Entries about game drives

After our picnic lunch overlooking the marsh, we continue our drive to see what nature has to offer us.

Pratincole

Not a bird we've seen a lot on our safaris, so I am therefore really surprised to find a pond absolutely full of them! They are, of course, a northern migrant, so the time of year will have an influence.

Eurasian Avocet

African Cuckoo

Dickson

Near the marsh we bump into Dickson, our guide from our safaris in Tanzania in 2007, 2011, and 2014, who now has his own safari company and was out with clients. It is great to see him again, and we chat for ages with him, as well as his passengers, before moving on.

Zebra

We follow the zebra and wildebeest into the forest, but soon come out of there, as the flies are just too bothersome!

Tortoise

It isn't often we see a tortoise in Tanzania, and even less often we see one run! In fact he was so quick he managed to get into the bushes before I had a chance to photograph him.

Bat Eared Fox

It is rare to see a fox so near, they are usually really skittish.

There appears to be at least six of them!

The are obviously chasing something, and suddenly Malisa spots what it is: a black mamba! Wow! David and I just get a brief glimpse of it as it slithers into the bushes, and I am way too slow to get a photo.

One brave little soldier decides to go after it!

Some of the others follow at a safe distance.

Suddenly the snake raises his head as if to attack, and they all scamper. Not such brave little soldiers now.

They all gather on a sandy patch to chill out.

Crested Lark

Black Shouldered Kite

Secretary Bird

She is probably looking for that Black Mamba!

Cheetah

We see a cheetah in the bushes, and it looks like she has a cub.

No, there are two cubs!

Mum wanders off to find another place to rest.

The cubs follow.

I fire off shot after shot using the high speed continuous function on the Canon 1DXII, which can shoot at up to 16 frames per second. The shutter is also quite loud, and for a while my camera is getting more attention from people in the other cars than the cheetah!

The cubs are seriously cute, and we would love to stay and watch their antics, but if we are to be back at the lodge before dark (as is a requirement in the parks), we need to get going.

Cattle Egrets

The egrets are heading home too.

Impala

Down at the marsh, three impala are crossing the water, keeping a watchful eye on a hyena in the distance.

The zebra take the more aggressive approach, and chase away the unwanted predator.

The impala are much more relaxed now

Giraffe

Seeing a giraffe drink from a puddle on the ground is always a treat. Mostly they get their moisture from the leaves they eat, as drinking like this is uncomfortable and risky business. They have been known to fall and break their bones, and with their heads down and their legs splayed like that, they are much more vulnerable to predators.

Stuck - again

As we make our way down towards Lake Ndutu, we get stuck in a deep hole in the road. Thankfully, this time there are three of Malisa's friends nearby, who help to push us out, using their powerful vehicles to nudge us along.

Wildebeest

As we wait for Malisa and his friends to catch up on news and gossip, I entertain myself with taking photos of backlit wildebeest.

Lions
Just the other side of the lake, we see a couple of lions. It looks like our male from earlier blog entries has finally found his long lost love!

And love seems to be on their mind tonight.

Until she growls at him.

It's a strange light tonight, with the clouds appearing like crepuscular rays.

Ndutu Lodge

We make it back to the lodge just as it is getting dark, with enough time for a quick shower and change before dinner.

Butternut squash tart

Chicken pasta

Ginger, walnut and toffee tart

Stars

The African sky seems to be bigger than anywhere else we've been, mainly down to the lack of light pollution here in the bush. I try my hand at some photos this evening; as I cannot wander away from the lodge because of wild animals, I decide to include the camp fire in my photo. Today's lesson (which I did know from previous experience): do not try your hand at astrophotography after a few drinks.

I soon realise my mistake and opt to go to bed instead. Thank you Calabash Adventures for all the arrangements.

Olive Baboons

Clusters of strongly scented white flowers of the Umbrella Thorn Acacia tree, as well as the associated seed pods, provide food for the baboons.

The blooms also attract a number of insects, as we can see here.

Elephants

Migration

The intention today was to look for cats rather than the migration, and although we did see a lone lion first thing and later a cheetah, we have also come across the migration – first the zebra leading the way just after breakfast, and now the wildebeest.

Reedbucks

Tawny Eagle

We are treated to a spectacular areal display by this impressive raptor.

Hooded Vulture

Elephants in Bologonja River

It is pure entertainment watching this little elephant (less than two months old) drinking, as the babies don't start using their trunks until they are around five months old.

With a bit more practice it won't be long before he's got the hang of it.

The eroded dry riverbank makes for a good scratching post.

Reedbucks

Also on the Bologonja riverbank, are three reedbucks. Normally solitary animals, it is unusual to see one male mating with two females.

Lions

Under a tree, we see a male lion, with a female on heat.

Nearby we see another female with couple of two-week old cubs, suckling.

We drive nearer to get a better view, and they retreat into the bush partially hidden from us.

They finally settle down at the edge of a thicket.

The cubs attempt to come out occasionally before being called back into safety by their mum, where they spend their time suckling, cuddling and sleeping.

Meanwhile, the male is completely crashed out after all the hard work of keeping his females happy.

Even though Malisa thinks the cubs will eventually brave it out into the open, we decide to move on to pastures new.

Grey Backed Fiscal Shrike

Bare Faced Go Away Bird

Eland

Hyena

Giraffe

We follow this gorgeous animal as he meanders along the ridge, beautifully backlit by the setting sun.

I experiment with creating some silhouetted images too.

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

It must be so difficult for the safari guides to get the timing right on the daily game drives: yesterday we arrived late because we saw a leopard fairly close to the lodge; and today we see nothing as Malisa makes his way back to camp. The result is that for the first time on this trip, we arrive at the lodge in daylight.

Cute door handle to our room

Finding ourselves with some unexpected spare time, we go walkabout to check out the lodge and its surroundings. Whilst the accommodation itself is rather basic and in desperate need of refurbishment, its stunning position on the edge of a cliff with unrivalled views over the savannah below is breathtaking.

Set among the rocks of a kopje, surrounded by trees, the lodge features lots of different levels and angles, with wooden walkways and stone steps connecting them all.

As always, we wish we had more time in the lodge when we see the inviting swimming pool

Look at that view!

The bar looks inviting too

The place is swarming with rock hyraxes – one even manages to slip in to the restaurant as soon as the door is opened.

After a quick shower we enjoy a pre-dinner drink, then wander up for dinner.

This evening we are the only guests staying, and Malisa is allowed to eat with us. Going by the table service and quality of food tonight, we'd be forgiven to think we are staying in a different hotel this evening.

That brings us to the end of yet another amazing day as arranged by Calabash Adventures - the best safari company by far.