A day in the life in Southern Africa

[DrWilly]

South Luangwa National Park can be found in the east of Zambia, a short trip from Malawi or Mozambique (relatively speaking, as the roads are challenging). There's dozens of lodges to stay at. The Luangwa River runs through the middle of the National Park supporting a multitude of game and birds. October is the dry month, which means it's hot, but the game sightings are much better due to lack of grass and undergrowth and the river draws the animals in for water. Our lodge, Malama Umoyo Bush Camp | Secluded, luxury accommodation, overlooking the mighty Luangwa river, close to the unspoiled southern section of the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia was by the river edge, ideally situated with a decking allowing excellent views of the wildlife.

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Perfect spot for a cold drink or two.



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A hippo crossing the island.



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Several groups of elephants.



Morning was a better time to see animals, and sometimes the animals were looking back at you.




Even some people fishing. Brave buggers, will all the hippos and crocs in that river I wouldnt have been down there in it. A local told me that if they get attacked/eaten, then that's their karma. He said that cannot live worrying about it.

[cyrille]

Pics not showing.

[DrWilly]

Fixed.

[DrWilly]

Folks that have lived in Africa will tell you that the Africa sky is special. In the evenings the sky was just littered with stars and the sunsets and sunrises were always worth a look.

The African sunbird nests. I need a better camera to take a photo of these little critters, cos they move fast.

[DrWilly]

I’ve mentioned game drives before, but they also have a walking safari option. Walking through the bush spotting animals brings you a little bit closer to the animals which is obviously a little more dangerous, so in South Luangwa you’re required to hire an armed scout also.



We walked in single file, and mostly the animals ran away when we got close as we walked down through the forest then back along the dry river bank. Didnt take many photos but we saw impala, baboons, velvet monkeys, various birds and insects, and signs of elephants and giraffe.

[Mendip]

^^ Yeah, the African sky is special. I think that the cloud base is generally very high in southern Africa which makes the sky seem to go on and on.

and signs of elephants

You should have taken a bucket and shovel.

[DrWilly]

Just for you, mate.

[david44]

Life in the turd world Willy n Mendy brothers in spirit.

[Mendip]

Just for you, mate.

You'll need a big bucket!

I forgot how much bigger those African elephants are than their Asian cousins.

[DrWilly]

That was 3 metres from our bunch camp huts.

[malmomike77]

I’ve mentioned game drives before, but they also have a walking safari option. Walking through the bush spotting animals brings you a little bit closer to the animals which is obviously a little more dangerous, so in South Luangwa you’re required to hire an armed scout also.



We walked in single file, and mostly the animals ran away when we got close as we walked down through the forest then back along the dry river bank. Didnt take many photos but we saw impala, baboons, velvet monkeys, various birds and insects, and signs of elephants and giraffe.

been on a few in africa, india, nepal both walking and on elephant back, allways told to wear dark clothing.

[DrWilly]

You don’t even need to be on a game drive to spot animals, early in the morning around South Luangwa are we spotted plenty of animals at dawn.

[bsnub]

Fantastic stuff!

[DrWilly]

It’s not my photo, but apparently seen in Kafue National Park

[david44]

That's what you call cojones

[DrWilly]

Folks are not supposed to burn off rubbish and crap. But that often doesn’t stop them. My moronic neighbor was burning this pile of shyte and plastic yesterday morning.

[DrWilly]

Many carnivores are active at night, so many safaris will offer night game drives also. So after enjoying a sunset by the river we went spotlighting on a night drive. We spotted several species, including genets, owls, impala, and a spotted hyena. I don’t have a particularly good camera for night photography, but took these for posterity rather than to win any wildlife photography award.







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[DrWilly]

The main staple for Africans in this region is mealie meal which they turn into a paste called shima. The locals eat shine like Asians eat rice. They then add beans, vegetables, spinach and tomato based relish. The entire concoction is then eaten with hands.

Tried some last night. It was ok but bland.

[BLD]

The sudanese fed me this dish called foule 3 times a day. just.mashed kidney beans. Shocking scran but I guess the idea was to fill you up and turn it into a Turd Salsa would love it. It's economical to so he can save up to buy a new bride? Or fly to Bangkok to fight ant at onnut?

[hallelujah]

The sudanese fed me this dish called foule 3 times a day. just.mashed kidney beans.

Made with fava beans and common in North Africa and parts of the Middle East too.

Ful medames - Wikipedia

It's not bad with some tahini on the side and a couple of grilled chili peppers but is indeed otherwise quite bland. As you say, filling (and cheap) for the masses though when served with mounds of bread.

Edit. Found a picture of it from a big Egyptian breakfast in Aswan by the Nile.

The breakfast was great, but I recall that the ful was as bland as it comes (in the bowl in the centre) and would have been given a swerve were it just on its own.

[DrWilly]

but is indeed otherwise quite bland.

One of the reasons they all use gallons of salt.

[hallelujah]

One of the reasons they all use gallons of salt.

Jaysus, yeah.

The Sahara's not the only thing dry out there after you've eaten.

[cyrille]

The main staple for Africans in this region is mealie meal which they turn into a paste called shima.

Most enlightening.

What is it?

[Mendip]

^ If it's the same as the mealie pap on the west side of southern Africa, it's made from maize (sweetcorn).

[BLD]

Jaysus, yeah.

The Sahara's not the only thing dry out there after you've eaten.

ah but they have 0% strawberry flavoured beers. The wierdos