Today there are more and more international flights flying into Lusaka than ever before, with good links to Europe and the USA. Lusaka is now a buzzing city with great restaurants, shops and very good nightlife. Certainly a lot more welcoming and friendly than 10 years ago! The safari camps and lodges also have improved a lot, now offering a wide range of accommodation, from the absolute basic to the very luxurious.

It might come as a surprise for many that Zambia is a major contributor to the safari experiences we take for granted today – the walking Safari. Walking Safaris started in Zambia back in the 1950s and have been the foundation of today’s safari industry. Whenever I join a walking safari, I am reminded of how much one misses whilst being on a vehicle. Being on the ground and learning about the bush really is an amazing experience and widens your horizons as to the fact that Africa has more to offer than the “Big Five”. Even during my two years of living in Zambia, I never got bored of exploring the bush on foot with one of the many brilliant guides. There are so many small things that usually get overlooked when trying to spot a Lion or an Elephant, (and let me tell you, seeing one of them on foot is something far more memorable than a photograph taken from a vehicle. )

I have now been to Zambia nearly every year since my first visit in 1998. I love its variety, from the hot and game rich Luangwa Valley, the open Grass plains of the Kafue to the majestic Victoria Falls. During my many visits I was also lucky enough to experience some of Zambia’s less known attractions. The most memorable would have to be the Fruit Bat migration in the remote Kasanka National Park. Imagine, 8 Million fruit bats migrating from all over central Africa to a small woodland in Zambia. It is a spectacle that boggles the mind. The migration is further enhanced by the fact that the bats leave for their evening meal at a very specific time, around 6pm. So, 8 million Fruit Bats departing at once, darkening the skies above you whilst you sit back with a nice drink or try and get as many photographs as possible! The migration happens every year in November and is one of the many specialist attractions Zambia has to offer.

To list all of the possible destinations in Zambia would exceed the length of this blog, but I hope that you will read this and will want to know more. I will keep you posted! I certainly cannot wait to be back again.

From the air, Namibia appears to be nothing more than a barren desert of wind-carved sand dunes, rocky hills and dry valleys but it is a country that holds much more on closer inspection. In the south, The Great Fish River Canyon, second only in size to the Grand Canyon, snakes some 100 miles down towards the South African border. It is possible to charter a light aircraft and take a breath-taking flight over the canyon or for the more adventurous, join the five day hiking trail which covers around the half the canyon.

Further north are the seemingly mile high red sand dunes of the Namib Desert which stretch for hundreds of miles along the coastline. This is a popular destination for visitors and the opportunity to scale one of the tallest sand dunes in the world to catch sight of an African sunrise is an unforgettable experience.

Continuing north bound, the harsh desert environment comes alive with fascinating wildlife which has adapted to the extreme conditions. Daytime temperatures can rise to 45° during the summer months and water is almost non-existent but still the region supports elephant, rhino, antelope, giraffe and the almost mythical orxy. Birdlife is remarkable and vegetation clings to life amongst the unforgiving sand and rock.

Often described as “one of the planet’s most inhospitable places”, the stark environment of the Skeleton Coast seems hardly inviting but it should be a must on any visit to Namibia. Once again there is a surprising amount of fauna and flora found in this hidden corner of Africa. Supported by fresh water springs and incoming fog banks rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean, gazelle, elephant and smaller animals thrive. Miles of uninhabited coastline are peppered with whale bones and thousands upon thousands of Cape Fur seals lazing on the beaches, something which has to be seen to be believed!

For those needing a more traditional safari “fix” the Etosha National Park in the north supports perhaps the largest numbers of large animals with elephant, rhino, lion and cheetah usually seen. Etosha is often best visited from one of the bordering private reserves where guests can relax in comfort, overlooking a waterhole and watch the wildlife amble down to drink. Day and night game drives and rhino tracking on foot give wildlife activities a very different flavour.

No… we haven’t forgotten.

In the extreme north of the country on the border with Angola is perhaps one of Namibia’s true hidden gems. A striking emerald ribbon flanks the sparkling Kunene River as it meanders through the mountains bringing life to a plethora of wildlife. Where else would it be possible to see monstrous Nile crocodiles in the middle of a desert?! One of our clients’ most unexpected pleasures is Serra Cafema Camp which is set overlooking the Kunene River. Seasonal boating, walking, quad biking and scenic drives make the most of this stunning location and the opportunity to interact with the nomadic Himba people is not to be missed.

