Jan 3
Said my goodbyes – Mum and I both cried a lot – but I talked to the taxi driver most of the way to Gatwick. Checked in met Anna and Annette’s husband with the cameras to take across. Sent a goodbye text to everyone and got on the plane.
Jan 4
Arrived at Harare around 6:30 – got our visas and bags but nearly missed our connection – we didn’t realise there was a domestic terminal so ran like crazy woth our luggage accross the airport. Plane was tiny and flight was short but all good. Met Greg (the co-ordinator) and Leila at Bullawayo (tiny airport) – baggage claim was something to remember – just a table! Drove to Leila’s house and stayed there for the day. Had lunch and met Nicki and Mark (other volunteers) and went to the golf club for a drink. Met Vic (camp manager) and he drove us the 2hrs to the park.
Jan 5
Arrived at the park around 8PM to a blacked out camp with a power cut! Met the other people by candle light. Got shown to our room after dinner – cried myself to sleep. Woke up had a hairwash – room and facilities all great, had breakfast. Got shown around – it’s so beautiful. Saw the elephants and met some of the cubs. Had a chat with Bobbie the head guide. Went on a cub feed – meat. Nickie and Dave thowing chunks of meat off the back of the truck. Spent a quiet afternoon with the others at the horses and chatted with Annette a bit. Went on a lion walk with Andy (a guide) Nicki JJ and Anna with the 3 A’s (Amy Arthur Amber) and Elsa. Had dinner in the evening and then Milena came over and said – you must ring home. I did then cried and cried with Mum felt really homesick and upset especially because I couldn’t text afterwards for ages. But they were all so great. Went in and sat with the 4 M’s jumping all over me then fed the 3 K’s with Ed bottle feeding and finger sucking.
Jan 6
Woke today feeling a lot better. Had managed to text home †:). Went and bathed the 5 A’s with Anna and Nicki. Spent time with them, had breakfast and then had a lesson with Bobbie, first with Casper and Clio then I went in with the 4 M’s, but they kwpt following Bobbie around. Saw the 3 K’s and the 5 A’s again, both were quite quiet. Went to the breeding program up near the house in a pickup truck that had just been full of dead cows – nice! Took down a fence after meeting the big lions and cut some grass. Had dinner, watched some TV and went to bed. Feeling much better than last night.
Jan 7
Went over to the Horses for 7am, I’m a bit scared of them still. Even more scared when Kim was kicked and flew through the air. Groomed two horses after feeding them, then put a saddle on one. Got really dirty then had breakfast. Went out to the breeding programme again. Nicki, Annette, JJ, Anna and I took down 4 fences – a whole enclosure. Really hard work and painful on the hands, but SO satisfying afterwards. Rebecca arrived and we went to see Casper and Clio with Neil, but they were still eating so we couldn’t take them for a walk – quite disappointed. Came back to camp, saw the 3 K’s and 5 A’s for a bit then went and sat in the sun. After dinner, Mum and Dad rang. Fantastic to talk to them both, took them 30 mins to get through though. Didn’t cry, so I was SO pleased.
Jan 8
Weird day today, felt quite ill with stomach ache. Went out with Mr.Toole who taught us loads, saw Giraffe, Zebra and Wilderbeast for the first time which was amazing. Got so close took some pics. Had an hour or so with him this afternoon, but after, had to rush back because I felt ill again. Hope i’ll feel better tomorrow as we are going to be out for the day. Just going to bed, not feeling too bad now, fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Jan 9
Feeling a lot better today, extremely tired after an amazing day. We drove 70k with Mr.Toole picking up his brother Rod and neice Robin on the way. Hiked up this mountain, halfway up it became rockcliming – no ropes or helmets, 100ft or so drops on either side of us. Really scary and hard work. Getting to the summit felt fantastic – like what an achievement – (over 500 meters above sea level). After, we absailed down in 4 stages. It was scary, but once we got down I couldn’t stop smiling about what I’d done. I kept thanking the 3 of them as I so couldn’t have done it without them. Got scratched like crazy and got so dirty, but it was totally worth it. FANTASTIC DAY!
Jan 10
Oh my god I do ache! Off to have a proper shower and hair-wash – so easy to get dirty and sweaty here. After breakfast we took Bob, LC and Zuva out for a walk. They are so big, they have had to stop walking them with clients now. Greg and Jabalani were there to keep us all safe. Half way through, LC saw some horses and riders and ran after them, which scared them all to death. Did a boundary patrol in the afternoon. SO achy at night.
