The drum wake up call reverberated around camp at 5.30am, followed at 5.45 by the breakfast is ready drum. We were close behind and soon eating porridge and toast by the river. Breakfast over we got into the boat, with another couple. and headed off to be reunited with the vehicle and begin our morning drive. We had a great time spotting birds - there were lots of small grass eating specialists to identify. As we were driving around we passed the vehicle from Kasaka River Lodge,where we have stayed on previous visits, one of the guides recognised us and spoke at the airport yesterday ; this time we saw Martin who had guided us on our 2 previous visits - he too remembered us; he said he feared rain so he still had the jacket we had given him in the jeep beside him- and he pointed to it!! ( great to know you are remembered and appreciated).
We had coffee while watching a family of elephants eating grass in a marshy area; as we were leaving we watched a family of elephants on the other side of the marsh chasing a jeep! Every time they started their engine the ellies trumpeted and ran with ears flapping towards them - when the jeep stopped the ellies stopped - eventually the jeep got away! We then met a jeep with workers; they told us they had spotted a leopard up a tree - we followed their directions and found him... He didn't stay too long and we watched him come down the tree and head off into the undergrowth......but at least we saw a beautiful leopard.
Back to the lodge for a swim,lunch and siesta before another drive.
It started very normally - lots of nice animals but the storm clouds were building, we could see rain and lightening around us, the skies got darker -the setting sun and storm clouds made for some great skies. We stopped on top of a viewpoint for sundowners....we decided to be quick as the clouds continued to build and the wind increased - whipping the popcorn out of the bowl. I put my jacket on preparing for rain then when we saw lightening and heard a clap of thunder in very quick succession we decided to pack and leave as the storm was clearly overhead....and a bit too close for comfort. We headed back thankfully towards clear skies - amazingly despite the excitement we didn't get wet!
The night drive was a bit quiet probably due to the weather -but you never know whats coming - as we were driving down a gravel track we slowed as female impala were crossing and we could here the snorting of a male impala not far behind - then all of a sudden there was a scuffle right beside us - the male had been caught by a leopard(today's picture). We watched as she slowly squeezed the life from the impala - his guard may well have been down as his mind was on the females! The leopard just lay on the impala getting her breath back....But then she stood up and ran off without taking a bite - why? The answer soon became clear as a large hyena came and started tucking in - the hyenas here follow the leopards and displace them off many of their kills - she clearly didn't fancy a fight so all that effort for nothing.
Even our guide was amazed at our sighting - you don't get to see these things everyday - amazing.
We headed back to camp smiling to reflect on one of the best and rarest sightings in nature--a leopard kill.