If you would like to know more about Namibia or are interested in visiting this beautiful country, please contact us, otherwise contact someone else… but you MUST go!

Singita Boulders Lodge is located in a vast 18,000 hectare private reserve on the western edge of the Kruger National Park and shared by only its two sister lodges, Ebony and Castleton. With easy access by a one hour charter flight from Johannesburg’s International Airport, Singita Boulders offers an understated opulence that is very hard to beat.

The main areas of the lodge have been beautifully designed overlooking the Sand River whilst each of the twelve luxurious suites offer guests the highest levels of comfort and seclusion. The all-suite lodges offers accommodation on a fully inclusive basis, whereby guests can enjoy world class cuisine and an unrivalled wine cellar boasting thousands of bottles of premium wines.

Game viewing on the reserve is conducted by professional guides and trackers in open 4×4 safari vehicles and guided walking safaris may be arranged on request. The Sabi Sand Private Reserve is renowned for delivering consistently good game viewing and during a three night stay, guests will be taken onto the reserve in search of the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) which are usually seen in abundance.

For a complete safari experience, Singita Boulders combines perfectly with either of its sister properties in the north, Lebombo or Sweni, which are located on a private reserve within the Kruger National Park. Singita Boulders and Ebony are ideal for a family safari vacation and we are currently running a number of promotions with Singita so please contact us for details.

This is a wonderfully scenic stop along the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive which winds its way up from sea level in Hout Bay, clinging to the spectacular coastal cliffs along to Noordhoek. Anyway, getting back to the mission I was on, to find the best seafood….

Just as you enter Hout Bay, you will find the Chapman’s Peak Hotel at one end of the bay with views back across towards the town. The hotel has 24 rooms including 2 wonderful penthouse suites, but that is not why I am here either…

Ushered onto an outside table enjoying views of the bay and craggy peaks rising up from the Atlantic Ocean, I feverishly studied the menu; almost entirely pointlessly I might add as I knew before I left Cape Town what I was going to order. Expectations were understandably high but when the giant pan of fresh Calamari and Queen Tiger Prawns landed on the table I knew this was the right place!

I have been fortunate enough to enjoy some good seafood during my travels around the world but this is without a doubt the best I have ever tasted and I cannot recommend the Chapman’s Peak Hotel highly enough on a “must do” whilst you visit Cape Town. I would recommend making a reservation at the weekend as I was very fortunate to get the last table. I was also very fortunate to get back to the airport in time for my flight to Windhoek, Namibia for what would include an unforgettable trip to the Skeleton Coast but that is another story….

Situated a mere two hours drive from Thanda is the Fairmont Zimbali Resort and its sister property Fairmont Zimbali Lodge. Both properties offer luxury accommodation in subtropical surrounds with access to one of the most beautiful stretches of South African coastline. With a variety of dining options, a full service spa, fitness centre and five swimming pools, the resort is a family-friendly destination in itself. The lodge is smaller, set within a coastal reserve which is home to a variety of bird species, indigenous plants and small animals such as bushbuck and vervet monkeys. Shopping, cultural tours and marine activities are within easy reach of both properties.

Opulent Africa can offer direct flights with Emirates into King Shaka International, making this a hassle-free and really great value holiday.

BUSH AND BEACH

9 days for only £990 per person sharing

Your package includes:

• 4 nights at Thanda Tented Camp with all meals and game drives included
• 4 nights at Fairmont Zimbali Lodge with breakfast daily
• 9 days Group B car hire

LUXURY BUSH AND BEACH

9 days for only £1,525 per person sharing

Your package includes:

• 4 nights at Thanda Main camp with all meals and game drives included
• 4 nights at Fairmont Zimbali Resort with breakfast included
• 9 days Group B car hire

*Packages are valid from 9 January – 30 April 2011

(Blocked out dates: 9 – 15 February & 22 – 27 April)

Excludes flights · Price is based on 2 people sharing · Children’s prices available on request.

