Journey across untouched Africa

This morning we bid a fond farewell to Jozi and her camp staff.  It was a privilege to experience this camp and one I will not forgot for a long time.  We set out on a real adventure driving up a rarely used track all the way across Hwange National Park to Nehimba camp.  We passed great teak forests, high passes, huge stretches of open savannah, lush pans full of water along our route.  Again we were the only vehicle in a hundred miles in any direction and truly felt the deep isolation of this wilderness. We passed large herds of elephants - some of the biggest on the planet. It never gets old seeing these magnificent intelligent creatures frolicking at water holes or trumpeting in warning as we drive by.  While some of the largest elephants in Africa the residents of Hwange do not live the longest due to the Kalahari sands embedded in the grasses they eat which eventually where down their teeth.  Most live to be about 60 years old.  After a long but scenic drive we arrive at Nehimba in time for sundowners by the pool and a sumptuous dinner.

One of the great features at Nehimba Lodge is the waterhole just in front of camp.  But of even more interest to the elephants is the pool just below the main deck where we enjoy our meals.  After a great game drive we found ourselves surrounded by elephants that had come to join us for dinner only a few feet away.  These elephants have become habituated to human presence and show no fear as they walk up to take long drinks out of the freshwater pool (the lodge does not chlorinate the water as the elephants have essentially taken over!).  What a treat to dine under the stars and observe these lumbering giants literally just 10 feet away with only the deck’s wooden railing separating us from dozens of thirsty pachyderms.  We could feel our bodies shake as they communicated with each other in loud stomach rumbles.  What a treat to be so close and listen to the myriad of sounds they made.