DAY 8: Hwange delivers!

It rained a lot last night at Ngweshla and by 05:00 it hadn't cleared...so we slept in. To be honest, both of us needed it. So we slowly started packing up before spending a bit of time with Binga Dube and his family. We pumped up the first of about 25 footballs we plan to give away during the trip and made Binga's two young sons smile big time!!

Villiers at Ngweshla with Binga Dube's two young sons

We left Ngweshla around 10:00 and drove a very scenic road to Main Camp. At first the light was fantastic, and so were the sightings. A herd of giraffe drank in the road right in front of the car! We really enjoyed the sunlight and dark dramatic clouds in the background.

Giraffe drinking in the road between Ngweshla and Main Camp

The Hilux couldn't look any better, could she!?

Soon after we took these lovely shots, the weather turned. It started bucketing down and within 15 minutes we were driving in a river! Fortunately the road surface was very sandy as opposed to muddy. We arrived at Main Camp just in time for lunch...

BUT, it was cut short with news of a lion pride that had caught a giraffe nearby! We raced to the sighting and finally saw our first cats for the trip! Seven lions (two adults, two sub-adults and three small cubs) used the wet weather to chase a giraffe across the slippery tar road and managed to pull the animal down. To our surprise the youngsters started playing in a tree near the carcass, making for some great video and photos! 

After about an hour with the lions we headed back to Main Camp for cheeseburgers and Coke at the Waterbuck's Head restaurant. Of course we had to top it off with an afternoon nap! Our late afternoon game drive produced sightings of honey badger (in the road), zebra, hippo, crocodile, kudu and giraffe.

Our good friend Servaas suggested that JI and I have a little photographic competition! So this is how it works: Below we have each posted our favourite shot of the day. What we want to know from you is: Which one is the best and who do you think took it??? This should be fun! We look forward to your comments!

Photograph A - taken at our first lion sighting of the trip!

Photograph B - taken near Nyamandhlovu hide

I hope you've enjoyed today's blog. We've had a wonderful time in Hwange and have only one game drive left in the morning. From there we head to Mlibizi to catch some tiger fish!!! Trust me, JI can't sleep at night that's how excited he is!

Highlight of the day:

Villiers: The lions, of course!

JI: For me too - the lions!

Lowlight of the day:

Villiers: That I couldn't get photos of the sables and the honey badger - they were to quick!

JI: My ear is not feeling well.