Retired Nomads Part 4

September 7

We always got up before 5:15 for Tabo’s wake up, as we needed more than 30 minutes to be out the door. Tabo calls out and we answer so he knows we are up and then he picks us up 30 minutes later and leads us to the lodge for a continental breakfast. Each guide gathered their group from their tents. There were always muffins, fruit, yogurt and some sort of “porridge” like oatmeal on the campfire.

We had an interesting night as elephants went past our tent and rubbed the outside as they passed, and I got up to see if I could see them and just as I parted the curtains one trumpeted loudly. We fell asleep to the sounds of lions roaring in the distance. Greg said the elephants chewing the plants made it sound like they were eating the tent. I had a bizarre dream where an elephant trunk broke through the tent.

As soon as the four of us were ready we got in the vehicle for the morning game drive.

interesting insect in the common bathrooms - Conehead Katydid

It was another interesting game drive. There was a herd of elephants just as we were leaving camp. We also came across a few Tsessebe antelope, which we have never seen before on other trips to Africa. Wildebeest, Giraffes, more elephants, some scattered bones, and one of the highlights of the trip was the Pride of Lions with a giraffe kill. The Pride had 2 males, 5 lionesses, and 13 cubs that ranged in age from 3, 4, and 6 months old. Tabo told us that the oldest Lioness was 20 years old. I’ll apologize now for the enormous number of photos and videos of them. (and I deleted way more than half) Our jeep was surrounded by lions on each side with cubs running everywhere. So cute!

Tsessebe antelope

Wildebeest

cat prints - probably lion

because that IS the shot you wanted to see...lol

Tawny eagle & nest

Bateleur

first glimpse of the cubs

nursing

gnawing on the giraffe

there was growling and fighting while nursing

After the time spent with Lions (we could have spent the whole day watching them) we had our morning break of snacks and drinks. Then we spent some time watching some Zebras and Wildebeest and Kudu & some birds.

Impala

Roan antelope

Yellow-billed Oxpecker on the back of a Zebra

Wildebeesr

back at the camp (utility area)

Lilac-breasted Roller

Southern Carmine Bee-eater

Weaver bird's nest at the camp - each day it became more complete

Since they don’t technically serve lunch at this camp, brunch is usually around 11:00. There weren’t a lot of choices and there was no food or snacks until 3:30. Nothing left out all day like snacks or cookies. At 3:30 they served some cake and snacks that were different every day. Today they had tasty berry cheesecake wraps amongst other things.

The break was always in the heat of the day, which is understandable for animal viewing, and it gives the staff a break. Even with the fan in the tent, it was quite hot. Every time you wanted a cold drink it required a walk to the bar. Cathy said their tent faced in a different direction and had a nice breeze through their tent. After showering we went to the lodge and hung out as it had good airflow. Showers were always in the middle of the day as well, as it was cool mornings and evenings. On the walk there were some Warthogs running around like crazy.

There was a Common Genet (small African cat) that hung out in the rafters in the lodge in the daytime, as they hunt at night.

Common Genet cat

The afternoon game drive had another highlight of the trip. The two Cheetah brothers (the same ones that the leopard stole the Red Lechwe from) up on a mound. We watched them for a long time. At one point they moved, and Tabo thought maybe they were going to hunt but they just found another mound to lounge on. While they were there, they sat up and stared and here comes a huge male Lion. It’s the largest one we have seen while on safari. With the Lion being the apex predator they could have been in danger. The lion continued and walked past them like they weren’t there. They were lying low trying to be as small as possible. Eventually, one brother gets up and walks away, and the other one acted like “can’t I just stay here?”. The other one looks back like “come on” and slowly the other one follows. They seem to be on the hunt. (at least one of them does) They spot a herd of Impala and suddenly one of the Cheetahs take off at light speed. A Black-backed Jackal was following them just in case a kill was made. The Cheetah was unsuccessful, but it was exciting to see one run at full speed. Tabo said they are still young and have a lot to learn or they won’t survive. I started taking a video and Tabo takes off after the Cheetah, so the end is a bunch of bouncing around. We stopped for a sundowner and then continued for a night drive. Unlike many camps that go back for dinner and then go out for the night drive they just kept going and so we ate really late each night. We saw a Flap-necked Chameleon in a tree. (they use a red light when viewing animals)