Settled in at WildLife Camp in South Luangwa National Park.
We were very excited that the internet would be available between 12 and 2 pm but it isn't working.
Yesterday we had another 5 or 6 hour drive bone shaking along in the searing heat after our usual 5 am wake up. It is light at 5 am and we can watch the sun rise while we have breakfast. We had a rescue mission at one stage when we came across a "bus", a two wheel drive van laden with gear on top and about 20 people hopelessly stuck in a sandy river bed. We winched them out then Zandré drove another vehicle across before we continued on our way. We had done a bit of 4 wheel driving the day before when we hit some mud. The trailer and truck are coated in mud from top to toe. Zandré loved it. He has proven to be a multi skilled young man, a great driver, cook, wild life expert, mechanic, laid back and flexible. He seems to have lots of autonomy and can take us wherever he pleases. Sometimes I wonder about his direction finding but we make it eventually.
On the way here we spotted lots more animals but the thing that really excited Petra and Zandré was a pack of wild dogs which are rare and endangered. They were not especially interested in us so we were able to observe them close up.
We arrived here very hot and tired and feeling relieved to erect our tents to stay in one place for the next 5 nights. We are back in comparative luxury now with a bar and a pool and even a hot shower although I haven't turned on the hot tap.
Within an hour of arrival we had watched giraffe in the distance coming down to the river, elephants crossing, mongoose scuttling around until they were chased off by the baboons which are worse than weka in the camp site.
Right now as I write I can see a baboon with a babe in its pouch, a hippo wandering around in the river bed, a puku drinking.
In the afternoon yesterday a herd of at least 30 elephants skirted the camp wading through the swampy pond the little ones almost submerged as they crossed. The hippos lazily lifted their heads then relaxed again. It must be their normal path as there is a viewing house from where we a just metres away.
Up at 5am again today and off on a walking Safari at 6am with a very knowledgeable Adrian guide as well as an armed scout. We were focused on smaller things like beetles and dung recognition and plants. However, we also saw crocodile infested waters and lots of hippo and then our first lioness guarding a dead buffalo. We were in the vehicle by then luckily. She wasn't at all interested in us.
We have seen herds of zebra, beautiful animals, herds of buffalo, lots of elephant, bush buck, warthog, many different antelope. It is like a cross between an animated movie like Jurassic Park and a David Attenborough doco.
Early evening yesterday a hippo was walking through the camp and we have lots of clear instructions about getting up in the night, listening carefully, shining the torch all around and no sudden movements. A couple of years ago a disturbed lion attacked a tent and injured the woman in it.
We are off for a late afternoon/ night drive at 4 pm so not a lot of r&r. By the time we help with meal prep, clean up, lock everything away from the baboons we are all exhausted. Our clothes are filthy as are we most of the time. Zandré bought fresh bread yesterday and somehow it disappeared plastic bag and all unopened. Today we saw hippo dung which included 2 plastic bags. The baboons might be entertaining but they seem to also be a pest.