We had not driven very far when Phanny announced that today would be a bush walk. He said we would get out of the vehicle and walk for 1 to 1.5 hours. Gayle let him know that her back wouldn’t allow her to walk that far. No problem, Rifos would stay with her and she would get to see animals. The rest of us scrambled down out of the car. Phanny got out his rifle, loaded it with four bullets, and then put the rest of his bullets on his belt.
Once he was fully armed he went over the rules. We were to walk single file one meter apart and stay quiet. If he needed to fire his gun the person directly behind him was to make sure he didn't trip on a bush behind him. I decided I didn't want to walk directly behind him or be that close to his rifle.
We stopped along the way so he could educate us on all kinds of things like that elephant droppings are good for smoking, to boil for medicinal tea, for fuel and to carry a hot coal without burning yourself. Or what trees' leaves you can use for toliet paper. Or how poachers try to trick trackers. Or how to know what direction an antelope is traveling. Or why hyena droppings are white.
The only animals we saw along the way were plant eaters...hallelujah! Just before we reunited with Rifos and Gayle we watched a hippo in a watering hole.
We had our coffee/tea and biscuits and then went in search of a cheetah Phanny had been told was in the area. We didn't find her. We saw some water buck, instead.
Back at camp Gayle and I scheduled massages. Tomorrow is my birthday and three weeks later is Gayle's birthday. This is the gift we will give each other....tomorrow. The original plan was to sleep outside in a hide on my birthday. But a plank is broken on the hide and they don't want the liability of letting us sleep in it. I am simultaneously relieved and disappointed. I told everyone I know that I might get eaten by a lion while I was sleeping outdoors in Africa. A hot stone massage displays way less adventure and way more rest.
At brunch two giraffes came to the watering hole we can see while we eat. I loved watching how the have to fold in half to get their mouths down to the water to drink. I learned today that giraffes and humans have the same number of vertebrae in their necks.
We headed down for tea a little early today because we could hear the elephants "rumbling". We assumed we would find them drinking from the swimming pool again. We were not disappointed.
The loud noise was coming from one particular bull elephant who wanted no other non-elephants to venture near the watering hole. He would trumpet and run full out. It was funny to watch.
We left a little early for our afternoon game drive. Now that we have seen many of the more common animal sightings we focus more on the birds and the trees. It is all fabulous. I feel so fortunate to be here. Once again the sunset was mesmerizing. Two giraffes made it even more exotic.
We stopped for wine and snacks next to a watering hole. The full moon was rising. Two crocodiles were mating. There were monkeys in the trees. Guinea fowl crossed the road. Eight elephants walked past us. (Sigh.)
As we drove back in the dark the wind came up. Another beautiful day ended with a delicious meal in the lodge.
Simply incredible
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