Jan 20 – began drive to Serengeti and stopped at Masai village.  You have to pay $50 per car and are treated to a Masai welcome song, a dance where Masai warriors jump to impress the females, and then taken to a traditional house made of mud dung.  They are rounded and about 5 feet high and about 12 feet in diameter.  The shell is acacia branches and then other brush is woven between the branches and then the  wet mud/dung is applied to the outside.  About 120 people lived in this village of 24 huts.  The kraal is in the middle of the huts which are in a circle around the kraal.  This holds the cattle, sheep, and goats at night.  Around the outside of the huts is a thorn fence to keep out lions and other animals.  The house Steve and I visited was cooking maize in the middle of the hut.  Inside were two beds, if you could call them that, and a few belongings.  The smoke was filtering out a window about 8”x4”.  The village owned about 1000 cows and 300 sheep and goats.  Outside hanging on the kraal were beaded things and lion’s tooth things that one could buy.  I was on to that since I had done this before so I didn’t take any money with me, not that I wanted anything anyway.  They have lots of eye problems because of the flies and the smoke in the huts.  They do not go to doctors; everything is traditional medicine and everyone knows it.  When the young boys go out with the cows an older warrior accompanies them and explains which trees and bushes are medicinal so that when they are alone, they will know how to take care of any problems.  Circumcision is practiced at 14 and the boys go off into the wilds for 6 months to a year.     They come back a warrior.  Traditionally they used to have to kill a lion but now that the area is a conservation/national park area, that has stopped.  Girls also at 14 have a cliterectomy.   That is illegal now, but everyone knows it still happens.  Boys can’t be married unless they are circumcised and the same for girls–at least in the past. 

Next stop was Olduvai Gorge.  I wrote about that last time I was here.  Louis and Mary Leaky made many discoveries here.  I photographed 2 Agama lizards. 

Next stop was the shifting sand dune made of sand and iron so it is very heavy.  The winds move it 15-20 meters per year.   It is dark charcoal in color.

Just before going into the Serengeti, we drove off road (you are not allowed to in the park) to witness the migration of wildebeest.  There were wildebeest running, eating and lying down for 360 degrees as far as the eye could see on the plains.  There were thousands. 

While out there we also saw two Golden (Common) Jackals, Secretary Bird, Grey Heron, Yellow Billed Stork, Spotted Hyena (4 of them beside a waterhole and a fifth one farther out by a large rut that had water in it), Giraffe (8), Crowned Crane, Elephant, Ostrich, Warthog, and Hartebeest. 

There are 4 million animals in the Serengeti–mind you, not 4 million and one but just 4 million.  Serengeti means “endless plain” and the park is 14,763 sq. km., or roughly the size of Connecticut. 

We arrived at the tent camp about 5:30 p.m.  Our tent is one of the largest I have ever stayed in.  In addition to the 2 single beds, a chair, headboard with lamps, and a chest, and the bathroom behind the flaps behind the beds, there is an extension in front of about 6 feet which has another chair, small table and a couch.  It is quite spacious.  The bath has a long table with the sink.  Water is in a jug beside the sink and when that runs out, there is a bucket below the table with more which you dip from.  That area is about 3 feet by 16 feet.  Behind that is a flap with the toilet and the other half is a flap with the shower.  You tell the staff when you want a shower and they will bring the 15 liters of heated water and put it in the bag outside and let you know when they have done so.  Then you have a shower head in the shower with a chain that you regulate the flow with.  There is a wooden floor over a hole where the water drains. 

And every night we get treated to a campfire–the African Bush television–with only one channel.

Jan 21 awakened at 6 with coffee and hot chocolate ordered the night before.  Breakfast at 6:30 and morning drive 7 am-1:30 p.m.:  Cape Buffalo, Impala, Topi, Fischer’s Lovebird, Ruppell’s Longtail Starling, White Headed Buffalo Weaver, Baboon, fever trees, acacia trees, Red necked Spur Fowl, White Headed Shrike, White Backed Vulture, Grant’s Gazelle, Lioness, Tawny Eagle, LBR, Blacksmith Lapwing, Red Winged Bush Lark, Lesser Kestrel tree (about 23 in a very small tree), Black Coucal, Ostrich, Grey backed Fiscal, LBR, Superb Starling, Tawny Eagle, Fischer’s Lovebird, Giraffe, and finally a Leopard in a tree.  We waited for about a half hour watching and she came down and disappeared into the grasslands.  That completes our BIG FIVE:  Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo.  The Big NINE will be complete when we see a Cheetah.  Those are:  Cheetah, Hippo, Giraffe, and Zebra.  And I have to admit to Lens Envy:  One 4×4 had two guys each with an 800 mm lens shooting the leopard.   Continuing on with the drive we saw a Magpie Shrike, Hippos, Grey Heron, Rock Hyrax, Grey HB, Dark Chanting Goshawk, a huge herd of Elephant (close to 100) spread out on the plains, a Nile Crocodile, a herd of 40+ female Impala with their one male.  The males typically only last for 2-3 months before being removed by another male fighting to have his genes carried fwd by the herd. 

