaOWUPN0uZnceVyxJWgWMundo4Yo2kB8Xtrot8YDZextXDj1K1RGar43mjh1YUOOsdWwRQFZ-wSTkKaG8BzZbNCtUvhUei7HqsB4BW15Xcw/s2000/0J9A9624.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb-ieUwDTfBGPRIgIsgR-JpZO42yS7pt6qJVZbJe60zkv4cn8eXjvCzQswqKtOSQoyhIG6EcmRNkC8VgpaOWUPN0uZnceVyxJWgWMundo4Yo2kB8Xtrot8YDZextXDj1K1RGar43mjh1YUOOsdWwRQFZ-wSTkKaG8BzZbNCtUvhUei7HqsB4BW15Xcw/w400-h266/0J9A9624.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebras keep a close eye on us</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">By now it was getting really cold and we slowly started
heading back to camp with the thought to maybe catch the sun setting from the
camp in front of the fire that they’d hopefully started already. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gAW8FYsScbcNO5t1Uhh64EVi8dFA-NmCqc4_HNyEr7X3uVSynjCCRF4kJjhYyhM7_MIPZPNdpJcqtULM0CvM5zgDKUL0vxje9CAFBbl-G18vFVCNnkOSqwS4IuUua_UJxAUfm70WPmWSaiPD8XUXB87K5y6CwYhuPePvavOfMgp01Ggue0xO4Eh3Qw/s2000/034A5320.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gAW8FYsScbcNO5t1Uhh64EVi8dFA-NmCqc4_HNyEr7X3uVSynjCCRF4kJjhYyhM7_MIPZPNdpJcqtULM0CvM5zgDKUL0vxje9CAFBbl-G18vFVCNnkOSqwS4IuUua_UJxAUfm70WPmWSaiPD8XUXB87K5y6CwYhuPePvavOfMgp01Ggue0xO4Eh3Qw/w400-h266/034A5320.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Roan with his whole face in the water to eat the underwater grasses</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were a bit
delayed when we caught sight of a roan standing in the water eating grasses
that were growing in the water and so he had to put his whole head into the
water to grab hold of the food – we thought it most unusual, but the camp
manager later confirmed to us that they do this quite often – it’s a most
amusing sight!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSUr1xh4sSr4V1rGhIO4x_EIYOkYttfttvhxKIfUmZBEVg2IHe9b0b8rUQF-E28ajjzYZG3_BOzD19dyZE7Pw1kw6_l-nJ8qxaqkq1COrez7ezsJeK1Qlmj9wUQXLkH_MlLTXPIFEswMfUa-ACjz67zFKUCd34gQMeXnqJ85U-3hE1ylBJuMij-LPKw/s2000/0J9A9733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSUr1xh4sSr4V1rGhIO4x_EIYOkYttfttvhxKIfUmZBEVg2IHe9b0b8rUQF-E28ajjzYZG3_BOzD19dyZE7Pw1kw6_l-nJ8qxaqkq1COrez7ezsJeK1Qlmj9wUQXLkH_MlLTXPIFEswMfUa-ACjz67zFKUCd34gQMeXnqJ85U-3hE1ylBJuMij-LPKw/w400-h266/0J9A9733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roan in the setting sun</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back at camp and gratefully in front of the fire that the
camp attendant had already lit, we warmed up with a drink before starting our
evening braai while listening to the sounds of a nightjar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judging by the call, it was a Rwenzori
nightjar, but since we didn’t actually see it flying around, we couldn’t
positively identify it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAUI15N4pQmxHc_JpPZlZCgy71sWkr3d63oyj16XdhNYv3HGpjuyOVKKByGKcMcNTCKCV5zALU9eh_i0g_rZaImO3IpM7MoOdQaXvyfhCcL5aBDyNgdwB8thhArgRSLqZuhoFLj8nL0bpGw8NSSa2sLBz6hzYPvkSPcx2GcaX0ADqqlZigzXcqARLNw/s2000/034A5345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAUI15N4pQmxHc_JpPZlZCgy71sWkr3d63oyj16XdhNYv3HGpjuyOVKKByGKcMcNTCKCV5zALU9eh_i0g_rZaImO3IpM7MoOdQaXvyfhCcL5aBDyNgdwB8thhArgRSLqZuhoFLj8nL0bpGw8NSSa2sLBz6hzYPvkSPcx2GcaX0ADqqlZigzXcqARLNw/w400-h266/034A5345.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chelinda Lodge nestled in the grove of old pine trees</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another good, yet really cold braai, and we finished our
last night at Nyika with a delicious liqueur in front of our toast warm fire
before getting to bed to have an early start the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was to be a long drive as we needed to get
to Kasungu by nightfall.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYMIulXJ7IX02cmVYwypYwQ9AJ9D3huXr-B0O9-LYsGov7D5OVmhPD3GrXbil788-_kPTN2ED2s8zk73p9srRcJ5NwWt7DZxClbAYSlNJ5y5MhPwjaaDjliSrsjU0vlw_gJi97vS89oJ9HMOtH6Ii3AlP_kVJvrEVNTLhKo491wTNbRhIW02WEYg7bw/s2000/IMG_9828%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYMIulXJ7IX02cmVYwypYwQ9AJ9D3huXr-B0O9-LYsGov7D5OVmhPD3GrXbil788-_kPTN2ED2s8zk73p9srRcJ5NwWt7DZxClbAYSlNJ5y5MhPwjaaDjliSrsjU0vlw_gJi97vS89oJ9HMOtH6Ii3AlP_kVJvrEVNTLhKo491wTNbRhIW02WEYg7bw/w400-h300/IMG_9828%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Through the pine forests</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And so it was – up at 5am to pack, have a quick breakfast
and coffee and we were off just after 6am towards the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had decided not to do a game drive, hoping
rather that we’d catch some game on the main road out of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsKU-owVRf4SewiCpbBOX4rv-aS_OVZkWjB27-ofQUvJTcV9LxZaYwm54vSrwSijLyhBI75lADgoJPEo7iGxtuRNgryQdOWaWZdMZJ2MjoG2b6ZDmmgMqPPSlWK__FirGP-gvNiLjoUMQ8I5XUxBxYrcR-ndkyBkMgeCXb2wB94kzoa9vGlGVLsotjA/s2000/034A5455.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsKU-owVRf4SewiCpbBOX4rv-aS_OVZkWjB27-ofQUvJTcV9LxZaYwm54vSrwSijLyhBI75lADgoJPEo7iGxtuRNgryQdOWaWZdMZJ2MjoG2b6ZDmmgMqPPSlWK__FirGP-gvNiLjoUMQ8I5XUxBxYrcR-ndkyBkMgeCXb2wB94kzoa9vGlGVLsotjA/w400-h266/034A5455.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">On the way out of Nyika</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately, we didn’t see much except a
few reedbuck and then soon it was just a long bumpy road back to the Thazima
gate and then a further 6 hours until we reached Kasungu – a nice long 10 hour
trip!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q9hE6Cee8-ERhCjsPgRZByJLedMDMAXKzsKy_boDPFaJhX2YlT6dgmGmtltFJUmtI2jyvxFmVfpIIAdDLcLBb0nMXew7_1lkgFAfGnmBCVxKj4JVF2dCBEZWFZCvjm8Q_lilZ5N32FCV_yBXnv_ZBi6RjbFJST_5ZL3K_XLKIMBwOrI2eMyis0Bo4g/s2000/IMG_9745%20conv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q9hE6Cee8-ERhCjsPgRZByJLedMDMAXKzsKy_boDPFaJhX2YlT6dgmGmtltFJUmtI2jyvxFmVfpIIAdDLcLBb0nMXew7_1lkgFAfGnmBCVxKj4JVF2dCBEZWFZCvjm8Q_lilZ5N32FCV_yBXnv_ZBi6RjbFJST_5ZL3K_XLKIMBwOrI2eMyis0Bo4g/w400-h300/IMG_9745%20conv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Wildflowers<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is a long drive from Mzuzu to Nyika and then to Kasungu
just to spend a weekend in Nyika, but in our mind it was well worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d actually have liked to spend at least an
extra day in the park, but circumstances didn’t allow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wbHU7W30KJdoG_042oPGqwtrdtgiSWVf1vi89fu4EZfupyB3cYReexb2e9m8lKjsuTAr-eQkFHUgbnzp9QXsEe6sTCfPqF0qOuSd_LE5rTGB8WKvWZSmhl2OdmVb3ODGYbyMhuTvpCAvIoc7PoStZGzZEwWqU7iDPK0ZtrKiu9zYh5G8GWgQbtqa0Q/s2000/034A5158.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wbHU7W30KJdoG_042oPGqwtrdtgiSWVf1vi89fu4EZfupyB3cYReexb2e9m8lKjsuTAr-eQkFHUgbnzp9QXsEe6sTCfPqF0qOuSd_LE5rTGB8WKvWZSmhl2OdmVb3ODGYbyMhuTvpCAvIoc7PoStZGzZEwWqU7iDPK0ZtrKiu9zYh5G8GWgQbtqa0Q/w400-h266/034A5158.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Watching us closely<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Overall, we’re really happy that we made it up there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a truly unique park, unlike any park
we’ve experienced in Africa with it’s rolling hills more reminiscent of the
English moors, but with little valleys of forests and of course big antelope
that remind you that you’re on the African continent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nyika is well worth a visit if you’re traveling in Malawi, even if the road to get there leaves a lot to be desired!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCgjCxwUpjAeAmVJaGVWU5bQV3BO0hoAc-qHB1jsNy7t2uG6wxILvW-K2p--8VEiccYCffr2JmPXNaSkFOMthjZcGXX9lgfwYUQkWK0euI18nQJxhvwC0PCRSozB5PJsfOTWPFr2dSDKCUhqofkVLPlXkPcmI81Ymdb1FyIcWKW6hi3fBWpRSqs7-Eg/s2000/034A5465.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCgjCxwUpjAeAmVJaGVWU5bQV3BO0hoAc-qHB1jsNy7t2uG6wxILvW-K2p--8VEiccYCffr2JmPXNaSkFOMthjZcGXX9lgfwYUQkWK0euI18nQJxhvwC0PCRSozB5PJsfOTWPFr2dSDKCUhqofkVLPlXkPcmI81Ymdb1FyIcWKW6hi3fBWpRSqs7-Eg/w400-h266/034A5465.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Plenty of proteas!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0Malawi-13.254308 34.301525-41.564541836178847 -0.854725000000002 15.055925836178846 69.457775tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-6844058316005317102021-11-06T18:40:00.009+03:002021-12-29T19:09:35.729+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 7<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcfKCz2kl3pfPeTnlBta8kmxnyQ8bDLXS9S-TvOH7kYelTiEzyFWZCFeeB9fPs2Y9rmLKVL3JeueEbpyP07-APkbXkpJAvMJ-oL9LE6Jv1YYrrDAE-UwAwciKcg1wo0-ormSSzZnaR8iCBDIcMVgdXhOZnqgOt-cF-RLTBO_A5nRcMPI8K9m2Qeg64Zg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcfKCz2kl3pfPeTnlBta8kmxnyQ8bDLXS9S-TvOH7kYelTiEzyFWZCFeeB9fPs2Y9rmLKVL3JeueEbpyP07-APkbXkpJAvMJ-oL9LE6Jv1YYrrDAE-UwAwciKcg1wo0-ormSSzZnaR8iCBDIcMVgdXhOZnqgOt-cF-RLTBO_A5nRcMPI8K9m2Qeg64Zg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The local bush buck takes to a morning drink.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our final morning in Zambia and we were up early as usual as it’s just too hot to sleep in. We also needed to make good time to get through the border, but when we looked outside we found that the wild dogs were in the same spot that they’d been the evening before - they hadn’t moved at all. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">So we decided to have a good old cooked breakfast while keeping an eye on the dogs, and then head to the hide at the waterhole in case the dogs came to drink again. The light was perfect so of course the dogs didn’t make an appearance! But we were treated to some nice shots of impala and baboons drinking, as well as a fantastic sighting of a band of banded mongooses. About 16 altogether because we were in a hide, they didn’t know we were there and it was fascinating to watch them go about their business.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAnnEYDGrUQgxPqQxLbEmNaAB131sfOS8n5sFgcKz14Ft-p3oNuRBhnSjNX_EiGM0lYubsrsYEGSc7ot9L201Qs0nmoVPGOgQjk7cdtXosPjdZJNgTBVqW-plqsPaKIH05iKP5xER_kHw7_5aL-6lQdiagWe6kagaZL7uWJNXHJWnUgS2BfvFAxgwF7Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAnnEYDGrUQgxPqQxLbEmNaAB131sfOS8n5sFgcKz14Ft-p3oNuRBhnSjNX_EiGM0lYubsrsYEGSc7ot9L201Qs0nmoVPGOgQjk7cdtXosPjdZJNgTBVqW-plqsPaKIH05iKP5xER_kHw7_5aL-6lQdiagWe6kagaZL7uWJNXHJWnUgS2BfvFAxgwF7Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Imp's taking their turn at the waterhole.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With no dogs making an appearance, we finally gave up around 8 o’clock as we needed to get going soon to make sure we could cross the border and get into Lilongwe at a decent hour; that would allow us the leeway to go further towards Blantyre if we wanted.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIxkz29ErYtpYB40Ybmp_lDFZpSNGKYbPm-Jidcr4MlkQy-2Ibhgfd5gNLBqpGyb6eUrtOpN2_0RugNpe0nYmD9WRyyoWGFlgeowFHDtPMUjuHCtGvqXimkLbkVFQ1KhfQmiMadzbt4MqobhToOgOe14bORqJfeiYRAQezgo30l2eCTVJXpyxEX39p2A=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIxkz29ErYtpYB40Ybmp_lDFZpSNGKYbPm-Jidcr4MlkQy-2Ibhgfd5gNLBqpGyb6eUrtOpN2_0RugNpe0nYmD9WRyyoWGFlgeowFHDtPMUjuHCtGvqXimkLbkVFQ1KhfQmiMadzbt4MqobhToOgOe14bORqJfeiYRAQezgo30l2eCTVJXpyxEX39p2A=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A band of Banded Mongoose was the star of the show.</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We finally got to Lilongwe in the late afternoon and decided to camp overnight at Barefoot safaris after getting some stuff for a braai (including a grid!). A chilled out night and the next morning we were off to Blantyre after a good cooked breakfast.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj495xYPsdQL4UoSbS6HIWOH9TXzy8nLny3ST_fKbcsjx1ccg0eG2qSup_RylYoCMd_FkuAY10WOPk-5AFglqdppLpZZj8sKkijXiNnYYejJ6_ZiZnedeifbJHr4u2Fw1YYwRjkuIwjpXOAhqFXw-HlSBat5RF4YLl3AlSEt5wgQXlgfDTpnhuzAipEsQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj495xYPsdQL4UoSbS6HIWOH9TXzy8nLny3ST_fKbcsjx1ccg0eG2qSup_RylYoCMd_FkuAY10WOPk-5AFglqdppLpZZj8sKkijXiNnYYejJ6_ZiZnedeifbJHr4u2Fw1YYwRjkuIwjpXOAhqFXw-HlSBat5RF4YLl3AlSEt5wgQXlgfDTpnhuzAipEsQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">South Luangwa is a true gem and has quickly risen to one of our favourite river parks. It’s probably one of the nicest river driving parks and the opportunity to see some of the sightings we did has elevated it to a park we’d definitely visit again. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil9BACiAgeDTXDgy-dx382BnCNV1FEOoWJipnLu2VrwjzCdZzxTu8yhFlraJC5De3SL4Wc1uvQGLq1CI6yvT3K-2ozGRNRezIteRiJ_8PaJ93KcjAMFvHXai8ug0_vb-TdN2ioTXHHc0RJp-HQKgpT56oHijxBj8eu7NlN7N8E7gUY_vWvlT5tlLwRHw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil9BACiAgeDTXDgy-dx382BnCNV1FEOoWJipnLu2VrwjzCdZzxTu8yhFlraJC5De3SL4Wc1uvQGLq1CI6yvT3K-2ozGRNRezIteRiJ_8PaJ93KcjAMFvHXai8ug0_vb-TdN2ioTXHHc0RJp-HQKgpT56oHijxBj8eu7NlN7N8E7gUY_vWvlT5tlLwRHw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Impala boys club take their turn.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-86959449568055824352021-11-05T18:39:00.000+03:002021-12-29T19:06:35.417+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 6<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc49gb6Q9r11pX8_BeNc45_xlQUlh0u4DsmQNI2tF-HdzOUVfBRwUf6deDWDMcH0Sj9POkLYPyidyb51hHik21daed2y_jNPy9NqSGMjYQb35vcGlaXEKMXklWS7vOo5OuOG04Gdaopu7vRGfYpWIGUCmDsMbWrV73To-GQeyzQ8Y7ixREbDo-v41spw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc49gb6Q9r11pX8_BeNc45_xlQUlh0u4DsmQNI2tF-HdzOUVfBRwUf6deDWDMcH0Sj9POkLYPyidyb51hHik21daed2y_jNPy9NqSGMjYQb35vcGlaXEKMXklWS7vOo5OuOG04Gdaopu7vRGfYpWIGUCmDsMbWrV73To-GQeyzQ8Y7ixREbDo-v41spw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pretty cool view from the room on the roof!<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was our last full day in the park and so we were up early morning and buoyed by a couple of hyenas romping around on the opposite bank; our neighbours told us that they had been mating, but we missed that. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We were eager to get out and left a few minutes earlier than usual getting to the park gate by about 5.45 am. We had expected to be waved through as usual, but this time there was a wildlife official that would not open the gate, so instead we had our muesli breakfast at the gate watch by the resident troop of baboons. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually 6 o’clock arrived and we were waved through into the park and quickly headed to the open area of Wamilombe, but unfortunately there were no cats or dogs to be seen, only giraffe at the small waterhole - an unusual sighting on its own. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuAjQBvPgIufCbfDKVHkuzt6G2SbClo50RM_570QwTF9psl8jl7defqlDuLO4Czc-2xHCWw0jHqRQ5Ant5vdRgwhHBQu6b4d02dXme48d7gG4AcOjmuAA4qbV2YEnGVrKL3Uij4RphTGsZMWPgFx4tPltinqZ8S_aJUs5jWOe0P6O3ZMTEmH1gLhzJUg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuAjQBvPgIufCbfDKVHkuzt6G2SbClo50RM_570QwTF9psl8jl7defqlDuLO4Czc-2xHCWw0jHqRQ5Ant5vdRgwhHBQu6b4d02dXme48d7gG4AcOjmuAA4qbV2YEnGVrKL3Uij4RphTGsZMWPgFx4tPltinqZ8S_aJUs5jWOe0P6O3ZMTEmH1gLhzJUg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chilling with Ele's at Mushroom lagoon. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The whole area didn’t seem too productive, so instead we switched it up and headed to the opposite side of Luangwa Wafwa on the eastern side, but we didn’t have any luck in terms of predators either. We eventually ended up at Mushroom lagoon and decided to chill out there in the hopes that something would come to drink. </span></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgILKLuthPiDc_JaW6NhCX-TU6oFhXXMd8wFlzWbEi_UwPiqaSlFeANqJdzHHZ_RQ6uuLpva6_eA_G3__9RqiK8IYpQaMOsy2nHH_dk_K2t_cNjo_7q1u4EW-nlVR7DG8hVAmZzjzKuoKFnt7a9yaoJAAxACTpw-XUzhkUAS7leZVSiq6xw0DocnFR9Lg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgILKLuthPiDc_JaW6NhCX-TU6oFhXXMd8wFlzWbEi_UwPiqaSlFeANqJdzHHZ_RQ6uuLpva6_eA_G3__9RqiK8IYpQaMOsy2nHH_dk_K2t_cNjo_7q1u4EW-nlVR7DG8hVAmZzjzKuoKFnt7a9yaoJAAxACTpw-XUzhkUAS7leZVSiq6xw0DocnFR9Lg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Puku are common but we hadn't seen one in ages.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were rewarded with a nice herd of elephants under a towering tree and we hoped that they would go to drink, but it was not to be. Instead it seemed like they wanted to rest and they seemed to fall asleep in the shade, with the youngsters actually lying down while the adults rested their trunks on the ground and closed their eyes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidCZL6-zVqo2QwWSQ9bY_Vc93RJtfrrrgJTv6jWKh7uNpxUctAb3PKczE7Ri5UlO-KALK-vYW5CtL9LwxnMippyryjnpmsXLKjMYtxsoo5aOL6SqS70ekAHhp217g-B4YEV64-riWvRnSOW8wBua-DYyi1usD2RSKMHAaluNNom4PVOVNrFhOFmPIc8w=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidCZL6-zVqo2QwWSQ9bY_Vc93RJtfrrrgJTv6jWKh7uNpxUctAb3PKczE7Ri5UlO-KALK-vYW5CtL9LwxnMippyryjnpmsXLKjMYtxsoo5aOL6SqS70ekAHhp217g-B4YEV64-riWvRnSOW8wBua-DYyi1usD2RSKMHAaluNNom4PVOVNrFhOFmPIc8w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A Wafwa bull gives the camera a stare.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were entertained by a bunch of warthogs weaving in between the elephants and going to wallow in the waterhole mud, but otherwise there was nothing else that came to drink. It seemed to be an elephant morning, as we came across small elephant herds all over. But no cats for us this morning drive and eventually we headed back to camp only to find more elephants at the bar!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh907cdJFhCT1GCHmbvNwjwdQHzLZIR89dxxboADqeuZz2UDKqRau5BwByVynGeioiLDhHvEgbiR6QAEwT2zL4HBwRfMaP9oxCtnfoYSL6cDSnBk02iBiDhizJpyjenFoEe9uwySacD4jvYw5ARzlmovTVzijM8Tjkni7czogoxGm6OR3eLvhA1KtFsNQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh907cdJFhCT1GCHmbvNwjwdQHzLZIR89dxxboADqeuZz2UDKqRau5BwByVynGeioiLDhHvEgbiR6QAEwT2zL4HBwRfMaP9oxCtnfoYSL6cDSnBk02iBiDhizJpyjenFoEe9uwySacD4jvYw5ARzlmovTVzijM8Tjkni7czogoxGm6OR3eLvhA1KtFsNQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">These baboons watched over the car while we had a beer at the bar.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And bad news for us we were told when we got back … about 10 minutes after we had left for the morning drive, a pack of wild dogs had run through the camp and killed a couple of impalas near the bar’s waterhole! The kills were out of sight, but the dogs had come to drink at least 4 times since, giving everyone who had remained at the camp great views of the dogs! And of course we were nowhere to be seen - if only we hadn’t been so eager to leave for our last full day drive, we may have caught them!! That is just so annoying…</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even more annoying, they’d been at the waterhole about 15 minutes before we got back for lunch, so we hung around at the bar hoping that they’d come to drink again, but of course Murphy’s law - they were nowhere to be seen. Frustrated, we headed back to lunch and then had a few decisions to make - do we go for an evening drive in the park, or do we wait in the hopes of the dogs making an appearance even though we didn’t even know if they were still in the bushes nearby, they could’ve moved off in the dense bush without anyone seeing. Mmm… decisions, decisions…</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luckily the dogs made the decision for us, because while we were relaxing at our campsite, they came out to drink at the river. It was too far away for us to get any good shots, but at least we knew they were still around, and since dogs was one of the predators we were targeting, we decided to not look a gift horse in the mouth and just hang around the campsite in the hopes that they would come to drink at the waterhole.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved to the bar area which was close to the waterhole in the hopes that the dogs would emerge as it got a bit cooler. Unfortunately, we knew the light would be shining straight into our faces and the photos would probably be poor, but at the same time if we could catch another pack of wild dogs, our day would be made.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were entertained by a small herd of elephants at the waterhole as well as a few bushbuck but no sign of the wild dogs, and considering our luck for the day having missed the dogs twice in the morning we were thinking that it wasn’t going to happen.