So, the ritual had been established:

• For me, up at 5:30am, everyone else 6am,
• Porridge and coffee at 6:15am,
• Load the trucks by 6:30am and on the hunt.

Before the sun was up we were already at the airstrip looking for Cape Buffalo.

This time, the trackers spotted a group of about eight just out on the plains to the east of us. We parked, already “salad’d up” and started our tracking.

 

I think we tracked this group about two hours – up this way and back that way, coming back to some spots. These Buffalo were not standing around waiting on us. They were smart and we were upwind. (I promise, I left all my smell goods at home!) Finally, the first score for the morning was

• Cape Buffalo = 1
• Team Worley and the Replacements = 0

Moving on, we came across quite a few Monkeys, Topi, Water Buck, Reed Buck, Mongoose, Duiker, Bush Buck, Oribi and my new favorite, the Warthog. When they run, their tails go straight up in the air like an antenna. Made me laugh! Wish I got gotten video each time – would make for a great “cheer you up” reel.

And, had we known how hard it was going to be to find Hartebeest later…….it was this guy’s lucky day.

And, as our luck would have it, we came upon another group of Cape. So, out of the trucks we climbed, but this time, we decided to do an end around and get downwind of the herd. I refrained from wearing my Channel No 5 that day, but these animal noses are extremely sensitive. The fact that they can smell us before they hear us is indeed quite remarkable considering the entourage that encompasses Team Worley and the Replacements.

But in the end, this wasn’t the herd for us. So, we called it and made the track through the “grass” back to the truck. I use the term grass, but this stuff is eight feet tall at least, it’s like walking through a corn maze where you don’t want to lose sight of the person in front of you or you might not make it out.

• Cape Buffalo = 2
• Team Worley and the Replacements = 0

While I was finding new joys in Warthog spotting, the boys were quick to remind me those tusks weren’t for hanging jewelry on…..

Next up was a watering hole full of Baboons.

We got to watch Nature’s version of The Bachlorette, except there wasn’t a rose ceremony. Clearly there was one female and about 20 would be suitors. It was all her current “date” could do to hold her attention while defending his turf.

She looked a little disinterested and perhaps this guy was not going to get a rose in the final ceremony.

But, he stayed in hot pursuit, sort of reminded me of the Draegers 🙂

And with that, Johnny’s tummy told us it was lunch time and he had a surprise for us – CHEESEBURGERS – it was indeed like paradise!

And here’s a view of our campfire during the day. You can see how the view of the stars would have been incredible.

I think eventually, we began to “grow” on our PH’s (Professional Hunters)……

So, with full tummies, we were ready for the afternoon adventures.

And very quickly, we got our adventure. We had gone looking for those camp Cape Buffalo again

but imagine our surprise when the trackers spotted these cubs,

 

and their Momma.

And the most common photo I took all trip – Zebra butts. They weren’t big on photo opps.

But wait – I got more butts:

And with that…. we called it a good day and headed back to camp for another wonderous sunset and probably our favorite meal of all time – Chicken Fried Warthog!

Wow – What a Day!