Leaving Chacma to go on a drive can be a difficult decision. Sitting in the recently constructed outdoor lounge and dining area, it is almost unnecessary to go out on a drive, as many of the animals will come to you.
More often than not, when I am at Chacma Bush Camp, I don’t have to go looking for elephants, as they tend to come and drink at the waterhole in front of the lodge.
There has been a lot of rain in the reserve over the past few months, so I was not expecting to see them on this visit.
But they did come, even if it was only for a short while.
Having just finished lunch, I was intent on seeing what this kingfisher had caught for its meal.
Not all kingfishers catch fish, but this particular species, the Woodland Kingfisher, is one of those that do.
I was so focused on the bird and its prey that I almost missed the call for the afternoon drive.
ROAD BLOCK!
On a previous trip to the camp, I had an intense encounter with a breeding herd while on my way back to the exit gate.
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But on this trip, this odd interaction occurred while we were out on a game drive.
Perhaps if I fall over, I will get some sympathy?
No one in the vehicle seems to be taking ANY notice of me.
So I will have to activate PLAN B.
And PLAN B is to use the lyrics of the 1997 song Tubthumping by Chumbawamba.
But I get up againYou’re never gonna keep me downI get knocked downBut I get up againYou’re never gonna keep me down“.
And now you have it running through your head. My apologies, but why should I be the only one?
So, let me walk towards the vehicle and see if I can scare them.
Walking did not work; perhaps the ear flapping will?
Trunk swinging?
A more aggressive stance, perhaps?
And when nothing else works, along comes Mom to save the situation.
The positive side of being delayed by these placid pachyderms was the fact that we got to enjoy this spectacular sunset while driving back to camp.
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