We are parked next to the “nsaka” – a well-made thatched structure open on 2 sides with the roof supported by dry miombo trunks with interesting whorls and grooves where worms got under the bark before it was stripped. The two walls are brick, one with a window. It’s good for shade and shelter from the breeze and has a big fireplace with a real chimney (although it’s truly blocked at the moment!).
The morning was damp, misty and chilly, so no rush to get up. Apparently the river water here is so clean that it’s drinkable –we won’t be doing that but we will top up the tank, our filters will make it truly drinkable. Chris and Moses showed us where to fill up, Sue walked to the top of the whaleback next to the campsite and came back explaining the wondrous sights she had seen – several whalebacks rising from wooded valleys with the sounds of various hidden waterfalls. Apart from the background sound of the water, it’s incredibly quiet here – just the breeze in the trees and birdsong. We are the only guests. The showers are lovely – with open roof.
In the afternoon we had a short walk to Cholo Falls – a very attractive spot. The water flows gently from a tranquil pool over rounded rock before falling into smooth sided basins. There are plenty of lizards and dragonflies.
Back at camp we got a fire going in the nsaka, once it had burnt down we used the embers to bake Caroline’s sweet potato – delicious with butter and a bit of salt plus some of Mark’s ham. Yum! As we were drying up in the truck Sue thought she heard a munching sound outside – we turned the lights out, then the floodlights on – just outside the kitchen window was a civet! For the space of a breath we got a really good look at it – then it was off, running directly away from us into the trees. A beautiful creature.
It is really dark here – absolutely no light at all except the stars – we can’t even see the moon at the moment. We heard hyenas again tonight before going to sleep.
The morning was damp, misty and chilly, so no rush to get up. Apparently the river water here is so clean that it’s drinkable –we won’t be doing that but we will top up the tank, our filters will make it truly drinkable. Chris and Moses showed us where to fill up, Sue walked to the top of the whaleback next to the campsite and came back explaining the wondrous sights she had seen – several whalebacks rising from wooded valleys with the sounds of various hidden waterfalls. Apart from the background sound of the water, it’s incredibly quiet here – just the breeze in the trees and birdsong. We are the only guests. The showers are lovely – with open roof.
In the afternoon we had a short walk to Cholo Falls – a very attractive spot. The water flows gently from a tranquil pool over rounded rock before falling into smooth sided basins. There are plenty of lizards and dragonflies.
Back at camp we got a fire going in the nsaka, once it had burnt down we used the embers to bake Caroline’s sweet potato – delicious with butter and a bit of salt plus some of Mark’s ham. Yum! As we were drying up in the truck Sue thought she heard a munching sound outside – we turned the lights out, then the floodlights on – just outside the kitchen window was a civet! For the space of a breath we got a really good look at it – then it was off, running directly away from us into the trees. A beautiful creature.
It is really dark here – absolutely no light at all except the stars – we can’t even see the moon at the moment. We heard hyenas again tonight before going to sleep.