Africa Day seven

We could lions roaring again as we got up, this time probably about 1.5 kms away. Today Teri travelled with Mick, and I was in Chris's car. Back at the small pan we saw two jackals, plus the same animals as the previous evening. Chris and I walked across for a closer look at the sociable weaver bird nest, though keeping a very keen look out for the lions.

We saw a family of ostriches, with the father carefully shepherding his young family away from the road.

A bit further on we passed the burned out wreck of a car. This had suddenly burst into flames about 18 months ago as a group drove through the park. The problem is how to get such a wreck out of the park. The South Africans say it is in Botswana, and the Botswana do not have the equipment to trail it out. 

We saw more steenbok deer, and I even got a photo of one. There are quite beautiful, with huge 'maps' in their ears. Difficult to see as they are the same height as the tall grass, and they run very fast.

Then we drove on towards Nossob, on corrugated sand roads with even more more undulations. Travelling at the front meant I saw more animals, including several more steenbok and an ostrich family.

As we reached Nossob we saw two secretary birds, then crossed the dry river bed into South African.

Nossob is so civilised compared to our previous camps. There are heated showers in a block, flushing toilets and a fence round the site. The gates are locked between 7.30pm and 6am, and you have to get a pass every time you leave the camp. There's even a shop, and a petrol station which takes cards.

After setting up camp we went for a drive north. The road here was very wide, meaning people can stop and look at animals while other cars can still pass them. We saw many of the same animals, but closer to the road than before. The Blue Wilderbeest are very striking, as are the Kari Busted birds, the largest birds that can fly in South Africa.

We also see a pair of tawny Eagles, and get some good close ups of Kari Busted and secretary birds. Many Hartebeest with young, springbok and wilderbeest. Nice drive and some fun to be had driving through the muddy pools. Back to camp where Chris is cooking a braai with choppies and borewas, pap and sous. 

There are ground squirrel and mongoose all round camp. The rest of us gather round chatting and drinking.

BBQ over, wine consumed and four of us walked down to the hide by the south gate. We sat there for about 40 mins, but only saw two hazy jackals, walking well outside of the lit area.