We were all up early and at breakfast around 7am. Then we had to pack up and leave our "luxury" tent. Took our bags over to the Toucan truck to be stored for the day, and met Mark, our tour guide for the next three weeks. There will be a group of 30 on our trip, with 4 staff. From tonight we will be sleeping in basic tents!
Just before 9 we were picked up by our taxi to go to the nearby airstrip. There we all boarded a helicopter for a flight over Victoria Falls. It was an amazing sight, and we saw all the different channels the water had eroded out over the centuries.
So we are back at the Lodge, and will probably spend the rest or the day relaxing by the pool, catching up on emails, and getting ready to hit the road. We have a tour briefing at 5pm. Not sure how internet access will be for the next few days, but will try when possible to do a post.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
August 15th
Had a great sleep in our tents - on stretcher beds, very comfortable. We met for breakfast and then at 9.30am we got two taxis to Victoria Falls, about 7 km's away. Paid our entry fees, then got a guide and went into the park.
We walked to the various parts of the Falls. It is a magnificent sight, with a lot of spray - the water falls down into a narrow gorge and spray splashes back up. The day was quite warm at about 26 degrees. We walked over the bridge separating Zambia from Zimbabwe and placed our feet in Zimbabwe.
We taxied back and had a late lunch, or rather each couple shared a burger and chips since the portions were so large. Then a siesta before a very brisk swim in the camp pool. It's fair to say it was quite cool, despite the hot sun.
Tomorrow we are all taking a helicopter flight over the falls.
At present the order of the day is having Sundowners (drinks) on the banks of the Zambesi in the late afternoon sun. Just what holidaying in Africa should be about.
August 14th - to Zambia
August 14th, 2014
We got the 8am hotel shuttle to the airport, which was not far away. Checked in for our international flight to Zambia, then went through customs and immigration and headed for the departure area. Amy and Jeromé joined us. The airport in J'burg is a lovely building, and there were a number of shops in the duty free area. We did not purchase anything, but enjoyed wandering around looking at everything. Our flight was only about 1.5 hours, and we were in Zambia. It was hot outside for us - 26 degrees - but it is winter time here! We walked into the terminal, a beautiful new building which is not quite finished. Paid US$50 each for our visa, and went to collect our bags. Fortunately we were among the first to disembark the plane, as the queue was long behind us and it took quite ä while to process each person.
A short taxi ride to the Waterfront where we are staying, and we checked in and were shown our tents. They are permanent tents, and high enough to stand up in. There is an electric fan and a light in each one. Beds - a little too short, and certainly too short for Jeromé - made up with sheets. These tents are our home for the next three nights.
There were monkeys running around the camp site.
We settled in and then all 6 of us went to the main camp area to find out about activities for the time we are here. There certainly are plenty of options - rafting, Bungy jumping, helicopter rides, microlight flights, and much more.
We booked a sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. So at 4.15 we embarked for a meander down up the river to see the wildlife. We saw hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and lots of birds. The dinner was basic - sausage, chicken, coleslaw, salad and a bun. however the atmosphere was really lovely - it was calm and quiet, with lovely scenery around us. There was a beautiful sunset.
The cruise finished just after 6.30. We returned to our tents about 7pm, and that is where I am now sitting to write this.
We got the 8am hotel shuttle to the airport, which was not far away. Checked in for our international flight to Zambia, then went through customs and immigration and headed for the departure area. Amy and Jeromé joined us. The airport in J'burg is a lovely building, and there were a number of shops in the duty free area. We did not purchase anything, but enjoyed wandering around looking at everything. Our flight was only about 1.5 hours, and we were in Zambia. It was hot outside for us - 26 degrees - but it is winter time here! We walked into the terminal, a beautiful new building which is not quite finished. Paid US$50 each for our visa, and went to collect our bags. Fortunately we were among the first to disembark the plane, as the queue was long behind us and it took quite ä while to process each person.
A short taxi ride to the Waterfront where we are staying, and we checked in and were shown our tents. They are permanent tents, and high enough to stand up in. There is an electric fan and a light in each one. Beds - a little too short, and certainly too short for Jeromé - made up with sheets. These tents are our home for the next three nights.
There were monkeys running around the camp site.
We settled in and then all 6 of us went to the main camp area to find out about activities for the time we are here. There certainly are plenty of options - rafting, Bungy jumping, helicopter rides, microlight flights, and much more.
We booked a sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. So at 4.15 we embarked for a meander down up the river to see the wildlife. We saw hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and lots of birds. The dinner was basic - sausage, chicken, coleslaw, salad and a bun. however the atmosphere was really lovely - it was calm and quiet, with lovely scenery around us. There was a beautiful sunset.
