Another 5.00am wake up, today we were out early to drive to the boat jetty on the Lekoli river to search for primates and other animals on a boat trip along the river. Enroute a marsh mongoose scampered across the road, then as we passed an old camp, being renovated by Wilderness for future guests who want to stay near the river, we got good views of another bull elephant eating his way through the tall grass; and saw a male buffalo seeking sanctuary under what will be the camp communal area.
As we got nearer the river we saw putty nosed monkeys - all black with a prominent white nose - moving quickly through the trees and bushes.
When we reached the parking spot we walked a few hundred metres through the bush to the pirogue where Roc, our local eco guide,from the local river tribe, prepared the boat.
The only hazard were the pretty aggressive river tetse flies - I had a thick shirt and mosiguard on my top but for some reason thought they wouldn't make it through my trousers - wrong - I was the recipient of 6 very large itchy bites - from the variety of creams applied to ease the discomfort I found antihistamine was the best!
That said they didn't spoil the trip just ensured the memories lasted for several days. We saw several species of monkey - agile mangabey, more putty nosed, Guereza colobus and today's picture - grey cheeked mangabeys eating the fruits in the palm trees.
As we proceeded down the river our eagle eyed boatman spied an elephant in the grasses - so we stopped the boat and got out so we could see him; we also saw a family of forest buffalo with a youngster run across the river in front of us. The new birds that flew past included the African darter, white breasted swallow, giant kingfisher and on the ground, struggling with a large fish,was a hammerkop.
The river trip really provided another and very different perspective on the ecosystem.
On the way back we had another surprise - 2 chimps crossed the road in front of us and disappeared quietly into the undergrowth - we could see why they were called the 'ghosts of the forest'- so silent; we also saw elephant tracks so guessed the attraction must be some ripe fruiting trees in the area.
After lunch we decided to stay at the lodge and just watch the comings and goings at the bai - from the tentative and nervy bush buck coming to eat and drink to the coming and going of the massive flocks of green pigeons. Thanks to Laura, the camp manager, we also got some good views of the Guereza colobus, who were currently living in the tall tree above the camp, feeding close to our room. There were a couple of youngsters in the troop, they were turning,from their all white birth colour, to the more recognisable black and white adult colour.
Overnight the bai outside our accommodation was again visited by the elephant but in addition there was a wooping hyena.....the sound was similar to but slightly different from an East African hyena.
On the human interaction front, almost as interesting as the animals, the Austrians, Nora and Robert, came with us on the boat trip and there was more entente cordiale - but they did make a beeline for the seats at the front if boat and dominated most of the photo opportunities - I am sure if there was a pool at Lango their towels would be out early!