Last Stop...Zimbabwe, Pamushana

[marg]

It is a travel day, again.  When we first planned this trip, we were going to go to Cape Town after Shumba.  But, we changed our minds.  We would rather go on game drives!  So, we splurged and booked a return visit to Pamushana.  This is the first time that we have visited camps in more than two countries and the result is extra nights and extra flights.  But, it is nice down time.

 

We fly to Livingstone then have another road transfer to Victoria Falls.  Because of the new bridge between Botswana and Zambia the immigration buildings on both sides are new.  Not the case here.  Thank goodness we are met and escorted.  Along the way here are bikes carrying oranges from Zimbabwe to Zambia and potatoes going in the other direction.  Trucks carrying copper are lined up at the bridge. 

 

We stay at the Ilala Lodge and it is nice and close enough that we walk to the falls in the afternoon.  The smoke as seen from our room.

 

The next afternoon we are on our way to the next adventure!

[marg]

Because we are on a charter flight we land at the Lone Star airstrip which is close to camp and we do not need to go to Chiredzi  .  The view from our room of Malilangwe Lake.  One of our favorite trees .  A reunion with a staff member whom we first met nine years ago.  More nice visits with others follow.  Great game viewing next!

[marg]

I go on a short game drive with our guide and spotter.  Here the spotter sits in the back row so he does not get in the way of photos.

   Dwarf Mongoose

   Rhino

   Giraffe

   Spotted Hyena

 

We did check out two leopards but they were too deep into the trees to get a decent photo.  After that we tried but were unable to find them again.

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @marg:

 

That immense baobab !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What a tree!

 

      Tom K.

[marg]

@Tom KellieYes!  There are quite a few in the area.  We found one that still had fruit on it.  Evidently no baboons are in that area.  So, we sampled a couple of them.... tasty.

[marg]

Dogs!  We find them early morning.  They had not been seen for three weeks so we are lucky.  There are thirteen of them including four pups.  There had been seven pups but it is thought that lions got three of them.  And, the pups...three of them have perky ears and one has droopy ears.  They all have full stomachs.  We have always had great wild dog sightings here and this is a great way to start the day!

[marg]

more dogs...

[marg]

moving on....

   a flock of Common Waxbills

   a small herd (75) of buffalo coming to drink, sharing the water with a Grey Heron and a Hadeda Ibis

 

We had a very nice morning!

[michael-ibk]

Very cool! Talk about well-fed puppies - I´m surprised they could even move.

[Biko]

What a great dogs sighting!

[marg]

@michael-ibk@Biko   Thank you!  More to come.

[marg]

The plan for the afternoon drive is to go to the other side of the Chiredzi River in search of a huge herd of buffalo.  On our way out we stop at another boabab with two kudu posing for us.

A Meves's Starling.  Two dugger boys in part of the river.  But, we do not find the herd.  So, it's  back to the lake to look for the two leopards.  Again, no luck.  But we do see a Three-banded Plover and a Black-winged Stilt.

We had a few strike outs but also had a great day!

[marg]

A new day and we are on our way.  First, nyala

Then, dogs!  We find them at the airstrip and today there are fourteen as they are joined by a limping female.

[marg]

more.....

[marg]

a few birds...

   Crowned Lapwing

   Hoopoe

   Bennett's Woodpecker

   Black-bellied Bustard

[marg]

and a few larger animals...

   Zebra

   Giraffe

   Lichtenstein's Hartebeest

   Kudu

   Sable

   Black-backed Jackal carrying something; everyone in camp looked but no luck identifying it.

 

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by marg
added a photo

[marg]

moving on...

   White rhinos, the young one about four months old

   Lions, a romantic pair

   White rhinos, two more

   Lion, brother of the other male and with a full stomach

 

 Busy morning...time for coffee!

[Tom Kellie]

~ @marg:

 

It's more of a question of what didn't you see than what you did see.

 

Generous photos of birds and mammals, all of which whet one's safari appetite.

 

The sheer quantity and quality of your sightings is a great treat to see.

 

Thanks so much for preparing and posting all of these.

 

         Tom K.

[marg]

@Tom KellieWe saw a lot...thank you!  I am on a mission to get this report finished.  But, as I go along I relive each sighting so it is also fun.  It has been so long since I last did one that it is a huge pleasure.

[marg]

Banyini Pan...the last stop of the morning.  Six huge elephants come to drink.

[marg]

And just before we get back a Klipspringer.

[madaboutcheetah]

Looks like very interesting landscapes and topography ........ Lovely sightings of the dogs!! 

[marg]

@madaboutcheetahThanks Hari!  The area is vast with many different landscapes.  Here the leopards usually hang out on the rocks not in the trees.  Exception for the two that were mating near the lake in a tree.

[marg]

@madaboutcheetahI nearly forgot to tell you that I would have so disappointed if we had not seen the dogs.  I loved all of your photos...they are my favorite wild animal.

[John M.]

3 hours ago, marg said:

@madaboutcheetahI nearly forgot to tell you that I would have so disappointed if we had not seen the dogs.  I loved all of your photos...they are my favorite wild animal.

Probably mine, too  But I love 'em all. And your ellies are stunning.