Crazy day!! Early morning drive again. We started out slowly over the bumpy reserve roads until about 20 minutes we heard chatter from another truck that they’d spotted a female lion. We then did a Ferrari safari drive in their direction. By the time we got there the lion had disappeared into the bush, so we drove around a few of the other tracks trying to find her, or her pride. We came around one corner and were confronted by a large herd of Cape buffalo. We stopped and waited for about 40 minutes as they stared at us and took their sweet time crossing the road. When we finally had a break in the parade we drove on. Shortly after that Timo spotted a large number of circling vultures which is a good indication of a death or kill. So, we tried to reach that area, but the roads weren’t really cooperating, and we didn’t seem to be getting any closer. So, our driver, Rian, took a really dodgy secondary track in that general direction. Shortly after that we were chased by an elephant with a piece of ABS pipe in its mouth. So, we drove as quick as we could and then came to a really rough patch or road that Rian didn’t want to climb… until the elephant came after us again… so up we went on the rocky bouncy road that led to a dead end at a lookout. We could see dozens of vultures circling in the distance but couldn’t get there. We were really offroad in the middle of nowhere and we didn’t really have a choice but to retrace our route and hope the elephant had left. The road down was a just as bad, but luckily the elephant had disappeared. We drove back to camp and arrived about a half hour later than expected. After lunch we had our welcoming gin drive. Bruce, Matt and I were with Chulu. We ran across a herd of elephants browsing on the trees. Chulu turned off the truck and talked quietly to us while the elephants gathered protectively around their young ones. They didn’t seem stressed and slowly relaxed. We sat there while a few others came through the bush on the right to join the herd on the left. After a half hour we got the chance to move on. Shortly after we heard that one of the other trucks had seen wild dogs. Again, we were off on a Ferrari Safari drive racing over bumpy, rocky roads hanging onto our cameras while bracing on the seat in front. By the time we got there they had disappeared into the bush. The three trucks circled around the area on the roads but no more luck, so we went to a safe picnic site and had our glass of gin, mine mixed with ginger ale. We didn’t get back until dusk. Bruce, Matt and I had a couple of beer before dinner, and after dinner the guides decided to go out to find the lions. I was the only one to decline to go as I find night drives frustrating, and I knew it would be no fun with a full bladder. I sat and talked to our new guide, Heidi, in the dark of loadshedding. Another interesting young woman who has accomplished a lot already in her life. While we were talking, I could hear lions nearby. Daisy’s truck came back first, and I alerted her to the lions that I had been hearing calling nearby. The other trucks had found the lions, so Daisy asked if I wanted to come along this time and we raced off yet again. We bounced around for ten minutes only to get there in time to see the two brother male lions walk off into the bush between the headlights of the other two trucks. At that point all the trucks again drove around the area trying unsuccessfully to find them again, so we headed back for the night. What a crazy, busy, frustrating day… 3 Ferrari Safaris… some people got three viewings; some got 2 or 1… I got none! But, wildlife photography is like that, there are no guarantees… I hope for better luck during the next couple of weeks.
Great blog and great pics! sorry about the frustrating day..but a great read!
ReplyDelete1st Buffalo photo is wonderful
ReplyDeleteAnd the elephants, always spectacular.
ReplyDeleteAng