Impressions from the wild
Extract from our trail journal:
December 2024
..
NESTLED AMONG THE TREES the flames of the fire cast a warm glow around our tiny campsite.
No-one is saying a word, and we are lost in our thoughts. The gentle tinkling of the bell frogs provides a soothing backdrop. Just as we consider turning in, the magic starts again. The Okavango is not finished with us today.
To the north, beyond the four mekoro on the edge of the water, we hear the characteristic sounds of a group of lechwe as they run through the shallow floodplain. Their movements clearly become more agitated as they take to deeper water, something they would not do unless they feel seriously threatened. A moment later we can pick out the sploshing sounds of a much larger heavier animal, which without doubt, is a lion or lioness.
By this time the seven of us are standing at the water’s edge, peering into the moonless night in an effort to catch a glimpse of the hunt. The chase intensifies and with a dramatic contact between the predator and the prey, we hear a grunting huhhhh as the lechwe is brought down. The frogs have stopped and a penetrating silence, unlike one I have ever experienced, surrounds us.
By the light of the stars I notice that Jovita has almost stopped breathing. After a minute or two, some splashing out in the floodplain punctuates the silence. The lion begins to stir and we are able to trace the movement as it drags the hapless antelope toward shallow water to feed. Soon, once the predator has rested, we can hear the powerful canines tearing through the lechwe’s hide. As the frogs resume their chorus we continue to stand on the verge of the island, straining for further clues. We don’t even mind the hordes of mosquitoes buzzing around our heads.
After a while we all return to the fire, which by now has been reduced to hot coals. Beaming with delight, I prepare some flames to brew fresh tea.
Extract from our trail journal:
December 2024
..
NESTLED AMONG THE TREES the flames of the fire cast a warm glow around our tiny campsite.
No-one is saying a word, and we are lost in our thoughts. The gentle tinkling of the bell frogs provides a soothing backdrop. Just as we consider turning in, the magic starts again. The Okavango is not finished with us today.
To the north, beyond the four mekoro on the edge of the water, we hear the characteristic sounds of a group of lechwe as they run through the shallow floodplain. Their movements clearly become more agitated as they take to deeper water, something they would not do unless they feel seriously threatened. A moment later we can pick out the sploshing sounds of a much larger heavier animal, which without doubt, is a lion or lioness.
By this time the seven of us are standing at the water’s edge, peering into the moonless night in an effort to catch a glimpse of the hunt. The chase intensifies and with a dramatic contact between the predator and the prey, we hear a grunting huhhhh as the lechwe is brought down. The frogs have stopped and a penetrating silence, unlike one I have ever experienced, surrounds us.
By the light of the stars I notice that Jovita has almost stopped breathing. After a minute or two, some splashing out in the floodplain punctuates the silence. The lion begins to stir and we are able to trace the movement as it drags the hapless antelope toward shallow water to feed. Soon, once the predator has rested, we can hear the powerful canines tearing through the lechwe’s hide. As the frogs resume their chorus we continue to stand on the verge of the island, straining for further clues. We don’t even mind the hordes of mosquitoes buzzing around our heads.
After a while we all return to the fire, which by now has been reduced to hot coals. Beaming with delight, I prepare some flames to brew fresh tea.