Jan 11
Trying to organise getting these Zebra in was a real chore – It took them forever to sort it out. Ended up being late for breakfast and in the end it was just one Zebra left and they couldn’t catch it – waste of time really. After breakfast we went up to the breeding programme giving the adults some water but were scared by Max. Came back for lunch, sat by the pool for a bit, then went out with Luke, Leo, Mel and Mufasa, quite big lions, had real difficulty watching them all the time.
Jan 12
Supposed to have a riding lesson today, but it didn’t happen, so I helped out with the horses – feeding, grooming, taking their temperature. After breakfast, went with Neil and Rebecca to take Casper and Cleo out but they were too fat because of being fed too much. I had had enough by this point, feel so yucky with my cold, tummy’s not up to much either. So came back and slept for 3 hours, then watched a bit of TV, after feeding the 4 M’s – so sweet, love doing it. Had a fairly early night after Andy gave us a talking to.
Jan 13
Helped out at the stables again, my scalp is peeling – so nice! Have yet another mozzie bite. After breakfast, tried to walk the 3 A’s and Elsa but they more or less refused to walk, I was quite happy until I missed my footing and put my foot in the stream, shoe, sock, trouser and all. Really miffed, especially as Arthur came over while my shoe was off to steal it! Snare sweep in the afternoon, found no snares as usual. Had an early night.
Jan 14
Went to Bulawayo today with Vic, Kim and Anna. Changed our flight tickets so we go home on the 25th Feb. Connections are really bad though. We have to wait practically the whole day at Harare. Anna wants to go out into Harare, but I really don’t fancy it. I’ve been advised against it so much – 2 white, English girls on their own – don’t like it. Started reading The DaVinci Code. Couldn’t speak to Mum and Dad this evening as reception wanted to lock up at 8:30.
Jan 15
Walked the 4 M’s first thing while everyone else was in bed, fed them first, as always. So boysterous, but so sweet, Then walked them across the bridge, lost them at one stage.
Sat thinking “It’s 7am, and this is what I’m doing – bright sunshine, dewy grass, 3 month old lion cubs!”
They refused to walk back so it ended up taking 4 of us, each carrying one lion – they’re so noisy and stubborn, but it is such fun. After breakfast, enclosure cleaning – shovels and sacks, this gives a whole new meaning to “Poo Patrol”, as Greg needed to watch our backs for lions! Did a cub feed (meat) afterwards, realised I’d been burnt to a crisp. Not just all up my arms, but my face too. After lunch it started raining, so did nothing until 5, when we walked Casper and Cleo with clients. After dinner, Mum and Dad phoned, got a bit upset again, cried and it stung like hell because of my sunburn!
Jan 16
Woke to the sound of rain on our roof. Supposed to be up now for a lion walk but don’t know what to do. Turns out we are still going, even though the other group have cancelled. So we walked Luke, Leo, Mel and Mufasa in the rain and got completely soaked, boots wet through, they were giving us naughty looks all the time too. After drying off a bit after breakfast, the rain stopped, and we went on a client horseride – Oh my God, me on a horse! It was amazing, we went all through the park, I was on Khan – the big white horse, walking but occasionally trotting, which scared me to death!
Then we started seeing wildlife – Zebra, Imparla, Wilderbeast, Blessbuck, Giraffe and some Warthogs – with their babies – so adorable! I really welled up with emotion. Got back from the ride, aching a bit, sat outside watching the elephants swim and eat, watching the birds and mules, felt myself crying again, feeling so blessed that I am here having this experience. How completely wonderful being in this park with these animals. After lunch, which I ate with vigour as I was full of adreneline, we went on a boundary patrol on horseback – was fine just walking. Got pulled through a thorny tree and scratched but otherwise fine. Rode Cussio. When we got back I felt so sore but still had my horseriding lesson to come. Andy talked me through how to saddle up Prince and then went on to teach me to walk, trot, then canter! Really quite scared, but Prince and Andy were great. Had to cut the lesson short because of a really heavy downpour of rain. So sore but so pleased.
Jan 17
Helped with the elephants this morning, helping with training, even got to sit on one – very scary – but amazing all the same. Felt so unsturdy compared to the horses and their saddles yesterday. We then cleaned out the poop – BIG POOP! After breakfast, we walked Luke, Leo and co. Didn’t get caught in the rain until we were back in camp. Cleaned out the baby’s enclosures. After lunch we went up to the breeding programme, got the toggle of my mac stuck in the car door, couldn’t get the car door open, had to leave the mac in the car. Greg said he would sort it out but he didn’t and I got soaking wet cutting grass. Did loads, so sore hands. Watched a pair of lionesses fight – so loud, quite scarey actually.
