#kafue

Gift and his Elephants, Lusaka 2017.

The rare Pel's Fishing-Owl, photographed in Kafue National Park, Zambia, Africa

Kafue National Park, Zambia, Sebastião Salgado, 2010

I'm nearing the end of my internship here, so I had to go though and visit everyone. I've had a great time getting to know all of the animals and all of my coworkers!

Today was a good day! After a full day of planning, emailing and sorting, everyone was out on the river come four thirty for sun downers. Up past the confluence to a little sandy shore. My first time since the hippo incident. Apparently he has a bit of a rep these days! I packed my camera, I wasn’t missing this opportunity! As we made our way up river, the engine cut out several times. The most unnerving time was within a few hundred yards of a hippo, as we were being pulled along rather rapidly with the current straight towards him. He ducked under. I swallowed hard. What were the chances... Fortunately, the engine kicked in just in time. We saw three elephants bathing in the distance, lapping up and lolling in the cooler waters, something so engaging to watch their ears flapping and their trunks flailing around. Always a joy! Looking through the photos, I really do wish I’d been able to go for a 300mm lens! We pulled up on a little island , with a wide sandy shore, fringed at one side with long grasses and reeds. Recent rather large hippo tracks plundered along the shore and signs that elephants had been by recently too. A long shallow pool of several meters separated the middle of the island, it was walkable across. The gins were going down nicely. Plumes of clouds billowing amidst an aqua toned sky, with the sun setting, those silver linings were beginning to glisten. The shadow of rain showed distantly from one cloud. As the sun bowed out, the sky illuminated with a rainbow of pastel hues, deeper, darker, until they merged with the purple haze of the distant mountains and then, night. This is what I’ve missed! This is the Zambia that I love! Since that day and since I am so behind in posting, I’ve been working hard on pulling activities together for the Easter weekend. It allowed me to use a little of that creativity which was no bad thing. Designing masks, and maps for the Easter treasure hunt. It was good fun and even the parents seemed to appreciate the additional entertainment. The Easter bunny even came and apparently went via Shopright. A very kind soul obviously felt I needed more chocolate in my life. I’m not complaining! I’ve ran several times at varying paces. Those that know me best or even those who run regularly will realise the agro of strata missing its auto pause function when photo ops come up! Still, it’s nice not to be too bothered. It’s all good training and sometimes you just have to slow it down to appreciate it. No elephant encounters on the trails yet, but they have been spotted very close by. They have a very loveable reputation, until you get here. You have to respect them and their space. You frighten them with your pandemonium and hysterics, you have to remember how much weight is potentially coming charging towards you. I am more mindful out here about everything. Nature is beautiful, but it also serves itself. I don’t want to be a portion to anything! I was visited earlier today by a lady I’d contacted about catering for the Zambezi shores music festival in September. She asked how long I’d been in Zambia. When I told her two weeks, she laughed and said “Really? You’re already known in Lusaka and making waves. Crikey, in a good way I hope? I was only in Lusaka for 2 hours! Maybe the excess luggage was noted.... 😏 Generally life has been a lot slower. In some ways, I need to create a focus so I don’t just drift. The heat and humidity can make you lethargic, so having even a loose structure outside of the duties can help keep you motivated. People pass through the lodge as tourists or regulars, a few familiar faces have popped up every now and again. Some remember, some don’t...I don’t hold grudges because I can be just as bad. I have my own space to retreat to and that is important. It’s balance. Not quite everything has fallen into place yet, but it’s early days. I’ll know when it has, but at the minute I’m not even sure what it is, that hasn’t. Patience dear, patience! Time will tell and time in Africa is immeasurable anyway! 😉

Kafue puku, the most handsome of all the antelope? #zambia #kafue #safari #conservation #wildlife

Poster featuring a zebra and its foal for Kafue National Park, Zambia (c. 1950). Artwork by Elison.

The Queen