Africa 2017-Day 3

Day 3- Morning Drive

5:30 came REALLY early after staying up until midnight working on the blog.  

A quick cup of coffee and we were on our way.  It was considerably warmer than we expected which was fine with us.  We remembered freezing in the mornings last time we were in Africa.  This morning was a bit disappointing.  Our driver, Eric, was intent on showing us lions, but we then spent roughly 2 hours searching for them.  

We ran into a few elephants along the way including  a few young males that were sparring with each other in preparation for fighting for dominance when older.  

We also spotted some impalas, 

a wildebeest (gnu), 

a helmeted guinea fowl, 

African gray hornbills,

and a kudu(that got away).

We finally stopped for a coffee (and elimination of coffee) break and we heard on the radio that one of the 8 trucks searching for the lions spotted them with a kudu dinner. 

Off we went again to find them.  This required some significant bushwhacking by Aubrey from the scout seat of the truck.  

We finally found them tucked into dense bush, apparently after being chased by several elephants (now we know who the real King of the Jungle is). 

Unfortunately, it was now time to head back to the camp for breakfast.  On the way back, we spotted another ruminant, a duiker.  This animal looks a lot like the mule deer we see in North America.

We finished breakfast around 11:00, with the caveat that lunch was served at 2!  We are either going to have to skip some meals or get new clothes.

We had a pretty lazy afternoon poolside, trying to catch up on some sleep, but 3;30 came around fast and we were off again, on the hunt.  

The afternoon was more productive than the morning, thank goodness.  

We started off with a few birds, in particular, one of my favorites, the lilac breasted roller

and a white crowned shrike,

 

Burchell’s Starling with bright orange eyes

 a cape turtle dove,

 a white-backed vulture,

 and Egyptian geese. 

Although in the past, I generally saw rhinos and leopards that were in reality rocks and logs, I actually spotted the elusive wart hog for our vehicle.  Maybe my eye surgery had some beneficial  effects on my vision! 

After a group of impalas passed us, we came upon several leopards lying in the bush, probably sated from their feast last night.  It really is quite amazing just how close we get to many of the animals.  We were admonished not to put feet or arms out of the vehicle, and now we know why.  You may come back with only a stump.  

It seems by happenstance, we found a male lion lounging by the side of the road.  Thankfully, he did not seem interested in another meal (ie., us) and we were able to spend some quality time up close and personal.  Lion’s manes are much more attractive at a distance.  Close-up, you get to see all the crap that collects in the fur.

The sun was beginning to set, and after passing a small herd of zebra crossing our path, we stopped for our daily gin and tonics.  Hors d’oeuvres included beef jerky (Jeri passed, I gave it a try-not too bad) and chips. 

On our return to camp, 2 young female lions were walking along the road toward us.  They were on the hunt, but were, apparently, not a tasty enough morsel, and they headed off into the bush for a real meal.

The sun was fully down and the stars were brilliant.  We stopped on the landing strip near the camp and Eric gave us a brief tour of the southern sky.  Had a good look at the Southern Cross, Saturn, and upside down Orion.

Just before getting back, Eric spotted a pearl-spotted owl.  It flew like an owl, but did not sound like a traditional owl.  Even Milt would have been fooled.  It had a high-pitched whistle rather than the lower pitched who-who.  It’s eyes were quite eerie, especially lit up with the spotlight.

Back at camp, dinner was a traditional African grill (chicken kabobs, sausage, maize, and veggies) in the Boma (area with a fire pit).  Jeri and I were having flashbacks to our theft in Botswana that occurred at a similar dinner.  We were glad to find our safe’s contents safe when we returned to the tent.  In need of sleep, I crashed, leaving the rest of the blog for tomorrow (which I now just finished on Day 4 pm).