Afternoon drive:  90-100 female Impala with their one male (he will last only 2-3 months because he is constantly fighting other males who want his harem and he is constantly looking for danger for the herd.  Baboon, Topi, Reed Buck, Hartebeest, Two banded Courser, Gray HB, Cape Buffalo, Egyptian Goose, 2 male impala in the batchelor herd practicing their fighting skills, Black Chested Snake Eagle.  We were looking for Black Rhino which were introduced a few years back and there are now about 17 of them.  They have guards 24 hrs per day and the rangers must account for all of them each day.  We didn’t find any but the scenery was beautiful as it had many kopje, which are rocky outcrops. 

Jan. 22nd – I was picked up at 5:10 a.m. to go on my hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.  My partner in my section of the carriage was Mark from Canada.  He asked if I had ever been in bed with a stranger and I replied ‘No.”  He replied that I had now.  It was awfully tight quarters.  We saw 4 lioness on the ground, 2 Golden Jackals, Topi, Giraffe, Hippo, Baboons and monkeys in acacia trees and the landscape and sunrise were beautiful.  Afterwards had champagne to celebrate, and were taken to a place in the bush where they had tables set up for breakfast of fruits, bacon, sausage, eggs, beans, bread, and tea or coffee.  And we got our certificate. 

Then was taken to one of the Gates of the Serengeti where I met our guide and Caroline, Steve and Ellen.  We continued on our drive:  Lioness and 3 cubs close to the road and who moved back to a tree where the cubs were practicing climbing the small tree*, Tawny Eagle with a kill and we watched as he picked the feathers from his kill (couldn’t tell what type of bird he had), walking Leopard on a kopje about 15-20 feet from us, herd of elephant close to road, Blacksmith Plover, Crowned Crane, Ostrich, juvenile Dark Chanting Goshawk.  Began to rain big fat drops but lasted only 5 minutes.  4 lioness with older cubs, 2 lion cubs in tree, Secretary Bird, Baboon, Black Backed Jackal, Buffalo, warthogs, Fever Trees and other Acacias. 

This is the beginning of their rainy season and apparently the week before we arrived, at least one camp was washed away.  There are dirt roads and tracks and when it rains many are full of ruts and deep water holes.  The Acacias and Fever trees are turning green, and the Baobab trees were fully leafed out.  They are usually called ‘upside down trees’ because when they lose their leaves in the dry season, their limbs look like roots.  This is the first time I have seen Baobabs with leaves.

Afternoon game drive:  Caroline, Steve and Ellen decided they wanted to stay at camp and play bridge so it was just me.  Red billed HB, Impala with babies, Wildebeest, Cape Buffalo, Red necked Spur Fowl, Black Rhino and I now have the Big 5 in one day in the Serengeti.  Jackson told me that was not often accomplished.  4 Black backed Jackals (a mom and 3 juveniles playing very near a Crowned Crane who ignored them at a waterhole) and they made me miss Sasha.  Also saw Warthog, Elephant, Tawny Eagle, and Secretary Bird.  In addition I failed to mention that the camp is set in Tsetse  Fly territory.  And we have all been bitten so if I exhibit symptoms of African Sleeping Sickness, take me to a doctor; don’t assume I am just tired because you know I’m not usually tired.  The kopje had Euporbia bussei also on the hills.  LBR, Agama lizard, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Baboon, Coqui Francolin, same jackals as above (mom and 3 juvs.), White Backed Vulture and Ruppell’s Vulture waiting for the leopard to move off from his Impala kill.  We didn’t see the leopard but knew he was still around because the vultures were in 2 trees just waiting.  Giraffe, Redbilled HB, Dwarf Mongoose.

