After our long day yesterday we had a long drive today as it took about 7 hours to get to Mole National park. Enroute we stopped to get a type of doughnut - crispy and hard on the outside doughy on inside - we have become quite partial to this roadside delight and definitely kept us going until lunchtime.
Our destination was the Mole hotel, the only accommodation in the park until a much needed new lodge is completed by year end. The building is tired and in need of a refresh but it's functional and will suffice for four days. It was busy with tourists - indeed it is the only place we have seen tourists as such, albeit I think they are better classified as adventure traveller's as Ghana is not really set up for 'normal tourists'.
En route we stopped for lunch near Kintampo waterfall, which we quickly visited after ordering lunch saying we would be be back in 30 minutes. The falls were pleasant enough, but unremarkable, lots of steps down and a fair bit of rubbish left from a busy Saturday - we were the only ones there and as we left another family arrived.
After a lunch of noodles with a negotiated meatless tomato and carrot topping ( very spicy) we continued on our way.
The further north we went the hotter,drier and more arid it became with the trees getting shorter and less dense. We bought lots of fruit as we journeyed northwards and while still in Ashanti region as fruit is rare in the north per se. We also noticed it was poorer, in relative terms, and had less colour than the south. There were noticeably more people making their living from charcoal production; charcoal was more visibly available for sale which does not go well for the future of the environment.
We got to Mole just before 3pm, settled into our room and I had a swim in a much busier and less well kept pool before we headed out at 4.30pm. Well we were intending to leave at that time but were delayed by a storm that was brewing - it was clearly raining in the park and the Rangers were reluctant to leave until it had blown over so we eventually left at 5pm. We were joined by Robert, who sat in the back of our van with his gun (to protect us). He knew the park well and had a good knowledge of the animals so complimented William well.
Not long after we set off we saw, the sometimes elusive bush elephant - a group of four males came through the bush and crossed the road behind us.
Next we saw the endemic red throated bee-eater ( today's photo) followed by egrets, herons and woolly necked stork feeding in a small marshy area.
I soon realised that any venture outside the vehicle would be thwarted by a plague of horse flies which surrounded you or came in any time a window or door was opened. Luckily I wasn't bitten today but it's only time!
As it grew dark we looked for night jar and saw the long tailed night jar on the road. We got back just after 1930 and in time for dinner - which we ordered at lunchtime. With the heat my appetite dulled but never fear the spaghetti and salad I couldn't eat were soon devoured by William and Pres so nothing went to waste.
We retired to our nice, air conditioned, room after going through our sitings for yesterday and today.