This morning we rose early in order to go on the bush walk with our guide McLoud. We left the lodge on foot at 05.30 and walked through some of the desert mopane forest. We saw many baboons, impala and warthog and also leant a lot about the vegetation and the animal tracks we came across, as well as the noises of the bush. By the time we got back to the lodge for breakfast it was rapidly getting very hot! Not too hot for a delicious cooked breakfast though!
After breakfast we headed off for a boat safari down the Shire River. This is one of the highlights of a visit to Mvuu and Liwonde National Park.
We came across many different birdlife…
A Half-collared Kingfisher
Goliath heron
…and several hippo lounging around in the river!
Keeping lookout!
There are many pods of mvuu in the Shire River.
The hightlight of the boat trip for me though was sitting and watching a herd of elephant come down to the waters edge to drink and then to swim across the river to the banks on the other side. It was fabulous!
Watching the herd from the boat.
Feeling thirsty!
Drinking in unison.
Now time for a swim!
We were both keeping our eyes close to the lens just in case!
A true wildlife photographer!
Next we headed back to the lodge and saw a few monkeys playing around the camp. We watched them for a while. There were so many babies with them it was lovely to just observe them for a while until they were chased away by some of the guides. The monkeys are apparently very good at stealing food!
Something interesting down there?
Alien looking babies!
Posing for a family portrait!
There was also a family of warthog snuffling around. I can’t believe how tiny the babies are!
How cute!
Next we are moving to Mvuu Camp and heading out on another afternoon/sunset game drive!
Michelle Lutener Photography 