Jan. 23rd. -  All day game drive:  Cape Buffalo, Warthogs, Impala plus 1 juvenile Wildebeest, juv. Bateleur Eagle, Spotted Hyena at Impala kill from last night, Topi, Grant’s Gazelle, Blacksmith Plover, Hyena on road, Black backed Jackal, Cory Bustard, Giraffe, Zebra, Ostrich, Thompson’s Gazelle, Eland, Nubian Vulture (also called Lappet Faced Vulture), Agama lizard, Lapwing Plover, Secretary Bird, 4 Bat eared Fox, CHEETAH so I now have the Big 9 as well.  Hyena by waterhole, Cheetah – same one – Black Chested Snake Eagle, Golden Backed Jackal, Topi, Grant’s and Thompson’s Gazelles, Male Lion and 2 females (and I spotted them!!!!  I don’t think Jackson could believe that he had missed them).  It began to rain from 1:12 to 1:18 and then stopped completely.  We are on the Southern section of the Serengeti which is really the  shortgrass ‘endless plain’–the Swahili meaning of Serengeti.  Continuing on we saw Ostrich, Elephant, Cape Rook, Hartebeest, Lions in trees!!!! (7 in one tree and 1 female in another–Lake Manyara is famous for their lions which climb trees but we didn’t seen any there.  This sighting was of the same lions where the cubs were practicing climbing the small tree yesterday.    Hippos, Egyptian Goose, Crowned Crane, Topi, Cory Bustard, Warthog, and Giraffe. 

Jackson can’t get over having essentially no rain for our entire safari trip.  I explained that he was with me and about my luck with rain. 

‘What if” gene:  When a question begins with “what if” we …?  as in What if we get charged by an elephant.  What if we run out of gas?  What if we get lost?  Caroline seems to have that gene in spades.   It was rather endearing. 

Meals at this camp were rather spectacular considering we are in the middle of nowhere at a bush camp. 

First night:  Broccoli and cheese soup (they made me just broccoli soup).  Carrots and green beans wrapped in bacon, roasted chicken, potatoes au gratin (they made me a small bowl without the cheese), snowpeas, homemade rolls, and Chocolate Samosas for dessert.  I have had veg. samosas and meat and veg. samosas, but never a dessert samosa.  Was great.

Lunch next day was cucumber salad, beet and apple and cashew salad, veg. lasagna, and meat lasagna (they made me a bowl of meat, tomato,  and onion), a green salad and dessert was and Chocolate profiterole

2nd night:  Mashed potato puffs, beef stroganoff,herbed rice, chickpeas and zucchini, grilled red and green peppers, and Apple Charlotte

lunch Tandori chicken, rice, Tadka Dhal, mixed green salad, chutney, poppadums, and dessert was pineapple rum.

3rd .  night: Using a grill:  BBQ beef or chicken kebabs, pork ribs, boerowoeres (sausage), coleslaw, green salad, roast pumpkin, roast potatoes, BBQ and satay sauces, and lemon meringue pie.

4th night:  Roasted bell peppers with bacon wrapped ground beef inside,  potato cakes, roasted zucchini,  and I don’t remember rest. 

Ok, James J., are you satisfied with all the descriptions of the meals since you requested them???

On the way to the front gate:  Monitor Lizard, Black Headed Heron, Hammerkop, Baboons, Monitor Lizard, Zanzibar Bishop, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Terrapin, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl (has pink eyelids), Elephant, Dikdik, Impala, Giraffe, Buffalo, Warthogs, Zebra, Waterbuck, Black Kite. 

NGORONGORO CRATER:  The rim is 2300 meters high; it is 260 sq. km. and is approx 90 km. long and 16 km wide in the crater floor.    There are approx. 20,000 animals on the crater floor and Ngorongoro is a World Heritage Site.    Female Elephants and young are all on the rim area of the crater and the males are on the crater floor. 

Afternoon Game Drive:  Cinnamon Bee-eater, Umbrella Acacia, Cape Buffalo, Western Wildebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Grant’s Gazelle, Tawny Eagle, Spotted Hyena (and I spotted him a long ways away!) – only species where female also has a penis??? -, Cape Eland – the largest antelope, Cory Bustard, Crowned Crane, Abdim’s Stork, Elephant with big tusks, White Stork, Hippo, Black Rhino, CARACAL!!!!!!!   I have to insert some info here.  When the guide said caracal I could tell he was a bit more excited than he had been for other things but I thought he said Coucal and I wondered why he was so excited about a bird.  Then he said Caracal again and I got excited!!!  I never expected to see one ever.  This was the third one he had ever seen in 9 years of guiding.  They are usually more nocturnal and it was afternoon.  He/she was in the grass and in the open but posed and posed and posed.  Just ignored us to some extent but kept glancing toward us so my photos are pretty good!  He/she hung around for 10 minutes.  Still haven’t looked at the photos on the computer but I took over  100 easily.  It was a fabulous sighting and it made my week.   Now all I have to find is an Oryx, which I should find in Namibia in Sept., and a Pangolin.   After that I was excited for the rest of the day.   Continuing on, we say Thompson’s Gazelle, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Coke’s Hartebeest, 2 more Hyenas, a Cory Bustard displaying,  Hartebeest, Black Rhino, Black bellied Bustard, Black Headed Heron, Pink _____ Pelican, and 3 lionesses lying beside the road at the top of the crater.  It rained two times in the crater, but not where we were. 

