October news kicks off with the fact that Kaingu was featured in the October issue of Sawubona – South African Airways inflight magazine! Fantastic. A really great piece (mostly about the river here) that included a description of the journalist witnessing a croc take a puku while on a canoeing trip with Kaley. They also used all the imagery for the article from Anthony Grote. So great news for us and Anthony.
October is also the month when historically we get the best elephants in river/on rocks/in camp activity and this month has been no exception. ‘one tusk’ has been providing great viewing, leading a small group of bulls from island to island.
The best sighting though was saved for repeat guests Audrey and Rick. This was their third visit here and we were treated to multiple sightings of elephants crossing and standing on rocks!
Of course the activities have not been only confined to the river. We also got raided by an elite gardening squad.
The skimmers nested and then got raided by a harrier-hawk. Poor old Israel was heartbroken as he witnessed the raid and even an egg being carried off. Last year a crocodile got the one chick. No wonder they are rare and endangered birds. The good news was that a subsequent witnessed raid was driven off and fingers are crossed for another chick this year.
Kaley managed to find a cheetah. There is nothing particularly amazing about that as cheetah sights this year have been fantastic. But what was really amazing was that we subsequently learned from researchers that the last time this cat was seen was in Busanga in the far North. Incredible.
October is traditionally also one of (if not the) our busiest months. This means we have been doing uncountable rapids dinners. And taking uncountable pictures of them…
Another thing that is supposed to happen in October is the first rains falling on Independence Day (the 24th). Amazingly they did!
Independence day cake – by Lizzie (cake) and Julia (flag)!