We left the hotel at about 08.15 and re-entered the park. The park is about 100 miles across from where we were entering but a) there is a speed limit of 60kph, b) there are lots of detours and waterholes along the way and c) the quality of the gravel roads varies. All of these combine to reduce average speed and that doesn’t take into account events along the way!
After a little while we saw half a dozen vehicles parked up which indicates ‘something of interest’. We dutifully stopped and looked through bins in the direction of everyone else. And saw nothing! Getting bored ADO pulled alongside a safari viewing vehicle and asked what we were missing. Apparently there was a male lion in an area of long grass who had decided to lie down to confuse and confound spectators. After a bit, we gave in and moved on! As you drive you see all the usual guys - impala, springbok, zebra, giraffe but you have to be selective and only stop when you are close and likely to get some good pics! The first waterhole we detoured to was ..... dry, so little time spent there. After a while we followed a sign to another waterhole, passed a couple of cars leaving and joined two others parked up. As we stopped LMA looked up and said ‘expletive deleted’ there’s a lion! And there was - a good looking male lion proceeding to the waterhole. There were a large number of zebra on the other side but because they were far enough away they were unperturbed and just kept a wary eye on proceedings. The lion passed in front of us, got to the waterhole, drank and ambled off. As he was going, we followed and ‘tracked’ him for a while (in the car obvs) before he disappeared. We were very chuffed with this sighting! We stopped at a rest camp for a coffee and bought some biscuits with the wonderful name of ‘Eet Sum More’! Shortly after, we stopped at a man made (dry!) waterhole and had our lunch - bolting sticks and half an oat bar! We know how to live! We drove along Rhino Driveway but didn’t see a rhino and Eland Drive but didn’t see an Eland! But shortly after we did see two elephants- one a big bull.
After another coffee stop we found yet another waterhole and saw an elephant making his steady way towards it. Thinking we would be clever, we carried on to the WH to take up a good position. The elephant had worked out our plan and decided to stay where he was. Doh!
Thereafter, we made our way out of the park past a couple of giraffes and immediately outside entered our lodge - although it was a further 10km up the track. Unromantic Tented Camp is beautiful! It has 7 large and comfortable 5* tents with inside and outside showers, a bath - no bucket showers here and they all face towards our own waterhole. It is idyllic!
At dinner (kudu) we were sat inside an open marquee type tent and fortunately were next to the fire which was nice as the temperature dropped. After, we had a nightcap around the open fire in the boma talking to a couple of Septics.
This morning we were up at 06.30 for a coffee and muffin (in front of the fire cos it was very cold) before a walk with a guide - breakfast on our return. We have been relaxing in camp today watching the game come to drink at the waterhole - zebra, impala (loads), wildebeest (blue), warthogs, guinea fowl. It’s better than the TV! All around us there are birds including many hornbills. We have been the only people in camp for most of the day so it has been like having our own private lodge! However, 3 Septics have just arrived!
We have an afternoon ‘sundowner’ drive to look forward to now and our last night here. And then tomorrow we will be driving back to Windhoek for our last night and then a flight on Saturday.
ADO & LMA xx