 Jan 19th – Game drive in Crater:  Male Lion deep in grasses on the rim drive – there are 5 prides in the Park and some have about 20 lions –, Fiscal Shrike, Buffalo, Zebra, Grant’s Gazelle, Gnu, 2 lionesses lying down in grasslands a LONG way off so that they looked like golden rocks, warthogs with babies, 5 Hyena, Elephant, Crowned Crane, 2 lionesses lying in grass near road.  When they got hot, they just went into the shade of the 4×4’s and didn’t move when the engines of that 4×4 were started.  One of them had her paws underneath the vehicle near the tire so that the vehicle couldn’t move!.  Hippos, and a great 360 panorama of zebra, gnu, buffalo, and Thompson’s Gazelles.  We were in the middle of hundreds of all of them except the Gazelles.    Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Ostrich, Black Rhino in distance  Cory Bustard displaying, Masai Warriors guarding their cattle they bring into and out of the crater each day, Grant’s Gazelle female and baby, White browed Coucal, big tusked elephant, Spur Winged Goose, 3 black Rhino, and a male lion in distance.    At a rest area stop there were Euphorbia bussei on the hillside of the crater.  Also in the crater is the Euphorbia nyika (? spelling–Jackson isn’t a particularly good speller!) but I am not sure if I got any photos of that species. 

Box Lunch in the Crater was Hamburger patty, bun and tomato, apple juice, water, hard boiled egg, carrot sticks, another sandwich, a piece of not very good cake, and a Cadbury milk chocolate bar.  I had been having Chocolate withdrawal and Caroline even gave me half of hers!

Was told there are about 120 tribes in Tanzania, of which Masai are not the largest.  Swahili is common language.  There are lots of orphanages, presumably because of AIDS.  About 50% of the population are farmers and have about 5 acres of land. 

After about 3 hours arrived at gate to Lake Manyara National Park.  The park is 230 sq. km. but the Lake is about 200 sq. km.  and salty.

The Lodge is the only lodge inside the park, (but there are camping sites) and is 45 km from the gate at the end of the park.  It takes a minimum of 2 hrs. on a dirt road/track to reach the lodge.  Since the lodge is not fenced off, we have to be walked to and from our room at dusk by Masai warriors with spears. 

On the game drive to the Lodge:  Baboons, Bushbuck, Burchell’s Zebra, African Elephant – hereinafter just called Elephant!, Brown Snake Eagle with a snake hanging from its beak as it was flying, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Masai Giraffe, Klipspringer, Warthogs, Impala. 

Arrived about 2-ish for lunch of spicy gazspacho, BBQ pork spareribs, rice, bean salad, pasta with onions and herbs.

Afternoon game drive:  Cape Buffalo, Impala, Hammerkop, Eastern Wildebeest (Gnu) (Eastern are lighter and Western are in Serengeti), Abdim’s Stork, Grey Headed KF, Saddle Billed Stork, Grey HB,  ? Wooddove, Crowned HB, Common Bulbul, Ground HB, about 20 Banded Mongoose, 2 Klipspringer, a Hot Springs where it is said one could boil an egg in 15 mins.,  Read Headed Weaver, Silvery Cheeked HB, Baboon troop on road.

We were assigned our own butler/waiter.  The room is about 7 or 8 feet above ground with a large wrap-around porch.  The ceiling is banana leaves and covered in thatch.  The beds again have mosquito netting, there’s a desk and chair, a couch and cocktail table, closet, and the bath has two sinks, a tub, and a toilet.  The shower is outside on the porch but fenced off with bamboo.  It is very elegant.  Dinner was Sirloin Steak, salad, green beans, zucchini, carrots, rice and dessert of banana fritters.  And Robert, our butler/waiter took very good care of us. 

 Jan. 16 - Breakfasts are buffet style with fruits, tomato, juices, cereal, eggs any way you want them or an omelet, pancakes/crepes, bacon or sausage, toast, coffee, hot choc., yoghurt, etc. 

