Well, hello there. I do hope that you are super well and have had a wonderful weekend. Here in the Luangwa everything is full steam ahead and we are so excited to see so many familiar faces coming back after the prolonged break. This week however it’s going to be a little bit of news from Rob and I before delving into what the guides have been showing the guests.
As Jack was on holiday, we decided to combine a little game drive with our weekly trip to Nsefu and Tena Tena. So, leaving nice and early we sped up to Tena Tena to be welcomed with a large cup of hot coffee and Jack preceded to raid the kitchen of all its leftovers from breakfast with a lot of exclamations on just how delicious Robert the chefs cooking is. This he soon realised was the way to go as he then found more food coming his way!
Parents full of coffee and positive chats with the Tena Tena team and infant full to bursting with leftovers we scooted out of Tena Tena and took our first stop before heading on to Nsefu – the must see from Tena Tena which is the Hyena den just at the top of the road from camp. Parking the car slightly off to the side we sat patiently watching a very pregnant female in the depth of the bush and then our patience was rewarded as a little head poked its way out of the den. It was fleeting but wonderful to see all the same. Looking at the female that was there, there will soon be some more joining the clan.
Next, we did some birding with a marabou stork perusing the surroundings for any opportunities and then a lovely Giant Kingfisher sitting still enough to grab a photo even though the light was terrible it was too nice an opportunity to forgo.
Arriving at Nsefu just in time to catch Willie before he dived into what looked like a scrumptious looking lunch, we had a quick catch up with him before continuing our travels up river to second ebony where we found a lovely little spot for a picnic with some hippos who were also enjoying a siesta so why not join them.
Relaxation time done and the clouds coming over it was time to carry on before having to head back home and we had one goal – the stork colony. On the way a lovely little squirrel posed for us in a tree as well as a great sighting of a puku before the screeching of the hungry young storks reached our ears.
Still hanging out depending on a parent to bring them some food it was wonderful to see at this stage as we usually don’t get to enjoy the colony this late on. Each time a parent would arrive all the youngsters would flock towards it squawking and hoping to make a go of getting tit bits from someone else’s parents. Sadly, time was not on our side as the day had flown by and it was time to head home but what a lovely time, we had all the same and hope to be able to do it again soon.
Meanwhile the guests I can assure you have not been focusing their cameras and binoculars on squirrels and marabou storks but instead on the countless leopards that seem to be falling out of the trees (well not falling but seeing 3 leopards in one tree is quite incredible), as well as wild dogs that seem to be thriving this year. Gone are the days when a wild dog sighting was a fleeting glimpse once a year that is for sure, it is wonderful to see them doing so very well and giving our guests so many opportunities to see them. However, as with all animal sightings they are far from being guaranteed.
Before I start going on about something else, let me stop myself and bid you a very fond farewell and have a wonderful week ahead with plenty of smiles and laughter and don’t forget to look after one another.
