It’s a new day and a
full turnover of guests at Nkorho Bush Lodge.
As it was Sunday afternoon and no African veterans were on the vehicle, we took
a nice slow amble around the east and though the rangers in the west had found
signs of wild dogs again, we opted to continue on our sedate route.
Approaching the
largest dam in the eastern sector, we switched off the vehicle and took in our
surroundings.
Hippos splashed about, occasionally billowing and stretching their magnificent maws as they showed of their prowess to any willing to watch. The youngsters imitated the adults in playful connotation, preparation through observation, a tactic employed by so many creatures of this world including ourselves!
While the hippos cajoled, green-backed herons stalked their prey along the margins of the dam, waiting for their quarry to make their presence known. A wily bird, they have been known to use bait like balls of bread to coax fish to the surface, with the bait often being reused time and again in their innovative exploits and making them part of a unique handful of creatures to actually employ such specialized, learned tactics.
Pied wagtails, African jacanas, a lone Wood sandpiper and a pair of Fish eagles completed the majestic setting. Or so we thought. That was, until a small memory of elephants (memory-collective noun) came sauntering across the open area adjacent to the dam, in an expedient hurry they gathered at the water’s edge to quell a thirst after a long, hot day!
A single tiny elephant was among the great pachyderms (thick-skinned animals) and unlike the rest of the family who used their trunks to suck up water and then squirt down their throats, this little character splashed about joyously, savouring the moment and grateful for the opportunity to cool down and of course, engage in an elephant’s favourite pastime, swimming.
Once the herd had their fill they marched past our vehicle and off into the thicket after their next meal.
Our hearts warmed, we left the dam and stopped for sun-downers where we had the great pleasure of a single hyaena walking right past us on the runway and off towards the closest pantry- in this instance a lodge at the top of the rise.
En route home
another great setting waWe sat silently beneath the blanket of stars above, taking in this truly surreal setting with sight, sound and smell all playing an integral role in our absorption of a special moment in time. The clock stopped, with all worries becoming but a distant memory as we immersed ourselves in the scene before us. No longer outsiders looking in, but a part of the system, we find our place and ourselves and know what it is to feel peace, if only for a while.
Monday morning was
no less eventful with the day starting right where the evening had left off.
Thandi and Bahuti (leopards) walked across game lodge airstrip and down towards
a drainage line further south.While mother and cub walked, Thandi led the way when suddenly she pounced and a small flock of francolins took flight, sans one unlucky chick. Too slow to react to danger its life expunged as quickly as it had begun.
Thandi, the good mother that she is, ate nothing of the tasty aperitif but rather handed over the prize in its entirety to her waiting son who quickly disposed of the feathered chick in one or two mouthfuls before again entering into a playful routine with his mother. Jumping right over raisin bushes and chasing one another out on the flimsiest branches of bushes not at all capable of supporting their bulk they played and played.
However, they soon walked down into the aforementioned drainage line where we lost sight and elected to leave them be, having had another quality sighting with some magnificent cats.
The rain set in soon after leaving us no other option then to return to the cosy, dry warmth of the lodge and a hearty breakfast of our own.
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