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In fact, the camp owner came around to say hi and he too was saying that it was highly unlikely that the dogs were still around. Ironically, as he was saying that the dogs appeared!! There were 9 dogs in total, including 4 youngsters. They headed straight to the waterhole and settled near the water - this was awesome and a bit of a relief that we’d made the right call in waiting for the dogs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaJCTc3gd-Xktiv7ljbs5zoCXsWWhEsBL25Nhivn0oT4EHjB8cpI2zEPzODNKLtYGMblz6p1xbXQ7911jWYOJ0EsiPzcez9JnxE6VB9cHXmgNzQOo5QSTQ2IARi50dh3rirSitrFjIaHyqBq4pWaAaTiapUBLentu-r__QTMM-ECx3mNDIvv249MTL3Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaJCTc3gd-Xktiv7ljbs5zoCXsWWhEsBL25Nhivn0oT4EHjB8cpI2zEPzODNKLtYGMblz6p1xbXQ7911jWYOJ0EsiPzcez9JnxE6VB9cHXmgNzQOo5QSTQ2IARi50dh3rirSitrFjIaHyqBq4pWaAaTiapUBLentu-r__QTMM-ECx3mNDIvv249MTL3Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tough shooting with the dipping sun but the dogs did show up at Wildlife camp.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The dogs had only been there for a few minutes, when from the corner of our eye we caught sight of a big bull elephant ambling to the waterhole. Elephants and dogs don’t get on so we were hoping for some fireworks when the elephant finally noticed the dogs, but he must have had pretty poor eyesight as he didn’t realise they were there until he was right at the water! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIpyETvChz6xOy2nVTgP8wK3eTacD1VR0BebQ_l4aOXMnB-qxW9nDomH2cFIVqlhrytsSfRnE6-01XlBWCZ6AiyvYnTvBktORLOhiX3LuyYVYpcO-peqWJi7qAhCeE-uix1MCSBwVKQAC7eaLunDSU-sjA-fDABGDs-PjSmUE8mqMNWK8hfFme0w2Mwg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIpyETvChz6xOy2nVTgP8wK3eTacD1VR0BebQ_l4aOXMnB-qxW9nDomH2cFIVqlhrytsSfRnE6-01XlBWCZ6AiyvYnTvBktORLOhiX3LuyYVYpcO-peqWJi7qAhCeE-uix1MCSBwVKQAC7eaLunDSU-sjA-fDABGDs-PjSmUE8mqMNWK8hfFme0w2Mwg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Shot from the Bar - the Ele just seen the dog.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He got a bit of a fright when he finally noticed them, but didn’t pay them much attention and instead the dogs buggered off back into the bushes - oh no! So for the next 20 minutes he drank and then grazed from the bushes nearby and only after he left did the dogs emerge again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKZZC5xRqj5vSHY5adMKqb21EMPmIKrr6NS9JImpAQ8CMECefZEL3d0onUeQgN_z2HuSCi2yEziH_tMggzH3_IquD_PKUASsMv7KE4NVsSTOdWT-MoDOayrlN4I82BUHKFGQ2H-yZpOAZmGcciEAAeF_d7cfIVTVW1mBSw3azwgM_ijIFxQ9eIRHPdwQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKZZC5xRqj5vSHY5adMKqb21EMPmIKrr6NS9JImpAQ8CMECefZEL3d0onUeQgN_z2HuSCi2yEziH_tMggzH3_IquD_PKUASsMv7KE4NVsSTOdWT-MoDOayrlN4I82BUHKFGQ2H-yZpOAZmGcciEAAeF_d7cfIVTVW1mBSw3azwgM_ijIFxQ9eIRHPdwQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Back lit pup and looks like he has had plenty to eat. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By this time the light was getting really poor as the sun had dipped behind the trees, but it was quite entertaining to watch the young dogs chase each other around with a stick - just like domestic dogs. We spent another 40 minutes with the dogs but eventually they moved off back into the bushes and the light just got too bad to shoot so we headed back to our campsite, happy that we’d made the decision to catch the dogs.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifwQuE8s4FMzsVb9cruTZqMvF0j_llO_KAmyKaUQez05QzkgQwAALPkEXFt71tERV0QMBrdXLK7TH1-bgL22LFCyv5qlcfNpVpxi323yHdNzIW362TXpt5V9tjmdbmCQJVYe-G_fyQNb14fYMXBywA3YiADarPAcBHS0taz2tSSb-2tI_lAeoQk_2dnQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifwQuE8s4FMzsVb9cruTZqMvF0j_llO_KAmyKaUQez05QzkgQwAALPkEXFt71tERV0QMBrdXLK7TH1-bgL22LFCyv5qlcfNpVpxi323yHdNzIW362TXpt5V9tjmdbmCQJVYe-G_fyQNb14fYMXBywA3YiADarPAcBHS0taz2tSSb-2tI_lAeoQk_2dnQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pup's monkeying about - shot from the hide next to the bar. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">From our campsite, we could actually still see the dogs through the binoculars resting in the open near to the bush but not visible from the waterhole. We hoped that they would stay around, but with dogs you never know and we’d just have to wait until the next day to see. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8u2BD2fVGPGRgZc05VL1jqWA7y3kJQxTvIypTMaCH38kPEDsFpk3SvBy-csTCmXQAm6il7PCM4ZJhtwfTPTxVY5iRVEpJp_LsP4D08MsxgfMrQMPB1pcRxmksJKsyXfvn4MmGWj_7p4J0fFMKeck2dyM7yTGWETTRC49gPmAM2kD683o1HUUN1NzEdA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8u2BD2fVGPGRgZc05VL1jqWA7y3kJQxTvIypTMaCH38kPEDsFpk3SvBy-csTCmXQAm6il7PCM4ZJhtwfTPTxVY5iRVEpJp_LsP4D08MsxgfMrQMPB1pcRxmksJKsyXfvn4MmGWj_7p4J0fFMKeck2dyM7yTGWETTRC49gPmAM2kD683o1HUUN1NzEdA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The whole pack came out and chilled in front of the bar. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></span>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-64466510940680252162021-11-04T18:38:00.000+03:002021-12-29T19:06:34.220+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 5<div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7a_X1nOHagcM2WgFMqdT9AcOYcJ0WVthF_4lo0NrPuTVxziUCgyryZYxZxu3nn6jRGgbJq-UafMk93mlGsBZKW4bwfcwgJAj2OHhtG78trhTrxXn6QId9wrehDQONMFYiRZ5rf8idIcBRhKwBB9YM4qrq9mfTDBEKAjF381J3u_PxDYAD7EKfExCaxA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7a_X1nOHagcM2WgFMqdT9AcOYcJ0WVthF_4lo0NrPuTVxziUCgyryZYxZxu3nn6jRGgbJq-UafMk93mlGsBZKW4bwfcwgJAj2OHhtG78trhTrxXn6QId9wrehDQONMFYiRZ5rf8idIcBRhKwBB9YM4qrq9mfTDBEKAjF381J3u_PxDYAD7EKfExCaxA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Morning stroll along the river bank.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">The plan was the same as the previous afternoon - look for the male lion since we’d hardly seen any lions on our trip. So it was off to Luangwa Wafwa first thing in the morning. It took us a while, but we eventually located the male basking on the river bank at the base of the cliff. He looked really fat - like he’d eaten a buffalo ;) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it seemed that he had been back at the carcass overnight, but now he was a couple hundred meters away from it and so it didn’t appear that he was going to go back to it. In fact, it didn’t seem like he was going to do much of anything, and since the photo opportunities were limited as he was about 10 meters below us, we decided to leave him for a bit and see what else was around. </span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’d been told by our neighbours that had been on an evening drive the night before that a couple of leopards had been around in this same area. It was believed that they were mating leopards and they’d made a kill but hyeanas had stolen it from them. So we were hoping to see if we could track them down. Indeed, we came across another game drive vehicle that’s we’d seen every day with only a single tourist and they were quite friendly. They were looking for the same thing as us, but after driving around neither of us could find it and even eventually we gave up and went back to the lion. </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieT6kHnZUbU3XkYvAAICHUhdKc-TTFgm8fv3m8wAtwaKqY6I2zuri-l0kO2FsNKFzUwZMrM4rgnr49ASzKUMBwfxNZb_PXPQR6bd5pJRA4ryCV3yd_185vmxzijdFwUNqPAdNLS1hAoNT_CFdlcfwi2hgIoeCCglvfDhf5be4Xlu9AXEdE1IFJa33QhQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieT6kHnZUbU3XkYvAAICHUhdKc-TTFgm8fv3m8wAtwaKqY6I2zuri-l0kO2FsNKFzUwZMrM4rgnr49ASzKUMBwfxNZb_PXPQR6bd5pJRA4ryCV3yd_185vmxzijdFwUNqPAdNLS1hAoNT_CFdlcfwi2hgIoeCCglvfDhf5be4Xlu9AXEdE1IFJa33QhQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Male lion (left) watches the fisherman on the opposite bank. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p></div><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">He had actually moved, but the reason was oddly amusing. A man had come down to the river to fish (the other side of the river isn’t national park so it seems there is some sort of arrangement that allows them to do some fishing - or not and they’re doing it illegally) right opposite to where the lion had been lying. We’re not sure whether the fisherman had seen him, but the lion had slunk off up the side of the cliff and was now sitting in the bushes watching the fisherman. Be careful - you never know who is watching you in the bush…</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was time to leave the lion and head back over to the other side, again to see if the leopard had come to finish off the warthog, but surprisingly it was untouched. We did however come across the baboon troop with the albino baby and this time they were walking along the road, giving us some better shots than the day before.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The rest of the morning was quiet and hot. We chilled out at one of the lagoons for a while watching a couple of elephants drinking and being entertained by a tree squirrel going absolutely mental about a monitor lizard that was looking for something to eat. The monitors will grab any baby squirrels so we could see why the squirrel wouldn’t let up his alarm calling, even coming close enough to the lizard to nip his tail. The harrassment worked and eventually the monitor lizard moved off. Score one for the prey.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Midday approached and that was our cue to head out of the park for lunch. A couple of beers at the bar while watching the elephants at the small waterhole were enjoyed before we headed to the campsite for lunch and some relaxation before the afternoon drive.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since the only cat that we’d seen for the day was the male lion, we wanted to head back there in the afternoon and see if we could catch him again, but when we got to the area we didn’t see anything. But a bit of scouting about and eventually we found the lazy cat, down the cliff at the river’s edge sleeping the afternoon away in the shade.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He didn’t seem like he would be moving anytime soon, so we decided to drive around the area to see if anything else was around and come back to him later when it was a bit cooler and eventually we ended up at the water where all the pelicans were hanging out. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAX30Cv2zij-KV4J9Rs8a874SvQzueE2WZNr1JpyCCCm5EpM6N8JnicqS4i13KYCCWNTkLXtyW2k3b0mu4LEyRpnGTIeX_bYRLJTg_4aF79HedAGZooM_H1vLiPJGstlxCSPtzPG4_vULLzxcimn-KWz4YbtBT6M9dw-eJ7IZKuDd81-KTNl3B65X3ig=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAX30Cv2zij-KV4J9Rs8a874SvQzueE2WZNr1JpyCCCm5EpM6N8JnicqS4i13KYCCWNTkLXtyW2k3b0mu4LEyRpnGTIeX_bYRLJTg_4aF79HedAGZooM_H1vLiPJGstlxCSPtzPG4_vULLzxcimn-KWz4YbtBT6M9dw-eJ7IZKuDd81-KTNl3B65X3ig=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We spent quite a bit of time watching them, including catching a crocodile swimming through the group of pelicans and seeing a juvenile saddle-billed stork hassling a yellow billed stork that had managed to grab a fish. In the end, he hassled the stork so much that he dropped the fish back in the water and neither bird got the meal and the fish lived to swim another day!</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcnnOyiETbmfGDPSdGJUx_e2j51NANcDwatnNG4P_bgV8kdCYuVc3c0tbFaKHJJ9Zufr-wGn9MrB7J7cC_ikhsZVM8WCZDg9vC_M_-OCh82KoPaXgAvR_97ONwkaMwzng11If_dn2hApXFE8JHupXKB65BoSAp7dicWk1NF8Z2kUFgi0biSFfMUlAa1w=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcnnOyiETbmfGDPSdGJUx_e2j51NANcDwatnNG4P_bgV8kdCYuVc3c0tbFaKHJJ9Zufr-wGn9MrB7J7cC_ikhsZVM8WCZDg9vC_M_-OCh82KoPaXgAvR_97ONwkaMwzng11If_dn2hApXFE8JHupXKB65BoSAp7dicWk1NF8Z2kUFgi0biSFfMUlAa1w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soon enough it was time to resume our search for the lion and so we headed back to where we’d found him. And luckily for us he’d moved back onto the top of the cliff and was sitting just watching the surrounds. It was a different perspective to photograph him with the Luangwa river in the background.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLGxirpdjkzc3LZt4O5xTLVnGe4csz7ZkbRX2cnYiDNAPJvm9JAW41F9oEd_3qDQUNBkV_HM8dgBz4tycEvQ7JpMtxk6t_s29wilrVWnYqK2VX0C6FTnJnDGpNrNclq_MUGIEsR1OvF8f1SLkGfNqHR5JzSxmGc7Jmx9L1phsyGaLjJe-BcXPZWP0qrw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLGxirpdjkzc3LZt4O5xTLVnGe4csz7ZkbRX2cnYiDNAPJvm9JAW41F9oEd_3qDQUNBkV_HM8dgBz4tycEvQ7JpMtxk6t_s29wilrVWnYqK2VX0C6FTnJnDGpNrNclq_MUGIEsR1OvF8f1SLkGfNqHR5JzSxmGc7Jmx9L1phsyGaLjJe-BcXPZWP0qrw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Acting the king while checking out the far bank.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Frustratingly, the lion wouldn’t look towards us, choosing instead to survey the river in the opposite direction in beautiful afternoon light. Another vehicle that we’d chatted to before also came to check him out but he studiously ignored us both. But then just after they left it was like a trigger for the lion to get up and he started to walk directly towards us eventually staring straight at us as he passed the car - awesome!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi31J6_CFnTiHF9Il3zz3zs5HYm_0X9qNTegDI8yzhkq3BLk935IpT9nLKyJd4qEe39BdJZnLtYWM_1dAeP0pURGDAENDVzd26_ds-ZtZSsf1Rfnb14Uw04Q5FA_NMEbNHD07VvB2UkbBaQP1AIYUWk5gT_YpS6lPIdwYvzv97oRSdMw9Ryl5FMTC6fBg=s1600"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi31J6_CFnTiHF9Il3zz3zs5HYm_0X9qNTegDI8yzhkq3BLk935IpT9nLKyJd4qEe39BdJZnLtYWM_1dAeP0pURGDAENDVzd26_ds-ZtZSsf1Rfnb14Uw04Q5FA_NMEbNHD07VvB2UkbBaQP1AIYUWk5gT_YpS6lPIdwYvzv97oRSdMw9Ryl5FMTC6fBg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We repositioned the car to catch him walking towards us again with the Luangwa river in the background and again he obliged. After a second pass by he moved further behind us and lay next to a scraggly bush. We got a few photos of him where he was actually above us, offering an unusual perspective. We stayed with him for a while but he didn’t seem to be planning on moving any time soon, and if we carried on the same direction he’d been walking, we wouldn’t be able to follow, so we left him to see what else was around.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, besides a giraffe at the river and a herd of buffalo we didn’t see much and soon our evening drive was cut short but looming rains. The area that we were driving in had some black cotton soil and we were keen to get off it and back onto gravel before the road became a slippery mess. And with the fading light and the rain, we decided to get out of the park as there didn’t seem to be much to see.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></span><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-58629482229817442412021-11-03T18:37:00.000+03:002021-12-29T19:06:47.189+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 4<span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-SMsKA2hG9z8HylwMUtLiwP9XG4MbuleHR6PezsshS4r6LkFRsPsFF9h4wl39mPg6eS-rYBHk709w9OHRuvJkoiNOYii76OgEw7Ifo1JtTHP2JDtNFbTKVp3lyy20KVUiCDU8V7gH35DTQjFwpLwtQPC1PUK9iSNiY103SZ46cVZJpBaon16kbO64bw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-SMsKA2hG9z8HylwMUtLiwP9XG4MbuleHR6PezsshS4r6LkFRsPsFF9h4wl39mPg6eS-rYBHk709w9OHRuvJkoiNOYii76OgEw7Ifo1JtTHP2JDtNFbTKVp3lyy20KVUiCDU8V7gH35DTQjFwpLwtQPC1PUK9iSNiY103SZ46cVZJpBaon16kbO64bw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A big bull enters the river for a morning drink.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buoyed by the fantastic dog sightings we’d had the day before, we were off at 5.30 am from our campsite to get to the gate just before 6am as usual. Our plan was to go back to the same area that the dogs had been just in case for some reason they were still there. It was a long shot, but it was also where we’d seen the leopard cub so it seemed like as good a place as any.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We got the open area of Wamilombe but as expected the dogs were long gone, especially if the relaxed antelope and warthogs were anything to go by. A bit disappointed but not surprised, we decided to wind our way back along the river slowly as we’d driven straight to the open area. We caught a nice sighting of an African fish eagle posing on the edge of the cliff, a different perspective with the river in the background. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOoG8iIIBnZWHKlEG9rLIFQm25Ca3ZNTGTXSKCy9UfsZQZErZ-IQeGJY9fRD70ce2dMyUpXET6-i_b-R5CwjPAYSCMRgTgmYNSGQ7trJwHN8gu_vcDA1BXq6TMiOa0Vbm-vzm88-DGUz9ZTXz4Y14XdmSyTxz6FDZnH5Ti3_LJsNU3d7EXwusxoPeLIg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOoG8iIIBnZWHKlEG9rLIFQm25Ca3ZNTGTXSKCy9UfsZQZErZ-IQeGJY9fRD70ce2dMyUpXET6-i_b-R5CwjPAYSCMRgTgmYNSGQ7trJwHN8gu_vcDA1BXq6TMiOa0Vbm-vzm88-DGUz9ZTXz4Y14XdmSyTxz6FDZnH5Ti3_LJsNU3d7EXwusxoPeLIg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The legend of river checks out the terrain. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carrying on, we came around a corner and spotted 2 game drive vehicles stopped and the reason soon became obvious - leopard! She was lying in the grass, half hidden in the brush and completely still while ignoring the cars. We of course immediately stopped with excitement - we may not have found the dogs, but a spotted cat was a fantastic prize! </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, she had her back to us, so we couldn’t see her face - in fact, she was hardly moving except for when a few helmeted guineafowls started shouting and she turned to look at them facing our way for a moment.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We soon worked out what the target of her laser focus was - a sounder of warthogs. There were a couple of adults and a bunch of young piglets browsing nearby. We could only catch glimpses of them through the bush but she was definitely keeping a close eye on them while they were completely oblivious to her. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For almost half an hour she hardly moved a muscle and we watched intently but quietly, just like the other 2 vehicles. Everyone was waiting to see what would unfold, with the only ones totally unaware being the warthogs.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then the pigs made a mistake…</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The warthogs appeared to be moving off and the adult warthogs turned away from the leopard. In a shot, she was off and bounding towards the pigs, not at full speed but she covered the distance a lot quicker than we anticipated. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And pandemonium ensued! Suddenly there were pigs running everywhere! We didn’t realise how many small ones there were but suddenly 2 of them were running towards us like they wanted to jump into the car! We could see at least another 4 more piglets running in all directions and so were the adults. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxqhttcD_NY5xbe5HhfvuPTJrhoyWQQXCJN1fDtnFZvygfa9T-9QUwSPyvJQx0dhWsU9sOHpdNHMBrqEGsJAmRmG0YifvocTImN3pIbvV9J0pR9Lcd3rAb1txNhaeA407hlxoaT1U4snzImsp2BwHgG_5bTlCE8bmPWg_3csoMkhnmmPJrM-SwnW28gA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxqhttcD_NY5xbe5HhfvuPTJrhoyWQQXCJN1fDtnFZvygfa9T-9QUwSPyvJQx0dhWsU9sOHpdNHMBrqEGsJAmRmG0YifvocTImN3pIbvV9J0pR9Lcd3rAb1txNhaeA407hlxoaT1U4snzImsp2BwHgG_5bTlCE8bmPWg_3csoMkhnmmPJrM-SwnW28gA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">In a flash the Leopard was up a tree with a piglet.</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We couldn’t see the leopard but it seemed like the other vehicles could because they suddenly started up and moved past us. We quickly turned around and followed, unsure of where the action was or if there was any - had the leopard been successful or not? We didn’t know, but all was revealed soon enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIoOkOSHfPk8Z0u8MYrhXqqz9uGI08o7ZbwX4yTqFCIVVqwq2lWQtTxpLvLFG8ifWEvWiXfTYu0NRYIadGqq2SjTYMrqJSNVQPjsHI19YWD9q9q0te4Z0SdIfYI9uC-hoWkad63BI9L_kkBQW0CeNEd0i1sOzIZ82aYcSWweXO3OgICGIYvYatwEWu0w=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIoOkOSHfPk8Z0u8MYrhXqqz9uGI08o7ZbwX4yTqFCIVVqwq2lWQtTxpLvLFG8ifWEvWiXfTYu0NRYIadGqq2SjTYMrqJSNVQPjsHI19YWD9q9q0te4Z0SdIfYI9uC-hoWkad63BI9L_kkBQW0CeNEd0i1sOzIZ82aYcSWweXO3OgICGIYvYatwEWu0w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Open season on piglets!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we round the corner, we found one of the safari vehicles right next to a tree. We couldn’t see a leopard, but surprisingly one of the adult warthogs was lying at the base of the tree. We could see that she was still alive as she was flailing around, but didn’t seem to have any injury and definitely no leopard on her. Where was the cat?