Ailine & David departed for Motswiri by light plane. I wonder how they went with the bag limits – I’m also concerned, but we have paid extra. I waited till 10.30 for the Tuskers 4×4 to arrive, having also asked the agent in Cape Town to contact them to ensure they were coming. The drive […]
A sad departure at 7am. We are unlikely to meet again till that great day – Pauline (always the one with an appropriate remark) said I should have the kettle on for tea if I’m ahead. I will too! We had enough time to drive over the Hartbeestepoort dam wall with the last view of […]
After a great breakfast prepared by Pauline, Dave & I drove around his large block on the Magaliesberg ridge. It is a dry rocky area, with bare scrub bush, contrasting with the watered areas around the houses. The block has been divided into 3, for the two children Noel and Natalie. Apart for their houses, […]
I was up early and offered breakfast though we were promised packed last night. Pretty ordinary – fried egg, samosas, toast, tea. No butter. Hot water with milk. We managed to squeeze into the small taxi, had to exit at the Nairobi International airport barrier to walk through security while the car and bags drove […]
Last morning. I’m met as usual on my tent path by a warrior with a torch to light my way to the media tent, even though the path is lit dimly by the small converted paraffin lanterns. Its cooler than usual, birds are calling, doves cooing, francolin hooting, and the hippo bellowing and grunting. “In […]
A good morning! Lions, leopards, a herd of wildebeest stretching for 2 km (which we didn’t follow as the leopard was of more interest), eland, buffalo, hyena, meerkat, ‘blue jeans’ topi (because of the blue legs), impala, and other antelope. The topi are amusing as they tend to stand motionless on a high point eg […]
Today was largely a bird day: lilac breasted rollers, one of which caught and swallowed a small snake, a red legged spur, yellow bill oxpecker, coqui francolin, and yellow throated warbler, and a pair of north African, pink necked and legged ostriches. And antelope were everywhere. However, we had several hours following five cheetahs, accompanied […]
Another good morning. As we drove we brushed against bushes (lipica japonica) than gave a gorgeous smell I can remember. Started with a lioness, but we quickly raced off as a cheetah had been spotted. She (Amani) would occasionally stare down the vast plain below, looking for an opportunity, then lie down again. The kittens […]
5.50 and off again after a wake-up at 5.30 with coffee and biscuits. Its dead on time too – I set my alarm for 5.28 and he is here 2 mins later. The bird chorus is awakening, in the distance I hear the river rapids, nearby staff chatting. Love it. 12pm We drove to a […]
The days are very busy. Up at 5.30, out at 6.10, back for lunch by 12, out at 4, and back at 7pm. The tracks are rutted by driving in the wet, so one is constantly bouncing along. But the drivers are great, safe and knowledgeable, sharing info with others by radio to find the […]