Day 2 - evening game drive

Louise & I went out for a late afternoon drive around 17:30. I must admit that I wasn’t really expecting to see very much in the way of wildlife – the temperature was still over 40, and any animals with the slightest bit of sense would still be catching 40 zzzzs under a tree somewhere.

Nevertheless, we did see quite a few beasties of different kinds, although all of them were quite some distance away – typically 100-200 m at best. The only animal we saw reasonably close up was a Gemsbok – but it took me by surprise and by the time I got my camera out and ready it had wandered off into the distance!

Nevertheless we did manage to see quite a few species, and some of my pix aren’t too bad (?).

We got back to the camp just before closing time at 19:30 – just in time for a shower and change, and then a bite of supper in the restaurant.

And now a reasonably early night with a view to a 5:30 start in the morning for all of us. The plan is to drive up to Mata Mata for lunch, with hopefully lots of game to be viewed on the way.

So we’ll see what happens when I try to rouse the troops at 05:00 tomorrow morning. If I wake up myself!







































Bloody fool, Downs. It's a Secretary Bird, not an Eagle.

Day 2 - chock full of activity and excitement!

At this time of year the camp gates are closed at night between 19:30 and 05:30. This is done to prevent dumb humans from wandering around the park in the dark and getting themselves eaten by lions, cheetahs and ground squirrels.

So, when we went to bed last night our plan for this morning (well, my plan at least) was to be up and out of the camp as soon as the gates were opened at 05:30. That way there is a chance of getting to see some of the animals before the heat of the day gets into gear. I was the first one to wake – at 08:30! So plan A was abandoned in favour of plan B – which involved a late breakfast (accompanied by one of the ubiquitous ground squirrels), a swim in the camp pool, and a large chunk of a Steven King novel (Desperation).

So far, a totally idle day – but what a pleasure. I can’t remember the last time I was so relaxed. Same for Gill. Theoretically we could be just as relaxed at home, but of course that never works – there are always things to be done in the house, the garden, the pool area, the office or wherever. Of course, so far as Louise and Tisha are concerned it’s been just a pretty normal day!

It still amazes me that I can sit here in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, 300km from any civilisation (no radio or TV reception – fantastic!), but still be able write this on my laptop and publish it on the Internet – thanks to some reasonable cell phone coverage.

It’s now 15:30, and the afternoon temperature is in full swing at 46C – although there is a little bit of a breeze.

I’ve just advised the girls that I intend to drive out into the park around 17:30 for a couple of hours to see what wildlife there is to be seen as the day begins to cool down a bit, and also to see what I can find to photograph. Louise said that sounded like a good idea, and may well join me. Tisha and Gill remained strangely silent!

So, for the next hour or two, back to the pool and Desperation. Then out into darkest Africa. If this proves to be my last posting, then you’ll know that the squirrels got me.