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Published: September 18th 2013
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The sound of raindrops on the thatched roof over my tent greeted me when I woke up this morning. It sounded like a "Country Rain", slowly but steadily, and I naturally hoped that he would stop before it was time the day of the Zimbabwe safari to begin. But in the meantime I enjoyed the sounds of the night, the Barn Owl was back on the hunt, the scops owls were heard their chirping calls and the bats chased back over my tent. Just before Andy's alarm clock rang, also Pauperize the first to speak out, her duet that you would not actually bring owls in touch if you did not know that it is Africa's smallest owls.
When the first light was visible, and I heard them talking to each other and Andy Norman, it was still raining. After all, it was warm, and therefore the way to the bathroom but just a little damp but not unpleasant. We held a short conference and decided extensively for breakfast while the rest look in plants and insects that we had not been able to determine tags.
Norman dropped us a delicious meal before, delicately melting omelet, ham and fried
mushrooms. By the time we enjoyed the good food, it was drizzling just yet. When we had finished cleaning up, it had to rain stopped completely. We climbed into the car and drove off in the direction of Masuma Dam, from where we wanted to go on a walking safari. Andy was fiercely determined, today one of the "Big Five" raise: elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. He said it is unacceptable that we were here for two days now, without having seen an elephant. Actually, that was unheard of in Hwange, but by the exceptionally good rainy season just ruled for special conditions. The bush was dense, impenetrable eyes and there were so many natural water sources deep in the bush, that the animals were not dependent on the reservoirs.
We arrived just in time to Masuma picnic spot, as it began to pour like cats and dogs. We quickly made it to the roof of the car and sat in the observation platform to wait until it was over. Meanwhile, we watched a few waders that poked at the edge of the lake in the mud for prey. The Hippo family that lived in the lake, appeared
again and again once with a loud snort. A very small cub once more put his head on the back of the adult animals.
The downpour was soon over and we got back into the car. Andy said, quite rightly, there was not much point around in the bushes dripping wet after the rain to hike. The ground was muddy and we had huge mud clogs to boots in no time. He suggested to visit a wilderness campsites, which he uses quite like having guests. The site was situated on a steep bank above the River Lukosi. The view was gorgeous and we had caught all on the same loved our tents and were drawn so here.
Just as we were on our way back, a group of rangers approached us on foot. We stopped Andy and talked with them. They told us that traces of poachers were discovered in the area around Masuma around, and that they were now on the hunt for the criminals. They asked us to avoid the area, so our footprints do not match those of the poachers were confused. Of course we did not want to cause confusion, but on the other hand, this was the area that was closest to our camp, and we would of course like to explore. Andy promised the rangers that we would come up with another plan.
On the way back to our camp we drove along the course of the River Lukosi. At one point he burrowed brown and swollen from all the rain over a bed of rocks that were drawn beautifully by erosion. We stopped and watched in fascination as the water whirled and foamed waves struck. Still, it was for the Land Rover no problem to cross the river on the concrete ford on the road.
Shumba Camp Back in Norman went right down lunch. The sun came out from behind the clouds out and it was right the wonderfully hot. I ordered a bowl of Andy and set about to do some laundry, the opportunity had to be used. When my stuff all hanging on the line, I watched a couple Buntastrilde bathed in a puddle near our fireplace. The bright colors of the tiny birds and the glittering drops of water that they had sprayed a beautiful picture.
Norman had outdone himself conjured up a fresh salad, decorated with a few loving self-carved cheese stars. Comfortable we had lunch and headed back on the road shortly thereafter. Andy wanted to go up to Mandavu, quite a long distance, but necessary, because we had promised not to hike in the area Masuma.
Apparently there had been during our lunch break once a localized thunderstorm, because the water was several centimeters high on the street, but the level of Lukosi River was again significantly lower than at noon.
When we left saw the water of the lake Mandavu, we shut off the car and made our way to the right in the somewhat sparse Mopane forest. After a few minutes, we saw a small herd of impala, also called black heel antelopes. There were mainly females with cubs, who regarded us curiously from soft brown eyes. When we came near them, the elegant antelope ran away, but it had no particular hurry here.
We climbed a rocky hill in us a beautiful panoramic view over the green forest soft afternoon light allowed. As we stood up and looked through the binoculars, a blue iridescent butterfly flew and settled near us. We admired him due, then we saw something in the area again before we returned back to the car.
Andy was always nervous about the fact that we had not seen any elephants. I consoled him and assured him that yes, we had a few days time, and we certainly would not see many animals. I really did nothing against him, I knew Hwange only in September and October, when everything was dry and withered, the trees gray-brown and the leftover grass golden. It was truly a feast for the eyes, the park once so full of life and so green to be seen. In the dry season it was not a challenge to find, elephants and other animals, then for they were dependent on the water of the reservoirs and artificial impregnation, where groundwater is pumped for the animals. Now, at this time, it was really a power to find and observe the fish and that was fun.
After we had gone back to the car, we made a small detour to the lake, a few hippos raised their heads and looked at each other. On one of the dead trees in the lake was back the eagles cry to see clearly with its beautiful chestnut plumage and white head.
But now it was time that we returned to camp otherwise would overtake us before the darkness we were there. On the way we stopped again to admire a small rainbow surrounded by high-piled clouds.
As we were driving at dusk in the courtyard, the Instrumentalist ran growling and squeaking behind the large ebony tree, but they quickly came out again, as we had parked the car. Norman went right back to the boil, where he took forth the energy to accompany us throughout the day and then also to make the whole "homework" was beyond me. He dropped me off and dry to a maximum of dishes and set the table.
I took my now dry laundry off the line and went gleefully shower, then I could set the table. Andy gave us meanwhile a campfire after dinner so that we could set ourselves comfortably together. It was a balmy evening, stars, however, were rarely seen, between the dense clouds. A mug of hot roosts tea in hand, we talked quietly about the impressions of the day, and listened to the nightly concert of the wilderness.
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