Last Stop...Zimbabwe, Pamushana

[marg]

@John M.Thank you!

[marg]

We start the afternoon a little early as we go to a blind that was not there on our prior visits.  Yeyani, our spotter, leaves after the three of us get settled.  It is a small room down some steps with six open windows and a shelf below them.  I take over the space.  Unfortunately the memory card in the Nikon was a bad one and I have no photos from the camera.  And, the settings on the other camera were not right.  So, the photos are not good but they are all that I have.

The first ones to come to drink are Cape Turtle Doves and a Swainson's Spurfowl.  Then, zebra, rhinos (four different visits of nine total), hartebeest, impala and just before it is time to leave the pair of mating lions.  It is unnerving to have so little space between the lions and you especially when they are looking right at you.  It is dark when we leave and they are still there.

 

What a great day!

[madaboutcheetah]

@marg- Were you able to do any day trips into Gonerezhou?  Curious because i will be going on a mobile trip next september....... Thanks

[marg]

@madaboutcheetahSeven years ago when we were there for a week, had planned to do a day trip.  Then it rained for three days and we decided to spend our dry time in the reserve and not go.  I am sure that you will have a great trip!

[marg]

With having two one week stays at Pamushana Brad could not believe that have never taken a boat ride on the lake.  So, the first adventure of the day is an outing in a pontoon boat.  We start in the area where the two leopards had been spotted.  We hear them mating but no luck once again in seeing them.  The lodge is built at the top of a sandstone ridge.  Parts of the lake have many dead old trees which are great for perching.  And, at the top of the lake are hippos and crocodiles .

   Waterbucks

   Water monitor

 

[marg]

And, many birds

   African Darter

   Greater Blue-eared Starling

   Grey Heron

   Brown-hooded Kingfisher

   Water Thick-knee

   Wattled Lapwing

   Long-toed Stint

   Green-backed Heron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by marg
changed a bird photo

[marg]

From the boat and back into the vehicle.  We are still in the search or the large herd of buffalo and head to the Chiredzi River where they were headed.  En route...

   Giraffe in the dry riverbed

   Male rhino, sleeping

   Herd of eland across the river

   Barred Owlet

   Nyala, after the coffee break heading home

 

No luck in finding them.

 

[marg]

The last afternoon game drive....

   More rhinos.  First a white male.  Then we spot a mother with a young one.  They are the only black ones that we see on this trip.  They are running so fast that we can not keep up with them and then can not find them.

   Two male elephants, one shaking a tree

   Two hyena at the the Banyini Pan

   Vervet monkey, we see very few of them on this trip

[marg]

The last sunset and last sundowner with something new.  Angostura Bitters added to the gin and tonics.  Try it!

The last dinner is away from the lodge out under a baobab tree.

   

[marg]

The time is here....it's our last day.  The weather is great.  No jackets.  Yes shorts.  Our first morning coffee and bite to eat in camp each day is with visitors.

   Yellow-spottted hyrax (dassies)

   Purple-crested Turaco

   Trumpeter Hornbill

   Dark-capped Bulbul

[marg]

It is a quick trip in the boat to see if there is anything left from a lion kill of a kudu yesterday afternoon.  No luck.

Back in the vehicle.  First, nyala.  Then, dogs!  The adults are hunting and the pups are not with them.  They head into trees and we try but are unable to find them on the other side.  Their stomachs are full and they still have blood on their faces.  Three days with the dogs!

[marg]

The mating lions are still busy.  And, there are giraffe in the riverbed.

[marg]

And, one last attempt to find the herd of buffalo.  We head to the Hippo Swamps and finally have success.  There are more than 500.

[marg]

We say our good byes and thanks to Brad and Yeyani.  Early afternoon we are on our way and I am not ready to leave!  This has been one of our best trips, certainly worth the wait.

 

To those you who have replied and/or hit the like button....Thank you!

[Kitsafari]

3 years in the waiting - what an awesome safari it had been for you. Go glad you both made it finally.

I had been wanting to ask if you took the boat ride as it was a highlight for me at Pamushana. lovely sightings of the turaco and hornbill. 

Thanks for taking the time to do the reports - so much fun riding with you @marg

[Biko]

Thanks for your trip report, what a beautiful trip.

[michael-ibk]

Indeed, you had fabulous sightings all the way. Thanks for all reports, enjoyed them a lot! 

[marg]

@KitsafariHi Kit,  This is why Brad thought it so unusual that we had never taken the boat ride.  The scenery is as interesting as the birds and others.  I do think that some times we go to areas and do things that the guide prefers.  Brad nearly insisted we do it.  And, we are glad that he did.

Herman and you have a trip coming up after the first of the year as I recall.  It is always such a great experience.

[marg]

@Biko and @michael-ibkAnother thank you!

[marg]

I did not mention it but I continue to think about our last day.  We had lunch before we left for the airstrip.  Our guide from nine years ago came by for a chat.  He told us about his daughters.  They are doing well in school and will continue their educations.  Then, he took a selfie with us.  These experiences are lasting ones and make me smile.

[Biko]

@marg I share this with you. Some of the African people I meet on  my travels are vividly present in my memories. Some have become friends. The guide that drove me and my mother in 2008 will drive me on my next safari. And the young guide we met in 2019 will join me as my guest on this trip. Safaris are not only about wildlife, but also about expanding my world and talking to people and learning about their lives and dreams.

[Atravelynn]

I can see why you'd state it is one of your best trips.  Nice catch of the hoopoe crest and the nursing dassie.  The wild dogs really put on a show for you.  Such variety on land and water, this time.  How nice you could visit with your guide from years ago.  Pamushana is a hoppin' place!

[Zubbie15]

I’m glad Lynn commented on this report, I somehow missed it.  What a great and varied set of sightings you had, Pamushana seems to really offer a lot.  Thanks for sharing!

[Sangeeta]

Loved it, @marg- and some really lovely photos too - the dogs, the dassies and daggas all came out for you!