An early start meant that our alarm was set for 4:30am. We had a good sleep encased in our mosquito net and with river water washing below our floor boards.
After being fed and watered we boarded our trucks and headed off at 6:12am to Moremi Game Reserve. As we neared the reserve we started to see a bit of wildlife. But nothing threatening so we were able to stop for people to go ‘bushy bushy’ (a wee in the bushes). The morning was warming up, as it started out really cold. We were rugged up and given fleeced ponchos to wear on the truck.
I won’t lie, the day was long (11 hours), dusty, and hot at 35 degrees. But it was well worth it, as we saw many new animals and more giraffes and elephants.
At 9:30 we finally arrived at the reserve gates and bathrooms, which I have to report were clean. I have been pleasantly surprised at the standard of public restrooms.
Along the track we stopped and were shown some elephant bones. This elephant had died from a gunshot. It is presumed it was a farmer chasing it off his property and then it came here to die. If an elephant is found dead they have to report it and the government people come and remove the tusks. These bones are about two years old.
Later we came across another carcass which was only a couple of months old. This elephant had a broken leg and had lay down on the road so the ranger had to shoot it. It was a tad whiffy.
These holes are made by elephants because the sand here is very salty. They make the holes to get to the salt, and then other animals come and lick the salt as well. Eventually it becomes a large hole and when the rains come it turns into a lovely elephant mud pool.
We pretty much drove around the game reserve all day looking and our drivers Eddie and Tshidi were in contact with other drivers to see what was around. Eddie got a call to say there was a cheetah and off we went. Tracks were rough and remember, we were not in nice cabs with sprung seats. We were on the back on seats with a bit of padding and something to hold on to when your bum left the seat!
These to young male giraffe were fighting in the most elegant way ever!
We were becoming quite blaze when we came across more elephants and giraffe. They were regular features all through the reserve. We did spot our first zebras. And Even had a ‘zebra crossing’ at one stage!
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| Male impala |
Soon we spotted other tours parked by the cheetah that was having a bit of r & r. I sort of felt sorry for it having everyone peering at it. After we left the other truck from our tour would not start, and they were right beside the cheetah. Tshidi had to get out and tinker under the bonnet. Apparently the cheetah just got up and left.
Soon another message came that there was a lion not far away so off we went again. And there she was, lying in the shade, her ears twitching and tail flicking away the flies.
I have to tell you that I felt quite emotional, a lion! And we were breathing the same air! It was a bit scary and I did hear myself gasp when she sat up.
Soon after we stopped for lunch. Eddie and Tshidi assured us that the lion was not close and we enjoyed some cold spaghetti bolognaise. Both Sandi and I went ‘bushy bushy’ with ears pricked!
It was time to make our own tracks back to Gomoti Riverside Lodge. We were not looking forward to the dusty bumpy ride home. We were all quite subdued just holding on to the bar and trying not to rattle too much. Not far from home one of our Italian companions started us singing and spirits lifted. In fact they lifted so much that the lodge heard us coming down the track singing the song ‘Tequila’!
Once agin the hippo gave us a grunting chorus at sunset and we enjoyed a nice dinner and a couple of drinks. Sandi and I sampled the Okovango gin and it was very nice. Guess we won’t be able to get it at home.
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