It was up and at ’em early this morning for another game drive in the park. This time an early morning one to hopefully see some cats. Because everyone came this morning, we were in two 4X4s. It’s kind of like any two sailboats on the horizon being a race – well, any two 4X4 groups on a game drive each try and out do each other on what they see.
We got the river route again in the route lottery and so headed down to the river. It seemed everyone had left town. Not an elephant in sight. Seems they head to higher ground during the night and don’t come back down til the next evening. Some further examination revealed that there was in fact some life there. What looked to be boulders in the river were in fact hippos! (“Rosie”s to Gillian). And there were even some out of the water grazing on a nearby island.
I’m not a birder, but two of our travelling companions are, so the enthusiasm rubs off. There are so many varieties and although they weren’t fanatical about it, there was quite a lot of discussion about what variety each discovery was. Of course, I remember none of it. I wish I’d had time to blur the background of the beautiful lilac-breasted whatever but they don’t sit still very long!
Throughout the park, there is evidence of the cycle of life. Here is an elephant skull and an impala horns and skull.
Our driver/guide, Sandile was having a rare break from the driving as a passenger in one of the 4X4s this morning. Innocent was in our 4X4. They were with us every step of the way throughout the journey, to make sure that Intrepid’s safety standards are met.
We eventually lost track of the other 4X4 and just went on our own merry way. Every time our guide found us some interesting stuff, one of the group would say, “but what about the leopard?” Each meeting on the road of another 4X4 resulted in the same discussion. No one had seen one. Then as we were going down a road, our guide said, “leopard at 3 o’clock”. At first we thought, yeah, right. But then we too saw it. It was too far away to get great pictures, but we were able to watch it go for quite a few minutes. Then it was off into the bush.
We were supposed to meet up with the other 4X4 for tea and cookies in the safety zone (which was just a designated open area no fence or anything, less than a kilometer from where we’d seen the leopard) and we waited to gloat to say we’d seen the leopard. But they didn’t show up. Off looking for more birds, no doubt.
So that’s it. The Big 5. Tick. My ring purchased in Cape Town brought me luck.
After our morning drive we headed back to the lodge and then out to get some money exchanged in Kasane. We had a bit of down time (sadly lacking on the tour) and then we headed out for a tour of the park, this time by boat. It was a great way to see the wildlife from a different angle, and up close. The driver was painfully fastidious about pointing out all sorts of birds, while the rest of us were getting a little frustrated with not seeing some hippos up close. But seems they leave the river in the evening. We did find a couple still left though and spend some time waiting for them to raise their heads from the water or to turn in our direction. Unfortunately no typical open mouth yawn or laugh.
We watching the elephants for a long time crossing over the river to the island or back. We were worried about the little ones swimming across and getting up the steep bank, but no need to worry as there were lots of helping hands, or should I say trunks. I loved the look of all the trunks held above the water like snorkels.
These water bucks behinds seem to look like toilet seats!
This Cape Buffalo was just a couple of meters away from our boat which was sitting on the shore line. Nothing like being eye to eye with one of the most aggressive beasts!
These two young males kept us entertained sparring with one another.
One last elephant shot for good measure. Mom helping her calf across the river.
We still hadn’t seen the other 4X4 but headed back to the lodge, just minutes away. When they still weren’t back we started to worry, firstly about their safety and then about whether they had perhaps seen something better than what we’d seen! When they did return they said they’d seen a lion take down an elephant! The smug looks on our faces immediately disappeared! But then we realized they were kidding and had just wanted more time in the park.
Dinner at the lodge and then off to bed at a reasonable time as it was an early start to the day. Little did I know that my holiday would be, for all intense purposes, over at 4:30 the next morning.
Lois' Adventures 