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But soon we saw as we got up to the other vehicle the scene was revealed - the leopard was in the bottom fork of the tree with a warthog baby in her mouth, just standing there! We quickly positioned ourself so that we had a good view of her while staying out of the way of the other car.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib3Zc2KA75fSnAJXewQCdOZCIfis9jglRyfOw24rTQpsXe8pFSgXHq20yxx6wBD7gUw9OmgvVqzz1jEhGB1KTQVF9pJ7yzmlH2dl5ggODoZOxEifC3QXAyJC_WhLWAx6x9hnCrqVoWNdJ-nnA226-zmFEH6cRP90YqViwbi5MrXH1DU22j0k1wguy8jQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib3Zc2KA75fSnAJXewQCdOZCIfis9jglRyfOw24rTQpsXe8pFSgXHq20yxx6wBD7gUw9OmgvVqzz1jEhGB1KTQVF9pJ7yzmlH2dl5ggODoZOxEifC3QXAyJC_WhLWAx6x9hnCrqVoWNdJ-nnA226-zmFEH6cRP90YqViwbi5MrXH1DU22j0k1wguy8jQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Looks a proud cat with the prize.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a while, she just stood there with her piglet prize in her mouth, while the other warthog just lay there. We couldn’t figure out what the problem was with the mother warthog, but we eventually found out that the mother had chased after the leopard after she had grabbed the baby. The leopard had jumped up into the tree, the warthog hadn’t been able to change direction in time and had gone headfirst into the tree, probably breaking her neck. All this we didn’t know yet, so were really baffled as to why this warthog was just lying there, although we did suspect she had been incapacitated but wasn’t sure how.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For about 5 minutes she just stood in the fork of the tree holding the dead piglet in her mouth, but evevntually she must have decided it was time to move, and she jumped down onto the ground again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig2FW_XWYgO7E2OUJ7WMikws9Of-ehOi7aewu6UfR6hjSVBlQZrQcV-1Ccu0oVMENJuVP-2PyfcTuxPR_XKvIwbHlbVOtsqOGgQKLHF92kiNNmTh1g6n3xsLH_0gVvsPV2EITerBYb33S-Hu52553Nyin4QeF8SNLPMBiiBd5UvtqyQjkmF3onx4UYFw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig2FW_XWYgO7E2OUJ7WMikws9Of-ehOi7aewu6UfR6hjSVBlQZrQcV-1Ccu0oVMENJuVP-2PyfcTuxPR_XKvIwbHlbVOtsqOGgQKLHF92kiNNmTh1g6n3xsLH_0gVvsPV2EITerBYb33S-Hu52553Nyin4QeF8SNLPMBiiBd5UvtqyQjkmF3onx4UYFw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Didn't want to eat in the tree.</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Assuming she was just going to settle down and eat right there, we moved slightly ahead to get a better view. But we were wrong, and instead she decided to walk straight towards us with the piglet before crossing right in front of our car and sauntering off to find a different bush to enjoy her breakfast. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxmpy0cxBQnJ6TZY9gxi2hSOuDXAVlQ09ghxnTlVIT-2Diz_Os_XDC1L-bErUnFkV-fJXu4F5Zn9BG4l3PpASyglgEbH6buTs_f6V4yc9B6jDKBH2eqPmj0jt1EwXRVvfegXUOPD41ZA6W9v16-sgrqto9bRSBNJ86Ohp_Hrln8OFoldit349rxj_xEA=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxmpy0cxBQnJ6TZY9gxi2hSOuDXAVlQ09ghxnTlVIT-2Diz_Os_XDC1L-bErUnFkV-fJXu4F5Zn9BG4l3PpASyglgEbH6buTs_f6V4yc9B6jDKBH2eqPmj0jt1EwXRVvfegXUOPD41ZA6W9v16-sgrqto9bRSBNJ86Ohp_Hrln8OFoldit349rxj_xEA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">She spent the next 15 minutes trying to figure out which place was the best to have her meal before she settled on a particularly inaccessible spot to start eating. In all of this there were still only the original 3 vehicles - us and the 2 game driver vehicles - to witness the action and so we took turns to get a view of her, since she’d positioned herself that only one car at a time could see her clearly. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiyVV4Ym41SOvybe73fyProRcT6ekysBP1FdymPfYfJGN5WnjJOib6bknVX6xRhIjg3LebnReUIVKYBwmGvcwix_gu_cefyA8Q17j5tmByjEzOR7O6qTMamxg0U00OiTYG2v4cFc6GSi0XFWg5Xe4DhZ43T-cL30U_Sio0MonkJMs4kXwpOXfYSmjZYA=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiyVV4Ym41SOvybe73fyProRcT6ekysBP1FdymPfYfJGN5WnjJOib6bknVX6xRhIjg3LebnReUIVKYBwmGvcwix_gu_cefyA8Q17j5tmByjEzOR7O6qTMamxg0U00OiTYG2v4cFc6GSi0XFWg5Xe4DhZ43T-cL30U_Sio0MonkJMs4kXwpOXfYSmjZYA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As luck would have it, when it was our turn she decided to move, so we only got a few shots of her crunching on the carcass before she retreated deeper into the scrub. Of course, when we moved off and let one of the other cars in, she came back to the same place offering them a great view! I think she had it in for us…</span></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hadn’t forgotten about the adult warthog who was still incapacitated at the base of the tree about 20 meters away. And neither had the leopard it turned out. About an hour later, after she had eaten enough of her piglet meal, she got up and slowly started heading towards the tree. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJE4hDMFb1-__KoYYnKobol62Fk2KGG7Zkmu0urEpt-VWjjqYF_t2SCfwlO7DhV0BoJAcnZqeycMqfsv61IukoMzckuJw3PEGLLPpd-_SBm6oSj4CGDGr56pPHWHN-QtfEstdASNCP-WqyLk554ZoYLNrfi-7NfONVEC_rkKvVcD_3HOj_w43EucI0UQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJE4hDMFb1-__KoYYnKobol62Fk2KGG7Zkmu0urEpt-VWjjqYF_t2SCfwlO7DhV0BoJAcnZqeycMqfsv61IukoMzckuJw3PEGLLPpd-_SBm6oSj4CGDGr56pPHWHN-QtfEstdASNCP-WqyLk554ZoYLNrfi-7NfONVEC_rkKvVcD_3HOj_w43EucI0UQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We assumed that she was going back to the warthog so we drove around and positioned ourselves where we thought she would stop. A bit of panic when she stopped on the other side of the tree and we were second guessing our position for a moment, but then she went back to our script and came right up to the warthog and in front of us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXTJcbr5BST8n95LCIebzVE8SRivHdvKrw2amWKVMs8bjB5NQVQ1_J_WSetvxJGcbM6id_ijQbT4PRgAE5kEo8BbRl-quVdLbUwJh-LuWdD1o8PAkF0AL3CrnqaMT0FrnB_a40LrwG9_PESzGzad0t4n-K7SyN2SFBls9XiVu4TVuwt0UbHedhF8WGUQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXTJcbr5BST8n95LCIebzVE8SRivHdvKrw2amWKVMs8bjB5NQVQ1_J_WSetvxJGcbM6id_ijQbT4PRgAE5kEo8BbRl-quVdLbUwJh-LuWdD1o8PAkF0AL3CrnqaMT0FrnB_a40LrwG9_PESzGzad0t4n-K7SyN2SFBls9XiVu4TVuwt0UbHedhF8WGUQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Starters done, getting ready for the main meal. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a gruesome, yet unique scene for the next half an hour and we watched with morbid fascination. The warthog unfortunately was still alive but unable to get up, so the leopard cautiously approached her even jumping back when the legs started flailing. But the cat soon realised that the pig was no longer a threat and unfortunately that meant a very painful and messy end for the warthog.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtDToI9abTzhMca50UlN8YXnhE86i9WkwQi5f7Y4R1AvRGMcdwRf7_eJhvoolH2g-N5SyRb13fQkVpcrUIa_wEeDLp9g3wNsDhhIAMT9wM-zQc8N5DYaBBmMFXN5yi1yw_tEa3mINTl5jWWTGlLWISSeiB76DTiRQwCg-Rj3LoNXNF3tuPl-hNtk2zLQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtDToI9abTzhMca50UlN8YXnhE86i9WkwQi5f7Y4R1AvRGMcdwRf7_eJhvoolH2g-N5SyRb13fQkVpcrUIa_wEeDLp9g3wNsDhhIAMT9wM-zQc8N5DYaBBmMFXN5yi1yw_tEa3mINTl5jWWTGlLWISSeiB76DTiRQwCg-Rj3LoNXNF3tuPl-hNtk2zLQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The eyes of the warthog says it all - this was going to be ugly. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of killing it as you’d expect a leopard to do, she instead started eating the poor warthog alive. While the pig flailed every now and then, she hardly made a sound - either in resignation at her fate or the adrenaline had numbed her pain.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE-QbW6f_jUm2mKa3UBH4i_DGv9lu_6nMIs3hmKrdwHa2vFmghz-kjtYFiRMjUizdrouC3M8WA3gpAYTa9aQQlV-Xo4lqhrUJ9dKgnoAdbH5Pt0U1eMMN8NCEsDPkDoTyjRpZsZ1OCODhQro6AuNsrfSO1vFihpUd6uYEB0fZojUxCkp8gA4VzgDDw_w=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE-QbW6f_jUm2mKa3UBH4i_DGv9lu_6nMIs3hmKrdwHa2vFmghz-kjtYFiRMjUizdrouC3M8WA3gpAYTa9aQQlV-Xo4lqhrUJ9dKgnoAdbH5Pt0U1eMMN8NCEsDPkDoTyjRpZsZ1OCODhQro6AuNsrfSO1vFihpUd6uYEB0fZojUxCkp8gA4VzgDDw_w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The leopard never went for the throat but straight for the heart. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At one stage the leopard straddled the pig to turn her from her side to her back and started biting through the skin to access her heart. It was a pretty gruesome sighting and unfortunately the warthog did not die quickly, but held on for quite a while before succumbing to the loss of blood. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwLD05y2fKmd-kOFZL-a8VG-vl-HE1-KFbbkDd8Ax4y1Qaqn-k8n6CoJ3rUTUMRMywCJlMUOEOsoKNcNyhMpbgYlLMm2r3CvKZsrVUrS1FLF4K0FYE2WFdwYEi0xeTUmot7YVEXY9cp-9NLK5HKh7gG-EiS7qVD9BIZfTat8G9MlQczjtq7kIPzkaB4w=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwLD05y2fKmd-kOFZL-a8VG-vl-HE1-KFbbkDd8Ax4y1Qaqn-k8n6CoJ3rUTUMRMywCJlMUOEOsoKNcNyhMpbgYlLMm2r3CvKZsrVUrS1FLF4K0FYE2WFdwYEi0xeTUmot7YVEXY9cp-9NLK5HKh7gG-EiS7qVD9BIZfTat8G9MlQczjtq7kIPzkaB4w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the leopard stopped eating soon after that - it was as though she wanted to eat the nutritious heart while it was still beating. She spent about half an hour eating at the warthog, but considering the piglet she had eaten earlier, she had probably had her fill and decided to rest up for the rest of the morning after grooming herself for a bit.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghbI3bEj_fBNYRyxWPHzrAkF0ZiXJrL3s3KmzESi3rczATsQHH8DXkFZhXtqv-QUV4UAwaQIeLnkHwaJOMdzqZwBH4CIYw4-IwxUqsO0R09i4C90nUefrAzIOabCO6RUU3n7KGR7JDrZoUxCmHq-67N9GxeQ8ux1c__salV9NUJsx807u_MxKJ9uwbcQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghbI3bEj_fBNYRyxWPHzrAkF0ZiXJrL3s3KmzESi3rczATsQHH8DXkFZhXtqv-QUV4UAwaQIeLnkHwaJOMdzqZwBH4CIYw4-IwxUqsO0R09i4C90nUefrAzIOabCO6RUU3n7KGR7JDrZoUxCmHq-67N9GxeQ8ux1c__salV9NUJsx807u_MxKJ9uwbcQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The leopard went for the internal organs only.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">She slowly ambled off in the direction of the where she had left the piglet carcass but instead of going back to it she jumped up into another tree, hanging around for a moment, before jumping down again and laying at the base. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnnUq8ipXRBXVcNYbjrgTSIXSRRE0ijY_WIgiCjgxOyhy1YDAa5Ujpz9fxE4uOGNBpbcV_ytdpWFAX4eNhdW18sCmpU-GniJqysElcdQ2nbDidXgRfp6H8RzL4rBsPSWeHHb4sLNZoKHOD8TczdUl5g1bB0txrrTxlazrJNk1JlMsH1StddUuFjeIptg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnnUq8ipXRBXVcNYbjrgTSIXSRRE0ijY_WIgiCjgxOyhy1YDAa5Ujpz9fxE4uOGNBpbcV_ytdpWFAX4eNhdW18sCmpU-GniJqysElcdQ2nbDidXgRfp6H8RzL4rBsPSWeHHb4sLNZoKHOD8TczdUl5g1bB0txrrTxlazrJNk1JlMsH1StddUuFjeIptg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Clean up after a job well done.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By now a couple of other cars had joined us finally, but it seemed that she was done for the morning and meandered slowly into the bush. She could still see her a bit and for those tourists arriving late it was still a leopard sighting, but considering what we had seen, we left her speechless as to what had transpired the last couple of hours. It was hands down, one of the most intense sightings we’d ever had in the bush! </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqC5iOsR72KOvWWpcrjRthr1WcO3I-InSvBV-xDV0kIHtP4X_ir2AUZJk5TZBBGxbqeuSn3G7Y0_J3oNTTINHiYfu-IykJVM2p8oKGBQU1-8i3N2moaAvjJVGsnfWNNukafgOme0WY_mq1_d4XaLLEa61TXhUbZcANyKhxtlPK7EwdoK8MSEupN861cQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqC5iOsR72KOvWWpcrjRthr1WcO3I-InSvBV-xDV0kIHtP4X_ir2AUZJk5TZBBGxbqeuSn3G7Y0_J3oNTTINHiYfu-IykJVM2p8oKGBQU1-8i3N2moaAvjJVGsnfWNNukafgOme0WY_mq1_d4XaLLEa61TXhUbZcANyKhxtlPK7EwdoK8MSEupN861cQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And to think that for the majority of it there were only 3 cars. And one of those cars had actually left while she had been devouring the piglet so had missed a lot of the adult warthog kill. We think that some of the tourists were a bit squemish and didn’t want to witness the killing, especially when we noticed that one of the women in the car was knitting rather than watching a leopard kill!</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK-ez0JnNjrGeJBvUCAdo_D8a_F9osMcR8KwL3F3GnJFHOoNfrcYtwDxCuSwc9ApEF7jvS-SyG5paaNFmlWE72uSQH4nowX5xigVlC7oE1E_xMWSn2tpuSE7HZhGS4fAGr1R-2tiwZGdAeawjNMf61F5hpprwZiACUCvSBFkwhYMDplC9LkBStlOqiHg=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK-ez0JnNjrGeJBvUCAdo_D8a_F9osMcR8KwL3F3GnJFHOoNfrcYtwDxCuSwc9ApEF7jvS-SyG5paaNFmlWE72uSQH4nowX5xigVlC7oE1E_xMWSn2tpuSE7HZhGS4fAGr1R-2tiwZGdAeawjNMf61F5hpprwZiACUCvSBFkwhYMDplC9LkBStlOqiHg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was only 9 o’clock but we knew that we weren’t going to see anything else exciting - lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same spot after all - so we slowly meandered around the area before it was midday and time to head for lunch.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We did manage to see something quite unusual - a baby albino baboon with the rest of the troop hanging at one of the lagoons. He was a bit too far away for close up shots, but we don’t often see albino animals in the wild, so we were hoping to catch him when he was closer at a later stage - after all, he’s very noticeable!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_7dPGE27UQ63-MKcH7pq82u6zlJafza9ZWxWTfJF3THRio8BblgiCgN2WAj5fhB8TpX_NNH7SCKehyaM6rarPLaErhTsiKhHRviscKN8y7Qwj0uGByogVMoPrMEKgKS2bWE6on-xJyTLI3BP7TSdzYg3RNTBBYHWeIO4RGVAT_CkljYdHbSqYFqHd5w=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_7dPGE27UQ63-MKcH7pq82u6zlJafza9ZWxWTfJF3THRio8BblgiCgN2WAj5fhB8TpX_NNH7SCKehyaM6rarPLaErhTsiKhHRviscKN8y7Qwj0uGByogVMoPrMEKgKS2bWE6on-xJyTLI3BP7TSdzYg3RNTBBYHWeIO4RGVAT_CkljYdHbSqYFqHd5w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The albino baby baboon.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One thing that had puzzled us was why there were so few vehicles at the leopard kill. While we understood that during the hunt, the guided vehicles wouldn’t have radioed anyone else in case they spoilt it, even for the hour after we hardly saw any vehicles drive past. In fact one of the only cars we had seen were our neighbours in the campsite, also self-drivers who didn’t even notice us parked watching a leopard eat a piglet ;) Only much later did 2 other cars join us but it still seemed suspiciously quiet for a leopard sighting.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And we found out why when we got back to the camp for lunch and went to have a cold beer at the bar. The resident guide told us that there had been a male lion that had made a buffalo kill on his own on the banks of the Luangwa river in the morning, so most of the cars had been there. Aah, that explained that… and it gave us a plan for the afternoon.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrwHwkjxhu_GGnrbU-Egx3yNtLxJiShjVvJhYnuW38d19Z_RsjZSMrc6OyTe3JI4l7pPH4IhimPo5usQWDIU4fU9gds5M4cg_-OGt2FIJdDSl453472pvgbVqdHQPo0qlu3HVJKMeLKPHwjEVC2QaJXYsqJfZRv4s_VCRiF3qaOrY6L69Kkhg_XNM40w=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrwHwkjxhu_GGnrbU-Egx3yNtLxJiShjVvJhYnuW38d19Z_RsjZSMrc6OyTe3JI4l7pPH4IhimPo5usQWDIU4fU9gds5M4cg_-OGt2FIJdDSl453472pvgbVqdHQPo0qlu3HVJKMeLKPHwjEVC2QaJXYsqJfZRv4s_VCRiF3qaOrY6L69Kkhg_XNM40w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The river stands, Wildlife camp. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Another very hot midday spent in the shade of our boma at the campsite. We were lucky enough to work out that the camp could actually provide us with ice after searching fruitlessly in the very small Mfuwe town. The fact that we could find ice made life a lot easier for us. Besides keeping our beer and wine cold, it allowed us to keep our food cool. We had a plan for eating dry food in case we couldn’t find ice, but the fact that we could was a pleasant surprise. Thanks Wildlife Camp!</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Armed with the buffalo kill knowledge, we decided to head there in the afternoon. It was on the eastern side at Luangwa Wafwa, the area we’d been searching with no luck - it seemed that the day we didn’t go, it went and produced something special! (But in our opinion, still not as special as our sighting and since it happened at the same time, we were happy to have seen ours instead)</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0EvxhoCOudFuzQdQk48KSL5_kLZKdmnXxI31s01mK2E0nDQhb6dSMHNxiEmGfUmD-U7CsHgZcevkkcMy8izqWjh-xoA1RL5GbhLmCGCuzniDKsmV4OyLsk299KWPteIX5OQFL6INFnTIqjRfh_rJKUCKh1L_D5_l72yBWVm_6_4zhjWP4JM3d_zoVCQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0EvxhoCOudFuzQdQk48KSL5_kLZKdmnXxI31s01mK2E0nDQhb6dSMHNxiEmGfUmD-U7CsHgZcevkkcMy8izqWjh-xoA1RL5GbhLmCGCuzniDKsmV4OyLsk299KWPteIX5OQFL6INFnTIqjRfh_rJKUCKh1L_D5_l72yBWVm_6_4zhjWP4JM3d_zoVCQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hooded vultures check out leftovers at the lion kill.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Now it was a matter of finding the buffalo carcass and hopefully the male lion nearby. It didn’t take us long to work out where the carcass since the telltale sign was there - vultures. It was in a really nice open area on the sandy bank and would have been a great sighting in the morning, but now there was nothing but half a dead buffalo, and some white-backed and hooded vultures, along with a couple of Marabou storks.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heading further down the road, we found a filming vehicle and close by to them was the lion, although you could hardly see him as he was sleeping under a small tree out of sight. The film crew told us that he’d taken down the buffalo in the morning and then been chasing the vultures away from his kill, but was obviously full and had given up settling for an afternoon snooze instead.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hung around for a while even getting hopeful when a young elephant seemed to be heading towards the lion, but he soon veered off to the river and we decided to give up on the lion for the afternoon. It was so hot that by the time it was cool enough for him to get up it would be too late for us. So we cut our losses and headed back to the bee-eater colony which was near to where we had left the leopard. We came across our camp’s vehicle and the tourists let us know that the leopard was still around, but deep in the bush so the sighting was extremely poor. We decided not to even attempt trying to get a look, it didn’t seem worth it considering what we’d seen the morning.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMi7UPiXLznJTigpV7bZKqGEa6A-O82FUy3u3TtOuxQ9EuYsQuf41zjwUXuCKnUdANVFAp2oJEBpTFl36qhzFPTGOHlJfQdoGVQc2WoGCqCwwOMq-MsU_E0yNVOz5Qhf4e35ZXJ6tkAg2S25WinCcISLMtC1hree1LDfc-ejFKxCYVAggHEf83rZtiBQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMi7UPiXLznJTigpV7bZKqGEa6A-O82FUy3u3TtOuxQ9EuYsQuf41zjwUXuCKnUdANVFAp2oJEBpTFl36qhzFPTGOHlJfQdoGVQc2WoGCqCwwOMq-MsU_E0yNVOz5Qhf4e35ZXJ6tkAg2S25WinCcISLMtC1hree1LDfc-ejFKxCYVAggHEf83rZtiBQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Carmine bee-eater colony was in sun this evening.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We did however catch the same sounder of warthogs that had lost 2 of their members this morning! There were still about 7 piglets and a couple of young adults or helpers. We’re uncertain as to whether they would survive now that the big mother was gone, but we can only hope that they have survived. In the meantime, the adult warthog carcass was still there in the same state that we’d left it, so nothing had come to eat it, which was a bit surprising to us. We had assumed that the leopard would have come back, or at least a couple of hyenas would have discovered it.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Kwc6jSFnthwABPtE3akB7030LY2DsitNAlB0eztr3fhrSLLeW0BLuWwt3aoFYtu7wfnH6pWal5QSgHIWo6JlzJac7l8OP8iORwcV8FzvVVo2vlq4jooeMrPLUsgc5k2IC8VQXtWlTkFWhoIbgNTsKLvYDo0EdfW9_HC-QDIKXhiSbyG6tFUWv1xbyQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Kwc6jSFnthwABPtE3akB7030LY2DsitNAlB0eztr3fhrSLLeW0BLuWwt3aoFYtu7wfnH6pWal5QSgHIWo6JlzJac7l8OP8iORwcV8FzvVVo2vlq4jooeMrPLUsgc5k2IC8VQXtWlTkFWhoIbgNTsKLvYDo0EdfW9_HC-QDIKXhiSbyG6tFUWv1xbyQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing much else was happening, although we did manage to get another look at the albino baboon. Unfortunately it was just too dark to get any good shots, so we headed out of the park at dusk and back to the campsite.