Safari! July 23, 2009

(These photos were taken in very low light - they're not the best.)

We had a briefing at the lodge and were told not to leave our rooms at night without a guide as hippos and elephants sometimes wander through the camp at night. Right outside our room was a pair of warthogs - Pumba!


As we arrived at Mvuu Camp much later than we hoped and the sun was getting low, we left right a way for our first safari. The first animals we saw were elephants - several of them including a nursing cow and calf - can you imagine any thing cooler than that?!

We were treated to a beautiful sunset - just like National Geographic! In the twilight we saw springboks, hippos and impalas.

Springbok

Impala

We stopped along the river and watched the stars come out - simply amazing how dark it was. I've been in northern MN and seen the night sky there, but this was simply amazing. I had not ever seen the Southern Cross, so I was glad the guide pointed it out to us and explained how to navigate using the southern constellations. The night birds were chirping and the hippos grunting. We learned that you can hear hippo grunts over 2 miles away - I believe it- it was so quiet.

When we went on our way again, it was dark and the guide used a powerful spotlight to shine the trees and ground looking of animals. We saw several nocturnal birds and a huge porcupine as well as some elephants and impalas.

We had dinner in the dining hall - roast pork, salad and carrots all very good. The chocolate cake was not very good. I think Joe stayed up, but the rest of us went to bed early. We were so tired from traveling on the bumpy roads.