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| | | "Rhino SIghting In North Luangwa by John Coppinger"
29 August 2010 00:00 | | | read more... |
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 | Remote Africa Safaris Newsletters | |
"A MORNING WALK Saturday, 22nd May 2010"
- 24 May 2010 00:00
The blue skies and warm May temperatures were perfect for our morning walking safari!
Strolling towards our canoe, across the white sands of the “beach” to cross the Luangwa River, we noticed a buffalo carcass floating down river followed closely by several crocodiles. Although the carcass finally lodged against an upturned tree in the river, the crocodiles continued to hold back patiently.
Paddling the canoe carefully to avoid the hippos’ mid-way, Alex spotted a group of buffalos up river huddled together at the base of the steep bank. We couldn’t make out what they were trying to do.
Reaching the opposite bank, we worked our way upstream on foot, to better view the seven buffaloes splashing in the water. The buffalos floated down stream, nervously resting on any level patch of earth they could find, constantly attempting to climb up the steep bank. For twenty minutes we watched their search for an escape route.
They were tiring and to our surprise, instead of continuing on down some 500 metres to the inlet we had used to climb the bank, they made for the opposite river bank. Swimming strongly against the current we watched with baited breath as the tail-enders occasionally disappeared under the water. To our relief they finally made it to the opposite bank and ran off into the bush, leaving only the carcass of the first buffalo we had spotted behind to feed the crocs.
Later, standing in the shade of a mopani tree overlooking a small tributary of the Luangwa, we observed a group of 9 elephant, on the other side of the stream, slowly making their way down to drink. The slight breeze was in our favour as they continued to approach, feeding along the way. We stood motionless and only metres from the water the matriarch stopped and raised her trunk to sniff the air. The slight breeze had changed direction and in swift unison the elephants turned, racing off into the bush. We then settled down to enjoy a mid-walk cup of tea in the shade.
Zebras, puku, monitor lizards, birds, plenty of giraffe and porcupine droppings, trees and their pods, lion tracks and a civet midden were some of the things which occupied us for the rest of the walk. At Tafika a cool drink and a delicious lunch provided the perfect end to an excellent morning.
(by Heather Mansfield)
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