The cruise finished just after 6.30. We returned to our tents about 7pm, and that is where I am now sitting to write this.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
August 12th evening game drive - we went to the big dam waterhole just before dusk. A wide range of animals came along. There were many elephants and giraffes. It was fascinating watching their behaviour. Two of the elephants we're play fighting. The setting was spectacular. When the giraffes left their long necks were visible above the scrub for a long time.
We had two other couples on our truck; Terry and Jill from Australia and Charlote and Paul from Durban. Terry and Jill are originally from South Africa, and lived in Christchurch for quite a few years before retiring to Australia. Charlotte is a district court magistrate. They were both lovely couples, and we had a great time with them.
Another beautiful three course dinner outside, then we retired to our rooms at 9pm.
August 13th: After a good night's sleep we got up at 6 in order to have everything ready to leave after breakfast. When we arrived for coffee at the lodge, Tyrone said he wanted to leave as soon as possible as there had been a kill nearby for us to go to. I had heard an animal screaming around 6 am for about 15 mins, and this was the victim of an attack by two hyenas.
So we departed as soon as everyone was there, and soon reached the scene. There were two hyenas ripping apart a wildebeest. It was something that many seasoned game safari visitors seldom see. We were parked within metres of the site, and could hear the hyenas pulling at the dead animal and could smell the blood. We got some amazing photos, many not suitable to display without a warning.
A lone grey hyena -a beautiful looking animal - circled cautiously, but did not come in to challenge the other hyenas. The sky was a lovely clear blue, and the day was warming up. Some vultures started circling overhead.
We left the scene to allow other trucks to come up to view. There is a rule of a maximum of three trucks at a viewing at any one time, to give people a better experience and also to leave some space for the animals.
Tyrone then said he had something else to show us, so we drove quickly to the northern edge of the park and along the fence line until we came to where a pack of wild dogs was resting - probably after having had a feast - lying in groups in the sun. There were 10 in number, and Tyrone explained how good they are at running down and killing prey. They can devour 10kgs of meat in 10 mins.
We headed back towards the lodge, stopping for a coffee break along the way. On our ride we saw so many animals - zebra, rhino, wildebeest, warthog, impala, kudu, elephant, and buffalo. There were also many different bird species. For our previous two days drives it had been windy, so many of the animals and birds would have been hunkered down. Today it was so calm and still and they were all out.
After breakfast we finished packing and left the lodge by road transfer around 11.30. We had had three amazing days at Impodimo Lodge and had seen so many different animals and birds. Tyrone, our guide, had explained about so many of the animals and birds, and their various habitats and shared his love of the animals with us.
Now in Johannesburg about to head out to meet Amy and Jeromé, Kashi and Vivita and have dinner.
We had two other couples on our truck; Terry and Jill from Australia and Charlote and Paul from Durban. Terry and Jill are originally from South Africa, and lived in Christchurch for quite a few years before retiring to Australia. Charlotte is a district court magistrate. They were both lovely couples, and we had a great time with them.
Another beautiful three course dinner outside, then we retired to our rooms at 9pm.
August 13th: After a good night's sleep we got up at 6 in order to have everything ready to leave after breakfast. When we arrived for coffee at the lodge, Tyrone said he wanted to leave as soon as possible as there had been a kill nearby for us to go to. I had heard an animal screaming around 6 am for about 15 mins, and this was the victim of an attack by two hyenas.
So we departed as soon as everyone was there, and soon reached the scene. There were two hyenas ripping apart a wildebeest. It was something that many seasoned game safari visitors seldom see. We were parked within metres of the site, and could hear the hyenas pulling at the dead animal and could smell the blood. We got some amazing photos, many not suitable to display without a warning.
A lone grey hyena -a beautiful looking animal - circled cautiously, but did not come in to challenge the other hyenas. The sky was a lovely clear blue, and the day was warming up. Some vultures started circling overhead.
We left the scene to allow other trucks to come up to view. There is a rule of a maximum of three trucks at a viewing at any one time, to give people a better experience and also to leave some space for the animals.
Tyrone then said he had something else to show us, so we drove quickly to the northern edge of the park and along the fence line until we came to where a pack of wild dogs was resting - probably after having had a feast - lying in groups in the sun. There were 10 in number, and Tyrone explained how good they are at running down and killing prey. They can devour 10kgs of meat in 10 mins.
We headed back towards the lodge, stopping for a coffee break along the way. On our ride we saw so many animals - zebra, rhino, wildebeest, warthog, impala, kudu, elephant, and buffalo. There were also many different bird species. For our previous two days drives it had been windy, so many of the animals and birds would have been hunkered down. Today it was so calm and still and they were all out.
After breakfast we finished packing and left the lodge by road transfer around 11.30. We had had three amazing days at Impodimo Lodge and had seen so many different animals and birds. Tyrone, our guide, had explained about so many of the animals and birds, and their various habitats and shared his love of the animals with us.
