In well under 24 hours after arriving, while on the ride from the airstrip and two other game drives, we saw more animals than we expected so quickly and easily. We have seen elephants, mongoose, storks, wart hogs, cape buffalo, impala, cranes, antelope, baboons, hippos, kingfisher, fish eagle, geese, wildebeest, giraffes, lions, plain zebras, African wild cat, spring hare, and various and many birds.
Coolest things...
While in the midst of an elephant heard. We had to keep our method of escape planned so that they did not surround us. A couple looked at us and postured to try and drive us away. We watched them bathe in mud holes to cool themselves, and we've seen a couple of them running. You cannot outrun them if they decide to chase you. One one occasion, one big guy got aggressive with us and threatened to charge us. Out guides handled it very well, always aware of what the animal might do and what we should do. Number one, keep still, little movement. Than can run at 40 km/hr.
We saw a leopard in a tree eating a impala with a hyena on the ground waiting for it to fall out. We saw the leopard again today. After finishing the meal, she left the tree to lay in the grass to groom. We parked 4 yards away to watch.
We were also in them midst of a lion pride today. 2 males, 3 females, and 2 cubs. A large male was lying in the road, we slowly in he'd forward making him move. He did slowly. On a couple of occasions, the came very close to the jeep. We were told not to move. Once it was a female, but the last encounter was the large male. He was less than two paces from the jeep, we could here him breathe. Wild! Cool! A bit scary.
On our first morning here, we found elephant dung and tracks and hippo tracks around camp. They visit during the night. Our tent (not really a rent) is on a small stream/bog where hippos live. We hear them every morning. On our first evening back from a game drive, the people in tent 3 had to be driven from the lodge (main area) around to their tent since there were a couple of elephants hanging out. At night, we are not to go out, and we a escorted each time we a outside.
On the game drives, I occasionally have to pee. To so so, I jump off the jeep and go to the side or around back, and the guides watch and occasionally fan our clapping making noise.
The animals see the jeep. They see the jeep as a big thing not to mess with. But do not stand up otherwise they distinguish you and so you become food. And if they are near, we are to keep still. Talking is fine. For the most part, they ignore us. Or at least tolerate us.
Each night after midnight you hear the hippos splashing around, making noise, doing whatever they do, doing whatever they want. Two nights ago around 2:30 AM Lisa whispers which at that time of night seemed like a yell (from the window), "Geno, Geno, come here". I got there too late. A hippo had come out of the water and stopped right in front of her, 5 yards away, in perfect profile. By the time I got there, I saw him walking away in the distance.
Tree eaten by elephants. If they do not kill it, the trunk will regrow.
The 4x4 jeep is cool. When we go through water, the bottom floods. The complete engine is under often and I swear we come close to tipping it sideways in some of the waterways. I'm told not even close.
The mornings are cool. We dress in several layers including hats and gloves. We usually go out at 0700. The jeeps have heated seats - blankets and hot water bottles. We slowly peel off clothing. By 1000 it is very nice and by noon it is hot. The reverse happens as the sun goes down. We usually come back from the evening drive after dark, 7pm.
Sleeping is a dream, larger than king size bed, find hot water bottles under the sheets, the be draped with netting. So toasty, even though we have open windows (ie they can't close). So nice to sleep.
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