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM0ki6l2JawaZD2fI5EYjXsx_TCflFmju6mdsmqfJ4L81a7pmeWPDb1AgjVX2v3EvrgGxG6hVhmX0XQPkM817HPYnKhE_SHjDOK_KuoANgHBfqzx_S-i_FFigU8mWS1UF8nPr-21GqF9xn40PA-FazSEpsFCqMjutd2qD7OdH9P4qQaTDxxA8rfE8S4Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM0ki6l2JawaZD2fI5EYjXsx_TCflFmju6mdsmqfJ4L81a7pmeWPDb1AgjVX2v3EvrgGxG6hVhmX0XQPkM817HPYnKhE_SHjDOK_KuoANgHBfqzx_S-i_FFigU8mWS1UF8nPr-21GqF9xn40PA-FazSEpsFCqMjutd2qD7OdH9P4qQaTDxxA8rfE8S4Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">White fronted bee-eaters share the colony with the Carmine's.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-3182851665584084202021-11-02T18:37:00.007+03:002022-01-24T14:48:11.923+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 3<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDdGxvLaRi7bdrGwST3Sqno1dZoHYrOmgViZtNjsjOQbcRolJ6f4yidxXTD1YWThh9KuYP6ZYf9eYqUBkjMyCXV6WlfWFVo9UTdtk2SrWGbOXaWrTNgLN83BnhqSeThguSRJNLfCKeqaLJVSxeKEZQTZo6_g3hnZ4Wk3CkcmeHw6_FqxBE1aW0d1dbQQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDdGxvLaRi7bdrGwST3Sqno1dZoHYrOmgViZtNjsjOQbcRolJ6f4yidxXTD1YWThh9KuYP6ZYf9eYqUBkjMyCXV6WlfWFVo9UTdtk2SrWGbOXaWrTNgLN83BnhqSeThguSRJNLfCKeqaLJVSxeKEZQTZo6_g3hnZ4Wk3CkcmeHw6_FqxBE1aW0d1dbQQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Wild dogs on the Luangwa river</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An early morning start saw us at the gate again just before 6am where we were waved through. Again, we decided to head into the Luangwa Wafwa on the eastern side of the park in the hopes of potentially catching a leopard again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJSdTsWajh-epfkkBofxDPDVLLARpOpQzJhAqzu0690wJcbQqnbFU-qIKw1WGTRniWPImHr8Hhlpu2WdH5McpG0_2NZSM0PlI7kQfhhRkryPWKe2Sp3-OSvLiEcmAHT2NpW5TNfkmgUDvlWmFvG0UsJFquIje4zb7025RiBZQdmM33a-vnK0AsSDj3nw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJSdTsWajh-epfkkBofxDPDVLLARpOpQzJhAqzu0690wJcbQqnbFU-qIKw1WGTRniWPImHr8Hhlpu2WdH5McpG0_2NZSM0PlI7kQfhhRkryPWKe2Sp3-OSvLiEcmAHT2NpW5TNfkmgUDvlWmFvG0UsJFquIje4zb7025RiBZQdmM33a-vnK0AsSDj3nw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hippo on the run</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" /></div></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our first significant sighting was of a hippo at Mushroom lagoon. He was out of the water but looking like he wanted to get in, unfortunately for him there was another hippo that was having none of it and actually chased him away. The adrenalin spikes when you see a 1.5 ton hippo running towards you! Luckily he veered off the path and into the bushes while his competitor went back into the water and calm was restored</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqWUo9xrE2mgKAuXs9jzGdx3QIMjOKGLDQ5CIzIHp5DDCNygp2mRxwta-PAd3r8mazy9GH5dQeZKobT3dWoX7RsNaclJTSTlTsfErGbB8y6HKARuCjGXEck1ffNGubnBnl97AkJNgHGFl2KFUjcM-T62LEWBDIUxB7S2sxzTQx3dcQikSnlV41uKV72A=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqWUo9xrE2mgKAuXs9jzGdx3QIMjOKGLDQ5CIzIHp5DDCNygp2mRxwta-PAd3r8mazy9GH5dQeZKobT3dWoX7RsNaclJTSTlTsfErGbB8y6HKARuCjGXEck1ffNGubnBnl97AkJNgHGFl2KFUjcM-T62LEWBDIUxB7S2sxzTQx3dcQikSnlV41uKV72A=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A very pregnant (or very well fed!) hyena</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Driving around we came across another buffalo that seemed to have died while being stuck in the mud from a drying waterhole. Some vultures and a few hyenas were lying around nearby including a hyena who had either eaten most of the buffalo on her own or was heavily pregnant - she looked like a big beach ball!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4tBZWgnwVMp_GhDMbD1xntm72uO-CQfvu_9Xhpup86smfkqmhL9IeE0-Va0ff6SE7ozBaXR9ndWYZomHdZrhhdTsCh7afIf4wIVGY6suQDzr6K-YG87rNqlbolPm8a5hWWFq-psywjxGzW-4yGQBbhn8aAJoIDUwEf5M7kIr5cnbdPHyN7rXAK0yaIQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4tBZWgnwVMp_GhDMbD1xntm72uO-CQfvu_9Xhpup86smfkqmhL9IeE0-Va0ff6SE7ozBaXR9ndWYZomHdZrhhdTsCh7afIf4wIVGY6suQDzr6K-YG87rNqlbolPm8a5hWWFq-psywjxGzW-4yGQBbhn8aAJoIDUwEf5M7kIr5cnbdPHyN7rXAK0yaIQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Luangwa Wafwa</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We spent quite a bit of time with them, but they weren’t moving around much and eventually we headed back to the Luangwa Wafwa area looking for any cats. We didn’t manage to find them but we did spot some zebras heading down to drink in the drying riverbed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTHja8Lxl6rGrGIlWX6zYZ1aaj7KjuvI64DXpw3SH0ts-oUZ-37fa5mkrHMjYGRU7hy-LR04ET4nsF1tvbOiesqlDFOhP-mKo-zE7yqtb6Kyotbsu-OZiMjd4Ja1AL7MxG8_AOF9o6mZJU1xhq-TieU6AAp72AdcSaMbPW8sk2alrcfbe_e1kh-8VVBA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTHja8Lxl6rGrGIlWX6zYZ1aaj7KjuvI64DXpw3SH0ts-oUZ-37fa5mkrHMjYGRU7hy-LR04ET4nsF1tvbOiesqlDFOhP-mKo-zE7yqtb6Kyotbsu-OZiMjd4Ja1AL7MxG8_AOF9o6mZJU1xhq-TieU6AAp72AdcSaMbPW8sk2alrcfbe_e1kh-8VVBA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Crayshaw zebs chilling out</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While we couldn’t get close to them while they were drinking, we found a dip in the road which made them eye-level with us, hoping that they would head back towards us giving us some nice shots from a different perspective. We had anticipated correctly and soon they and some buffalo walked straight past us in good light.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRwvYPLBpr0GndeaIDzrfHhID1DiZ4Xn4lN_2NVGn-_a5a5OO6_hyDmKhL6b5vjRrBazfwky6WGfNZ-vIhCptOWHhWvsxINhExj4oA3Bqu6agTZtJ4nWZOPlt1xwttT9RpJcbOV-rs_XT9nxqBAZlUpmgHHk8kvVmd_ZqJ1xcjPzTk7vunmlYQ8CtXWw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRwvYPLBpr0GndeaIDzrfHhID1DiZ4Xn4lN_2NVGn-_a5a5OO6_hyDmKhL6b5vjRrBazfwky6WGfNZ-vIhCptOWHhWvsxINhExj4oA3Bqu6agTZtJ4nWZOPlt1xwttT9RpJcbOV-rs_XT9nxqBAZlUpmgHHk8kvVmd_ZqJ1xcjPzTk7vunmlYQ8CtXWw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Buffalo heading our way</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A few hyenas and carmine bee-eaters later and we decided that the eastern side wasn’t going to offer us anything exciting so we made our way back to the western side in the hopes of catching something, although now it was well past 9 o’clock so we weren’t expecting much. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8e_-GTICjEaWAIUMvWlYHcSQap8m_kM8FCqxDaMfl4DHDLcwOYIlit0d5XOo55oVQ9LQrU9LozUs5kqeJza-1niZXqD1on92_qPTrtTrjVEcZMCii1Mr5LP2N18TunUmckDej-LaRThulE-eCnXqYOYe5gBRs0R2Dl8VsFFbLV5FV8q0D5Hus6dUM-Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8e_-GTICjEaWAIUMvWlYHcSQap8m_kM8FCqxDaMfl4DHDLcwOYIlit0d5XOo55oVQ9LQrU9LozUs5kqeJza-1niZXqD1on92_qPTrtTrjVEcZMCii1Mr5LP2N18TunUmckDej-LaRThulE-eCnXqYOYe5gBRs0R2Dl8VsFFbLV5FV8q0D5Hus6dUM-Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A lone male impala along the Luangwa Wafwa</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We were also a bit perplexed as to how quiet it was in terms of other vehicles; that normally tells us that there is something to be seen that we’re missing….</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJu7UKgXGxIt5jqRTKKRSkd3P94fBW_yOr_vQSSr5jv6jONWjtYlZRMh5mPTWebJlq2W8aWDEg23Hx8KeRfTpQ9XJ8Gx-JsZxt8TH6bmxTmsyl9mGU_O7SkyzAJG3re48WJszUROlP282Gx7oeGNO1ymNXFwRk1toU90rYkHR6vx5WZgfo2HR-A1R7NQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJu7UKgXGxIt5jqRTKKRSkd3P94fBW_yOr_vQSSr5jv6jONWjtYlZRMh5mPTWebJlq2W8aWDEg23Hx8KeRfTpQ9XJ8Gx-JsZxt8TH6bmxTmsyl9mGU_O7SkyzAJG3re48WJszUROlP282Gx7oeGNO1ymNXFwRk1toU90rYkHR6vx5WZgfo2HR-A1R7NQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Yellow billed ox-pecker at work<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It appeared that it was pretty quiet in the west as well, although that could mean that the tourists had already gone back to their lodges for breakfast. Eventually we did come across another car and although the guide didn’t seem too keen to talk to us, one of the guests was virtually falling out of the car to talk to us ;)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc12csmKPwhuPO4mnWub6_Z-nwtGJeXj0ubeiCqFgfQJ27N1yeEsdO58ObnPrO6UAYsjBKcFLNeOkLJ7b1y5XQ0Q20IMV_7xIIsfAuUGs679kKlTGKXOHCHQ0MJOUMOmxY0NhUYBY-9rQOt8l4atglmGvWrNEc7We55IWzF6ABu4jaLWE2FBjvM54xTA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc12csmKPwhuPO4mnWub6_Z-nwtGJeXj0ubeiCqFgfQJ27N1yeEsdO58ObnPrO6UAYsjBKcFLNeOkLJ7b1y5XQ0Q20IMV_7xIIsfAuUGs679kKlTGKXOHCHQ0MJOUMOmxY0NhUYBY-9rQOt8l4atglmGvWrNEc7We55IWzF6ABu4jaLWE2FBjvM54xTA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Zebras are so photogenic</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Turns out that we’d come across family a few times over the past few days. They’d been at the gate when we had first arrived, then we’d seen them a couple of times and each time we’d spoken to their guide and them, and with a pretty recognisable car they had noticed us. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBn_wiHLA4NRxNiX2bx8bx5c8tOClNo3h87-AQBSojVutBCYp7HWUsbCIWO-wpZfnBeI5IhQxFwgiBNPwGRYzlWStNRLV6fkXEENW5eZPSFYF9abZdfO9hilaHuAIJkqBD8hwm88-oUY7CmbsVqL_mfUBtZCc47uoAzfKTYYKsMugg4S4UsFcfFRhSlw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBn_wiHLA4NRxNiX2bx8bx5c8tOClNo3h87-AQBSojVutBCYp7HWUsbCIWO-wpZfnBeI5IhQxFwgiBNPwGRYzlWStNRLV6fkXEENW5eZPSFYF9abZdfO9hilaHuAIJkqBD8hwm88-oUY7CmbsVqL_mfUBtZCc47uoAzfKTYYKsMugg4S4UsFcfFRhSlw=w266-h400" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Southern carmine bee-eater</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In fact, the father of the family was talking to us before we had even pulled up alongside them, joking that he was going to charge us for any sightings they told us about ;) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA8py1WKAuMpnAroxUvP4qtggc8vMC0qaSv70ZgVtuGmGH1pcT0eijPVM3Zye7U9WlzvTBSVUjknWeSBadkoFlf2I3aySxz9GfQGDNiKh-ZNmYfM7puF1EQcHfA7NW5Yi0TxRLxYRxu62W7bOrGIRfcRsEv6MYyTLkt26p33Rugm5Iory1NQfOp_YFdA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA8py1WKAuMpnAroxUvP4qtggc8vMC0qaSv70ZgVtuGmGH1pcT0eijPVM3Zye7U9WlzvTBSVUjknWeSBadkoFlf2I3aySxz9GfQGDNiKh-ZNmYfM7puF1EQcHfA7NW5Yi0TxRLxYRxu62W7bOrGIRfcRsEv6MYyTLkt26p33Rugm5Iory1NQfOp_YFdA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The dagga boys</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They were moving camps but the old man was happy to impart a potentially great sighting with us - wild dogs! And not only a few - 21 wild dogs! The group had seen them but they were resting - we hoped we weren’t too late and that they’d already moved off. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisVUdWvpIR-RmfeSlpw9aLeSDY4isih1GG-XXAiwKlnbwky9nZ4ai9rJhnl7JSgd53waj-eYYpRlYFWZU3MrPagmWqZSow4q3VyP1V9EK9a2LIJMads6grKJLlboXLgAnnLsAxceq1xo-aMFvxsLBEwG69BN07e6LHbvpAAju1lqQUJBm-9xw7CVId9A=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisVUdWvpIR-RmfeSlpw9aLeSDY4isih1GG-XXAiwKlnbwky9nZ4ai9rJhnl7JSgd53waj-eYYpRlYFWZU3MrPagmWqZSow4q3VyP1V9EK9a2LIJMads6grKJLlboXLgAnnLsAxceq1xo-aMFvxsLBEwG69BN07e6LHbvpAAju1lqQUJBm-9xw7CVId9A=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Another hyena chilling out in the water</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The guide explained where they were - the same place we’d found the leopard cub the previous day - now we knew why we hadn’t seen any other cars in the morning, they were all hanging with wild dogs - this is always the disadvantage for us self-driving - no information ;) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy3IQOFrzfJ7eszxtKmP4OHFy9oSKL5qE0GttBEkfdCqYTZPJReZJTQTO66FR5LIKpiYKf2-776pYuqtQDUbD-IIFRWivKMC9lRMqITOBlALl-IDuaIT314QIrjs-3xP9JXFsq9ZD452vTbcYealkQCkR2xjJiB7e1Tnk4mqEduMuWF0R_Su7LcUCUPw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy3IQOFrzfJ7eszxtKmP4OHFy9oSKL5qE0GttBEkfdCqYTZPJReZJTQTO66FR5LIKpiYKf2-776pYuqtQDUbD-IIFRWivKMC9lRMqITOBlALl-IDuaIT314QIrjs-3xP9JXFsq9ZD452vTbcYealkQCkR2xjJiB7e1Tnk4mqEduMuWF0R_Su7LcUCUPw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wild dogs, first prize in South Luangwa<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Still, we had the info now and we were off like a shot in the hopes that we could still catch the dogs before they disappeared.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw4jdSsSkMgTIpo3LlVJe_Ny41h4zFH0qLMT-WNJTxqZ5sf2TdO11HQ6WpcpEsD8ogTWbJG1MmwIjZ8xWO3v91e_paNuqDe2sWO8wSmLGZ1VcxyAhvyJDL1_mxIEW-xt4wMZ32a9DwtsnBr70bNF5VCWyFhnTGRNniPq1q6KUGzL2lwICdtBR1ggmjog=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw4jdSsSkMgTIpo3LlVJe_Ny41h4zFH0qLMT-WNJTxqZ5sf2TdO11HQ6WpcpEsD8ogTWbJG1MmwIjZ8xWO3v91e_paNuqDe2sWO8wSmLGZ1VcxyAhvyJDL1_mxIEW-xt4wMZ32a9DwtsnBr70bNF5VCWyFhnTGRNniPq1q6KUGzL2lwICdtBR1ggmjog=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Yummy breakfast!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It didn’t take long before we were in the general area that they had directed us to but unfortunately there wasn’t a sound or sighting of dogs resting under the trees. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3_1WMf18q134YbSezVHm9CLWWi3bDO7-g7SSUdXa3nQePii53TUZwW4-0ViUxHmuDLCjRyBi9WPEp3WfAGpWBzYLYZfPi0XoB4zgDn1G4lIST0O8ln6hqEI9ZVr9JUnqmQgX4aOMKTceY9reBGjd1l7nYmP1usS6focaN_iFPLkWt-2yE4-3c8__xUA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3_1WMf18q134YbSezVHm9CLWWi3bDO7-g7SSUdXa3nQePii53TUZwW4-0ViUxHmuDLCjRyBi9WPEp3WfAGpWBzYLYZfPi0XoB4zgDn1G4lIST0O8ln6hqEI9ZVr9JUnqmQgX4aOMKTceY9reBGjd1l7nYmP1usS6focaN_iFPLkWt-2yE4-3c8__xUA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dogs with a kill, best possible sighting<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was extremely disappointing to come to the place we thought they were, and there to be nothing! There wasn’t even another car to be seen and we had a sinking feeling that the dogs had moved on. But of course, it was no time to give up and we continued looking around the area in the hopes that they were sleeping under a tree somewhere.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBpiWEisLss6p4PneGlS5WXSHLI51E4PjzMhItWA-sexfk4PrcKiP_ex4iJ03xyVjhS9SEFhCcvnDMtgpQMUaeBmn1b6xwCMuNu83f_HeVCYSSqMzX_Qx05J5pdCKBlumw5sNAXT0QsdLN8vgdcD_ZP1j1NwZ4T_epx47DRxZkNrWUZlf1mSb_NadqcQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBpiWEisLss6p4PneGlS5WXSHLI51E4PjzMhItWA-sexfk4PrcKiP_ex4iJ03xyVjhS9SEFhCcvnDMtgpQMUaeBmn1b6xwCMuNu83f_HeVCYSSqMzX_Qx05J5pdCKBlumw5sNAXT0QsdLN8vgdcD_ZP1j1NwZ4T_epx47DRxZkNrWUZlf1mSb_NadqcQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The pack chilling in the shade</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And then suddenly a bushbuck appeared. As its name suggests, usually when we find a bushbuck it’s in the bushes, or heading back into the bushes. But this one wasn’t - it was coming out of the bushes into the open area. And it wasn’t just walking out - it was flying!! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjbkTaVQHk1V9wi6LgToxDG20i8iEdWOEdp4ECyH-wkXaBHaaNuwVbQb8T1U6x_r7c8uWBQ1AgMbuvDK6KxEs2UG1hZVSFn7oLM6kFgNgPyv7NYPIFqUTMNpgW8uaL8hm16CKfFMmQiDeFRYmOktsaFhea27GBDxkUobPAIWpcy53arYYhWbLQ5qHdcg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjbkTaVQHk1V9wi6LgToxDG20i8iEdWOEdp4ECyH-wkXaBHaaNuwVbQb8T1U6x_r7c8uWBQ1AgMbuvDK6KxEs2UG1hZVSFn7oLM6kFgNgPyv7NYPIFqUTMNpgW8uaL8hm16CKfFMmQiDeFRYmOktsaFhea27GBDxkUobPAIWpcy53arYYhWbLQ5qHdcg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Everyone wants a piece!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was running so fast from the bush towards us that we thought it was going to crash straight into the car! Luckily it flew past us and was not seen again… and then we heard it… the unmistakable twittering of wild dogs followed by the screaming of a animal presumably being killed! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxFJfq-meJuWYSbBzTHNaJmZ__clsJ2uuN8YUw5yBhTd0lswimtclH1PQfASaLOIa1V89YckPjzvMlbW-lhq2ZOol8qOq71jBd815KtbRZxGtebI1nxzEM7SiKXNfPt6WNOxeVI3SXd561B-3toJnTET1qDJeTeocOuFhYN3Dp9AzzF7Bsx4KVOvGCtA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxFJfq-meJuWYSbBzTHNaJmZ__clsJ2uuN8YUw5yBhTd0lswimtclH1PQfASaLOIa1V89YckPjzvMlbW-lhq2ZOol8qOq71jBd815KtbRZxGtebI1nxzEM7SiKXNfPt6WNOxeVI3SXd561B-3toJnTET1qDJeTeocOuFhYN3Dp9AzzF7Bsx4KVOvGCtA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pork chop for lunch!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We couldn’t see them, but carried on forward along the road towards the sound. And turning the corner we finally found 3 wild dogs - hoorah! But they weren’t just lying under a tree, they were walking around with the remains of a warthog piglet in their mouths! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijZrcKP_vjfn9ND7EuMK0tGdavt7-5JzrtJ1sOqY9LIC_szBlNfAzWwgoqohuaPOBG537ZJmjwEzpzYN8O2R5kanJyA8hplISna61mhrcd2ceLir5y_Qm0dAmSzdoTsY3l5x_NpvVQv1v62DVwt9ltcLnXSFO9o5dGH0Qu1Y52URRTcPtZc4o1-DdRUw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijZrcKP_vjfn9ND7EuMK0tGdavt7-5JzrtJ1sOqY9LIC_szBlNfAzWwgoqohuaPOBG537ZJmjwEzpzYN8O2R5kanJyA8hplISna61mhrcd2ceLir5y_Qm0dAmSzdoTsY3l5x_NpvVQv1v62DVwt9ltcLnXSFO9o5dGH0Qu1Y52URRTcPtZc4o1-DdRUw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The poor Warthog family lost all piglets!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">From our disappointment a moment ago to exhilaration the next finding not only the wild dogs but them actively hunting. We sat with the 3 dogs for a few minutes while they devoured their meal, but soon one of them crossed the road (right in front of a zebra and her youngster that were completely ignoring the dogs) and moved into the bush. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzKnRn6_MgO3nfP201Eo4CNKDPgkz2h8afTdu4ojGS4w_QnDKMf8CvE5EpwmfqnD2_DQkPEloqCFj0q0HqZHIFCxaX5kOumGHSX7lz13s2n7wbk4Yogxt4_joq_hMdWb6Wq7SU-YH0Q9p6OnH6K_SfEzUrHcUu_c2bGtJ_44Dfc4g4Ru5P_cRLRVR7Qw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzKnRn6_MgO3nfP201Eo4CNKDPgkz2h8afTdu4ojGS4w_QnDKMf8CvE5EpwmfqnD2_DQkPEloqCFj0q0HqZHIFCxaX5kOumGHSX7lz13s2n7wbk4Yogxt4_joq_hMdWb6Wq7SU-YH0Q9p6OnH6K_SfEzUrHcUu_c2bGtJ_44Dfc4g4Ru5P_cRLRVR7Qw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The pups got a hold of a piglet</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We decided to go around and try and catch up with the dog, hopefully leading us to the rest of the pack. And that’s exactly what happened - we came around the corner and there they were - the rest of the pack running around all excited with more warthog piglets in their mouths. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoBMFFx2BO2hnv7BIgp7bmdOvuygw9Dtcj3fCE1aftcHLMwRwBCcwe22XmqHIUqbo5a4tiscL9IwcFYa3fgvD_SstKZv2PF6GE6P8pQP7KnCF9PQp92Yny50f2SZ1vD_qhox_5t4Lkc8SiTFHvUfsJAEfpwUsC7fEEtBiaO1eQCtYa6sqfjMyZoksUuQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoBMFFx2BO2hnv7BIgp7bmdOvuygw9Dtcj3fCE1aftcHLMwRwBCcwe22XmqHIUqbo5a4tiscL9IwcFYa3fgvD_SstKZv2PF6GE6P8pQP7KnCF9PQp92Yny50f2SZ1vD_qhox_5t4Lkc8SiTFHvUfsJAEfpwUsC7fEEtBiaO1eQCtYa6sqfjMyZoksUuQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pups being pups!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple of adult warthogs were hanging around and every now and then half-heartedly every now and then chasing the dogs. It soon became apparent, as another dog came running out of the bush with yet another piglet in his mouth, what had happened. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicJn1R36qXHNZeG2uvYILg_iVcVjnVlTgoF6KgXYQcy-qeaQtkjoMDC_sUMQ6GJgnXxJO12w3E_vXRMAzp5Kh7UYq3Ur0025StQwp8RaOwDxX4DyTQuHu6yDSpV678GO1fcFk-PM1EiXXYcafVA6vaS7cTeYXfs1cYSX3AT2u2KVw2PpWbod59tLbmfw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicJn1R36qXHNZeG2uvYILg_iVcVjnVlTgoF6KgXYQcy-qeaQtkjoMDC_sUMQ6GJgnXxJO12w3E_vXRMAzp5Kh7UYq3Ur0025StQwp8RaOwDxX4DyTQuHu6yDSpV678GO1fcFk-PM1EiXXYcafVA6vaS7cTeYXfs1cYSX3AT2u2KVw2PpWbod59tLbmfw=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The adult warthogs could do nothing back watch as the dogs ate all the piglets</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The dogs had found a warthog burrow and were busy digging up the piglets one at a time while the adults watched helplessly. The dogs avoided the big warthog tusks but otherwise pretty much ignored them while they went about devouring the young.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyfAjVNEDq_WPg2hUjRnnS2j3opD4L2I5K82VMoTbJ8Q7tS_qZRI_M8-R2lE7czmexR-5jMN7TJQnvpTrW1pSVq_upeRhbbHHdswxjE36mUVspk3qGC-Z7jDVNIS9dK_PvM3TiLGW0hgx2Px0xVqcPjPl_DisRqJDL8y9yZXqcZjWiKBZv2Nkt-sJbAw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyfAjVNEDq_WPg2hUjRnnS2j3opD4L2I5K82VMoTbJ8Q7tS_qZRI_M8-R2lE7czmexR-5jMN7TJQnvpTrW1pSVq_upeRhbbHHdswxjE36mUVspk3qGC-Z7jDVNIS9dK_PvM3TiLGW0hgx2Px0xVqcPjPl_DisRqJDL8y9yZXqcZjWiKBZv2Nkt-sJbAw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This pack had dogs with unusually large white markings.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We soon realised that there were 6 young dogs in the pack and that the adults were actually giving the piglets to the pups rather than eating themselves. