We knew before booking that the game drive vehicles seated 9 and the group was 9 strong but VJV said it was pretty much guaranteed that others would book before we actually left as subsequent tours were already full. No such luck and we have 3 single females in the group; 2 of which are quite “strong” characters and happily take up 2 seats on the bus daily (whilst us couples take it in turns to spread out and use the 1 spare seat). So, having had the wonderful experience in Kenya earlier this year of a truck to ourselves and not having to worry about what other people want to view or how long to stay in a particular place, we decided early on in the trip to treat ourselves to our own vehicle for the day. Carlos suggested that today would be the day, when we were game driving from west to east whilst he transported the luggage. So whilst the others were meet speedily and taken off, we had a bit of a wait as our guide/driver was delayed getting into the park and then by a Rangers Roadblock – not a good start.
We got away eventually but sadly our guide’s English was limited so general conversation was not possible also it was very, very, very cold. The day started optimistically enough with quite a few sightings.
Firstly this lioness emerging from the undergrowth.
And then crossing right in front of us.
Blue Wildebeest
Springbok
Ostrich m. and f.
Pair of Kori Bustards
Northern Black Korhaan giving us a lovely display.
But from then on we wandered around the park seeing mostly zebra for a lot of the time and in some areas in the morning we saw nothing at all for a long time, not even other trucks.
This foal had a great time galloping around for all his worth.
With the foal closeby I'm guessing this was an opportunistic mating attempt.
Whereas these two are definitely having a "dust up"
My love affair with zebra hasn't dimmed!
At one point we drove along the edge of the salt pan, an Oryx helpfully giving scale.
At one point we drove along the edge of the salt pan, an Oryx helpfully giving scale.
Red Hartebeast (very similar to a Topi but without the blue jeans!)
Silver-backed Jackals enjoying the remains of a kill.
We had been in more or less the same vicinity as the other group for most of the morning but lost them somewhere just before the lunch stop – Halali Camp, sister to Okaukuehjo and if possible even more concrete. It reminded me of a Butlin’s Camp with communal toilet blocks etc.
Back on the road again, we came across this most amusing sight.
Apparently when giraffe become nutritionally stressed they eat bone to get the phosphorus and calcium their bodies require. We watched for ages and when the other group drove by 30 mins later it was still gnawing away.
Another handsome Springbok (and a lovely pile of elephant poo!)
Southern Red-billed Hornbill
And Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Adult Pale Chanting Goshawk.
And a juvenile.
This elephant's tusks seemed incredible short.
We spent a long while at this waterhole watching the giraffe drink, they are so vulnerable to predators when they drink as they have to bend so low and their centre of gravity/balance is badly affected.
Just as we were ready to leave the waterhole (park closes 1800) someone told Vilo that leopard had been sighted and off we sped. We did see the leopard but only at a distance, not like in Zambia 2016.
And finally, to finish off the day, a beautiful LBR (Lilac Breasted Roller).
On reflection, not too bad a day after all :)