Today we went for a ride to the nearby Hwange Game Lodge but ended up on an unexpected game drive just getting there. It has been a visual treat to see the unexpected fall-like landscape here that just adds flavor to everything you see.
Once again we had to take the Kalahari-sand road to get to the main road. No matter which way you leave camp, it is necessary to take this kind of road. It is very unusual in Africa to have this kind of landscape of sand amidst such dense brush. I have never seen such dense brush in my life…it is difficult to visualize without seeing it for yourself.
Among our many trips to Yellowstone I’ve often gazed into the distant forests along the steep mountainous ground wondering what one might see should they have opportunity to walk in the middle of this mysterious land. If you were quiet enough surely you would encounter deer, with an occasional elk and possibly a bear. Still, this is only an imagination and one would certainly hope to NOT be put in a situation where they would have circumstances allowing them to uncover the mystery of this untraveled ground. These areas will always be a mystery (unless of course the government decides to run a bulldozer through it and charge admission).
The experience of being here feels like you have been given the unique opportunity to live within such mysterious land. The wildness cannot be described with words. The deafening quietness of only the bugs and birds and the occasional animal tantrum is even more difficult to describe. There is no traffic noises, no running of appliances (there are a few appliances here…just not within ear shot), no phones ringing, not even the hum of street lights…where else can you go to find such stillness? Only when placed in the middle of that mysterious land.
As we made our way on the corrugated sandy road, we bumped along like we were riding a never-ending wake. Again we had to navigate our way around items along the path. Minutes into our ride we came across an elephant- maybe 80 feet from our vehicle. I savored the uniqueness of the experience only to have us come across another elephant that we waited for as we wisely gave him the right away until he decided to leave the path. Then there was a giraffe perhaps 40 feet from our vehicle that we watched as he stared back at us. Still minutes later there was yet another elephant…this one close enough to offer a breath mint to. Johan was driving with me in the front seat and his wife, Ria, in the back. Johan has years of experience as a PH and was not at all concerned about his proximity but Ria and I were rambling various outbursts (all clean I assure you) while pushing our feet on an imaginary gas pedal. It was thrilling, yet terrifying at the same time.
This is the second ellie we came across today (not the closest one). This was taken with my video camera and not the best photo but it is a great memory for us in remembering the road we are frequently traveling to get other places to hunt or sightsee.
It is still hard to get your mind around the fact that these are not zoo or park animals. No trainer is going to yell a command for the animals to sit or behave themselves. We are in their territory and the implications of that are difficult to get your mind around but unimaginable to have the opportunity to experience.
Aug 8 7 PM
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