An African Adventure: Part 2

Before the heat of the day set in, we were off to the REAL Mana Pools, and our campsite. Although the distance isn't too great, the roads are not either - at one point there is a gigantic tree in the middle of the road, and the road simply takes a turn round either side of it. We were blessed to be in high-riding 4x4 bakkies... but it was a long trip nevertheless.

Our camp was situated under immense trees on the very banks of the Zambezi. We set up quickly, putting our food away carefully (elephants and monkeys love to play hide and seek!), and us younger ones headed off to the river to explore.



We had been warned not to venture too near the water, and to watch for "logs with eyes" - crocodiles! The view was incredible across to the mountains in Zambia. Adventure beckoned from every corner! Including the shower, where we found a gigantic baboon spider lurking...

Once camp was set up, it was time to head out and see the animals. We had the top off the back of the bakkie, and all piled in for an open-air ride around the park. We saw animals, animals and more animals!

Down by the river was a herd of buffalo, a little too far away to be examined properly. We stopped by a meandering path that led down to the waterside, and followed it barefoot to within good sighting range of the herd.

Unfortunately for us, we spooked them and they decided WE needed some closer inspection - they charged! Meandering path? NO WAY! Back we dashed, barefoot, in a straight line for the bakkie - right through a patch of devils-thorns! I didn't feel the pain until I had hopped back into the vehicle, but my feet had a literal carpet of small pointy thorns covering the sole! It was quite a job to pick them all out.

The buffalo gave up chasing us and went back to their feeding.

Back at camp, we found that a troop of monkeys had discovered the tomatoes - and trashed the place. Tents were open, stuff was strewn, tomato stains covered everything! We learned very quickly that stuff needs to be SECURELY locked away.

That night some slept soundly. Others were kept awake by something scratching through a nearby rubbish bin.

And in the morning there were the footprints of elephants all around our tents.