We set-up camp on the delta of the Nile river - amidst hippos, elephants, buffalo and lions. No fences or animal deterent systems - except our strategically parked Landcruisers. Our first night, we went on a game drive only 2 kilometers from our camp site and stopped for a herd of more than a dozen elephants. As we were anxiously watching them eat their dinner, we also noticed hippos and crocodiles rolling around in the swamp across the road. And buffalo were starring us down in the distance. It was unbelievable!
That night we slept nervously off and on. We happily awoke at sunrise to no major nightly activities. Our guide talked about a lion's roar in the distance, and having to chase off a herd of buffalo. But we didn't think too much about it.
That afternoon, a few more friends joined us after seeing a pride of 6 lions cross the road as they entered the park. They also saw a lioness relaxing under a shade bush just a few kilometers away. We excitedly jumped in and on the Landcruiser to check her out. Yep - "on" - meaning we were sitting on top of the SUV holding on for dear life (quite literally, once we saw the lioness.) She was in the exact location that our friends described and she was gorgeous. I admit, I was scared out of my mind sitting on top of the landcruiser when she stood up to walk around us to find a new, more private bush to relax in. Not sure what we were thinking sitting up there. But it was definitely an adrenaline rush.
After seeing our cat, we were all excited and content. We ate a great dinner around our campfire and enjoyed each other's company late into the evening. None of us get a lot of social time out in the field since we all work in separate locations, so this was really precious. We went to bed expecting that the biggest adventures were over.
Then at 4am, one our friends Brian wakes us to some loud noises at our camp. It was a couple elephants! And one had just stepped on one of our chairs. But more importantly, they were crazy close to our tents and could easily trample any of us. Fortunately, the elephants decided to get back on an easier track - the road - and therefore, left our campsite. But we woke up to a broken chair, huge muddy foots prints on our mats, and a great story to tell.
I'll get you guys some pictures soon...sorry for the lack of visuals. But I'm sure your imaginations can conjure up a pretty accurate image of what we saw. A few more highlights to end with:
- Great MPI (mountain pie iron) egg sandwiches
- Running giraffes
- Hippos visiting our campsite
- The massive and turbulent falls
It was an awesome trip, and great fellowship. I can't wait to take all of you, someday - some sooner than others...can't wait to see you in November! We're going to have a GREAT time!!
5 comments:
Oh my!!!! I can't even tell you what I wouldn't give to see a hippo in the wild! Lol, they are my faves. It sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I'm so glad that you got to experience it, and that we can all live vicariously through your stories.
P.S. Bet your mom was frantic when she read the part about the lioness and the SUV, haha!
Glad you aren't as flat as your flat iron sandwiches. That is a crazy close safari experience and fun to read. Although the safari I went on was much more "civilized", it is still a great memory coming so close to the wild.
WOW!!! I can't wait to see the african life come Nov. I can wait to have them at our door or on our seats. Remember, I can't climb as well as you can, so.... I would probably be meeting the lioness face to face. It sounds like a time to always remember and LEARN FROM!!
BIG HUGS
Um... We were planning to see the new lion exhibit at the Oregon Zoo on Friday. Your way sound WAY more exciting. But with the bait--I mean kids--along, I guess the zoo is a little safer. What an amazing experience! God really outdid Himself when he designed the animals in Africa. I'm so glad you got to see it up close. When the bait gets older, we are so there!
You just don't see that sort of thing in Pittsburgh...
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