Yesterday evening as the sun was setting the first elephant bull came down to drink. Management provide a small trickle of clean water that the elephant love. Standing just inside the light the elephant drink, rumbling and swaying from side to side to the amazement of the guests. No flash photography was allowed and the only spotlights are used by management to deter elephant who wonder too closely to campers or buildings. There are no fences or other barricades and the elephant wonder freely through the camp.
A welcome day of rest to absorb the ambiance and to take a breath. The salt pans that were on our list are covered in water and apparently look like huge lakes. We decided not to go and see them and elected to visit the local watering holes instead.
The 4×4 was used extensively to negotiate the thick sands and there were a number of roads under water. We took care not to get trapped between the water and the many family groups of elephant. Large bulls moved with interested cows and there were many little fluffy elephant entertaining in their clumsiness. We counted in excess of 65 elephant in the stunted mopane veld that has sustained them for generations. The only buck we saw were two steenbokkies, no spoor or droppings either making us wonder what sustains the large lion population we could hear.
A lazy afternoon was topped off by a superb steak and veggies at the lodge while Hatchiko waited in the van. When we went back to let her out she started growling before she was outside. Looking over my shoulder I saw an enormous grey shape emerging from the night about 4m away. Hatchi gave a sharp bark and the elephant ran squealing in the direction of the dam. I was reminded of the story of the elephant and the mouse! Hatch was very proud of herself!
Coffee, a whiskey and bed. What a day.
Itchy Feet! 