All day game drive with lunch boxes of chicken, homemade buttermilk type biscuits but better, pasta, and butterscotch fudge.  We had tablecloth, cloth napkins, silverware, metal plates, and the items were in metal containers.  Only thing missing was candles! 

Baboons, Waterbuck, Strangler Fig, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Red Headed Weaver, Zanzibar Bishop, Brown Snake Eagle, Little Bee-eater, Klipspringer, Ground HB, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Pintailed Whydah, Paradise Whydah, Egyptian Goose, Hadada Ibis, Vervet Monkey, White Browed Coucal, Impala everywhere, Masai Giraffe, Crowned Crane, Dikdik, Vervet Monkeys, Elephant, Zanzibar Bishop, Speckled Mousebird, Zebra, Elephant, Masai Giraffe, Masked Weaver, Elephant, Herd of Impala, a wide panorama along the lake of herds of Zebra, Elephant, Warthogs, 1 Impala, Cape Buffalo, and Wildebeest.  Namaqua Dove, the largest Baobab tree I have ever seen, Superb Starling, and Elephant.

Dinner was pumpkin soup, cashew encrusted tilapia, rice, veg. tortilla, bean moussaka, and pineapple crumbles for dessert. 

Jan 17 -  All day game drive:  Greater and Lesser Flamingos, some flying in choreographed formations along the lake, Marabou Stork, Hippo, Grey Headed KF, Monitor Lizard, Flamingos in the lake, Baboons, Terrapin, Zanzibar Bishop, Giraffe against lake background, Augur Buzzard, Dikdik, Impalas, Blue Monkey, Crested Guinea Fowl, Water Monitor, Hippo Pool with Red Billed Oxpeckers, Silvery Cheeked HB, Baboons on canopy top of Acacia tree, Elephant and 3 year old who trumpeted at us just after we passed trying to show off!, Grey Heron, and Little Bee-eater. 

Lunch was chicken with lemon sauce, apples, rice, bean salad, biscuits. 

When we got to the room, there was a drawn bubble bath in the tub.  Neither Ellen nor I like baths so it was wasted effort and water.  We went to the pool and read after sticking our legs in the cold pool. 

Dinner was champagne, roasted veg. soup, endive and green peppers with lemon dressing, tenderloin of beef, carrots, mashed potatoes with coconut milk,  peppers, onions and chickpeas, and dessert of honey cake with banana glaze.

When we got back to the room, there was a Bushbaby on the porch railing and he quickly scampered up to the roof and into the tree.  During showers we frequently see monkeys in the trees nearby.  We could hear hyenas in the distance.  We were told that Elephants frequently visit the Lodge environs but we never saw any.

Brown throated Weaver, Water Monitor, Malachite KF, Greenbacked Heron, Woodland KF, Malachite KF, African Jacana, lots of swallows, Great White Egret (I think this is what we call Great White Heron!), Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret on Hippo back, Mother and baby hippo with Cattle Egret on top of mother, Great White Egred, Hippos, Purple Heron, Blue Cheecked Bee-eater, Nile Crocs (6 of them), Hippos, Open Billed Stork, Malachite KF, Giant KF, male Elephant, Spur winged Lapwing and Blacksmith Lapwing,

Have now seen 5 KF’s–Giant, Woodland, Pied, Malachite, and Striped, of which Woodland and Striped are new for me. Love the snorfling grunt type noises the hippos make!

Age of Baobab trees is measure the circumference.  For each meter, assume 80-100 years old.  Some of the trees have an amazing girth so they have to be thousand or more years old. 

Evening Game Drive through Mopani Woodland (other has been Mopani Woodand and scrub)  :  LBR, Striped KF, baby impalas about 1 mo and 1 1/2 months old, AFE, Woodland KF, Red Billed HB, AFE Grey Lourie, Red Squirrel,  Sable Antelope in the wild–not in Sanctuary, 8 Sable females and 2-3 young plus 2 young males, Elephant family, another herd of Sable Antelope consisting of 17 females, 2 males and then one solitary male for a total of 43!!!!   After dark:  Elephant shrew, 2 genets, and 4 hares. 

 There is noise all day and all night in the bush–frogs, birds, crocs, hippos, insects, etc. 

 It is the beginning of their rainy season, but I have been dry! 

 First day there were 6 others, 2nd day there were 5 others, and last day there were only two others. 

 Had dinner at my lodge last night.  Was supposed to be on the porch but it was too buggy so I brought it inside. 