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdbDvyFdG4MjjGnss8Do5fnfbHlc3756ldyCDW7EjGbWkhr3WpzOPqpfeKH32PCJW9cXj6IH_mhC7Atdd2RZUJneEIrtRL9BFN0MfDrjL3uXL5fUuYxLSqGa4xj4yAMYf1q9nOn_G_5oXkq5qx_NenwiSpSC_35p65d0L9ucd9aZ6q0-SzRMgMfXN7kA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdbDvyFdG4MjjGnss8Do5fnfbHlc3756ldyCDW7EjGbWkhr3WpzOPqpfeKH32PCJW9cXj6IH_mhC7Atdd2RZUJneEIrtRL9BFN0MfDrjL3uXL5fUuYxLSqGa4xj4yAMYf1q9nOn_G_5oXkq5qx_NenwiSpSC_35p65d0L9ucd9aZ6q0-SzRMgMfXN7kA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Loving the meal</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The pups were loving the meals, rather gruesomely pulling the prey apart and fighting over the scraps. It was an amazing sighting, made more so that it was 10 o’clock in the morning and there was not another car to be seen.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5JIvThcUuY0uCOTXUO4-bfRYmAY2YrdnaRigLtfoAaUSd3kQg6qKy2x_aEpRPr1_0lHjAQhN2M-CUneKL_MQWm7CQk5yGs86TCWQDQ_wq8-s0ON5b7QK8HpcC-nGVtlZfsgO8HgOXNpCVWWF0GSIJnCE3FdOq00gcKoGVH9HZuiarMLQXk9V0qVScoA=s1600"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5JIvThcUuY0uCOTXUO4-bfRYmAY2YrdnaRigLtfoAaUSd3kQg6qKy2x_aEpRPr1_0lHjAQhN2M-CUneKL_MQWm7CQk5yGs86TCWQDQ_wq8-s0ON5b7QK8HpcC-nGVtlZfsgO8HgOXNpCVWWF0GSIJnCE3FdOq00gcKoGVH9HZuiarMLQXk9V0qVScoA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Although the light was quite harsh, the dogs were in the shade of a big tree, so we spent about an hour with them while they ate and then rested. Eventually, one by one the dogs moved down the cliff towards a waterhole where after a quick drink they moved back to lie in the shade.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFihTHv3M1ZG4spUV8b0pqZpjmydFe4PutYvjFazaW5Kt8JY0obYnyxr4amV6ny8IwPHZjbr6oMLRzzciWjVvVjgb9FT8NKkETTQ9KtGWdNx3MxB8nIUDKURtaaoKixpMJKWnaactD3vczOaBh4OjT275oQiaLh5EQSLsJfq6j-3qP1gLB8kUrgYWwhQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFihTHv3M1ZG4spUV8b0pqZpjmydFe4PutYvjFazaW5Kt8JY0obYnyxr4amV6ny8IwPHZjbr6oMLRzzciWjVvVjgb9FT8NKkETTQ9KtGWdNx3MxB8nIUDKURtaaoKixpMJKWnaactD3vczOaBh4OjT275oQiaLh5EQSLsJfq6j-3qP1gLB8kUrgYWwhQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We figured that in the (extreme) heat of the day they weren’t planning to move anywhere, so we decided to leave them, absolutely chuffed that we’d experienced such an awesome wild dog interaction. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHVjDJR7FXAi66ZVjvbW8kOXgnMemzDulV_bgF94VU9SISVjxcIK_lhEXGvq5Ara68gA2B7E4tbLdx78dHQ2ep7K0nQnwrqfO-rVwtYPaXrC4S0Df5EItD0u-1cRbLzgfATkfdMy3TZJdBDEgx4VcLOqnwwTPFEriUr0ueWQ3LuUvuvgOjTxnDfl5sUg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHVjDJR7FXAi66ZVjvbW8kOXgnMemzDulV_bgF94VU9SISVjxcIK_lhEXGvq5Ara68gA2B7E4tbLdx78dHQ2ep7K0nQnwrqfO-rVwtYPaXrC4S0Df5EItD0u-1cRbLzgfATkfdMy3TZJdBDEgx4VcLOqnwwTPFEriUr0ueWQ3LuUvuvgOjTxnDfl5sUg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">One of the adults watch as the pups eat their fill</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our main wish list item for South Luangwa was wild dogs and we had been disappointed to know that they’d been near the camp the day before we’d arrived, so to see a pack of 21 dogs and see what we’d seen was phenomenal! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWOkfr3bFTJsTFhNiGs30DJ2_11jGQcYtLUkVNQoBGMRy3Is2WdEPa0kB8G27gMUMj6bvb7rhMGCZ91-Gf_U9vDt9aXMpyDlZY5gU1bbhuPH_qT2PGu-v4LSxg6pbml0jbYUuaqtpM6IWx9chLjNvLU1LXzjC7uad_emxp_iltD-6sH-ZibxtQQ8eWyw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWOkfr3bFTJsTFhNiGs30DJ2_11jGQcYtLUkVNQoBGMRy3Is2WdEPa0kB8G27gMUMj6bvb7rhMGCZ91-Gf_U9vDt9aXMpyDlZY5gU1bbhuPH_qT2PGu-v4LSxg6pbml0jbYUuaqtpM6IWx9chLjNvLU1LXzjC7uad_emxp_iltD-6sH-ZibxtQQ8eWyw=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Time for a drink after all that eating</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed back to the campsite for lunch, but with a clear plan for the afternoon - no more wasting time on the eastern side - straight back to the wild dogs hoping that they were still there.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXvP8df0-YPkKERVaEFxiyGPcdlrPg32WjuVf89fbLgzHzmNDtbTbglyfmtYJiW_BQbmjHJRlhO84sZcvKK6lYJJYx50sB1HPcZRTzHPJ-rDFQ3gRs3DAmWqALF6i6oUMdoHpB6vhI7OZwCE-Mh3P1ImYMh3O3bjfGzSoUaT08ICr6ETUW7De1RmmFLw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXvP8df0-YPkKERVaEFxiyGPcdlrPg32WjuVf89fbLgzHzmNDtbTbglyfmtYJiW_BQbmjHJRlhO84sZcvKK6lYJJYx50sB1HPcZRTzHPJ-rDFQ3gRs3DAmWqALF6i6oUMdoHpB6vhI7OZwCE-Mh3P1ImYMh3O3bjfGzSoUaT08ICr6ETUW7De1RmmFLw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Heading back for shade after a drink<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And they were, with most of them in exactly the same spot as we’d left them - just as well we didn’t spend the heat of the day waiting for them ;) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpcLUj8aw3iBKd_bEHZQJLxzK_W1nUkQZWI-IKA0j2MngfRnqzNe5Xb0PwrKa_rVYn_qo8wmbdJX5FYC40etumcI6m4rHgbH1xkfDvpxkhKkR4-THwjfwoqiMFRSGTyVi_7q8-LtwxSiPR_csDGOJ9BeW1DXPVl4r0dEWWfXEvveGKqMg_3ppwlV2x6A=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpcLUj8aw3iBKd_bEHZQJLxzK_W1nUkQZWI-IKA0j2MngfRnqzNe5Xb0PwrKa_rVYn_qo8wmbdJX5FYC40etumcI6m4rHgbH1xkfDvpxkhKkR4-THwjfwoqiMFRSGTyVi_7q8-LtwxSiPR_csDGOJ9BeW1DXPVl4r0dEWWfXEvveGKqMg_3ppwlV2x6A=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chilling in the shade</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved forward and saw that some of the adults had gone down to the same waterhole that they’d been at earlier so we positioned ourselves so that they’d come past our car when they came back. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnw4rGycnqOM1DJIrRKTGZfPtYb9XBya47FwE77nrVHfcHGWodQC3KFyRksrntRvLN1eNPzc1KMxypgqcHHqgOctr-Uc6GiakVs7inZSBCZ2UYI5rTwaqIWdnFdWi-4IoQWd8RlXiQDkddVOdbCIAAvwSNfojMhwNLnF5QVUfWFrNagriPSKhPGn3YJQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnw4rGycnqOM1DJIrRKTGZfPtYb9XBya47FwE77nrVHfcHGWodQC3KFyRksrntRvLN1eNPzc1KMxypgqcHHqgOctr-Uc6GiakVs7inZSBCZ2UYI5rTwaqIWdnFdWi-4IoQWd8RlXiQDkddVOdbCIAAvwSNfojMhwNLnF5QVUfWFrNagriPSKhPGn3YJQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wild dog heading back from the waterhole</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually the alpha dogs came back from drinking and lay under a tree, soon after joined by a few others, while the pups were still being minded by a few adults in the bushes. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAoIUbn81dP4V-dcZ2dwawTt-PEu9a1cLMc6SyTRmaPfAUDMiwUGYVrXbwdxFwOpXNpUOLvziTpw9Jef2c9jztW-iypzgDxiDxna3Kc23VvpJCHYocnjy9HWeqJYgq6U0t00jvRmLdSlzW3YpNsq2yHw81eiVCsTdqObnEpFqkdR9jib5chSSrBGpfjg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAoIUbn81dP4V-dcZ2dwawTt-PEu9a1cLMc6SyTRmaPfAUDMiwUGYVrXbwdxFwOpXNpUOLvziTpw9Jef2c9jztW-iypzgDxiDxna3Kc23VvpJCHYocnjy9HWeqJYgq6U0t00jvRmLdSlzW3YpNsq2yHw81eiVCsTdqObnEpFqkdR9jib5chSSrBGpfjg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Greeting ceremony for the wild dogs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>About 6 of the dogs had now joined the alpha dogs under the tree and at first they all were lying down, but then one of them got up looking restless, like he wanted to move. We know that dogs move by voting - majority rules, but he was definitely outvoted as the others ignored him and eventually he lay down again.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirjAPyWvTid5XbT3-rc6AK4pMAkPS1dLWUNSO56OPJ-IoP4IKvMU8X02SktKEYNQSH3SrOAzQCdIQ5MXoP_xBdw9cz6zZ2MJFk393z58nY9JTDaX1Ta14NgQSK8lBzNDtrbxbJok4VIkmAG6ZWIgiETQOtPLat09TLASXoPOGeCd8G_4TWdOpNYRBDFA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirjAPyWvTid5XbT3-rc6AK4pMAkPS1dLWUNSO56OPJ-IoP4IKvMU8X02SktKEYNQSH3SrOAzQCdIQ5MXoP_xBdw9cz6zZ2MJFk393z58nY9JTDaX1Ta14NgQSK8lBzNDtrbxbJok4VIkmAG6ZWIgiETQOtPLat09TLASXoPOGeCd8G_4TWdOpNYRBDFA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">One was impatient to go but he was ignored</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But that seemed to have triggered something in the other dogs that were lying out of sight in the bushes, because one by one they emerged from the shade and jogged to the 6 under the tree. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7wRYdW042HK74K8Mmh9A84lOPZa5CqXcxIYGSeG-QwdIz6oSxOf4gfqQpqK6JEax4RC8LtndwVv_cFT6E0iyv1ts4kUorvcaonlGfo9tr3OtK50v8PT0yVXAuDrF45MApdn4VtxMl00Z8KHfFlgrCUq9pVXR_DMpRSQHk801AeQibFpijuFcXugeffw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7wRYdW042HK74K8Mmh9A84lOPZa5CqXcxIYGSeG-QwdIz6oSxOf4gfqQpqK6JEax4RC8LtndwVv_cFT6E0iyv1ts4kUorvcaonlGfo9tr3OtK50v8PT0yVXAuDrF45MApdn4VtxMl00Z8KHfFlgrCUq9pVXR_DMpRSQHk801AeQibFpijuFcXugeffw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The leadership check out the river below<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Enthusiastic greetings, like they hadn’t seen each other in ages, ensued and that seemed to spur the others on, and suddenly the 6 pups came running towards the rest with more happy greetings - it was a great spectacle to observe. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCvYmB6wJFzZLFUiY7HpWIfIy2RBjy0JwDccFU0VEl5m2w93PPQLSACttaRG9oDbuMKIHLNtlAvZi2T6Dt6uemNxYh-DlZTKX9gW81F59IlBOKYXO3zJ-wc0ENPX_0oKYDDklzAU9a-HVcS0DbbxnXDynBnLOLiR-vz_KC2Svcjc5QBYg5MLde6xo7ww=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCvYmB6wJFzZLFUiY7HpWIfIy2RBjy0JwDccFU0VEl5m2w93PPQLSACttaRG9oDbuMKIHLNtlAvZi2T6Dt6uemNxYh-DlZTKX9gW81F59IlBOKYXO3zJ-wc0ENPX_0oKYDDklzAU9a-HVcS0DbbxnXDynBnLOLiR-vz_KC2Svcjc5QBYg5MLde6xo7ww=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Youngsters run to greet the elders.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After the greetings, they all headed down to the waterhole, but strangely enough they didn’t drink. Instead they were fixated either on the other side of the waterhole or something further in the distance, but it was like they had seen an enemy that they needed to keep an eye on. And so they did… for the next 2 hours!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuZ5xr-IbQ70zAodU_Xsnr_-1S7GDcGw6pD-ChcdwyIej8ecZf2OK-4GZ_m62W6JxlQlEP4TKy7YCNj5Yo9eSTXZR5DWAsdqTO0kxuUhSTfrySxk0DrwQyUsYmTZRypnT2H2-8Z1kqGr9IPpCKZ6dPLFPLxGOahOw1mVmTYEpE7c8UbsopWj8R8WPhuA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuZ5xr-IbQ70zAodU_Xsnr_-1S7GDcGw6pD-ChcdwyIej8ecZf2OK-4GZ_m62W6JxlQlEP4TKy7YCNj5Yo9eSTXZR5DWAsdqTO0kxuUhSTfrySxk0DrwQyUsYmTZRypnT2H2-8Z1kqGr9IPpCKZ6dPLFPLxGOahOw1mVmTYEpE7c8UbsopWj8R8WPhuA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pups running to join the greeting ceremony in full swing.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of them did drink, but they seemed skittish when they did and were easily spooked by imaginary noises. Most settled down away from the water’s edge while some stood at attention looking into the distance. And although we scanned the horizon for the threat, we never found it. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEispjB8upxx16B_iuPHJTeYMtrCak4KxNG9mXGbEDSljX2KfxzentX7Mb6h1ND_CGXYnEEH6rQZlY7-AyFr8sXSLCWjiRt97r36Ok1f-SI-BIPBe_j-WZ7F1ZCIOOSOmOIhrg4Wr_5vvqVAQrTSO_NkE5Ai78fYVYFBQWDP6CLH3Usr1UKtYBQqS7BkVQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEispjB8upxx16B_iuPHJTeYMtrCak4KxNG9mXGbEDSljX2KfxzentX7Mb6h1ND_CGXYnEEH6rQZlY7-AyFr8sXSLCWjiRt97r36Ok1f-SI-BIPBe_j-WZ7F1ZCIOOSOmOIhrg4Wr_5vvqVAQrTSO_NkE5Ai78fYVYFBQWDP6CLH3Usr1UKtYBQqS7BkVQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Drinking puppies<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’d hoped that they would start to get active, but no such luck - the sun started setting but the dogs hadn’t moved from the waterhole so reluctantly we left them to be able to get out the gate on time, happy nonetheless in the awesome wild dog sightings we’d had in the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitcf7sOLeSZk5oSciupciZco0kHz2JczUhQR7xdn-2kptdmgb75F8P9lgEab7qhwd-WcmaW4WOlnqe7vsQcmu4udBuTkt6eln4ffpLMAkvc_pJ-awUSYEDi1KLQkIYXJ1ZfchS-bbfPH0ZDqvELfJFulWnBbO9ELn9jiVdgG7bFjMXJ-TN7Q5wp9QP0Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitcf7sOLeSZk5oSciupciZco0kHz2JczUhQR7xdn-2kptdmgb75F8P9lgEab7qhwd-WcmaW4WOlnqe7vsQcmu4udBuTkt6eln4ffpLMAkvc_pJ-awUSYEDi1KLQkIYXJ1ZfchS-bbfPH0ZDqvELfJFulWnBbO9ELn9jiVdgG7bFjMXJ-TN7Q5wp9QP0Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chilling in the afternoon</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><p></p>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-49493061411865936642021-11-01T18:35:00.002+03:002022-01-06T20:13:14.711+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0KY7ksgDq-fNhiQSbxDbjVfZEcJZ4_AqTj7VPwg1AWTLNSdAv5QrfM0wyyIi0eAhnLU3p34aczThNw6AAqdWBLVd_daPWUMKAk8bNqg7FOilp8Mf_zXI__CI4y9l08_0W3LBsdCjv4SC4gmcPPU7n9fTE_r9Ntaq007flPHetFvesgKICOIeT_1fQaQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0KY7ksgDq-fNhiQSbxDbjVfZEcJZ4_AqTj7VPwg1AWTLNSdAv5QrfM0wyyIi0eAhnLU3p34aczThNw6AAqdWBLVd_daPWUMKAk8bNqg7FOilp8Mf_zXI__CI4y9l08_0W3LBsdCjv4SC4gmcPPU7n9fTE_r9Ntaq007flPHetFvesgKICOIeT_1fQaQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Leopard cub, a prize sighting <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Up at the crack of dawn and we were at the gate just before 6am. They seem pretty relaxed about gate times, and let us in a few minutes early. After seeing the eastern side yesterday evening, we felt that the western side had more to offer, and so retraced our steps from the morning before, although we stuck more to the river roads this time around.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_3GveQhhIsBVgBFYAZwBYBqn62jc-h6RjUlkX6NWtXSGuSF49xslydAxYmPpqyTuEpPnX0pg9DwmehZwWGMFuDStwLoRxIrJzAAKM8aDRvdsSX6tm5VW0-cj_lcT_JQyS-6mvCUkhEMKIR6_aGk7awDQdjDw-rft9tMGQKaupxn-tQdC0ypeyG46ksA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_3GveQhhIsBVgBFYAZwBYBqn62jc-h6RjUlkX6NWtXSGuSF49xslydAxYmPpqyTuEpPnX0pg9DwmehZwWGMFuDStwLoRxIrJzAAKM8aDRvdsSX6tm5VW0-cj_lcT_JQyS-6mvCUkhEMKIR6_aGk7awDQdjDw-rft9tMGQKaupxn-tQdC0ypeyG46ksA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A quick glance before running off</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And it paid off within half an hour - we came to an open area called Wamilombe right on the river and spotted something small ahead moving in the grass. We stopped and put the binoculars on it - leopard! But a small one - a leopard cub! </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNQhv4bN95EegtK3hfWtEjFKY6-dusLMTJbwFy3W0vj4-4JVEf7pAcuJgHiwr8XDCPcLaFavMmWczCsorlQgNp2obIRDrnFmmh7f6HEbYo6Lax9H34csyAT6zR03-e077icKMGWQlGVsrRNzx-83xRzgaQD_gwbnlVAUY2yMlAmkzaqk2_X41WLYYmfg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNQhv4bN95EegtK3hfWtEjFKY6-dusLMTJbwFy3W0vj4-4JVEf7pAcuJgHiwr8XDCPcLaFavMmWczCsorlQgNp2obIRDrnFmmh7f6HEbYo6Lax9H34csyAT6zR03-e077icKMGWQlGVsrRNzx-83xRzgaQD_gwbnlVAUY2yMlAmkzaqk2_X41WLYYmfg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">On the run!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cub looked like it was actually stalking, crouched low to the ground, but in reality we think it was just trying to cross the open plain and get into cover. Its mother was nowhere to be seen and it quickly crossed into the nearby bushes after being discovered by a lapwing who began to alarm call. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_CqFRDME0tH9EpU76gXLc9VJK2a3kvUuEc2dtkVwkEfrLrh5p_RSYMJwjQZequEwV6J6-J52p4-gyCQ_ACgUIF9vy95NtQZC4LUqxtmEEhG1jT-XtsiWzMH8O9CR-AbNb5DhiEIVbCkEd-xpho_9sYhIaEcnG778CPofa2LhoNTEPtrxlbyEeKAb-cQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_CqFRDME0tH9EpU76gXLc9VJK2a3kvUuEc2dtkVwkEfrLrh5p_RSYMJwjQZequEwV6J6-J52p4-gyCQ_ACgUIF9vy95NtQZC4LUqxtmEEhG1jT-XtsiWzMH8O9CR-AbNb5DhiEIVbCkEd-xpho_9sYhIaEcnG778CPofa2LhoNTEPtrxlbyEeKAb-cQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A last look before sneaking into the bushes</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once it had made its way into cover, it soon disappeared and despite a search we couldn’t locate it again. We figured it had gone into hiding, especially if the mother wasn’t around, so we left it and headed further along the river for the morning drive.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdgGSuuKAklMl8iFn7BZk2EFTcH1FhZe1XRQoAmxe4dmqZHsUaNV9lVDs42LDrUD3gyaUxBZ-DU08jzKoLxmyWw8nBJCylwBfankjdclfN8yfytf6ySOYvSoFYzn_Ewr5C4NDRS1N7ZkWYYjeTGmiWKB616CDa_VoIOgBpDJUvt10FlGUwMz6xHX2Tcg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdgGSuuKAklMl8iFn7BZk2EFTcH1FhZe1XRQoAmxe4dmqZHsUaNV9lVDs42LDrUD3gyaUxBZ-DU08jzKoLxmyWw8nBJCylwBfankjdclfN8yfytf6ySOYvSoFYzn_Ewr5C4NDRS1N7ZkWYYjeTGmiWKB616CDa_VoIOgBpDJUvt10FlGUwMz6xHX2Tcg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Helmeted guineafowls drinking</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not seeing much, we stopped around 45 minutes later to have coffee under a huge tree overlooking the river. While having our coffee, we were entertained by a herd of elephants coming down to drink from the opposite bank. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAGYnvxJuCWI7n8q2R3v6LOARNmC_KV_V_O6VuZLyE4N77KBSyzYCc67zpXz0Ki9fgEjtdbaH2b4hDFD8tFcdlOdBM7VJp5rS5ixNHX9NycfJqZaPwifZrW8Fh7-v5OHri6P7OcE3Ac54nnU7wvvteD1sTgFzBTfngflpBRIeDoPdTG-Ld_i8Y3Emf5Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAGYnvxJuCWI7n8q2R3v6LOARNmC_KV_V_O6VuZLyE4N77KBSyzYCc67zpXz0Ki9fgEjtdbaH2b4hDFD8tFcdlOdBM7VJp5rS5ixNHX9NycfJqZaPwifZrW8Fh7-v5OHri6P7OcE3Ac54nnU7wvvteD1sTgFzBTfngflpBRIeDoPdTG-Ld_i8Y3Emf5Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ellies in the Luangwa river<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">That side is not in the national park, but rather where all the lodges are situated, but for animals there are no boundaries, so the elephants came from one of the lodges, had a drink and then we watched as they crossed the shallow water and climbed up the bank, just about 50m away from us. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJktijkefFkD2Tf4TsXG4bgDF6-8TArbtZ3Wc1dYITt_bGZ5IRWnPb3yXmQQxgsiMBYt_yBFYi__LyvHafOGhpwhUzmw6q10j94lo0KCI6Kkm5vAmGYJklrS_0CWud_pGd8JOF4R_KYFJTBe0ekVd-eGSXyxy5m5CvRJFf-LJa44WOkfcKiRkwufPJig=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJktijkefFkD2Tf4TsXG4bgDF6-8TArbtZ3Wc1dYITt_bGZ5IRWnPb3yXmQQxgsiMBYt_yBFYi__LyvHafOGhpwhUzmw6q10j94lo0KCI6Kkm5vAmGYJklrS_0CWud_pGd8JOF4R_KYFJTBe0ekVd-eGSXyxy5m5CvRJFf-LJa44WOkfcKiRkwufPJig=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Time to cross the river</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After finishing coffee, we came across our first closeup of the Thornicroft giraffe - an endemic that only occurs in South Luangwa, along with its hangers on - a flock of red-billed oxpeckers.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAl0OcZaYnLowdmeM76_LmbVDvdnB33hoqT3IA3x3MXfyuMZHJ7kZMyBiwfv17Y5DdBKs0bSIvJaDqlJz5gc3NxHzERIIygZDWRgcWx08vPO1Ud_JOgE_UKptwOYGB0hGyd5LJHWVmAT9OdX7_khOKtKO5CjA7cI2Jn9cUIBm7N-19bh3kkCuiSpddtg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAl0OcZaYnLowdmeM76_LmbVDvdnB33hoqT3IA3x3MXfyuMZHJ7kZMyBiwfv17Y5DdBKs0bSIvJaDqlJz5gc3NxHzERIIygZDWRgcWx08vPO1Ud_JOgE_UKptwOYGB0hGyd5LJHWVmAT9OdX7_khOKtKO5CjA7cI2Jn9cUIBm7N-19bh3kkCuiSpddtg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Thornicroft giraffe</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We started heading back to the same open area that we’d seen the leopard cub in the hopes of catching the little cat again, but despite searching we couldn’t find it anywhere. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFTrDx5ePbIMFr_uwcRkF4BXFiK1yFXI3F8ElJkSJHRQ2O0MbqHphVXvQVjXyMie1VUqFKsJ5Z0yOHG3Ka271FYqk2CrabHvwDDolJF-PBYOSo8omRLRjE46Lx78Q9C6UMvtVWAFOdWskdM42l8faUNex0iznMnclh1kGX51Y16U-Oh9K4hQ2xIsb14w=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFTrDx5ePbIMFr_uwcRkF4BXFiK1yFXI3F8ElJkSJHRQ2O0MbqHphVXvQVjXyMie1VUqFKsJ5Z0yOHG3Ka271FYqk2CrabHvwDDolJF-PBYOSo8omRLRjE46Lx78Q9C6UMvtVWAFOdWskdM42l8faUNex0iznMnclh1kGX51Y16U-Oh9K4hQ2xIsb14w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Red-billed oxpeckers feeding on the giraffe</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead we caught sight of two elephant bulls drinking at the river, so waited for them to head back towards us, which they duly did, giving us nice headon shots from an elevated perspective on top of the cliff.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk6g_TJR-pv1U5feCy5Xu39IDYgpR3dbbPh_bYcS00LJH5hcpqxYF8GozCxAbxEoc2vNz2H2taDMHI1xvnVJksVUdiPE9zc2GgUCJdX36HjhGfyFfEatq2sfh8LIG_BoBaZX3xUOl9DJVcP2pvF6Ub8wRxzBxG772_XcBala-tbzJGBDRthOeZFHcHfA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk6g_TJR-pv1U5feCy5Xu39IDYgpR3dbbPh_bYcS00LJH5hcpqxYF8GozCxAbxEoc2vNz2H2taDMHI1xvnVJksVUdiPE9zc2GgUCJdX36HjhGfyFfEatq2sfh8LIG_BoBaZX3xUOl9DJVcP2pvF6Ub8wRxzBxG772_XcBala-tbzJGBDRthOeZFHcHfA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The big boys of the Luangwa river</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some more Creyshaw zebras and then we ran into one of the guide vehicles that told us about some lions in the opposite direction but further down the river. