DAY 20: Worth every penny!

It's hard to believe, but we've been on the trip a full 20 days! And I can't think of a better place to spend day 20. After our second game drive in Selous we've forgotten all about the ridiculous entrance fee and are already planning our next game drive...

A typical view next to Lake Manze, Selous

Selous is an incredible place! It's Africa's largest game reserve and covers more than double the surface area of the Kruger National Park. The reserve is home to approximately 70000 elephants, 150000 buffalo, 100000 wildebeest, 35000 zebra and 25000 impala. We've also seen hundreds of giraffe! Apparently the lion population is 4000 strong and a whopping 1300 wild dogs also occur here!

Selous's zebras are rather shy of the camera

What makes Selous so special is the fact that self-drive visitors like ourselves can drive in this amazing landscape without a guide. On top of that, you're allowed to drive off-road to get closer to sightings. For the first time in my life I feel like I'm driving in my own private game reserve! And this time of the year there are very few other visitors, so today we had the lions to ourselves again, at least for a while...

Elephants on the edge of Lake Manze

The scenery in Selous is some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. The game viewing areas around Lake Manze and the other lakes in this north-eastern region are very open and makes it very easy to spot game. Palm trees are scattered throughout the landscape and massive dead leadwood trees line the edge of the lakes. 

A palm-nut vulture

This morning we were treated to a fantastic sighting of a palm-nut vulture right next to the vechicle. New species I haven't seen before also keep popping up, including the colourful Von Der Decken's Hornbill. 

We also had our second lion sighting this morning. This time we found two mating pairs in an open plain. A group of vultures and storks nearby made us wonder whether there was a carcass close by and soon we realised that a half-eaten buffalo calf was stashed under a palm tree near one of the pairs. Servaas, you'll be happy to know that we found them just after 08:00! :)

A mating pair of lions in Selous

Time for a snack!

We had to leave the park before 12:15 and decided to have the first afternoon nap in a few days. I overdid it a little bit - in fact, I completely overdid it! I went to sleep just after 12:00 and woke up at...17:00!!! Let's just say - the camp has a very comfortable bar couch!

Villiers after a 5-hour nap!

Tomorrow is a camp day. JI is thinking of cutting his hair. I need to do some writing. I'm sure there will be some more napping too!

Enjoy your day!

Villiers

Highlight of the day:

Villiers: Everything about our game drive!!

JI: This morning's game drive

Lowlight of the day:

Villiers: The feeling in my stomach just after we got charged by an elephant cow.

JI: The fact that the game drive had to end...!