Wow. And again WOW!! Just 4 ‘tents’ in the Nkasa Rupara National Park, miles from anywhere. Jackalberry Tented Camp isn’t ‘luxury’, but it is so close! We are the only people here, which is sad for the staff. The drive is proper 4×4, sandy, wet, mud. And we were very glad we were following Justin our guide. So many bends, turns, bogs. We would have been lost! Just the drive to the camp is a safari in its own right. Glad the car is good. It was suggested that we left the car in the nearest ‘town’, Sangwali but Justin reconed we could do it! Phew. We could!!

We started with a night drive, not seeing as much as in Otijwa Eagles rest, but the peace, and actually the noise of the night, is glorious. Hippo making ‘bowel’ noises and munching on grass, loads of frogs but most memorably the roar of Lions. And don’t forget the smells! Wild sage mixed in with various poos! We spend 2 1/2 hours tracking the lions. We heard them loads. We saw their paw prints. But we didn’t see them. No luck. But that was to change tomorrow…

The first morning of our time in Jackalberry. 5.30 start for coffee and the game drive starts at 5.50, ish. It is cool, maybe 17-18 c and refreshing. Dawn is just breaking. Justin our guide is keen and happy. We hear lions, again. But more frustration. Loads of birds, Impala, Kudu and warthog. Still no lions. But then: around a corner…an amazing lion. Yea.

And here are some of the antelope we have seen. The whole place is just teeming with life.

And a warthog!!

More soon, including a sunset that is amazing!