Last morning. I’m met as usual on my tent path by a warrior with a torch to light my way to the media tent, even though the path is lit dimly by the small converted paraffin lanterns. Its cooler than usual, birds are calling, doves cooing, francolin hooting, and the hippo bellowing and grunting. “In […]

A good morning! Lions, leopards, a herd of wildebeest stretching for 2 km (which we didn’t follow as the leopard was of more interest), eland, buffalo, hyena, meerkat, ‘blue jeans’ topi (because of the blue legs), impala, and other antelope. The topi are amusing as they tend to stand motionless on a high point eg […]

Today was largely a bird day: lilac breasted rollers, one of which caught and swallowed a small snake, a red legged spur, yellow bill oxpecker, coqui francolin, and yellow throated warbler, and a pair of north African, pink necked and legged ostriches. And antelope were everywhere. However, we had several hours following five cheetahs, accompanied […]

Another good morning. As we drove we brushed against bushes (lipica japonica) than gave a gorgeous smell I can remember. Started with a lioness, but we quickly raced off as a cheetah had been spotted. She (Amani) would occasionally stare down the vast plain below, looking for an opportunity, then lie down again. The kittens […]

5.50 and off again after a wake-up at 5.30 with coffee and biscuits. Its dead on time too – I set my alarm for 5.28 and he is here 2 mins later. The bird chorus is awakening, in the distance I hear the river rapids, nearby staff chatting. Love it. 12pm We drove to a […]

The days are very busy. Up at 5.30, out at 6.10, back for lunch by 12, out at 4, and back at 7pm. The tracks are rutted by driving in the wet, so one is constantly bouncing along. But the drivers are great, safe and knowledgeable, sharing info with others by radio to find the […]

An early start to ensure our gear is loaded on the utility which will take 6 hrs to get to the Mara Camp. We flew in a small plane after a tasty breakfast, to arrive about 11am, to be confronted by 15 safari vehicles going to other camps. We drove for 30 mins over the […]

Arrival Jo’burg 30mins late at 5:20am. The airport is easy to get around; we had to change from Terminal A to Terminal B. David bought us into the Emirates lounge for the showers, wifi, and food – not that we needed it. Egoli or Jozi – the Gold City. The gold is almost all mined […]

Midnight flight departures are not my favourite. Today we leave at 23:45. What a way to start a 5 week trip. 11 hrs to Jo’burg, a 5 hr wait, and 4 hrs to Nairobi, arriving today at 3pm, 5hrs behind the Perth Time Zone. I should be excited; instead I’m anxious, leaving Hilary to run […]