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMh6imTd0N-QlrGG4B2yuVH3oqYrnYkHrKD3xAmtS8rD3hhRIDwOIDN_sSHDLh7AdTpfHmIy6AmPlezOriZxho-jmJAawAk6M_rP-qAYvuTGvGQwdjDcvfZHVXwpKVRZD6jNKAGJ9EXEixI8W4qP2t4tJ9Yki6srsOyvVJTUKgXv-byZBkzPc0AYu_xw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMh6imTd0N-QlrGG4B2yuVH3oqYrnYkHrKD3xAmtS8rD3hhRIDwOIDN_sSHDLh7AdTpfHmIy6AmPlezOriZxho-jmJAawAk6M_rP-qAYvuTGvGQwdjDcvfZHVXwpKVRZD6jNKAGJ9EXEixI8W4qP2t4tJ9Yki6srsOyvVJTUKgXv-byZBkzPc0AYu_xw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Elephant head on</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had been told about some lions earlier but the directions were so vague and we were unfamiliar with the park so had not pursued it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEharLXOANhDt7l56m4zKG_-57wy0eYnVNjG3qrliDHqu4HECO1wWuQ_ylQF49PWFWzakkNNmVgygNCQNi1t3VtJwYl0sA5RDNcxPP-pU7myBjc_kJhqUkeC5AIw9wxkmMMF7-0dMz8T_bs-Wo9m2hJMdXi1StLVvPxY6kmMY1vbE85nbXzHEPZU-ZwlbQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEharLXOANhDt7l56m4zKG_-57wy0eYnVNjG3qrliDHqu4HECO1wWuQ_ylQF49PWFWzakkNNmVgygNCQNi1t3VtJwYl0sA5RDNcxPP-pU7myBjc_kJhqUkeC5AIw9wxkmMMF7-0dMz8T_bs-Wo9m2hJMdXi1StLVvPxY6kmMY1vbE85nbXzHEPZU-ZwlbQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hungry zebs</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With these more precise directions, we decided to give it a go and after getting some further info from other guides we eventually found them - sleeping…</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBzzv-hCLzGCNA0CRmFZvF4K1LZysq9G4LDmDtFko8RAeWZYe4BAKWEWElwbN38_NArKsCZ7gG9GpLtwBQparSytIhSxjiu7AvdFY9PsF9Gs_ax2GFv3EX-vulkNpv7K2n_yK0a_BuA0LbLUjFMlJIyqcj8GSPDX759XCKLuvwl30ZasuEtT0cEl5pBQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBzzv-hCLzGCNA0CRmFZvF4K1LZysq9G4LDmDtFko8RAeWZYe4BAKWEWElwbN38_NArKsCZ7gG9GpLtwBQparSytIhSxjiu7AvdFY9PsF9Gs_ax2GFv3EX-vulkNpv7K2n_yK0a_BuA0LbLUjFMlJIyqcj8GSPDX759XCKLuvwl30ZasuEtT0cEl5pBQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A poor sighting of a sleepy lion pride</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It turned out to be 3 lions - a male and 2 females - and as luck would have it, the only one that was awake and had her head up was collared. We have had a lot of frustration with collared cats as they’ve collared most of the lions and cheetahs in Malawi and they don’t make for good photos, so it was pretty disappointing to find our first lion in Zambia was also collared. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFGTs3iwd9tFnN27t7FWd4kNW6ajvjacgcxmkVku893S-YTvvMXspRVM38Qi-Dif-RMXDgFm0J7xg1WH95OZj_qj03kb1vYUA_D8hwf0CCOWjKQV-RzQAgNtP-__tRbjF6Ue9iKAjorRXe4VaRVLlFGSBXJEw_9q8NOoWXBgz1Hh6Alw29muNi0FWemg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFGTs3iwd9tFnN27t7FWd4kNW6ajvjacgcxmkVku893S-YTvvMXspRVM38Qi-Dif-RMXDgFm0J7xg1WH95OZj_qj03kb1vYUA_D8hwf0CCOWjKQV-RzQAgNtP-__tRbjF6Ue9iKAjorRXe4VaRVLlFGSBXJEw_9q8NOoWXBgz1Hh6Alw29muNi0FWemg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A puku mother with baby</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We found out later that they only collar one female per pride, so it was just our bad luck, but we only hung around for a little while before leaving. Those lions had found their spot and were going to see out the heat of the day in that shade. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaCNcrtmnAUFdfGhejPyxHuG8RrgtpXBM-0h41RsLeZoNDwGM0rEi21c6Bpgu6-KWF4hciRHYQG-yoQ-wyn2UittczKb6uk4VGbtyCv_bOkcknK8ZDb-r0HCq91zMdtMNVj1ZodARbF0O2qz1ECGoGuytROr2a1Pb0bJpS-IvlrSpUHwEiAbcY7Bnciw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaCNcrtmnAUFdfGhejPyxHuG8RrgtpXBM-0h41RsLeZoNDwGM0rEi21c6Bpgu6-KWF4hciRHYQG-yoQ-wyn2UittczKb6uk4VGbtyCv_bOkcknK8ZDb-r0HCq91zMdtMNVj1ZodARbF0O2qz1ECGoGuytROr2a1Pb0bJpS-IvlrSpUHwEiAbcY7Bnciw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Elephant wallowing in mud</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Meandering back along the river, we found the baby elephant and her herd again, before leaving through the gate back to our campsite for lunch, via the bar for a beer and to check out the animals at the waterhole. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeB1deyGjFFQ4pHNkk1P-DQbcZoRhcR1T-ZLx9X3xbXiT18p-TaqqVwJdBMhoXSdkpAJ39HiSjbvbk_yJnkY0ESc7FYRyrOX-1e0e-dhFrk8G_BaT-v3REpZpZJFR-awByWe1md-Hxn-ybITwFowAvJzj2IxqwOlpTQ-ZwV6ND78o5t0YFF4SuzQGJQg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeB1deyGjFFQ4pHNkk1P-DQbcZoRhcR1T-ZLx9X3xbXiT18p-TaqqVwJdBMhoXSdkpAJ39HiSjbvbk_yJnkY0ESc7FYRyrOX-1e0e-dhFrk8G_BaT-v3REpZpZJFR-awByWe1md-Hxn-ybITwFowAvJzj2IxqwOlpTQ-ZwV6ND78o5t0YFF4SuzQGJQg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Baby is really small.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The beauty of being at the campsite is that we can spend the heat of the day in the shade of the trees and then just before heading for the evening drive, we can have a quick shower so that you feel a bit refreshed for the afternoon. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKL4LDmBjV5PEYl64HDdICObvIXuTWw7sphe16Sz74hkyF9xWAU6wnFZZR7w1t0L72nX0OpfeBl0Wgfc9RDiD9FpuGcp3rtJPPdk5wy2ouidLuBuAtRWs0FFKSbz2BiOHYvlhEX-RR8Ai5sfntzAFGPB7AaV95pm64p60kLP-YSgsvn_5HT1dBO57q-g=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKL4LDmBjV5PEYl64HDdICObvIXuTWw7sphe16Sz74hkyF9xWAU6wnFZZR7w1t0L72nX0OpfeBl0Wgfc9RDiD9FpuGcp3rtJPPdk5wy2ouidLuBuAtRWs0FFKSbz2BiOHYvlhEX-RR8Ai5sfntzAFGPB7AaV95pm64p60kLP-YSgsvn_5HT1dBO57q-g=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bushbuck on a termite mound</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There is also a pool which most of the other campers staying there used. Surprisingly there were quite a few campers during our stay; we had assumed that it would be quieter thanks to COVID, but it was mostly people that were overlanding through Zambia from South Africa.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguZ5XtDfh3BpDnHiZNUxuyjHw5kDrIJ9bVs43eF1sp99ttjV45HFA2bOWPZd6BBjX3IA94iOz2oXbWvM_OpNVVrK2SnCm2499akzBQdVvXmSL0XiIRqaoPzkPLWPRgrb-53xaoYGGKpoX-QUjpdSagTlfODtrPKIcWizBiQ8SrLZEVZUgP7JQOQV3V3w=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguZ5XtDfh3BpDnHiZNUxuyjHw5kDrIJ9bVs43eF1sp99ttjV45HFA2bOWPZd6BBjX3IA94iOz2oXbWvM_OpNVVrK2SnCm2499akzBQdVvXmSL0XiIRqaoPzkPLWPRgrb-53xaoYGGKpoX-QUjpdSagTlfODtrPKIcWizBiQ8SrLZEVZUgP7JQOQV3V3w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">These two didn't appear to be too happy to see us!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For the afternoon drive, we decided to give the eastern side another go and headed for Luangwa Wafwa, but this time we didn’t want to go so far east. We found Mushroom lagoon, which is a really nice waterhole that houses a big pod of hippos and where elephants come to drink. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2gyb1_OI-KMZeHwpokxzru6LrJa-cMkJC4HyAFxd7TDjeha3zC2IgqnENH2BvndsK7A5pj7NB4-G-LOd6e19AlOsg6bbN-jTo70UBEaYMwk2CYI-gDosevm_rcfvk8UV51RNFG5xMM-4i1OZwpyCekoITeMyu9NWWG-l8njhC61WD7nyqQWRH2bJLXA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2gyb1_OI-KMZeHwpokxzru6LrJa-cMkJC4HyAFxd7TDjeha3zC2IgqnENH2BvndsK7A5pj7NB4-G-LOd6e19AlOsg6bbN-jTo70UBEaYMwk2CYI-gDosevm_rcfvk8UV51RNFG5xMM-4i1OZwpyCekoITeMyu9NWWG-l8njhC61WD7nyqQWRH2bJLXA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">African jacana</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">We spent quite a bit of time enjoying the animals and photographing the birds that were amongst the water hyacinth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh45Z1s-mgDli8Llhb5Q2jcG0PQqM1Fxemkox6DD07m4kU1q5QP8RySewSZY18tHV-x94zK0K60obB1YzyxhLHJ4QrnLnXLdlA8Osw8QaaW4MvVBuF40T1i-Dr52QRL-Els1sk78W3Hj_95zwNxZXbd1TcO9AGT54c6aD-atl2PfhH8cInXAlC8jiIL_g=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh45Z1s-mgDli8Llhb5Q2jcG0PQqM1Fxemkox6DD07m4kU1q5QP8RySewSZY18tHV-x94zK0K60obB1YzyxhLHJ4QrnLnXLdlA8Osw8QaaW4MvVBuF40T1i-Dr52QRL-Els1sk78W3Hj_95zwNxZXbd1TcO9AGT54c6aD-atl2PfhH8cInXAlC8jiIL_g=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Saddle-billed stork<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were at the lagoon for a while hoping that a cat would come and drink but we weren’t that lucky, so finally moved towards to the main road with the intention of crossing over into the western side for the rest of the drive as it was only 4 o’clock. </span></div></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFAtH2z9BkZisYvJx8vTZohfjnZ-chLm09LWj5xN2eaqe04GNGrxvK9rZ1-3VdFK7dm-EB8yE9Bu6c059wEn4G4Nq4S3GGbx4AyrtrKkCGZO2mwJoN832q8w3nenHmQJuH_3P5OVCrDuiHrtqEiPm5kwAotOp35O-lH9Gwm9HBXjVsMnySmeaAO7mxdQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFAtH2z9BkZisYvJx8vTZohfjnZ-chLm09LWj5xN2eaqe04GNGrxvK9rZ1-3VdFK7dm-EB8yE9Bu6c059wEn4G4Nq4S3GGbx4AyrtrKkCGZO2mwJoN832q8w3nenHmQJuH_3P5OVCrDuiHrtqEiPm5kwAotOp35O-lH9Gwm9HBXjVsMnySmeaAO7mxdQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">African Fish Eagle on mushroom lagoon.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We passed another vehicle who also hadn’t seen any predators yet either and had probably gone about 200m where there walking in the middle of the road towards us was a leopard! She must have got onto the road just after the other vehicle had passed her and we were just in the right place at the right time!</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcaG2Ne512hXMZXnSeGWZ7MJ4p6cQFjMY_tJlTxweK6ndyvALP8DnwrzhSzsiAPaVqnfuY9XH1_RLTtZwq9SAvqlA5nq_bhgSpehotjtWHV5A6H06yT9OtJ6Ax1FQE7A_7nDYjZ6bt5o6umR6SLAn2CKRsQZTdvfjXgaAlKCkirmxDLKWhIrPQz3NPGA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcaG2Ne512hXMZXnSeGWZ7MJ4p6cQFjMY_tJlTxweK6ndyvALP8DnwrzhSzsiAPaVqnfuY9XH1_RLTtZwq9SAvqlA5nq_bhgSpehotjtWHV5A6H06yT9OtJ6Ax1FQE7A_7nDYjZ6bt5o6umR6SLAn2CKRsQZTdvfjXgaAlKCkirmxDLKWhIrPQz3NPGA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">It's magic - Leopard on the road in daylight</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">She sauntered right towards us while we stopped and tried to get a few shots, before deciding to go past us on the passenger side of the car and carry on walking. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbKaE1uCLfjHY7Tahn8fgHBtXSkHX_MzaYrUuPw0t9GmYFuGhmJzJBRuPeKg0YGQWhA55R5-hbqYa0jDWJBWHImuykpZzpC57U8pls42FnQ_-E3B1JxY-JePw6wzQ8chl1D4_ie3gsc4p7MYrG6ZzfSjSFmfMFe3fuZaAi6ZbR9v5KiKBrjB2A2AptKA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbKaE1uCLfjHY7Tahn8fgHBtXSkHX_MzaYrUuPw0t9GmYFuGhmJzJBRuPeKg0YGQWhA55R5-hbqYa0jDWJBWHImuykpZzpC57U8pls42FnQ_-E3B1JxY-JePw6wzQ8chl1D4_ie3gsc4p7MYrG6ZzfSjSFmfMFe3fuZaAi6ZbR9v5KiKBrjB2A2AptKA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Deciding whether to cross the road</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We quickly made a u-turn and tried to follow her, but she soon cut into the bush and after walking for a bit longer parallel with the road she turned off and disappeared from view. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnRKCtn78aZ1EBORdHk0UnqNlcGV5IC-bOCHfl7br7ecu-_WxQP2FDWa_avbrJ2Ywh61dXZ-FQ5ruOj3mJGATKSZDRJYRdbsF-Meccd6yiMthneFl7NrFQGollrJSpIkhdWmEJgDzYdgoG0cDkFWB-ka8hsfW7f9c5TCu2-AowomZCIcw2x0moQgKimg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnRKCtn78aZ1EBORdHk0UnqNlcGV5IC-bOCHfl7br7ecu-_WxQP2FDWa_avbrJ2Ywh61dXZ-FQ5ruOj3mJGATKSZDRJYRdbsF-Meccd6yiMthneFl7NrFQGollrJSpIkhdWmEJgDzYdgoG0cDkFWB-ka8hsfW7f9c5TCu2-AowomZCIcw2x0moQgKimg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">More walking while ignoring us</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She seemed to be on a bit of a mission so we drove ahead to try and catch another glimpse of her but she was nowhere to be seen and there were no animals in the area to give her position away. We tried for a bit longer to find her, but in the end we couldn’t find her and had to give up in the end. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEStMo3RNkXE87ACBZEBcfmYwroslK2UEKENb7ROx4CLrM2EQsr54crwUlfscpfauiUdRRz3lZoOWuHxbX-it7HnjZQRovkr7ONu5PW2r4NgAVYCUOC-wxqk26oe83qfS60VTvsK2RQPWSRLWWUpFTgOljaosa6MYiqwhwViCm4Q9IKiwHT_rv2VBC7A=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEStMo3RNkXE87ACBZEBcfmYwroslK2UEKENb7ROx4CLrM2EQsr54crwUlfscpfauiUdRRz3lZoOWuHxbX-it7HnjZQRovkr7ONu5PW2r4NgAVYCUOC-wxqk26oe83qfS60VTvsK2RQPWSRLWWUpFTgOljaosa6MYiqwhwViCm4Q9IKiwHT_rv2VBC7A=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Right past the car</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Buoyed by that sighting we headed back to the western side in the hopes of catching the smaller leopard cub that we’d seen the morning, perhaps with its mother as well. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig19MCXg4lM1hEi-G8GS_X62cM34gFnqQUF9mMiTeFvJMgsQQiSCps66-rTLnCVa5i4dSb1R-3ZNeFxlFtOKQ5AEDHxlWAl0xuviknfVNtEPxSUrhH4_HHXS4QEYxDw7yE5TcuAa9E0UaDkNBvy4w4h700C9rdMgnxKar7nDbJw4eC8w_3rJgBllatlw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig19MCXg4lM1hEi-G8GS_X62cM34gFnqQUF9mMiTeFvJMgsQQiSCps66-rTLnCVa5i4dSb1R-3ZNeFxlFtOKQ5AEDHxlWAl0xuviknfVNtEPxSUrhH4_HHXS4QEYxDw7yE5TcuAa9E0UaDkNBvy4w4h700C9rdMgnxKar7nDbJw4eC8w_3rJgBllatlw=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Looking for grass on the open plains</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed to the same area that we’d seen the leopard cub but from a different road, and soon we found a bit of a traffic jam at a junction - only leopards cause traffic jams like this ;)</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7is3rbCAgIxwGrFDBhO1v5xPbvwVWBkKSjydQ_98oWLm7EJjZOE-l2gSUCvkGK-WkcoSUcN9rfmm65U0BLXxHNItAsxGqqUW9klhx5KfubscuZpEpj-Lkczk-Vm_fccnvEf405ru9pAmpjqTszsBqCYXLMWusSBtGc1eitbADs9m6WJdVoaWjYVfJTg=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7is3rbCAgIxwGrFDBhO1v5xPbvwVWBkKSjydQ_98oWLm7EJjZOE-l2gSUCvkGK-WkcoSUcN9rfmm65U0BLXxHNItAsxGqqUW9klhx5KfubscuZpEpj-Lkczk-Vm_fccnvEf405ru9pAmpjqTszsBqCYXLMWusSBtGc1eitbADs9m6WJdVoaWjYVfJTg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">That's one way to sleep</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And we were right - the little cub had found itself a tree right next to the road and was sleeping in it. The cub had chosen a really awkward spot in that only a couple of cars could see him (or her) at a time, causing a line of vehicles waiting to catch of a glimpse.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxpGB6ZUwfj5fKsBlaqVa-u4LPZ_1XXYyglr5JPPJ976T7LgkifJpkq3LX9PxHkrc-xVoqa9RfOH62rb-g4jWfxPIPtK0pKmHphAexwew9b0QV4tlJfpQlaEmRdRCdHwn_E0G_2Ap1de5xFHdgbsVhXjfSHfcvBP0MOUvF-Q01Otc0k4CeZqiiT71rxw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxpGB6ZUwfj5fKsBlaqVa-u4LPZ_1XXYyglr5JPPJ976T7LgkifJpkq3LX9PxHkrc-xVoqa9RfOH62rb-g4jWfxPIPtK0pKmHphAexwew9b0QV4tlJfpQlaEmRdRCdHwn_E0G_2Ap1de5xFHdgbsVhXjfSHfcvBP0MOUvF-Q01Otc0k4CeZqiiT71rxw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Curious cub</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually, it was our turn to see the cub as other cars moved out the way. And it was very cute - lying on the branch surrounded by leaves peeping out every now and then or snoozing, completely ignoring the cars. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg69v9OLll747cdm50hlJlbWZxax9EzPj9tSmqUw0k4gjd9xBoO8LfC7LEeKpRTkaSIB-cEiPu9b8KWe5XwLzLwMj7RIb2PndAkoDZLoXii7XVnEtgXdZI8ZPUutAxSvddsn8rtm0KnRwjxDfuS1jmX0gR6KLZejafnp0c-U-7S7FgZfWEosLqRvdp_fw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg69v9OLll747cdm50hlJlbWZxax9EzPj9tSmqUw0k4gjd9xBoO8LfC7LEeKpRTkaSIB-cEiPu9b8KWe5XwLzLwMj7RIb2PndAkoDZLoXii7XVnEtgXdZI8ZPUutAxSvddsn8rtm0KnRwjxDfuS1jmX0gR6KLZejafnp0c-U-7S7FgZfWEosLqRvdp_fw=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">We were in a good position when he finally moved</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahead of us another car was parked and refused to move, taking the dominant position. We could see why they weren’t moving - in the car were at least 3 guys with huge cameras; they were definitely trying to get the best shot. Of course, that meant the pressure was on us as we were the only other car that had a view of the cub. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9ODOePIdsk_lUymUdTgF2afjCOA-Cl__9U26JxP51awabERIs17EqbO9mci8WHKX9wa9RQmN5dQtCa1Toj1yAcOurBuOtvKdEcfADWwXTTJEOxmUn2zX6rZjvB7MZJOge3-W7abKseVvvh1UWCIwznyp8HuvRItWJSq9gJG_mqp8FrkJw6Eb4H9Fb8A=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9ODOePIdsk_lUymUdTgF2afjCOA-Cl__9U26JxP51awabERIs17EqbO9mci8WHKX9wa9RQmN5dQtCa1Toj1yAcOurBuOtvKdEcfADWwXTTJEOxmUn2zX6rZjvB7MZJOge3-W7abKseVvvh1UWCIwznyp8HuvRItWJSq9gJG_mqp8FrkJw6Eb4H9Fb8A=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Just chilling</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Luckily for a while it was quiet, with only our 2 cars there and we were able to shoot the cub in peace. But it wasn’t moving much and its face was obscured by a branch. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLP6nqOjd_j3h1mvJwwgJZarDYJMFITFBc2rFmkGv3DmbEHPqmNv16w2oYavjwxxGk6vqMdd3aTZ8IhGHyMczrqOjQ1v4y-CRuJATzvrBNWNVixwXE6oaCAkS-kz3VkN2yHIqq_RcoXeg3RUU_Mo6zqUwzHBMlcL8xr5CBgElweVNrBUNFhN2RCN8oBg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLP6nqOjd_j3h1mvJwwgJZarDYJMFITFBc2rFmkGv3DmbEHPqmNv16w2oYavjwxxGk6vqMdd3aTZ8IhGHyMczrqOjQ1v4y-CRuJATzvrBNWNVixwXE6oaCAkS-kz3VkN2yHIqq_RcoXeg3RUU_Mo6zqUwzHBMlcL8xr5CBgElweVNrBUNFhN2RCN8oBg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Getting sleepy</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But eventually, the little leopard moved a bit giving us some nice views. But predictably, other cars started to arrive and we gave way to other guests wanting to see the cub, but not before getting some nice close ups of the cute cat.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh29dZqfVzUz8q8t9pEhPT7q6x02BlNXE2Euk87LiDepd5Oh0N8hKJv8W3juzEqBIhqQrYb61W5FMaw-WhOWsZtXGBkibkPe6qACEJfZy3BeXLYjT-YE9DlLqLbOUi-Yg1V19pSLiGfX8tYO39er0tJPx-4ewiHaT7FAF0KZNMXWGLRyGGm-M5WoiA-Rg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh29dZqfVzUz8q8t9pEhPT7q6x02BlNXE2Euk87LiDepd5Oh0N8hKJv8W3juzEqBIhqQrYb61W5FMaw-WhOWsZtXGBkibkPe6qACEJfZy3BeXLYjT-YE9DlLqLbOUi-Yg1V19pSLiGfX8tYO39er0tJPx-4ewiHaT7FAF0KZNMXWGLRyGGm-M5WoiA-Rg=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The sight of the bee-eater colony</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With a queue building up to see the leopard, we decided to leave that sighting and go look for the carmine bee-eater colony. Our neighbours had told us about “hundreds of carmines” that they’d seen, but we hadn’t been able to find them yet, not that we’d been looking for it too hard. </span></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPbpmvvwF92_s3iWOFMDiUzoYttcsYsTaQMWnuOIyPvTnV6m_ho7PvRnNman3kzCroxducGx-SLtAXlePR9QYA7QV5kJGNndN5NJ4paAeee3v2gCklPyKFSHMR-7cL8fidPknp6n2v6T3ODdolIQS72Zrz0pi8HPbuLNAj9VG36IMu7pq5F7Z8yfbgjQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPbpmvvwF92_s3iWOFMDiUzoYttcsYsTaQMWnuOIyPvTnV6m_ho7PvRnNman3kzCroxducGx-SLtAXlePR9QYA7QV5kJGNndN5NJ4paAeee3v2gCklPyKFSHMR-7cL8fidPknp6n2v6T3ODdolIQS72Zrz0pi8HPbuLNAj9VG36IMu7pq5F7Z8yfbgjQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The colony on the cliff face is a must visit</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed in the general direction that we thought we’d find then and soon got to the edge of cliff at the river where we found quite a few carmines flying in the air, but a few metres further on and we found the colony - hundreds of bee-eaters perching on a fallen tree in the river along with dozens flying in the air. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpuKkwq42dkvUcu0cHt7-XmTgUCL-ivEXrWH2JFVG-TFypB8zArTXep8_ZO8fELLezPzfy_IW_132TNhOZA06LT7mz78YrApMFLkexjF7mNcuvp_4ZjlpqDG_M31uu5pWPrqp3QwMcJsVKceI6f84yty58aK5tMMG4q9E0uS8KtE45kuv7_zosakmQHg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpuKkwq42dkvUcu0cHt7-XmTgUCL-ivEXrWH2JFVG-TFypB8zArTXep8_ZO8fELLezPzfy_IW_132TNhOZA06LT7mz78YrApMFLkexjF7mNcuvp_4ZjlpqDG_M31uu5pWPrqp3QwMcJsVKceI6f84yty58aK5tMMG4q9E0uS8KtE45kuv7_zosakmQHg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Southern carmine bee-eater in flight</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">And when we parked on the edge of the cliff, we could see the actual colony - stacks of holes in the side of the cliff with bee-eaters flying in and out of the holes. