We packed up and after breakfast left fly camp and headed up stream passed a couple of grumpy hippos to an island where we walked for an hour and a half - seeing good herds of zebra and wildebeest along with a pair of secretary birds - the walking here was much easier and enjoyable - it was more open and the grasses shorter and less prickly. On the way back the hippos were even more grumpy with the male marking his territory with frantic swishing of his tail and showering the water with poo and female making her way quickly towards us which caused a swift detour and fast exit.
We were told brunch was at 1030 back in main camp so we were going to be late - but surprise, surprise we pulled into a clearing to find it had all been set up for is in the bush along with the 4 Spanish guests from camp. The riders arrived minutes before us - they had seen even more roan this morning - grrrh. While we relaxed their horses were taken back to camp and they returned either with us in the boat or in the jeep - a quick 10minute trip - but finally John got to see his beloved giraffe - the first this trip so he was happy !
After another swim and afternoon siesta we opted for yet another walk. This time we set off along the spillway - we heard a snort and hooves and found we had been close to a roan as we found poo and foot prints - but still no sighting sadly. We did see a female golden oriole albeit pretty she didn't quite make up for the roan!