Now in Johannesburg about to head out to meet Amy and Jeromé, Kashi and Vivita and have dinner.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
12 August 2014
Well we have just returned from another of the morning game drives here at the Impodimo Lodge. The lodge is in the Madikwe Game Reserve about 4 hours north west of Johannesburg by car. There are about 20 or more lodges in the 75,000 hectare reserve, all privately run. This lodge has rooms for about 8 couples or groups. The bed has a huge netting canopy above it with all the mod cons, even an outside shower. The order of the day is that we go out at about 7am for a 3 or 4 hour drive with the driver and his local tracker. Home for breakfast at about 11 am, then siesta until 3 when we have high tea at the pool, followed by an evening drive and dinner at about 8pm. All the meals are beautifully cooked. So far we have see lots of beautiful animal up close - confirming everything in the films and documentaries about Africa that we have seen.
The weather is cool but a little windy, which tends to keep the animals hunkered down out of the wind.
Tomorrow we head back to Johannesburg where we meet up with Amy and Jeromé. The following day we head up to Livingstone to spend 3 days before we join our 3 week truck tour South to Capetown.
The weather is cool but a little windy, which tends to keep the animals hunkered down out of the wind.
Tomorrow we head back to Johannesburg where we meet up with Amy and Jeromé. The following day we head up to Livingstone to spend 3 days before we join our 3 week truck tour South to Capetown.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Monday, 11th August - Impodimo Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve.
Our trip to Madikwe Game Reserve yesterday took about 4.5 hours. We had a lovely lady, Martie, who drove us and explained things along the way. Went through some townships with very small iron huts, and others with more solid and substantial homes. Dry dirt everywhere, a few places had hens and goats, not many had gardens. There were many folk out walking along the sides of the road, or waiting on a bus. It was a pleasant temperature for us of 20 degrees, though for our driver it was cold.
On arrival at the park, around 2pm, Martie drove us the long way so we could see some of the wildlife. There were elephants crossing the road, and some zebra. We arrived at Impodimo Lodge at 2.30, and were shown to our chalet. Just outside our room were elephants bathing in the waterhole! It is an unfenced lodge, so we are not allowed to go to or leave our chalets at night without an armed guard, in case we encounter any wildlife along the way.
At 3pm we met at the pool for High Tea. Then we went on a game drive, with Tyrone our guide and Sam our tracker. Travelled in an open land rover, with a couple from Australia, so there were 6 guests and two staff in total. We saw lions resting after a kill - parked just a few metres away to sit and watch them! There were zebra, jackals, a large buffalo, hyena, steenbuck, warthogs, impala, and many other species of wildlife. We stopped and had a wine and nibbles in a clearing along the way. As it got dark we saw a few nocturnal animals. The temperature dropped the sun disappeared but we had hats, jackets and a rug to keep us warm.
Upon returning to the Lodge around 8pm we gathered in a courtyard for dinner. It was lovely and cosy, with open fires in a bush-like setting. We had a delicious three course meal, and then it was time to be escorted back to our room.
We are in a lovely chalet, which had a small fire burning and hot-water bottles in the bed. There is a bath with a view over the waterhole, and both an inside and outside shower. It was very quiet during the night, though I did hear something nibbling/gnawing - discovered in the morning that there had been a mouse in my bag eating a muesli bar. There were others out on the seat it could have had without going through my bag!
A wake up call came at 6.30 so we got up and dressed and met at the lodge at 6.45 for a hot drink and muffin, before heading back to the vehicle for the early morning game drive. Sam had placed a hot water bottle and rug on our seats, so it was lovely and cosy.
The first big animal we saw was a white rhinoceros. We were able to get within a few metres of this great beast, which continued peacefully grazing alongside of us. So we spent quite a while watching it. It was an amazing experience. The other animals we saw close up included giraffes and elephants. There was a very young elephant which was playing with its mother - the mother was lying down and the baby was climbing on her.
We also spotted quite a number of birds, some beautifully coloured ones and others like quail and guinea-fowl. A drongo also showed itself.
On return to the Lodge it was time for brunch. We sat poolside for a continental breakfast, and enjoyed the atmosphere. There is a bit of wind today, and it is cloudy, so a bit cooler than yesterday.
This blog is being composed while sitting on the deck overlooking the waterhole. Have watched an elephant bathing, and some impala come by. Quite a number of birds are able to be seen and heard.
It is the dry season so very dusty and brown everywhere. Makes for easier animal spotting than in the summer when the grass and trees are green.
We meet again at 3 for High Tea before heading out again for our dusk game drive. We have requested Tyrone to make sure we see a black rhino and a hippo tonight!
