Friday, 28 June 2013
Mana Pools - Nyamepi Camp
We tried to take a scenic route to Nyamepi but could not cross the Sapi River - sand to deep and soft. Had to recover vehicles and deflate tyres and eventually did a u turn and went the main route so only got to camp at about 5pm. Our 1 hr trip turned into 7 hrs !!
Nyamepi camp is very big with quite a lot of people which we are not used to after having all previous camps to ourselves. We do have drinkable tap water, flushing toilets and a hot shower.
Sun sets over the Zambezi are beautiful and temperatures perfect reaching 31 at 4pm.
Hyenas and monkeys are a problem in camp. We must have had about 10 hyena scavenging around us whilst having supper last night..an odd pebble tossed in their direction and large bonfire kept them at bay.
Have seen quite a lot of game but because there is still water inland the animals have not arrived in large herds as yet.
The park has spectacular trees and lovely scenery especially along the river edge.
We have driven to Vundu Point which is very pretty with huge pods of hippo. The river is very wide here and you can see Zambia across the other side..quite a few lodges and moored boats .
Nyamepi camp is very big with quite a lot of people which we are not used to after having all previous camps to ourselves. We do have drinkable tap water, flushing toilets and a hot shower.
Sun sets over the Zambezi are beautiful and temperatures perfect reaching 31 at 4pm.
Hyenas and monkeys are a problem in camp. We must have had about 10 hyena scavenging around us whilst having supper last night..an odd pebble tossed in their direction and large bonfire kept them at bay.
Have seen quite a lot of game but because there is still water inland the animals have not arrived in large herds as yet.
We have driven to Vundu Point which is very pretty with huge pods of hippo. The river is very wide here and you can see Zambia across the other side..quite a few lodges and moored boats .
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| Zebra are extra black and white |
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| Looks like a golf course with all the large trees |
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| Sun downer |
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| Enjoying the camp fire |
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| Large herd of inquisitive impala |
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| Local ladies going fishing |
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| Camp along the banks of the Zambezi |
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| Anyone for tea or coffee? |
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| Beautiful herd of Eland |
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Mana Pools - Chitake 1 - 24 June
The trip out from Matusadona was a bit quicker only 4.5 hrs. Gavin and Rita had a blow out probably caused by the rocks. Made it to Karoi and camped at the Twin Rivers Motel - they let us use the chalet bathrooms.
Gavin got a new tyre fitted early Monday morning and Nico, Marian, Hennie and Ronelle arrived and we set off.
Not a bad trip except for first 30 km into Mana which is quite badly corrugated. Went through 3 check points before arriving at our camp around 13.30 .
Park fees are US$15 per person per day and $10 per vehicle.
Before we could finish setting up camp a lion came strolling past us in the river bed so everyone scrambled for cover then cameras came out. A lone elephant followed shortly after then a buffalo. Animals were coming down for a night cap. A huge troop of baboons entertained us until they went to bed in the trees across the river bed.
We had so much activity around all night we got little sleep. Lion, hyena, elephant and baboons
Up early and collected water from the spring for our showers. There are no facilities at the campsite, just a beautiful massive Natal Mahogany tree. The little stream suddenly started to flow yesterday afternoon and is now trickling right past our camp.
Baboons are up and there is a hive of activity must be about 100 of them providing us with great entertainment.
Took a stroll up the river bed then drove around to see the avenue of old baobabs very impressive. Stopped for tea and watched a few buffalo come down to drink.
Heading back to our own camp which seems to be the best place for game viewing and enjoying a few ice cold beers.
Last night our camp was surrounded by 3 lion calling each other - they sounded like they were in bed with us!!
Leave for Mana Pools this morning...have not been able to get data signals to send to the blog.. Will remove the pictures and try again.
This last picture(when they eventually come thru.) shows everyone trying to help Rita & Gavin put their shower cubicle back in it's cover...I think you need a degree!!
Gavin got a new tyre fitted early Monday morning and Nico, Marian, Hennie and Ronelle arrived and we set off.
Not a bad trip except for first 30 km into Mana which is quite badly corrugated. Went through 3 check points before arriving at our camp around 13.30 .Park fees are US$15 per person per day and $10 per vehicle.
Before we could finish setting up camp a lion came strolling past us in the river bed so everyone scrambled for cover then cameras came out. A lone elephant followed shortly after then a buffalo. Animals were coming down for a night cap. A huge troop of baboons entertained us until they went to bed in the trees across the river bed.
We had so much activity around all night we got little sleep. Lion, hyena, elephant and baboons
Up early and collected water from the spring for our showers. There are no facilities at the campsite, just a beautiful massive Natal Mahogany tree. The little stream suddenly started to flow yesterday afternoon and is now trickling right past our camp.
Baboons are up and there is a hive of activity must be about 100 of them providing us with great entertainment.
Took a stroll up the river bed then drove around to see the avenue of old baobabs very impressive. Stopped for tea and watched a few buffalo come down to drink.
Heading back to our own camp which seems to be the best place for game viewing and enjoying a few ice cold beers.
