16 Roy's Camp nr Grootfontein 10/5/15

Checked out at Hakusembe and they forgot to bill us for our accommodation ... R900. Little angel vs red devil ... Angel won!!!

Our meat impounded (again!!!) at the disease control point en route here. (Would have thought our honesty this morning would've pushed fate in our favor!) Never mind, perfect excuse to eat here ... lunch and supper.

Very unusual decor. Quaint and rustic comes to mind. They've created an old farmhouse effect and then added old farmhouse implements for effect. Overall, quite pleasing on the eye. Caution: beware of thorns!!! I've been spiked quite a few times already. Even the campsites resemble cattle kraals.

A little dik dik came to visit our campsite on two occasions. Had the best lodge supper thus far with game bobotie, roll mops, well prepared veggies and sweet potatoes plus salad. Spent a pleasant evening chatting to two locals and running up a good size bar bill! 

15 Hakusembe nr Rundu 9/5/15

Had our best night's sleep since we commenced this journey. Heard hippo downriver for the first time since we've been here at Hakusembe.

Spent a restful day predominantly sitting on the jetty. Decided to chase the elusive tiger by boat and went on an expedition at 2pm. Pleasant enough cruise but still no tiger! Did manage to get a couple of pics of birds, though.

Little malachite in the shadows

Juvenile fish eagle posing beautifully

Had supper at the lodge and then went to the beach area. Met Paul, an accomplished fisherman and freelance guide for the lodge. He caught 3 nice size tigers, then gave Luis some tips plus live bait. Luis had 2 convincing strikes but did not land them. By this time, all the male species in the park had converged on the beach and it got too hectic. We opted for the peace and quiet of our site. Luis had managed to obtain a very dead bream which he cut into fillets. Still nothing!

The night skies are awesome, feels like a low canopy of lights that you can reach out and touch.

14 Hakusembe nr Rundu 8/5/15

Restless night ... one minute hot then cold.

Spent a pleasant 30 minutes on the jetty watching small tiger swimming near the bank. Much interest shown in the lure but no takers.

Lunch at the lodge. Pretty boring, hot, windy day! Fishing crew who camp next door came home with their catch of the day: a beautiful Nemwi

Night time and mood improved. Sat on the jetty ... nice and cool. An owl flew by - guessing it was probably a barny.

Went down to the little "beach" near Sam Situ. River was alive with tiger leaping about.

Luis had a couple of good hits but failed to land any. Guess where we're off to tomorrow night!

A playful, mottled dachsie came to join us on the beach. She loved chasing shadows cast by the moths.

Found out her name is Snowy!

13 Hakusembe nr Rundu 7/5/15

Arrived here around 11ish. Have own 'blute and view of river. Very close to floodlit jetty so Luis hopeful re tiger.

Had a couple of Amarula at the lodge pub. Pleasant surroundings.

Jetty is coolest place with breeze off River plus shade. Look onto Angolan village. Get to watch the kids bathing and other bits of village life. Young Angolan girl thin as a reed carting their water bottle to the river to fill

Took her ages to fill and light was gone by the time she battled up the incline with the full bottle.

Three different herds of cows came down to drink at similar time of day. Interesting that the herders know exactly who belongs to who. The bulls from each herd would challenge each other creating consternation amongst the herders.

Above depicts a leader challenging another bull (out of pic as in bushes). Ah, wildlife ... Rundu style!

Challenges seem to be the order of the day with this Reed cormorant challenging another

Had a surprise visitor ... startled me 'til I figured out who he was

Luis spent an unsuccessful couple of hours looking for the elusive tiger

12 Nunda River Lodge nr Divundu 6/5/15

Checked out this morning with the intention of going to Mahengo Reserve and then to Popa Falls Resort for something different.

Mahengo was lovely with an abundance of wildlife: giraffe, zebra, piggies, Impala, lechwe, duiker, loads of water birds, sable.

Popa was disappointing, likewise Rainbow ... So ... here we are ... back at Nunda's. Will take a lot to beat!

Nice male lechwe

Impala fleeing male

Rutting male

Lovely supper of roast pork, yum yum veggies and crochet spuds. Hake starter ... Very nice. Yet another awesome sunset over the river. Every one is different.

10 Nunda River Lodge nr Divundu 4/5/15

Sad to leave Mavunje. Long, tedious drive to get here.

Very nice place.

Nicest 'blutes we've ever come across with little indoor garden and spacious showers. Plenty of room to shower, dry yourself on a dry floor, keep all your clothing and towel dry, etc.

Swimming pool area is also pretty

Decided to treat ourselves to supper at the lodge: pea soup, spare ribs and veggies with lovely salads topped off by chocolate delight. Mmmmm!

11 Nunda River Lodge nr Divundu 5/5/15

Relatively early to bed. Nice ambience with river flowing over Rapids nearby. Woke at dawn to melodious, if somewhat repetitive, robin chorus.

Quiet day hanging around lodge, pool and campsite. Had a burger from the lodge for lunch.

A youngster befriended Luis. He was fascinated by Real Racing 3 - had to download it and get tips and guidance from Luis. 

Spectacular sunsets in this neck of the woods. Tried something different, Luis' suggestion ... use flash for foreground. Quite like the effect

Anyone who knows us well will know that I'm neurotically anti light and Luis is neurotically pro light. Tonight he had the hanging light above the braai area on and walked into it. Had me giggling. I was teasing him that if the light had been off, he would have "seen" it, only to be told it's the fourth time he's walked into that light today ... the other three occasions in broad daylight!!!