Little K third drive

This drive started as all the others in Little Kwara. We drove towards the airstrip, over a total of three bridges and followed a meandering waterway. Then we spotted a Sable Antelope. A rare sighting, they are very shy.


As we continued our drive, we spotted and identified numerous and good looking birds. One of the other couples at camp are birders. The gentleman told me he was shooting with a 300 2.8 lens, 2X converter, on a 7D making for a reach of 960mm. He said that is the minimum for birding. They have their own guide and jeep and their whole time here is birding.












Again we saw many animals. Elephants, giraffes, jackals, zebras etc. On a strip along side a water channel that we were driving were two elephants. As we drove the channel we got closer to him, and when we were perpendicular to him where is was grazing, he paid attention to us. We stopped the engine and stared at him.. He stared at us.


One should not look away in the jungle, only prey looks away (as it runs). Predators look straight at their prey. He kept looking at us. Hobbs turned on the engine reved it and turned it off. The elephant scooted away in a hurry. We won.


After our sundowners, drinks in the jungle, we headed for home. Hobbs and Mike are really good at what they do. They spotted leopard tracks on the road. We followed. Then we spotted her. Mike now got off his front seat onto the bonnet and climbed into the front seat. You don't sit in the spotter seat once it gets dicey.

The leopard then turned and ran into the woods. So did we, off road into the woods in the dark. They kept following the trail. We were now in the woods, no road, nothing. Hobbs was in a hurry. We dodged trees, whent around logs, ran over brush. Deeper and deeper we went. Everytime we thought we were stymied, eg. a big tree ahead, Hobbs found a crack to the left or the right. All the time he was calling in our progress to other jeeps hoping they could get over here and help us track and find the leopard. They were too far away. Then we found her. Engine off.

We sat and watched her. She sat and watched us, and then into the brush behind her she went. Hobbs said hold on and we went like a bat in hell around more trees, over big logs, around a corner or two and then stopped. Engine off, lights scanning. There she appeared behind a termite mound. Looked at us, and then into the woods again. The woods were now too thick for us to continue persuit especially without other jeep support should we get stuck. Adventure over.


Headed for home again. The place is full of paths so quickly we hit one after emerging from the woods and on the road again we were.

Near camp we stopped, engine and lights off. The stars, the sky, it never gets old. And listen to the crickets and frogs. The frogs make sounds like xylophones. Then just before camp, a hippo strolled by inthe dark. Huge. Another great drive.

After dinner and my 4th double screwdriver of the day (afternoon tea, sundowner and dinner), the staff gave us a concert of their indigenous music and dance. Bravo.

Off to bed. We are doing the cruise on the delta in the morning.

Little Kwara Day 2 - AM.

Up at 0600, light breakfast, and off we went. The staff here are great. Friendly and willing to do what it takes to make this the experience of a lifetime.

I won't blah blah all the animals we've seen since you see most of them on every drive. Not a complaint.



It was cold. 3C.



The wart hogs sometimes eat by crawling on their front knees.





We got word there was a pride of lions. We went to them. We had to make our own road along the way, driving through and over a few bushes, getting the machete out to hack down a few branches as well.

Three females and five cubs. So majestic, so confident, so cute. Big furry cats. While we and another jeep were in amongst them, if you wanted a different angle for he shot, Hobbs our guide would just move the jeep, sometimes straight at the lions. Slowly of course, just to nudge them to another location.


Lens envy!!!
























They were relaxing at the water's edge of a large, deep water hole. In the water we hear a snort, then a blast of water upward. A pod of exactly a dozen hippos. Cool. Tough to take their pictures, as they as mostly under water or with their heads on the surface and the sun was behind the them. Nevertheless, just sitting back and enjoying the view, while ignoring the lions at this point, was priceless.





Hobbs is our driver and guide. Very knowledgeable and nice. Mike is his spotter who sits on the front engine bonnet seat - unless of course danger lurks.

We also came across a herd of Impalas, don't we always, the prime staple of the predators here. They were frolicking, playing, jumping, running. Having a great time, not knowing the pride was very nearby, and they will hunt today.


11AM. It was not hot. 31C.

The open air jeeps a great, the location of the camp, logistically, not. It is a half hour drive out and back just to start the drive so a good hour is spent getting to and fro. Not that there is nothing during this part of the drive, the are elephants' Impalas, etc. Of course they all live and visit the camp as well.

The room here, raised off the ground are very nice. No plugs in the room, a big disappointment, or let's say nuisance. We need to give our chargers and batteries to staff to charge and return.

Boom. We kept hearing what sounds like a firecracker all day yesterday anadromous overnight. Jackalberries falling from trees, either on their own, or monkeys tossing them. They hit the canvas top and sound like a boom.

As I was typing this blog, an elephant visited, grazed and left. Now I look up and see the Impalas coming to visit. I mention to Lisa that the hogs will come next. Nope, they are here now as well. Can't keep your head down or rest for a second or nature passes you by.

It is a noisy place,, or should I say chatty. Constant talk amongst the monkeys, baboons, birds, hogs. They all have something to say. Quite relaxing. It's like I am in Africa or something.

Another boom. And another. It is now 12:30. High tea at 3:30, next drive at 4PM.