Friday 2 November - Mashatu camp -> Wonderboom airport

Last day of the flying safari. We had a great last safari drive in Mashatu park yesterday. There was a leopard that chased a jackal and ended up with a 1 week old baby monkey. The jackal somehow got the baby from a troop of baboons. When the leopard chased the jackal, he dropped the baby baboon. It was amazing to see this big cat and the tiny monkey. The monkey was already hurt by the jackal, we could see a big cut in his skull and body. So chance of survival was close to zero. The leopard was quite gentle with the baby monkey. We watched the whole event for about 30 minutes. We don't know what happened in the end. We can only feel sad for the mother losing her 1 week old baby. But this is nature. what to do. 

We got up at a respectable time of 7:30 and after breakfast we left for the airstrip. An hour flight into South Africa for a fuel and immigration stop. Then another hour to Wonderboom airport in Pretoria.  Markus was awaiting us there and we offloaded all the bags and Sarel came and picked us up. A last beer with the group and a big thanks for Albert & Markus for organising this amazing trip. The evening we spend with Family and friends. Malinda's parents came over from Cape Town and her brother lives in Pretoria. A great evening. 2 more days here in Pretoria and then back to Singapore. It has been a great holiday! 

The jackal

Circular farming fields

Finals Polokwane airport

Flying formation

Unloading

Wednesday & Thursday 1 November - Day around Mashatu Part 2

We are really enjoying ourselves and decided to stay an extra day. So now we only flying back to Pretoria on Friday. Albert was ok with it and there was no real urgency for the return of the aircraft too. This camp is just so relaxing. We do a safari drive in the morning and get back around 10 AM. then some lunch and a rest before going for the 4 PM drive again. This works out just perfect. Time to go for a swim or a snooze and also to update the blog. Here are some pictures of the last 2 days. just a few random shots. We have sooooo many pictures and great memories of this unforgettable trip sofar. Tomorrow is the last day of the trip. A short flight to Polokwane international airport in South Africa to clear customs followed by a short flight to Pretoria. 

Welcome drinks by our friendly guide

View from the room. Straight into the game reserve. Some mornings we find grazing animals here.

Evening dinner outside under the stars

These birds have their nest inside the river bank

The lions come very close to the car. They don't attack or anything, as long as you stay still and don't get out of the car of stand up. 

Albert taking good care of the ladies

Sundowner stop

Wednesday 31 October - Day around Mashatu - Part 1

We did a morning and afternoon safari drive. Great wildlife around here. Here are some pictures of a lioness we saw with 2 of her cubs. More about today in part 2 tomorrow. 

yawn

Tuesday 30 October - Bumi Hills -> Mashatu camp (Botswana)

Great morning for flying. No clouds in the sky and nice and sunny. We departed at 9 AM and set course to the south. A 2 hour flight to Bulowayo to clear customs & immigrations followed by an hour to the Mashatu camp. We thought it was great weather for flying, but it was very turbulent during the entire flight. The aircraft went up and down as much as 400 feet at times. After paying a hefty USD 230 to clear both aircraft out of Zimbabwe we continued to Botswana. The Mashatu camp is truly spectacular. The rooms are excellent and so is the food. We went for a late afternoon game drive and finally saw the big cats we were hoping to see. We saw leopard, lions, lionesses and lion cubs. There was a lot happening here in this park. We also had some free entertainment by a troop of baboons trying to chase a leopard away and a flock of guinea fowls (looks like a pheasant) trying to pass 2 lions laying on the sand sleeping. It was very amusing to see them run past the lions and we were wondering how they choose the first one to go from amongst the group of them. It was extremely funny to see. We were all in bed before 10 PM. the pilots especially were dead tired after a long 3 hour battle in the turbulent air. 

Nice pose :-)

Father asleep

Kids awake

Mother asleep

Monday 29 October - Day trip around Bumi Hills

After a late night we only finished breakfast at 9 AM and went for a fishing trip on the lake. This is our 2nd fishing trip of the holiday and we somehow got the hang of it. We caught a dozen fish and a few were sizeable enough for dinner. The smaller ones we threw back in the lake. On the banks of the lake we saw many grazing wildlife; zebra's, elephants, hippo's, impala's and many other species. We now were so used to see them already. We had a nice lunch on the veranda overlooking the lake followed by a swim in the pool. We went for a late afternoon drive again and saw again plenty of animals. This is truly a unique spot in Zimbabwe. The small resort is run by super friendly people and we thoroughly enjoyed our short stay. Tomorrow we leaving Zimbabwe and flying to Limpopo Valley and staying in another game park. Mashatu park is located in the south east corner of Botswana. http://www.mashatu.com/camps_main.htm

The big fish was for dinner

Hippo looking at us

Mother and baby

Hippos grazing behind us during sunset

Malinda pouring the last bottle of champagne we had with us

Full moon rising

Sunday 28 October - Happy birthday Malinda!

Malinda's birthday today! This is actually the reason for this flying safari. Malinda came up with the idea of spending her birthday flying around southern Africa. And Kim & Lynn liked the idea so much that they asked to come along. So here we are! After a short stroll along the waterfalls we went back to the airport and after more paperwork we were able to walk to our aircraft and departed for Bumi Hills. A short 2 hour flight along the shoreline of lake Kariba. Bumi Hills is a small resort located on top of a hill overlooking the lake. We watched a stunning sunset and had a great birthday dinner!

Preflight Victoria Falls

Lake Kariba and bush 1

Lynn trying the controls. And impressed Albert!

Our destination Bumi Hills in sight

Preparing for a fly past in front of the resort

With the resort in the back ground

BYO birthday drinks

Amazing sunset

Malinda opening her presents

The birthday girl