Hello from a humid, windy, overcast Mana Pools!
With the rain looming over us in thick heavy clouds, we’re preparing to get drenched for the first time this season. It will be a welcome cleanse for the dusty dry bush… and for us bush lovers who have grown accustomed to sweating more liquid than we drink in a day!
The high temperatures aren’t the only reason I’ve been sweating. The lions disappeared for most of the month. Their tracks disappeared high up the Chewuya Gorge and they weren’t coming back down to impress my guests. They really made me work hard for them, and with a fleeting glimpse of a cub or lioness, they left me entertaining eager photographers with rocks and vegetation!
Thankfully, the Wild Dog weren’t going to let the 5 day long safari turn into a botany and geography photography project. They came right to camp and posed like the supermodels of the bush that they are. I was very relieved!
The Wild Dog have since moved out and the lions have moved back in-announcing their return with an elephant kill close to the spring in front of camp a few nights ago!
On an even more exciting note, I saw my first African Pitta! We went out this morning in search of the illusive bird, ducking and diving and weaving through elephant in thick bush, following its call. What a moment! It is such a beautiful bird. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture, but we will be back next week to try again. One of our Shareholders and pirvate guides in camp had the privilege to see the Pitta performing its rain dance. There is an awesome video on the Kavinga Facebook page if you would like to have a look.
I will be going out for a break tomorrow and will finally get to do lot’s of fishing including a competition!
I’ll let you know how it goes!
Have a good week!
Siraaj