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRz_Rsj1WWDPh10RCNZmYg7w56ZLRIGr-_Ebv5H3kvpg7Y6IvthyToC3tweFjJvJnD7Dti4bPKoYqw3KKBni7Q7M5JG0MlupaI6qpuMRQR4DasuDCIcWNaFmAUVPn2IOITJR3dPUPOPycUTX3g42JgptdXPYs_CnDSMsQq9rWi4Wf0afdZ5rWbc_evDQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRz_Rsj1WWDPh10RCNZmYg7w56ZLRIGr-_Ebv5H3kvpg7Y6IvthyToC3tweFjJvJnD7Dti4bPKoYqw3KKBni7Q7M5JG0MlupaI6qpuMRQR4DasuDCIcWNaFmAUVPn2IOITJR3dPUPOPycUTX3g42JgptdXPYs_CnDSMsQq9rWi4Wf0afdZ5rWbc_evDQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">It was a cloudy evening and we had left with plans to return in the sun</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The bee-eater colony, comprising of both carmines and white-throated, is a spectacular explosion of colour and sometimes they would all take off from the tree at the same time, resulting streaks of pink and green across the sky - it was absolutely spectacular but unfortunately very difficult to catch in a photo!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibQLUF-0h3qEcTrz4hV3CcN-hdG6I7AdR3yui1Am2RAmFBP6HXCHEK1gufpmQGcbABLXtnIzgxvURGNsw89WMYG9URj6hLOTYHtQkvzvJ5VPAUcyZjx-9Mp1AW431CEqOvJrnWCao4C1HD79OCMcaDzeNB8xqdm9vT8L6mw3ryAIOLa09UdpSE3UG41g=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibQLUF-0h3qEcTrz4hV3CcN-hdG6I7AdR3yui1Am2RAmFBP6HXCHEK1gufpmQGcbABLXtnIzgxvURGNsw89WMYG9URj6hLOTYHtQkvzvJ5VPAUcyZjx-9Mp1AW431CEqOvJrnWCao4C1HD79OCMcaDzeNB8xqdm9vT8L6mw3ryAIOLa09UdpSE3UG41g=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Plenty of white-fronted bee-eaters at the colony too</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was getting towards sunset and soon we needed to be out of the park, so we reluctantly left the bee-eaters and headed back out the Mfuwe gate and to our camp for the night. To locate the colony, take the first left from the Mfuwe gate on to river side road and stick to the river bank. It is very close to the gate but not visible from the main road along the river but you need to take a side track that hugs the river bank to catch the colony. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2021/10/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-1.html" target="_blank"><< Missed Day 1?</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2021/11/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-3.html" target="_blank">Catch up with Day 3>></a></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-44982863756340656452021-10-31T18:35:00.014+03:002022-01-06T11:54:50.198+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - Day 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZzitGrkkRkjmZtNB88ziC2GL0sqPKKbdPB1vXT57q4y-bUJ8AI5BU2euqznpcO9VEMn5jdWFGBnuocMkT4UdPzXl7S5SPux58s3X2FUWO5w5HmHSh2AEuyAanjepSOvp5F7zNOSgK9OQYdkcnQl0L9eLJWtd-N4tQsmw6zoIQRklcKUs6lKsLWY_Utg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZzitGrkkRkjmZtNB88ziC2GL0sqPKKbdPB1vXT57q4y-bUJ8AI5BU2euqznpcO9VEMn5jdWFGBnuocMkT4UdPzXl7S5SPux58s3X2FUWO5w5HmHSh2AEuyAanjepSOvp5F7zNOSgK9OQYdkcnQl0L9eLJWtd-N4tQsmw6zoIQRklcKUs6lKsLWY_Utg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Vultures and marabou storks fight over a buffalo carcass</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">We knew that the park opens at 6 a.m. so we were up at 5 to get sorted in time to be at the gate by opening time. It is about a 20-minute drive from the camp to the park gate and we were there at about quarter to 6. We were surprised to find that the park officials were already there and working and that the gate was open but surprisingly no vehicles were around. We had expected that they'd be a queue of cars waiting to get in but maybe a combination of the pandemic and relaxed attitude to gate times meant that we didn't need to stand in a queue.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA8erQttA1YSy4eYIU7wBWI-cHT__Do8GTdoNJHcwvgrT9FZ1GBP1g1oumBaZfs0ZN8CccWKsp_Hg6-_49bHSVEfFOdNHqDKmNxXp2Yx2dWu7tt7z3_MYzthiKcBIzHS36ygj86VDnElQDQ4Y2sd9KI-CXsYjIMOp0BIFV-BhyAsHer9ttdKrpjyO8VQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA8erQttA1YSy4eYIU7wBWI-cHT__Do8GTdoNJHcwvgrT9FZ1GBP1g1oumBaZfs0ZN8CccWKsp_Hg6-_49bHSVEfFOdNHqDKmNxXp2Yx2dWu7tt7z3_MYzthiKcBIzHS36ygj86VDnElQDQ4Y2sd9KI-CXsYjIMOp0BIFV-BhyAsHer9ttdKrpjyO8VQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Phone pic of the map on the wall - our guide to the park!<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We have had some complicated gate procedures in the past especially in East Africa so it was quite a pleasant surprise that this was a very straightforward process. All they did was pull out a permit for us and then issue a receipt for our payment. All of this took about 10 minutes and when it started taking longer than they expected, they actually let us through the gates without the permits with the idea that we would collect it when we passed that way later on. We hadn’t found a map anywhere and the gate had no map for sale but took a photo of a sketch on the wall as our only guide to the park. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitYk1bHy_a8hbM7duFPZKfijsj5JxPHdh11doJf5dvZ-VVZQ08fVbr-EAaanMNWgsVYt9mFhirusco02GQotmovIuAMp7J2KsI9fNnEBuN7bT4ZlQ-Bxvhbsjw8KsLw-aVCWsv1wwtT07-OYLX-0Lf_viRYct1GNfoOg3o8angI7MxegbAD8kPOj_rkQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitYk1bHy_a8hbM7duFPZKfijsj5JxPHdh11doJf5dvZ-VVZQ08fVbr-EAaanMNWgsVYt9mFhirusco02GQotmovIuAMp7J2KsI9fNnEBuN7bT4ZlQ-Bxvhbsjw8KsLw-aVCWsv1wwtT07-OYLX-0Lf_viRYct1GNfoOg3o8angI7MxegbAD8kPOj_rkQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bird of prey flies over our campsite</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so we were in the park.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unsure of which way to go, we decided to turn left and keep more or less to the main road until we hit the river and just generally explore. That was going well until we came across a first roadblock - a big bull elephant that didn't appear to want to get off the road. So we did the only thing you do in that situation - let him have the right of way, and we found a different less used track to circumvent him. Turned out to be quite a good idea, as we ended up in a really nice area and open plain right on the banks of the river.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc26qHSOgtlO_cxNawwJuzi-8obvIIFHZODyM0YpYKVvp6LMdhgUbhVQ4G4_nJJDN8PDXaMEUMpSL9jOCLHq3YfajXzfaUStityNGfYMinQoa6VuhXqsYZJO7zBQV7g-eoTIbnw_CzVkfipJ8BQSZzAS8FRIcEJaJQZu1hTp2AmlJRDg9yEz6ADCTvZQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc26qHSOgtlO_cxNawwJuzi-8obvIIFHZODyM0YpYKVvp6LMdhgUbhVQ4G4_nJJDN8PDXaMEUMpSL9jOCLHq3YfajXzfaUStityNGfYMinQoa6VuhXqsYZJO7zBQV7g-eoTIbnw_CzVkfipJ8BQSZzAS8FRIcEJaJQZu1hTp2AmlJRDg9yEz6ADCTvZQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Our first roadblock in the park</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unlike other river parks that we have visited, this one is somewhat unique in that one side of the river actually has a high Bank and this is where you drive along. So the river is actually quite far below you rather than lapping at your tyres. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3RLwT6vNst8JnHsG-7HPeBVdNikT-y9pVdFW9Kpm8CYSRtO-W4hP-kYF-NPIYjEeL5G5FxPorJ8yijInOlNeWtxhQR4-4WMmFE5o-qygu-l2eNMZgNyJqTcJru1MShr2jI8JM6WkOleq5tYXayI7HpInD77MufbRq_rHSbA7vo5eHqslqFNk2hPlCmw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3RLwT6vNst8JnHsG-7HPeBVdNikT-y9pVdFW9Kpm8CYSRtO-W4hP-kYF-NPIYjEeL5G5FxPorJ8yijInOlNeWtxhQR4-4WMmFE5o-qygu-l2eNMZgNyJqTcJru1MShr2jI8JM6WkOleq5tYXayI7HpInD77MufbRq_rHSbA7vo5eHqslqFNk2hPlCmw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The cliffs of the Luangwa river</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The steep banks are what draws the Southern Carmine and White-fronted bee-eaters during this time of year, as they breed in nesting cavities along the river banks and is a very popular tourist attraction for the park from August to December. In fact, we had already seen a few Carmines flying overhead and we were really excited as it had been a long time since we had seen these beautifully colourful birds.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU2PKVV6mu9r5cWZh8OylMhI3fKRy3cXkrzJHjMwSraRu92Y64LsTgT-LRWeY5LE3FWNhFwNNZqmhh9nP1tz-IpBwZJITZZQoxeLENKdl5GOL-S5UCPEk1o1DSIC7JiUJYsIbr1PMuybXfJ1Pi5gOk25wLZ75PdwTuWRgVlMZGI3eT9YElU-O17UOSrw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU2PKVV6mu9r5cWZh8OylMhI3fKRy3cXkrzJHjMwSraRu92Y64LsTgT-LRWeY5LE3FWNhFwNNZqmhh9nP1tz-IpBwZJITZZQoxeLENKdl5GOL-S5UCPEk1o1DSIC7JiUJYsIbr1PMuybXfJ1Pi5gOk25wLZ75PdwTuWRgVlMZGI3eT9YElU-O17UOSrw=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Southern Carmine bee-eater, a local special.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The open area also showed us our first puku of the trip - a medium sized plain brown antelope that is found in wet grassland so South Luangwa is ideal habitat. The last time we’d seen puku was over a decade ago in Northern Botswana, so it was nice to see them again in big numbers, and of course take a few photos of them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI-rKsJGGrXiRLK_EN-Z-_tbr8fxgc11JFAlhL5bmyIbq7ktOe-0KaxSkQ-5Fo6i3LtVayU3pgUFrBY2-C7Se-uGJJkNORximtwI9Cqo5c04ot4PNuO_RmXlKH_cb8gJeoBBrmIP_AVysUp00mjjQL4mf5BLHtLnNN79TEkSDST2sEa0VWzx-q_H6UEg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI-rKsJGGrXiRLK_EN-Z-_tbr8fxgc11JFAlhL5bmyIbq7ktOe-0KaxSkQ-5Fo6i3LtVayU3pgUFrBY2-C7Se-uGJJkNORximtwI9Cqo5c04ot4PNuO_RmXlKH_cb8gJeoBBrmIP_AVysUp00mjjQL4mf5BLHtLnNN79TEkSDST2sEa0VWzx-q_H6UEg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Our first puku since Botswana a decade ago</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since it was our first time in the park, we meandered further along the river and it is really a beautiful landscape, with riverine woodland dotted with savannah grassland. We didn’t really know where we were going, trying to follow the park map that we’d taken a photo of at the gate.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKWI4navmn7jyFqBmrcQj6X4eEoVpVuzR237setHK6QvV13h31hDeLyJKhEM0_DbZjAIKBAru8C2kCfDbcNzgs80iDiGlhuYJJNoSPeanYf0ZmjfxIYAmuQccZvlHe8pl1P3w2iIctFWSYPT3JHvV_fBjcnx3909OVEswUvnV0hI9Qy48kYtDZpzL4rw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKWI4navmn7jyFqBmrcQj6X4eEoVpVuzR237setHK6QvV13h31hDeLyJKhEM0_DbZjAIKBAru8C2kCfDbcNzgs80iDiGlhuYJJNoSPeanYf0ZmjfxIYAmuQccZvlHe8pl1P3w2iIctFWSYPT3JHvV_fBjcnx3909OVEswUvnV0hI9Qy48kYtDZpzL4rw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Spotted Hyena, busy as always<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turning down a road, we came across a hyena - our first predator of the park. Considering we’d seen so few hyenas in Malawi, it was a nice surprise to finally catch one, especially in the daytime. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnhiuNvLPk4_PWCv0Drrgd_dbIrJP7qsJHTD1rvFz-7N4wTzNjeiLSkJOfUm4Cp2rvUkiMv9iO1vDE61qjXL56w91SfUPCQwSvvh52TAHGhdtat4cGnKwHSoMTLwbWHWwgVzH1D5N-af0QCdJVVT16cd08uzVLYRAQduprocUxrV0Px3ytoiLBdq0LcA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnhiuNvLPk4_PWCv0Drrgd_dbIrJP7qsJHTD1rvFz-7N4wTzNjeiLSkJOfUm4Cp2rvUkiMv9iO1vDE61qjXL56w91SfUPCQwSvvh52TAHGhdtat4cGnKwHSoMTLwbWHWwgVzH1D5N-af0QCdJVVT16cd08uzVLYRAQduprocUxrV0Px3ytoiLBdq0LcA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Plenty of hippos in the Luangwa river</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unexpectedly, the road led us down to the river through a break in the cliff and we were able to get eye level with the water. We followed a couple of game vehicles through some thick sand right to the water’s edge came upon a float (yes, that’s the word) of crocodiles in the water, while others basked on the bank, with a few hippos thrown in for good measure. </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuxB8GYijfWoC3LJYtNs7OTN4cogUB9NLkbvUzQbcG9Di5VjdSeDfSpuMnQ3Palcyz3z8Ij1MiMt23N9U-8sTHs5Kq0biy9wYQD6R6jIAP9AIUG2FqFawRCPS9_6N4Lh7PRa1qC1fwbk_IACV_AC4rtGx2qxk8F0NHx74j2u-YZxmVhzSaOsa6yUqsJA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuxB8GYijfWoC3LJYtNs7OTN4cogUB9NLkbvUzQbcG9Di5VjdSeDfSpuMnQ3Palcyz3z8Ij1MiMt23N9U-8sTHs5Kq0biy9wYQD6R6jIAP9AIUG2FqFawRCPS9_6N4Lh7PRa1qC1fwbk_IACV_AC4rtGx2qxk8F0NHx74j2u-YZxmVhzSaOsa6yUqsJA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Too many crocs to count</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’ve never seen so many crocodiles in one place so close up and in such good light, made for some good photos. A bonus thrown in is that we saw an Orange-winged pytilia - a lifer for us and the only new bird for the trip. A herd of buffalo also came to the river to drink but left before we could get to them and only caught the tail end of them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJFpvlm_wxG-0MOvuXiTBljcXr9fEpC1di7L1PvaHVIBK3bJ7Ka3dU4DKTQ9YGbFwmk2UKFA8Cjvlt9s-yvtuV_BvWf_NTwTMd_NPbsXsbGbw92w7hwV23AJ6fOybT_sOnXeElMVL9XT6uMXRqI0Z7XxuJEpfjumzSy0XeU25ec4kvSPVzpaNMPxVfWw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJFpvlm_wxG-0MOvuXiTBljcXr9fEpC1di7L1PvaHVIBK3bJ7Ka3dU4DKTQ9YGbFwmk2UKFA8Cjvlt9s-yvtuV_BvWf_NTwTMd_NPbsXsbGbw92w7hwV23AJ6fOybT_sOnXeElMVL9XT6uMXRqI0Z7XxuJEpfjumzSy0XeU25ec4kvSPVzpaNMPxVfWw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A big fat croc basking on a sand bank.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Heading further west, we got our first sighting of the Crayshaw zebra, a subspecies to the plains zebra that is usually around, which can be found in East Zambia. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CH-zJrYmSZCKKNpkRiuSPWoIPniG0tHLmJVXfBw1lLuRbksL_1lJ4Yq7J9P3FIOCvccV5WpJQlScH27lQwQXC0d9yxFqg4DbiaMAop3h9YRNiL-4vXJgdWv4stFHAuWKwdjTl8zUpSxiJXw0yM1sAmR4J4JKgr4XYm0oVW9b9GCkIBnybx2W0Nzm7Q=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CH-zJrYmSZCKKNpkRiuSPWoIPniG0tHLmJVXfBw1lLuRbksL_1lJ4Yq7J9P3FIOCvccV5WpJQlScH27lQwQXC0d9yxFqg4DbiaMAop3h9YRNiL-4vXJgdWv4stFHAuWKwdjTl8zUpSxiJXw0yM1sAmR4J4JKgr4XYm0oVW9b9GCkIBnybx2W0Nzm7Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Poor baby hippo has lost his ear</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We kept traveling west until we got to Chichele hill, which was the western most section of the Mfuwe area. We didn’t see too much there except a lodge, but stopped for a few animals, when suddenly we heard the baboons start to alarm call. We retraced our steps to find a big male baboon in a tree shouting like mad while looking downwards into the bush. It took us a while to work out what the cause of the ruckus was, but eventually we caught a glimpse through the bushes - leopard!</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiDFclDZsxfyiMWmEM_vEsaWxPyAyUUnhfM6dVqDDOC9TxrKsWw10lc7hkOTLoK0YGPbb1T4zlh56CPfNQMGSBrS4jvNrzDYKY1KwLE0xzRuCmB8Vfatmw8YJbjAnBYqPNYpBowoLwu1Rd687KEGNQQVw8PJgXuDhK-4icBDVXC2KBzITctPrOnlU6IA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiDFclDZsxfyiMWmEM_vEsaWxPyAyUUnhfM6dVqDDOC9TxrKsWw10lc7hkOTLoK0YGPbb1T4zlh56CPfNQMGSBrS4jvNrzDYKY1KwLE0xzRuCmB8Vfatmw8YJbjAnBYqPNYpBowoLwu1Rd687KEGNQQVw8PJgXuDhK-4icBDVXC2KBzITctPrOnlU6IA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">First sighting of the Crayshaw zebra</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately he didn’t stick around for long and slunk into the bush, all the while the baboons were still alarming. We drove around the grove that he’d disappeared into but he never made another appearance, and eventually even the baboons lost interest. We decided that was probably our cue to give up as well - it was getting hot and we figured he wouldn’t be moving any time soon.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFX_ixWAdiU2qd4HaANptMboy9xdSXBvNp9SOz9FA9ZU0jCLL03JTYZ3EP0CKQ5n-_aeswBJuVlN9nr2KZ_Mzz7DUyRaMNbaEAt_L0IcTKCVK1Vdd-dAdbEPt6ZGKXefI91U_adTPhNPI4H--A2sCChl2c1N-YdoT8UpegfTZetRdMGHj5FSB8ckP_TA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFX_ixWAdiU2qd4HaANptMboy9xdSXBvNp9SOz9FA9ZU0jCLL03JTYZ3EP0CKQ5n-_aeswBJuVlN9nr2KZ_Mzz7DUyRaMNbaEAt_L0IcTKCVK1Vdd-dAdbEPt6ZGKXefI91U_adTPhNPI4H--A2sCChl2c1N-YdoT8UpegfTZetRdMGHj5FSB8ckP_TA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Orange-winged pytilia - a lifer for us</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since we’d done the drive along the river in the morning, we cut back through the main road just to become more familiar with the park, but it was definitely not as picturesque as the river drive. Eventually we cut back towards the river when we finally figured out where we were and then carried on towards the gate. It was getting onto midday and since we had such a nice campsite, we’d thought it would be nice to rather have lunch there under the trees than in the heat of the car. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Uh9LqBII0GTlAhTcqdKVWWfV5rzrLTIJocMo1A2WI2PzpcDkkJBJBPvSGYN6WKtdQKJjBBCEMzj-koFnVt4MvBTN7IR2hdIMD1ySjKjvCg7cJI8MITB_niHSu4IRoIHcvg7dlIwcAwwYOudDg-DXSmFeIpWHuCn1fZEe9WoTiNtasPquklyQ8cHxHQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Uh9LqBII0GTlAhTcqdKVWWfV5rzrLTIJocMo1A2WI2PzpcDkkJBJBPvSGYN6WKtdQKJjBBCEMzj-koFnVt4MvBTN7IR2hdIMD1ySjKjvCg7cJI8MITB_niHSu4IRoIHcvg7dlIwcAwwYOudDg-DXSmFeIpWHuCn1fZEe9WoTiNtasPquklyQ8cHxHQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A view from our campsite of elephants drinking</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so a mini tradition started - get back to the wildlife camp, head to the bar and have a couple of lunch beers before heading to our campsite for lunch. The lodge also has 2 hides, one near the bar and one near the campsite which we wanted to check out. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNwLa9BxjqNW3QB7aw3-2FL2HysIQEGH2MY1mUcaPOJjwvOveiCIGp1zvPjyGwQWJL-1p-txjjlJ1TJ-KqQ4nQ7cyFKGoWCUQnDiWo0Ucri9KIeVuxGFNcti5_AEENzbczn1c2QZYzRt3ES8YW-n9bWEf9sKRHfvrJtIaQ-WRPvvhDOk6boKjy7fY3tA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNwLa9BxjqNW3QB7aw3-2FL2HysIQEGH2MY1mUcaPOJjwvOveiCIGp1zvPjyGwQWJL-1p-txjjlJ1TJ-KqQ4nQ7cyFKGoWCUQnDiWo0Ucri9KIeVuxGFNcti5_AEENzbczn1c2QZYzRt3ES8YW-n9bWEf9sKRHfvrJtIaQ-WRPvvhDOk6boKjy7fY3tA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ground level hides at the camp offer great opportunities.</span> <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately the bar hide was being occupied by baboons when we got there, so we went to check out the back one near the campsite. We got there just in time for a few elephants to arrive, which gave us some close up photos of drinking elephants.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgOxhKPdh1Qfe-cbMjmUlNBL5mEJSet9S9F70SAjwdt6oYfn4SY0jJv5N7BMroAcRlUhUWCFfaa01bxGRpWZJt547D06kCIQi1zlq8Ptqo7Ya_2eFP2Lk2s6MWj7ShtmQx9nAcdcrM-f3lNKp0uIFSPRCtIDxkA2CHE2kjgl6RIw_VYKK3fT8UDNM6yw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgOxhKPdh1Qfe-cbMjmUlNBL5mEJSet9S9F70SAjwdt6oYfn4SY0jJv5N7BMroAcRlUhUWCFfaa01bxGRpWZJt547D06kCIQi1zlq8Ptqo7Ya_2eFP2Lk2s6MWj7ShtmQx9nAcdcrM-f3lNKp0uIFSPRCtIDxkA2CHE2kjgl6RIw_VYKK3fT8UDNM6yw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The hide behind campsite offers ground level views.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The elephant action continued as we enjoyed a herd coming to drink at the river in front of our camp while we were having lunch. We relaxed around the campsite in the heat of the day (and it was hot!!) before heading back to the park for the evening drive. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguzZpd02UIe9fpgLHHQeRZLd1EjlH__dnaIaRJ6Ae9t4wQJAs693uiCzN_HXlj3q5lFkkk9SMifqg0Jg9-vKyllegLAF2p0ukmnyPITgUGHiL1_w3FPcRelt1zBAGRDPKOj_ZD1HAYnbmP8Y2ZcjNc4kHv7CBPbj1W97Gkx7Bz9kjNKff9b0avq40zEA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguzZpd02UIe9fpgLHHQeRZLd1EjlH__dnaIaRJ6Ae9t4wQJAs693uiCzN_HXlj3q5lFkkk9SMifqg0Jg9-vKyllegLAF2p0ukmnyPITgUGHiL1_w3FPcRelt1zBAGRDPKOj_ZD1HAYnbmP8Y2ZcjNc4kHv7CBPbj1W97Gkx7Bz9kjNKff9b0avq40zEA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sometimes the elephants at the hide were too close!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As we’d done the western side of the park in the morning, we wanted to explore the smaller eastern side, so after entering the gate we passed by the famous Mfuwe lodge (that has elephants walking through their reception during Marula season) and turned right on to the Norman Carr drive to explore that area.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCINgrEQ9GdKdvQMg3fgVtBuT-wF9oep-D0Ks_4Aj_1x8GnxKldaH9rS_-RspRneLW1tXQODuMUkeRWNHojBNNDp54E2-3kCGBVlKswahja1vaWsrPiTNJibZvFOEsUOnw9Eqe_qEoy_65M7U3HGnTzwHhuHSH3j4jb6H78aH3qLDmBGb1eQLuCDWXMA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCINgrEQ9GdKdvQMg3fgVtBuT-wF9oep-D0Ks_4Aj_1x8GnxKldaH9rS_-RspRneLW1tXQODuMUkeRWNHojBNNDp54E2-3kCGBVlKswahja1vaWsrPiTNJibZvFOEsUOnw9Eqe_qEoy_65M7U3HGnTzwHhuHSH3j4jb6H78aH3qLDmBGb1eQLuCDWXMA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Yellow-billed stork in flight</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We meandered through a forested area past the Mushroom lodge, before finding a clearing that opened onto the river on one side and a big waterhole at Luangwa Wafwa. The waterhole was particularly interesting as we found scores of pelicans in the water, as well as half a dozen grey-crowned cranes, an elegant and beautifully coloured bird. