3 January 2018
How lovely it was to sleep in our caravan again last night. There is something very special about falling asleep to the sound of laughing hyena!
Simon and Shannon reported to having had an excellent night in the tent but were a bit freaked out about having to rise at the rude hour of 5:30 am! We had not yet bought milk so they refused coffee but munched on a rusk and we were off on a game drive just after 6. All sleepiness was gone when Grandpa started spotting the first birds. Oh no – this was not good enough – the competition was on and Simon was the hero when he got us a booted eagle!
We did the Majulu loop which was not as productive as it usually is probably due to the overcast conditions. However, we were pleased with what we did see.
Our breakfast stop was Afsaal and our favourite waitress Mpumbe hugged us tightly when she saw we were back.. The grandkids got hugs too and she was just as indulgent to their needs as she always is to ours.
It was a long day out today as we misjudged how long it would take to return along the crocodile river route. But we had some lovely sightings and as it was our first full day it went down well with the kids. From now on we will be sure to make the trips shorter!
Booted Eagle we think
The kids love the baby animals
Thrills us every time – Lilac breasted roller
Okay – so enough already – you only get points for the first one seen each day! Golden breasted bunting
There are a few white storks about
Simon found the Martial in the same tree as yesterday!
Shannon asked if we would see a chameleon. Simon said he remembered seeing one on our visit six years ago. “Remember, Gran. It was crossing the road very slowly and a lady got out of her car to move it out the way. And Grandpa told her it was a silly thing to do!”
No, I didn’t remember and I know we haven’t seen chameleons in the park since then. But not half an hour later, what should cross over the road, very slowly in front of us but – yes – a chameleon!
The Ground Hornbill is a fascinating bird and today we got a whole family of them. What made the sighting extra fun was that they were carrying frogs home for breakfast.
Bee-eater, yelled Shan – and there she was in all her beauty.
European Bee-eater
Wood Sandpiper
Female Knob-billed Duck – Male has a knob on bill
White-faced Duck
Lovely to find a male water buck who posed handsomely
And a hippo came out of the water to graze
A wattled lapwing showing off his wattles
Hooray that this chap is still with us – long may he and his species survive
And finally my personal favourite – the saddle-billed stork
We were pretty whacked after our long day out. Grandpa cooked us a delicious chicken dish for supper and then it was off to bed.
Diary of an Adventurous Retiree 
These are all great, but I love the chameleon! Such cool critters. 😃
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Hooray for spotting a chameleon – they are so rare these days!
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