Last night our camp was surrounded by 3 lion calling each other - they sounded like they were in bed with us!!
Leave for Mana Pools this morning...have not been able to get data signals to send to the blog.. Will remove the pictures and try again.
This last picture(when they eventually come thru.) shows everyone trying to help Rita & Gavin put their shower cubicle back in it's cover...I think you need a degree!!
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Tasinga campsite Matusadona 22nd June
Decided to do the Black Rhino 17k drive..saw very little and the road was so bad once again that we turned back and drove around the edge of the lake..very beautiful. The plumber with diving kit arrived by boat to fix the submerged water pump ..waited for an armed guide to keep watch for crocodiles !!
The photo shows the beautiful sunsets we have been having.
Last night was full moon and a lovely calm night so could hear the hippo and elephant eating around the camp with the hyenas adding their 5 cents.
Leaving for Karoi this morning. won't make Kariba due to the bad roads. Enquired about getting out of here by ferry but it only comes by on Tuesday !
All is well...another shit day in Africa !!!
The photo shows the beautiful sunsets we have been having.
Last night was full moon and a lovely calm night so could hear the hippo and elephant eating around the camp with the hyenas adding their 5 cents.
Leaving for Karoi this morning. won't make Kariba due to the bad roads. Enquired about getting out of here by ferry but it only comes by on Tuesday !
All is well...another shit day in Africa !!!
Friday, 21 June 2013
Matusadona NP 21 June
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| Camping on the road side - never made camp |
The roar of the lions was so loud all last night that we hardly slept with excitement...this is what camping in the bush is all about !
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| Matusadona camp on Kariba shore |
We filled up with diesel in Hwange bought fresh hot buns and hit the road and what a road!!After Siyakbvu the road to Matusadona became the worst road we have ever been on. It took us roughly 4 hours to travel 27 k and had not made our camp by 6.30 so had to camp on the side of the road. Our friendly game guards got us fire wood and obviously ablutions had to be in the bush !!We set off this am for the second part of the trek...the 42k only took 2 hrs !! We are the only people here and it is beautiful..on the edge of Lake Kariba. Have not seen any game but the bird life is great..to name some new ones for us African Golden Oriole and Bennetts Woodpecker and Grey Headed Bush Shrike.
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| Elephant in the camp - nice big tusks |
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| Oh no, another beautiful sunset |
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| Gail just made us a lovely bread |
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| Most roads were in a shocking state |
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| On our way out - we look back over the bush we had just travelled |
Looking forward to a shower and braai tonight and clean clothes. Temperatures are far more pleasant now in upper twenties.
Matusadona 21st
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Matusadona 21st
Gail
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Wednesday 19 June - Hwange NP Deteema Dam
Safari still on track and going well. After Francistown we had another long day in the saddle and arrived at Hwange Main camp at about 5:00 pm. The border posts were fine and had no issues. Went through many police blocks but we were waved through. Did some shopping in Bulawayo which was very busy with everyone very friendly. Had a nice quiet night at main camp then travelled through the park for about 150 km to Deteema
It has a brilliant situation with the camp and hide overlooking the dam. We setup camp and before we could shower had a leopard walk the full length of the dam and herds of elephants, zebra , buck and giraffe come down to drink. We have identified over 50 birds. The dam has crocodiles, hippo, fish a good variety of water birds duck and terrapin. Really a wonderful spot if ever you come to Hwange.
Have a wonderful night with hippo, lion and hyena calls very close all round the camp to everyone's delight.
We have a game guard and camp man who come in the morning and evening to clean up, wash etc. Really friendly and helpful. The camp is our own has water and flush toilets. We had to rig our own showers. Today we relaxed around the camp spotting birds, washing clothes, charging batteries with sola panels and chatting and exchanging camping ideas.
Just baked a loaf of bread and preparing a braai. Animals have started their journey down to drink again.
Leave early in the morning and hope to get to our next camp in Matusadona late tomorrow afternoon.
Love from Garth, Gail, Gavin, Rita, Basil & Helen.
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| They have a sort of shower area - you provide the rest |
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| Many herds came down to drink in the evenings |
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| Friendly warbler |
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| Camp from the weir |
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| Dime a dozen here |
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| Leopard strolling around at 3PM |
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| View from the camps hide |
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| Camp fire |
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| Camp - all to ourselves |
Have a wonderful night with hippo, lion and hyena calls very close all round the camp to everyone's delight.
We have a game guard and camp man who come in the morning and evening to clean up, wash etc. Really friendly and helpful. The camp is our own has water and flush toilets. We had to rig our own showers. Today we relaxed around the camp spotting birds, washing clothes, charging batteries with sola panels and chatting and exchanging camping ideas.
Just baked a loaf of bread and preparing a braai. Animals have started their journey down to drink again.
Leave early in the morning and hope to get to our next camp in Matusadona late tomorrow afternoon.
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| Impala lilies |
Love from Garth, Gail, Gavin, Rita, Basil & Helen.
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