Magical Morning

 From Dancing Lady 2 (DL1 is a slow typist!)

Saturday arrived bright and early. We had a 6 am wake up knock from Ona. We were due at breakfast at 6:30. No easy feat after a rather restless night listening to animals. Ona had explained that the Hippos move from the water to land at night to graze. They are not quiet about this. Given the way sound carries at water’s edge, the effect is like the hippos are inside the tent. Yikes. Additionally, frogs and birds are very boisterous at night. They finally quit around 3 am. 

Breakfast was eggs to order plus toast, fruit, muffins, sausage and bacon. The coffee was delicious. We boarded a motorized boat with Chapman at the controls. Ona sat up front with us. We had gone about 5 minutes and spotted some lechwe. Nick grabbed the camera and realized he had left the battery on the charger. Back to camp we went. Nick then got to board the boat again. While he was gone, Sue and Julie spotted some monkeys frolicking. 

Underway again, we spotted some fish eagles and other birds. We rounded a bend and saw a group of lechwe bounding across a channel. They rather slowly approached the bank then quickly vaulted off their back legs, splashing into the water and leaping again to the other side. Ona explained the speed is necessary to avoid the crocodiles who may be lurking in the water. A baby was too timid to cross, and the mother waited patiently on the other side. It was a truly memorable sight. 

We kept motoring among the rushes and reeds, seeing many colorful birds. We came to a sunny spot and Ona exclaimed, “Look, a crocodile!”  None of us saw it but then we heard a loud crunch. We were stuck on a sandbar. Ona and Chapman used a pole to push us away, as we nervously scanned the surrounding water. 

We were free and on our way again. Soon we came upon elephants. First we saw a mom with a baby. Nearby was a young male and an old bull. The age can be determined by saggy skin and the hip and shoulder bones protruding.  In the wild, elephants can live for 50 to 55 years of age, some even make it to 60. We were within 15 to 20 feet of the elephants. A bit further we came across a group of 4 males. Two were old bulls and two were younger. Ona explained that the old bulls are in charge of the younger ones. When ready to mate they fight (to the death 
sometimes) ensuring that only the strongest genes are passed on. Only the oldest and strongest bulls are allowed to mate with the females. The old bulls can be quite mean to the younger ones to keep them in line. They have been known to push young males into electrified fences. We got some great photos of one old bull with huge tusks. 

We were looking for hippos and crocodiles when found a sole bull elephant. He had a broken tusk and a ripped ear. He was chewing some reeds and Ona said that Chapman was afraid of him. But he backed the boat up nearer to him for us to take a look. 

A little while later we came upon a pond with hippos, including a baby. They were all submerged except for their faces. Their skin is very sensitive so they stay in the water during the day. They leave the water at night to forage. According to Ona, most of the channels we were traversing were created by hippos. We were served coffee, tea and cookies while we watched the hippos. 

We headed for home and got to see 2 crocodiles slide into the water, which was a striking sight. One came from at least 15 feet up a bank. 

Back home, we had a short rest and then lunch. It included fish, several salads and homemade bread. After that, a 4-hour siesta for showering and relaxing. Our first “official” game drive was a rousing success.