The trip across the Save River from Chilo Gorge Lodge and and into Gonarezhou is always exciting…

with fabulous water birds to be spotted on the sand, such as this little Pratincole……

and many vultures still to be seen…thank goodness…Vultures generally are threatened world wide, so we treasure sightings such as this…

Birdlife Zimbabwe are a dynamic force for the good of Zimbabwe’s and Southern Africa’s Birds….here is their recent poster..

Birdlife Zimbabwe Vulture Poster

Clive Stockil is now President of Birdlife Zimbabwe, committed as ever to the bigger picture of Conservation!

As so rightly said, keeping “common birds common!”… well done Birdlife Zimbabwe!

Here is Clive’s photo of a Lilac Breasted Roller, a commoner for us at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge,  but sooooo beautiful….

lilac breasted roller

Safari vehicles from Chilo are into adventure as soon as they ford the great Save River, the contact zone between striking tri-coloured Nguni  cattle…

Nguni cattle

and numerous elephant herds…

elephants in the dust

with  the lure of the wilderness promising African Buffalo, complete with Ox Peckers….

Majestic kudus…

kudu bull

a posing klipspringer…

klipspringer

and of course many many elephants, such as this gentle giant. Cows who are protecting babies tend to be less relaxed, but we are finding that they are becoming more and more approachable as they get used to increased tourism traffic….

gentle giant

sadly, these giants are eating away at those other giants of Gonarezhou, the baobabs, which are such icons in this park.

double baobab

In one season elephants can destroy a thousand year old monster with ease….

elephant damage

The pan systems around the Junction area host amazing numbers of diverse waterbirds at any time of year, as long as water remains, and Clive delights in the “Garden of Eden “as he calls it…

garden of eden

After a glorious drive through the park we head back to the banks of the Save for a well deserved sundowner, hosted by Lionel Muzengi, learner guide…

Lionel at Sundown with guests

Snacks galore….

yummy…

to be enjoyed around the attractive campfire created by Lionel and the Chilo team…

pretty campfire

Lionel admires the view while guests investigate the scenery and relax…

fire and Lionel

A magnificent log provides instant drama..

and I take my glass of wine to do a photoshoot  as the sun sets…

Full moon, wine and poop…

when we leave the sand bank, a full and gorgeous moon lights our way…

full moon on the Save River

and back at the lodge dinner awaits, under the stars…

a busy evening at the lodge

I get up really early the next morning to catch the full moon sinking to the horizon, an ethereal experience…………

full moon setting through the rails

framing our resident hippos in its light…