Jan 18
So, we went on our journey, to Victoria Falls. 8 volunteers, Greg, Wayne (our driver) and Jen. Left around 6:30am in a huge overland truck that can seat over 30 people. Stopped off in Bulawayo, got some money, went to the markets and bought my stone elephants. Felt quite intimidated and nervous in Bulawayo, but no one was ever on their own. Travelled for another 3 hours to Miombo, which is just outside Whange National Park. Met up with Milena and Bobbie, really nice to see them both again. This is such a beautiful place – little huts with comfy beds, tree house rooms that overlook watering holes where elephants come to drink. So peaceful and tranquil – sat in the sun reading – started to feel on holiday, went out for a night game drive and saw Giraffe in the middle of the road. A heard of breeding elephants with babies in the bush. Came back and after dinner, Greg set up this performance by a drama group called Ingonyanna. They were Zulu in origin, they sang, danced and did animal impressions. It was really fantastic – truely an African experience – wonderful!
Jan 19
In the morning we went on another 4 hour game drive into the park. 90,000 elephants and we didn’t see one. But we saw lots of other wildlife, this is a really wild place. Left for Victoria Falls and got there around 3ish. Sharing a room with Rebecca again – it was a nice change for all of us. Then we booked our activities at Shearwater – jet boating, helicopter ride and bungy. Total cost for the 3 – $175. Looked around a bit, bought some dinner, and had a BBQ in the dark.
Jan 20
Had a bit of a lay in. Put the mozzie net in last night – bit strange sleeping under it. Could hear the falls all night while laying in bed and we’re over a mile away. Went with Anna, Dave and Rebecca to the bridge and saw the falls. Got sprayed with water even though we were a long distance away. Saw where they bungy, AGHHH! Might chicken out. We then met the others and went on the Jet Boat. Absolutely brilliant! So much fun, got so close to the falls that you couldn’t see. Truely amazing and exhilirating. Got soaked. Saw some bungy jumpers and climbed all the way back up the steps from the gorge. Feel so embarrassingly unfit. In the afternoon after the rainstorm Neil and I went to Victoria Falls Hotel for high tea. Fabulous hotel that the Queen mum had actually stayed here. Felt so privileged, Mum and Dad would be so proud of me appreciating the true beauty and elegance of the place. Had an amazing tea with cucumber sandwiches, scones with butter, jam and cream, then cream cakes, all washed down with tea of course! What fantastic gardens, felt really quite overcome with emotion for the place. Could just imagine sharing it with my favourite people. In the evening, ate at the camp site, having Warthog, Crocodile, Imparla and Kudo, cooked on something like a Mongolian BBQ. Had a glass of wine at Shoestrings afterwards.
Jan 21
Went on the helicopter ride this morning – what an experience seeing the falls from that height, it was so smooth, not bumpy at all. Got clear views of the falls and the Zambezi trailing off into the distance got lots of lovely photos. Got back and sat by the pool, had a swim in there yesterday after being soaked in the jet boat. Sat under an umbrella and read for a couple of hours, got really nervous about the bungy but then it started to rain and we were told the bungy was off. So we arranged to do it Saturday morning before we leave instead – all worked up for nothing, quite frustrating really. So we went to the market instead, got surrounded and hounded by sellers – like that all the way to and from the market. Then Nikki, Anna and I met up with Greg and had a milkshake. We all went out to dinner in the evening to an Italian.
Jan 22
Woke up and went to the falls with Nikki and Anna, saw them really quite close up, obviously not as closely as we did from the jetboat, but got completely soaked all the same, we looked like we’d sat in a bath with all our clothes on. The I did the Bungy jump – so incredibly nervous, I was shaking when they strapped my legs up, what a feeling though, Im so glad I did it, truely a once in a lifetime experience. I didn’t fully comprehend what I was doing until I actually jumped and was falling through the air – there you go I hear them say ’she always was slow on the uptake’ – durr youre jumping off a bridge thats what a bungy jump is!’ The breath got sucked out of me half way down, although the others will say this is a lie as they heard me screaming all the way down 
Only Jen stayed to watch, JJ, Rebecca and Wayne all jumped, but the others went back for breakfast, quite disappointed they didn’t watch, but I have the video if they want to see it. Went back up to the reception bit and saw the video and the pictures which were both fantastic, couldn’t stop smiling. Fantastic calling Mum and Dad and telling them what I’d just done. Mum said I should never be scared of doing anything ever again and Dad said he was really proud, which made me smile even more. Then we made the drive back (all 9 hours of it) back to camp, so tiring but spoke to Jenn lots and found out loads about her and her work with the children over here. Got back to camp around 9.30, absolutely shattered and found we all had morning duties, eurgh!