On arrival at the park, around 2pm, Martie drove us the long way so we could see some of the wildlife. There were elephants crossing the road, and some zebra. We arrived at Impodimo Lodge at 2.30, and were shown to our chalet. Just outside our room were elephants bathing in the waterhole! It is an unfenced lodge, so we are not allowed to go to or leave our chalets at night without an armed guard, in case we encounter any wildlife along the way.
At 3pm we met at the pool for High Tea. Then we went on a game drive, with Tyrone our guide and Sam our tracker. Travelled in an open land rover, with a couple from Australia, so there were 6 guests and two staff in total. We saw lions resting after a kill - parked just a few metres away to sit and watch them! There were zebra, jackals, a large buffalo, hyena, steenbuck, warthogs, impala, and many other species of wildlife. We stopped and had a wine and nibbles in a clearing along the way. As it got dark we saw a few nocturnal animals. The temperature dropped the sun disappeared but we had hats, jackets and a rug to keep us warm.
Upon returning to the Lodge around 8pm we gathered in a courtyard for dinner. It was lovely and cosy, with open fires in a bush-like setting. We had a delicious three course meal, and then it was time to be escorted back to our room.
We are in a lovely chalet, which had a small fire burning and hot-water bottles in the bed. There is a bath with a view over the waterhole, and both an inside and outside shower. It was very quiet during the night, though I did hear something nibbling/gnawing - discovered in the morning that there had been a mouse in my bag eating a muesli bar. There were others out on the seat it could have had without going through my bag!
A wake up call came at 6.30 so we got up and dressed and met at the lodge at 6.45 for a hot drink and muffin, before heading back to the vehicle for the early morning game drive. Sam had placed a hot water bottle and rug on our seats, so it was lovely and cosy.
The first big animal we saw was a white rhinoceros. We were able to get within a few metres of this great beast, which continued peacefully grazing alongside of us. So we spent quite a while watching it. It was an amazing experience. The other animals we saw close up included giraffes and elephants. There was a very young elephant which was playing with its mother - the mother was lying down and the baby was climbing on her.
We also spotted quite a number of birds, some beautifully coloured ones and others like quail and guinea-fowl. A drongo also showed itself.
On return to the Lodge it was time for brunch. We sat poolside for a continental breakfast, and enjoyed the atmosphere. There is a bit of wind today, and it is cloudy, so a bit cooler than yesterday.
This blog is being composed while sitting on the deck overlooking the waterhole. Have watched an elephant bathing, and some impala come by. Quite a number of birds are able to be seen and heard.
It is the dry season so very dusty and brown everywhere. Makes for easier animal spotting than in the summer when the grass and trees are green.
We meet again at 3 for High Tea before heading out again for our dusk game drive. We have requested Tyrone to make sure we see a black rhino and a hippo tonight!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Off to Africa
We had a long trip, leaving a wet, cold Wellington at 6.45 am for Sydney. The flight was late landing due to fog in Sydney, and we spent time circling in a holding pattern, desperately hoping we did not have to go to Brisbane to refuel as that would mean problems with our connecting flight. However the pilot landed us safely and we transferred to our next flight which was late anyway. Once on board we were told we would be waiting for up to an hour for people on other delayed flights! So finally departed Sydney just over two hours late.
It was a smooth 14&1/2 hour flight to Johannesburg. We landed around 6.40pm and cleared immigration and customs - no forms to fill out or anything, just a passport stamp. Easy directions to our hotel shuttle and we were driven about 5 mins to the hotel. So did not see much of the area in the dark.
Lovely hotel, and once showered and refreshed we went down to dinner. Very nice buffet meal. After that it was time to try and sleep. Had a few hours of sleep - 10 hours behind NZ so we would normally have been awake at the time we were trying to sleep. It was/is certainly nice and quiet, even though we can see the airport runway from our window.
We are looking out to see if we can see Amy and Jeromé arriving as they are due to arrive now.
Have just had a call to say our shuttle is waiting to take us to the game park, so are setting off on our adventure!
It was a smooth 14&1/2 hour flight to Johannesburg. We landed around 6.40pm and cleared immigration and customs - no forms to fill out or anything, just a passport stamp. Easy directions to our hotel shuttle and we were driven about 5 mins to the hotel. So did not see much of the area in the dark.
Lovely hotel, and once showered and refreshed we went down to dinner. Very nice buffet meal. After that it was time to try and sleep. Had a few hours of sleep - 10 hours behind NZ so we would normally have been awake at the time we were trying to sleep. It was/is certainly nice and quiet, even though we can see the airport runway from our window.
We are looking out to see if we can see Amy and Jeromé arriving as they are due to arrive now.
Have just had a call to say our shuttle is waiting to take us to the game park, so are setting off on our adventure!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)