Camp Out

Last night we had our first sleep out in the bush. Just a roll mat and sleeping bag set up around the fire under the stars. It was a full moon so the stars were not bright but it helped us to see better for any animals that may wonder into camp. We spent the night on a dried up riverbed in the local game reserve and apparently, Lions and Elephants were seen around the spot a few hours before we stopped to make camp.

We arrived about an hour before dark, collected wood from around the area, made a fire and had sausages and pap (something a lot like cream of wheat but made out of corn) for dinner. Followed of course by roasting marshmallows and stories of past sleep outs. As soon as the sun went down a hyena decided to come check us out and walked about 20 meters from our camp. A couple of the guys wandered down the riverbed and saw another hyena on the other side of camp. The Hyena’s just came to check us out and never caused any trouble. After dinner most of the group went for another game drive. I decided to stay behind with about 5 other students, hoping the hyenas would come back and I could get a photo. Unfortunately they never reappeared. We did however see a scorpion, a dangerous one at that. You can tell how venomous a scorpion is by how thick the tail is in comparison to its pincers; this one had a very thick tail. Also, did you know scorpions glow green under a black light? No one really knows why they do this but it is really cool to see.

Since we were spending the night in the bush we had to take turns keeping watch. Each room kept watch for an hour during the night, making sure the fire didn’t die down and searching the surrounding bush with a spotlight every so often for anything that may be lurking. I was lucky enough to get the first watch so was able to sleep the rest of the night through not that I did. I woke up a few times mostly because I kept thinking I’d miss seeing something cool.
The morning came early up with the sun have a quick cup of tea. Clean up the sight as though no one had been and then off for another drive. I got my first chance driving the game viewer. It was a bit easier than I expected it to be but there is a lot to remember when you are not used to a standard transmission especially in a 4x4. I think I did all right no complaints from the other students on board. We spent the morning tracking a wounded cheetah and her cubs but never came across them. So we headed back to camp to unload and clean up. Not a bad day.

On another note, I am the proud owner of a South African Drivers License. It was not an easy thing to obtain and I am glad the process is over.

Mozambique

Last week we had our first week off. A group of us decided to go to Mozambique and relax on Inhaca Island. The week off started on the Saturday after a grueling exam on Birds, Navigation and Survival. Me and 2 other girls went to Moholahola, a wild life rehabilitation centre. Here we got to pet cheetah feed vultures, walk with a baby rhino and see al sorts of animals that have been brought there to hopefully be rehabilitated and set back into the wild after having been hurt by the actions of humans. It was a great way to learn about many types of animals and come in really close contact with them.

Sunday we left for Mozambique. We decided to take the long way there and drive through the Kruger National Park. It was amazing. We saw so many different animals and bird in one day. As there were 8 of us we drove in 2 cars and the other group saw wild dogs. This made us all very jealous although they did end up getting a speeding ticket to even things out. We saw many things too but wild dogs are a rare sight. We arrived in Mozambique on the Monday and spent the night in Maputo a city on the ocean. It was amazing how much poorer Mozambique seemed to South Africa. Tuesday we took the ferry across to Inhaca Island. The ferry ride was very horrible with choppy water and strong winds. As always I got sick over the side of the boat but I was not the only one, just the only one smart enough to stay outside on deck. Inside the ferry was quite disgusting with the sight and smell of vomit everywhere. Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

The rest of the week however was fantastic with fantastic food, cheap drinks and some wonderful company. We stayed in little huts at a camp where we were the only guests. The owner, Monnie, took us out on his boat, arranged tours for us to the lighthouse and museum and told us some great stories of his life. The weather unfortunately was windy which made it a little cold for swimming and not good visibility for snorkeling but we had a great time anyway. As we ran a tab for food a drinks though the whole week we were a bit worried when it came time to pay the bill but everything was super cheaper. My food and drinks for the entire week only came to $80.00 this made it all the better.

We were all sad to go back to the real world until we realized we are still in South Africa and life is good. It was a great week!

Encouters with Lions

Had an Incredible game drive this morning.
Less then 5 minutes upon entering the gate we come across a large lonely male lion walking just in front of us on the road. We fallow him off the path through the bushes until he lies down. We stop about 20 feet from and watch he looks over to us but does not seem to be bothered to we stick around for about 20 minutes to get some great photos. We then drive off to let other people come and get a look. We were supposed to have class out in the bush today but the other group saw Cheetahs and they were in the middle of the sighting quite a ways off so we just drove around to see what else we could spot. Soon we saw a Vulture flying in to land on a tree followed by another, then another, then another, until there were about 30 vultures in the trees. This means there has been a kill near by so we head to where the birds have landed. Unfortunately we got a flat tire on the way and had to stop and change it. By the time we were done the vultures where gone, so we never saw what it was they came to scavenge.

Heading back for the camp we came across our lion again. This time on the side of the road he had just caught a warthog. We missed the catch by seconds but saw the lion carrying the warthog away while he was still breathing. The lion soon laid down in the shade and started eating the warthog while it was still alive. You could see the warthog kick and hear the warthog breathing, it’s chest moving up and down, for a long time as the lion pulled the skin off and ate. The sound of the lion eating was so loud with the flesh tearing and bones breaking. Wouldn’t want to die that way.

Then, as the other group of students arrived to view this sight a Hyena also showed up to see if he could get in on the kill. The hyena was on it’s own so didn’t come very close in but sat off to the side and waited. The lion noticed the hyena and kept a close eye on him as he ate but the hyena never came any closer. We eventually had to leave them both so other vehicles could come in and see.

Best game drive so far!

More photos on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=461007&id=566115003&l=64fe9543b2