14 JANUARY Transfer to Lilongwe International Airport and fly to Nairobi where you connect onwards to Kilimanjaro.        Transfer by road to the Arusha Hotel to meet with your group and stay for one night.

Have seen no tractors or farming equipment.  Everything is done by hand–hoeing, harvesting, taking to mkt.  And about half of the people walk barefoot on the black tar highway or by the side of the road.  Water is from pumps in the villages, where they go each day for their daily water.  Many also wash their clothes at the well. 

Today was travel day; 4 hrs by car back to Lilongwe to fly to Nairobi and on to Kilamanjaro in Tanzania.  Had a bit of excitement on the Lilongwe to Nairobi flight.  The captain flashed the seat belt sign — mine was on — and almost immediately the plane dropped.  I had a coke on the way to my mouth and my had went down all the while trying to keep the coke in the glass.  The plane bounced up and my arm with up.  When the plane went down again my glass came down with about half of the coke still up in the air flying all over the two seats beside me.  That happened twice.  I had no coke left in the glass after that!  Luckily there was no one sitting beside me or in front of me.  The coke was still dripping from the ceiling of the overhead bins for another minute or so!  You know that photo where something is dropped in milk and the ring forms with droplets.  That’s what my coke sorta looked like as it was leaving the glass! 

Caroline, Steve, and their friend and my roommate Ellen, will be here sometime tonight.  It is now 11 p.m. and I am going to bed shortly.

Morning Game Drive:  Yesterday when I found out there were Sable Antelope in the park, I was quite animated.  I have not seen one in the wild so we had gone in search of those yesterday.  And, as I said above, we finally say a small heard of females with babies inside the Rhino Sanctuary but they were extremely skittish and took off.  And there were no males with them.   I was told we couldn’t go into the Sanctuary since the rainy season had started but there were a very few inside the park otherwise.  I accepted that.  This morning Michael and my guide, George, decided to get the key to the Sanctuary since it hadn’t rained in 3 days and should be dry enough.    (Besides Black Rhino, there are the Sable Antelope, Zebra, Kudu, Impala, Roan Antelope, and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, as well as leopards and hyenas.)

On the way to the Sanctuary:  Squacco heron, 2 warthogs greeting each other with squeaky squealing noises, Carmine Bee-eater, Lilac breasted Roller, Bohm’s Bee-eater, baby bushbuck, Malachite KF.  Inside the Sanctuary:  is more dense vegetation so was harder to sight:  African Hoopoe, and a gorgeous male Sable Antelope!!!  He posed for me!  My day was absolutely made.  A few minutes later, there is a 2nd male Sable Antelope, Common Duiker (smallest antelope in the park and usually nocturnal), Rose Ginger (a very low-growing ginger plant), Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, 4 MORE Male Sable Antelope for a total of 6 so far and I am in heaven.  They are just stupendous animals.  Continuing on the drive:  Roan Antelope, male Sable Antelope (7, are you counting?), Bushbuck, herd of female impala, Lillian’s Lovebirds*, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Martial Eagle, Woodland KF, and  male Sable Antelope Number 8!!  Python vine which curls counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere just like a python around another tree.  Supposedly in the Northern Hemisphere it would curl clockwise; that is according to George.  Broadbilled Rollers.

I asked for one male Sable antelope and got 8 fabulous specimens.  So, this afternoon I have decided to ask to see a Pangolin!  George has seen two in all his years in the park.  I can ask, can’t I?

Lunch was sliced beef, curried potatoes and cauliflower, Greek Salad, rice, and bread.

Afternoon Game Drive:  NOTE:  Hereafter, Lilac Breasted Roller will be LBR, African Fish Eagle will be AFE, Hornbills will be HB, and Kingfishers will be KF.

Impala, impala, impala!  Bush Buck, Nile Crocodile, Sandpiper, Pied KF, AFE, Red necked Francolin, warthogs, Euphorbia inglens, male and female Waterbuck, LBR, Goliath Heron, morning dove, Red headed weaver, Grey Lorie (Go Away Bird), Malachite KF, Little Bee-eater, Striped KF, Woodland KF, Baboon and impala and babies, Banded Mongoose, Yellow Billed Stork, Elephant and Baobab with stormy sky, lightning and rainbow, Grey Heron and Great White Egret on a limb in the inlet, Waterbuck in field, Crowned HB, Sunset, Yellow Billed Stork flying with night sky and on top of Baobab tree, Water Mongoose, 2 genets, White Tailed Mongoose.  It was raining across the river but we have had great weather.