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN0GCzq5kzh4xk3mKasP0QKccsO9BSpc_7JIEIhMRX04WXAwptrW6gM8EWsbbQfWhVx5NWZOtucGWEQ5tCL8T79eVE2_GIYXn0Z9srq8ZOptgpwpty_JfZism1QC2s-ORfT0sTx-_9IenMGheIrqypTIOWUdhbPVSxi_jW6zwipwr64_mQmX6Ydemlsw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN0GCzq5kzh4xk3mKasP0QKccsO9BSpc_7JIEIhMRX04WXAwptrW6gM8EWsbbQfWhVx5NWZOtucGWEQ5tCL8T79eVE2_GIYXn0Z9srq8ZOptgpwpty_JfZism1QC2s-ORfT0sTx-_9IenMGheIrqypTIOWUdhbPVSxi_jW6zwipwr64_mQmX6Ydemlsw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grey crowned cranes.</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And amongst all the birds, camouflaged by the mud was a wallowing hyena, who was resting near the carcass of a buffalo that had died from being stuck in the mud. We only managed to catch sight of him thanks to the white-backed vultures flying down to the carcass, he was just so well hidden! We spent quite a bit of time with the vultures, the pelicans and the hyena before continuing on to explore the area.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0ysN5LJhpGcTNR7Gu-SuwHGfDRGum799owj698H2EpbxySaASDQpKK32TKsWwAKjWZ9sjVuGMtaMpE6xXYxt6YGVgtCpXJs6eZ2V0TBLyyK8JRPtxd_OqQpdDxlbwiEuZegMgXz013jIhzDVESi4hRrzBW-Z37zM4nsu6e0aFvWSMbP6gc-KTYODoEA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0ysN5LJhpGcTNR7Gu-SuwHGfDRGum799owj698H2EpbxySaASDQpKK32TKsWwAKjWZ9sjVuGMtaMpE6xXYxt6YGVgtCpXJs6eZ2V0TBLyyK8JRPtxd_OqQpdDxlbwiEuZegMgXz013jIhzDVESi4hRrzBW-Z37zM4nsu6e0aFvWSMbP6gc-KTYODoEA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Great white pelican landing on water</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The main attraction is the Luangwa Wafwa, a horseshoe dry riverbed adjacent to the river and although it looked promising it didn’t deliver anything exciting except for a small herd of elephants. </span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_VBVeNj1dv91XUasLLYKmYh59kM0d0JJtmujVtU8PlB6kjRc-lqEorGzepN_F7Fbpq5WO7fxNBiQp7w777-_b5OCTgezcuTaUq8kFO6bkFTsm_l5FHUGhVwM7zOA-Qcz-S0HuHtuT7y4_GmHjhEmK0q8dyXBAqwlYVINZUXts0k9YmZ7SpXQ2AZkP_Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_VBVeNj1dv91XUasLLYKmYh59kM0d0JJtmujVtU8PlB6kjRc-lqEorGzepN_F7Fbpq5WO7fxNBiQp7w777-_b5OCTgezcuTaUq8kFO6bkFTsm_l5FHUGhVwM7zOA-Qcz-S0HuHtuT7y4_GmHjhEmK0q8dyXBAqwlYVINZUXts0k9YmZ7SpXQ2AZkP_Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Caked in mud, staying close to a kill.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove all the way north towards Lion camp, but besides a lovely waterhole that was devoid of animals there didn’t seem to be anything that appealed to us, so we headed back south and eventually decided to cross the main road back to where we had driven in the morning for the last bit of our drive before we had to leave the park.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEHSnhdOImnv1XtZZTDANJNnpvj1sNVUvbKNG_0RVDbWPAPiPfIjP4oB9Orc1utt-ce8GZIiqComO7-9NicxWr9dsm_fSAuk81W3uP9ij96tlc2sB9ukl8vMOkavtF8bX310WraForWpxvcMid7kE5-y9ytqaMf5K06h3YqsoL1czToG5zj1a9zE0hdw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEHSnhdOImnv1XtZZTDANJNnpvj1sNVUvbKNG_0RVDbWPAPiPfIjP4oB9Orc1utt-ce8GZIiqComO7-9NicxWr9dsm_fSAuk81W3uP9ij96tlc2sB9ukl8vMOkavtF8bX310WraForWpxvcMid7kE5-y9ytqaMf5K06h3YqsoL1czToG5zj1a9zE0hdw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Plenty of pelicans at Wafwa.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We came across a big lagoon near the river that had a herd of elephants, including one of the smallest elephants that we’d seen - he looked like he had been born quite recently. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0kxuP5L1-32OlNdTqDkF22U3rGlXyumlVKGL-7q5K2XvPZGBgpLr1MZwPtoL8wJcWygXVDCAKuVCEa-5p9sJzxbogW0Tp6aZ3o9J0AS882lvjPfEV9-s7Cw3As3sJBJkEzmer5W56P-edJShmzjtf1t1P_ZkUHmxQUKWCd19lM_v8bbF3_vzHWKnMaA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0kxuP5L1-32OlNdTqDkF22U3rGlXyumlVKGL-7q5K2XvPZGBgpLr1MZwPtoL8wJcWygXVDCAKuVCEa-5p9sJzxbogW0Tp6aZ3o9J0AS882lvjPfEV9-s7Cw3As3sJBJkEzmer5W56P-edJShmzjtf1t1P_ZkUHmxQUKWCd19lM_v8bbF3_vzHWKnMaA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Fishing pelicans</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We passed by our camping neighbours and they told us that they hadn’t seen much in the afternoon except plenty of bee-eaters. We’d only seen a few bee-eaters so we drove to the river edge in the hopes of catching some more of these beautiful birds.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtX7VvqYZ6hhHaDVaK654fC44n1NmWkovPy8DcWAeWGP5PGzpAx6xzIPP5HF-D-Wxb80YzpviUdKCPQi1KvBQWo6leWCfBptzGlOhc6jB2Q6LH-VFLawzXZM1ca_bAJzwP7I0wVrQIa09jS5O7qW1ghAZZCIEsU_4aylwXTiEPKX7BEMzywLImS6m2-Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtX7VvqYZ6hhHaDVaK654fC44n1NmWkovPy8DcWAeWGP5PGzpAx6xzIPP5HF-D-Wxb80YzpviUdKCPQi1KvBQWo6leWCfBptzGlOhc6jB2Q6LH-VFLawzXZM1ca_bAJzwP7I0wVrQIa09jS5O7qW1ghAZZCIEsU_4aylwXTiEPKX7BEMzywLImS6m2-Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Yellow billed storks.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Stopping at the cliff of the river, it was shortly after that we heard the alarm call of a monkey. Hearing alarm calls always gets us excited and we figured that it was coming from the direction we’d just been, so we quickly headed back that way and soon came onto the same lagoon we’d been to but the other end of it. Now we could see the monkeys and they were still alarm calling, but they were joined by some guineafowl, also alarming. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8Bgy_pLRHeFBfEmZujfXWZNzz94zGEpK_RFdFo3e04tTYDMonFYpNfm1LjbMnNMl8E7FrmTZT3hkzbdYG_eJIbzAcQbBmi2NrDg1b7CDfELNrhZNm1wWcREuvLZUusFlbzs4oTdr7P9OyIJOPPrwFFhFeA2vvEpBQ9cnK89XC6Sc0geLaWrHJr66roA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8Bgy_pLRHeFBfEmZujfXWZNzz94zGEpK_RFdFo3e04tTYDMonFYpNfm1LjbMnNMl8E7FrmTZT3hkzbdYG_eJIbzAcQbBmi2NrDg1b7CDfELNrhZNm1wWcREuvLZUusFlbzs4oTdr7P9OyIJOPPrwFFhFeA2vvEpBQ9cnK89XC6Sc0geLaWrHJr66roA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ellies were plenty and common but not in large herds.</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We know that guinea fowls tend to mob a cat if that’s the predator and once we found the birds, the cat was revealed - leopard! In the dusk light, she was hard to see as she was lying flat drinking from the lagoon. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOlv-lzPaxT8JYOwWw1bRZ8dhkQ5OIJwuSNDnNghxB4dnfDzzBzRO0LUzL_ghJKcYv8rq7UUlRma6s2KrLn2B0OK6G7fHbCl40odpXJn4HvlsfQ38P4uj2-UGPDTVc-AtgYYopgPFZsDvn1WugonTbrfd9_8PNy4-Em3yHhAoNkPyFs4eqDsevbbuZ4w=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOlv-lzPaxT8JYOwWw1bRZ8dhkQ5OIJwuSNDnNghxB4dnfDzzBzRO0LUzL_ghJKcYv8rq7UUlRma6s2KrLn2B0OK6G7fHbCl40odpXJn4HvlsfQ38P4uj2-UGPDTVc-AtgYYopgPFZsDvn1WugonTbrfd9_8PNy4-Em3yHhAoNkPyFs4eqDsevbbuZ4w=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">White-backed vulture coming in to land</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was amusing to watch her completely ignoring the guinea fowls while they shouted their heads off, but eventually she had drunk her fill and sauntered off while the birds followed her as she disappeared into the bush. A great sighting to end our first day in South Luangwa!</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDPih4843Xila3-lrSn_q8uSCooJICaLKcHCzUmVI8p5IhOtnRn4OnQY_w3dvAbWA1BDIMdqsWWqIKJ8SOXN6Mz2zL27f5olmH_ERHFyCaOOazr1E1cYJduGHuyzJrr7qAitIzcnkj5g8GWhOAohOnv90QjF1AUfcLg0KKc7Om8fqDabwDi2BqXeCZcA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDPih4843Xila3-lrSn_q8uSCooJICaLKcHCzUmVI8p5IhOtnRn4OnQY_w3dvAbWA1BDIMdqsWWqIKJ8SOXN6Mz2zL27f5olmH_ERHFyCaOOazr1E1cYJduGHuyzJrr7qAitIzcnkj5g8GWhOAohOnv90QjF1AUfcLg0KKc7Om8fqDabwDi2BqXeCZcA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Leopard, nailed on the first day by some excellent tracking. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, did I mention that it is hot in Zambia in November? It’s really, really hot at the end of October as it's just before the rainy season starts - hot and humid. Which makes it extremely difficult to move without sweating, even in the night. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKNT65bEMR4rseL04yfRl9qCjNIEo9uDh2noiZdLmDjqCTvPJI6yDi3JJ_dAbrZYY-GKQmke_OlK3rpaunAkpuQUUP9Kj1dAie2Ni-rSNYDznEJW3vKGZ1e9zhaTpb6_Y_kTRctH479I4f5SuKJA0DufKT6DOjmSah4HC9SIVcWjTFsJT8b6FRsZpgQQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKNT65bEMR4rseL04yfRl9qCjNIEo9uDh2noiZdLmDjqCTvPJI6yDi3JJ_dAbrZYY-GKQmke_OlK3rpaunAkpuQUUP9Kj1dAie2Ni-rSNYDznEJW3vKGZ1e9zhaTpb6_Y_kTRctH479I4f5SuKJA0DufKT6DOjmSah4HC9SIVcWjTFsJT8b6FRsZpgQQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">A quick look in poor light before she moved off</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have adapted our roof tent by putting in a mosquito net so that all the sides can be opened completely, but even so it’s hard to sleep in the tent. Combine that with the noises around the campsite thanks to hippos and elephants and even the predators, sleep is quite difficult, but worth the loss for such an awesome view ;)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUfykYKDcdK4BRhhJ-LclTpnsFjKExMkC-ZL-0alspPQxHIsvP6XRV73sHXRlqG4-Ts7-Ovwi73WpVf1x4qZrGZl2pRBuJN0ouUnnc8JrwgT3zmZnC2oV2v6tJyCFFZODpRxEa1NGBFIir8_KKKtv0K3zPc3NlITK6nItBm13cilRGeEPZBRferUDwkg=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUfykYKDcdK4BRhhJ-LclTpnsFjKExMkC-ZL-0alspPQxHIsvP6XRV73sHXRlqG4-Ts7-Ovwi73WpVf1x4qZrGZl2pRBuJN0ouUnnc8JrwgT3zmZnC2oV2v6tJyCFFZODpRxEa1NGBFIir8_KKKtv0K3zPc3NlITK6nItBm13cilRGeEPZBRferUDwkg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hyena keeps a beady eye on a vulture as he passes by</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2021/10/south-luangwa-np-zambia-place-of.html" target="_blank"><< Missed the Intro?</a></span></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><a href="https://anthilltiger.blogspot.com/2021/11/south-luangwa-np-zambia-day-2.html" target="_blank">Head on to Day 2>></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1766763198260713906.post-21060807061762448072021-10-30T18:11:00.009+03:002021-12-29T18:47:28.904+03:00South Luangwa NP, Zambia - the place of leopards<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia0gRQGC0ZIbaNlO74zSlGKKLAkQVqe0JVjaVsIPbcpLJixju5LXBBG65MUjU6iWAZ4rIriTX1YyfffIklLDkEkc1TrBCiZOB02tr3sm2rBP1IHuooU9Xpg9V1eqNgtdHgpvFOzT24S2FOJnU8Qs7Zgibuy7VQJNQbXvSA2qAuw61lJZbPMLU0raPj_Q=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia0gRQGC0ZIbaNlO74zSlGKKLAkQVqe0JVjaVsIPbcpLJixju5LXBBG65MUjU6iWAZ4rIriTX1YyfffIklLDkEkc1TrBCiZOB02tr3sm2rBP1IHuooU9Xpg9V1eqNgtdHgpvFOzT24S2FOJnU8Qs7Zgibuy7VQJNQbXvSA2qAuw61lJZbPMLU0raPj_Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Luangwa river in the dry.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zambia had been on our mind ever since we moved to Malawi. Unfortunately for us the COVID pandemic had put a stop to any travel internationally so we had been spending most of our time traveling in-country, but finally the pandemic was starting to lessen and we decided to take a chance and head to South Luangwa in Zambia.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5a0d831d-7fff-e0fb-68b1-a4bdafcab146" style="font-family: verdana;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">South Luangwa is known for its high density of leopards as well as its packs of wild dogs, so that was our target for this trip. Having not seen leopards in quite a while because Liwonde doesn't have them, we were especially looking forward to catching some good sightings of this spotted cat. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traveling internationally is a bit more complicated now than before the pandemic, including having a COVID test before we left Malawi and before we got back into Malawi. The Thursday before we were to leave we headed to the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to do our COVID tests. The testing process is reasonably straightforward but for an awkward payment system where you get a number and stand in a queue but the numbers don’t necessarily follow a sequence and there appeared to be multiples of the same numbers. Obtaining the results appears by the far the most complex part of this where you need to front up at the laboratory with paper work or alternatively delegate to someone else. If you are on a flight the results are emailed but otherwise you need to pick it up in person. There is also a reasonably complicated process of obtaining your COVID certificate which required visiting the District Health Office and a lot of patience and some luck. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We was still not sure of how long it would take us to cross the border but we knew it was going to take at least eight hours of driving so Saturday morning we were up at 4 to make sure we could get on the road by 5:30. In Malawi the sun has already risen by 5 so we didn't have to worry about driving in the dark. And luckily we did decide to leave that early because the border crossing took a lot longer than we anticipated. - a whole 2 and 1/2 hours! </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We made good time to the Mchinji border after stopping briefly in Dedza and Lilongwe, Getting there around lunch time only to be told that because it was lunch time no one could help us, a really curious thing considering that the board is open 24/7! Finally after lunch we had movement but the delays continued, this time it turned out it was actually a printer error and they couldn't get some document printed so it was up to the IT department to get it fixed, which took about 45 minutes! And that was the easy border!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Malawian border is where you need to enter vehicle details in the all important logbook and apply for a temporary export permit (TEP) for which you need to obtain a police clearance certificate in advance at Lilongwe or Blantyre. The TEP doubles as your gate pass to leave Malawi and needs to be surrendered on return and exchanged for a gate pass on re-entry to Malawi so keep this paper work safe. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so it took another hour and a half to pay for all the various fees on the Zambian side which include third party insurance and local council taxes (both payable in Zambian Kwacha) and a carbon tax (payable in US Dollars). Luckily the Visa processing was a lot more straightforward and finally we managed to get out into the Zambian side about two and a half hours after we arrived from the Malawi side. And not 2 km down the road there is a military checkpoint to make sure that you have your insurance and other paperwork!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interestingly plenty of Malawians and Zambians cross the border for what appears to be routine errands (such as shopping!) without having to show passports, COVID certificates or paying any of the fees applicable to tourists. The main town on the Zambian side, Chitapa is well serviced with a Shoprite and other amenities. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Luangwa River is an easy 2 hour drive from Chitapa on a sealed but potholed road with very little traffic. The gateway to the park is a tiny town of Mfuwe of which the main feature is the international airport. The Luangwa river is actually 25 KMS from Mfuwe and there is a small village with basic village style shops. Even getting a tyre changed is the old fashioned manual way and don’t expect to buy anything but the basics such as local fruit and veg. There are up to 50 lodges dotted up and down the river bordering the national park. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4FmzrUArKQApoCbCJNYiIW3-68zTJzWRa83Tn4Xpw34Xj5JAbcUf4MDViQgGnjzVl2tUZRPxNBjkMrtyXqqFh5oY9aXVqqpbSJXtWxHoFNgFmq6woE5D8CdXXlTiQXlv72DsyrKaT0mZ2zOal2AFVr4JSVscpHhPtO1Rnf13k8rW3ZXuQ3Jbe18a2_A=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4FmzrUArKQApoCbCJNYiIW3-68zTJzWRa83Tn4Xpw34Xj5JAbcUf4MDViQgGnjzVl2tUZRPxNBjkMrtyXqqFh5oY9aXVqqpbSJXtWxHoFNgFmq6woE5D8CdXXlTiQXlv72DsyrKaT0mZ2zOal2AFVr4JSVscpHhPtO1Rnf13k8rW3ZXuQ3Jbe18a2_A=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Last catch - fisherman share the river with wildlife.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is only one bridge over the Luangwa river, at the park office and entrance to the park. Some of the lodges are said to have causeway access which we couldn’t verify but did note lodges parking their game drive vehicles on the park side of the river and ferrying guests for game drives and so avoiding the long drive over the bridge. There are only 2 camps that accommodate self campers, Croc River and Wildlife Camp. Wildlife camp is by far the better set up with the campsite set away from the main lodge. There are animals including lions, elephant, leopard and buffalo wandering around the lodgers requiring caution despite being on the other side of the national park. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So thanks to the delay at the border it was actually almost dark by the time we finally reached Mfuwe. This is the town that is just outside the South Luangwa National Park and it is where we were going to be staying for the next 7 days. Most of the lodges are actually outside the park but luckily they straddle the Luangwa river so the location is really awesome which is what we found when we drove into our campsite for the night at Wildlife camp.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqszPtVShUDjZqHjxJ3yLEOOgx_pxLLPcsRC5eg1XmKpjK9LsiWPujT1xLwsLnh8F4W4yGJMB2d5GVWb3ZGROvzhVOds-ks3i3enosOIFfrXZAFQI4jq9BRJZRvjdmkIMflTqtuksjsAoT6pnaBQVnr7t5J1zpyfJhcsaSXJvWaGwxwtHLDHaCJBWMWQ=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqszPtVShUDjZqHjxJ3yLEOOgx_pxLLPcsRC5eg1XmKpjK9LsiWPujT1xLwsLnh8F4W4yGJMB2d5GVWb3ZGROvzhVOds-ks3i3enosOIFfrXZAFQI4jq9BRJZRvjdmkIMflTqtuksjsAoT6pnaBQVnr7t5J1zpyfJhcsaSXJvWaGwxwtHLDHaCJBWMWQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hard to beat the view from Campsite #6, Wildlife Camp.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is probably one of the prettiest campsites we have ever stayed at. We got there just as the sun was going down and we were able to sit right on the banks of the river watching the hippos and the pukus grazing. There are a number of campsites at Wildlife camp and in our opinion the campsite that we were able to get was the best - No 7- thanks to us booking in advance. There are 4 campsites that are right on the river edge and then about five or six others set further back. These campsites have electrical power points, a boma and light so it is much more luxurious than we are used to! </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hadn't been sure about the diesel situation seeing as how there is only one petrol station nearby and we had been warned that it could run out of fuel, so we first needed to get 2 jerry cans of diesel which went into our little beach tent that we had erected, along with our jerry can of water. That would stay there for our trip, freeing up space in the back of our bakkie. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since we had already prepared dinner, it was just an easy case of making chicken rolls rather than trying to cook. And we quickly realized any cooking was going to be a mission since it was swelteringly hot in South Luangwa. Just putting up the roof tent left us in a bath of sweat! Still, it was great to finally be in South Luangwa and we cracked open a beer against a hippo chorus backdrop full of excitement about what the next week would bring. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And just as a welcome, we heard a leopard sawing near our campsite. We were told later that there were actually 2 leopards spotted walking around in the night near the lodge bar! That’s a real exciting promise for our trip!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvGdW1TTvLoabqnyLzoVrFeHe0kdX5AetQs1DqSYP3dJsI8QP5wOh959H9mwEp06utY50bcRStjiA-vvyY26e6O8SZUN0vJOWqra_ceIo7XcaIkJ0uyonTShUAWuKjAuSqnLn6JQAOM-EUXi1FFuCNbLXGrZlyEUFcx_46cIaAUjBMK-yxXTJ4FGg1cA=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvGdW1TTvLoabqnyLzoVrFeHe0kdX5AetQs1DqSYP3dJsI8QP5wOh959H9mwEp06utY50bcRStjiA-vvyY26e6O8SZUN0vJOWqra_ceIo7XcaIkJ0uyonTShUAWuKjAuSqnLn6JQAOM-EUXi1FFuCNbLXGrZlyEUFcx_46cIaAUjBMK-yxXTJ4FGg1cA=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Camp site comes with a small boma, light, electric point and braai spot.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Anthill Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819226385548939273noreply@blogger.com0