Sept
Woke early & cold. Lay there as I listened to others alarms going as they navigated their way with torches getting ready to leave for the morning drive by 6am.
Had a cold shower- now I know why everyone was showering at night time. Lovely view from window. Koos is flying an ultralight searching for a black rhino they want to change a collar on. I watch an impala bound across in front of me. Beautiful sunrise against the pool & deck. This is better than tourist Africa.
Us four newbies have to stay back for induction into our new way of Eco life. LEO = Limpopo Eco Operations
Owned by 13 people. Previously was farm land, mainly cattle. Pooled resources for eco tourism. Non tourist, not for profit reserve. 33,000 thousand hectares. Sustainable hunting, all kill is eaten, sable antelope breeding $12,000 per bull antelope. 5 free roaming in the reserve. Struggle to survive. Black rhino at risk. Anti poaching team work 24/7.
Learn to use solar power board, emergency procedures, radio communication, data entry, check out donkey heater, outside shower, snake rules( spitting cobra in camp). Connect wifi.
A group of fellow conservationists.
Koos & Sabrina(managers) Sam, Stacey, Simon & Alison run the camp & are guides. They have to do a 6 month registered Eco training course & have experience before being employed here.
Elizabeth (UK), George & Liz( the Geordies), Mary Beth & Alex, (USA), Zoe(UK), 3 Belgiums, 2 Swiss & a couple of interns. That makes a lot of people for 2 bathrooms! Check out base camp. It really is very basic.
Afternoon drive. See Duiker, Steenbok, Impala, Baboon troup, Mongoose, giraffe, yellow bill horn bill.
Close in on a 6 telemeter reading to Mbhurri ( male lion) eventually leave as hes hiding in the bushes. Meet up with Eco team for Phusa & hear lion roar. Race to track him but lose him & go to a water hole to have Phusa. Suddenly the telemeter reads a 7. W jump in the truck just in time. use a spotlight to watch Mbhurri drink from the water hole - a stunning male. Track him for a while as he walks stealthily through the bush. I do data collection. What a beautiful experience