Jan 23
Very weird to be back – loved vic falls had such an amazing week. Walked casper and cleo first thing, they were so active, climbing trees and all sorts. Been raining so much the road to Lodge enclosure was flooded so we had to jump across the path, which was fine on the way there, but my legs must have shortened on the way back as I fell head first into the mud – not impressed to say the least – just hope the day gets better. Worked at the breeding program after breakfast sorting more enclosure fences etc.. Then sat in the sun with Nikki over lunch, then went enclosure cleaning in the afternoon. Got back then went out with Vic on the quad bike which was pretty cool to give the cubs some water in their enclosures. After a shower I popped in with the 4M’s – so funny and so lovely.
Jan 24
Ow Ow Ow Ow in pain, lots and lots of pain. Started the day with walking the 3A’s and Elsa with Lovemore and Jealous I was the only volunteer. Clients were quite nervous of the cubs, they were quite active today as the weather was still a bit wet, so I was wary too. But all was fine until right at the end, I stupidly strayed to the back of the group just before the enclosure, Amy picked me out and pawed me on my leg with her claws out – first ow of the day. However the scratch from Amy doesn’t hurt half as much as the sunburn I now have. Today’s combined with what I received yesterday at the breeding program felt great! I also managed to get into the wars at the breeding program again after breakfast, we were taking down enclosures again, moving the poles out of the ground and across to a pile, I helped Dave and JJ move a big one, them holding each end of the pole while I held the gate that was attached to it. Pain first hit when Dave managed to catch his toe nail on some barbed wire – OW! Looked so painful, then when we continued across with the pole as we were about to put it down with the others the boys dropped it before I was ready and the metal gate dragged/dropped down on the backs of my calves – third ow of the day, gonna have a big bruise there I think. During lunch Milena and Bobbie came back to the park bringing a new volunteer with them – Fay. However we were not all in the best of spirits as we had just found out that Bob the lion had just been found drowned in the waterfall enclosure, apparently he had been on medication for wobberly back legs, so they think he must have fallen in the river and not been able to get out again, maybe hindered by LC and Zuva (the other lions). So upsetting as he was such a beautiful lion.
Jan 25
Went out with Andy (one of the volunteers) first thing to walk the 4M’s after bottle feeding them (definately my favorite job) then we walked them for the rest of the morning (4hrs – their longest walk yet). They played with us and climbed trees, tried to claw and chew our jackets and shoes – had a fantastic time, so much fun. Talked alot about my RTW and felt excited about it all to come. Did another snare sweep this afternoon and saw the fig tree for the first time, (great view of the park from up there). Then I came back and worked with the horses for a bit – I say worked but I really just spent time with Khan – my favorite horse. Giving him pellets and having him lick my hand – quite a different lick to the cubs! ||11/19/06 at 19:20:01|admin
Jan 26
Worked with the Elephants before breakfast, Tombi refused to do her training and had Solomon (one of the trainers) running all over the place to bring her back, even through the river †:D well it made me smile, but he wasn’t too impressed. After watching all that excitment I cleaned out the enclosures for an hour, so hard going on the old back and not exactly the nicest job. After breakfast I got to go on a client ride, on my favorite horse (Khan). Saw a lot of game, hopefully get some better pictures next time, Khan doesn’t like keeping still while I try to take photos. Then went up to the breeding program after lunch trying desperately to remove more of the enclosure poles, without much luck, deeply embedded in concrete. Had to use a pic axe, not an easy task, had problems lifting the thing never mind swinging it down with enough force to shift the concrete.
Jan 27
Went on a lion walk first thing with Bobbie, with nearly all the volunteers, and the 3A’s and Elsa. It was kind of a training walk, he is so amazing with the lions, I have so much respect for him because of it and always feel completley safe when he is on the walks. After breakfast I went out with Casper and Cleo, just Anna, Anna, Dave and I. It was great to have a relaxed walk, just chatting and watching the cubs playing. When we got back Greg asked Anna and I if we were interested in going up to Miombo again, this time for a week. If we get to go Im going to be so thrilled as it sounds fantastic what they see and do up there. Instead of snare sweeping which we were originally to spend the afternoon doing we helped put up tents in camp for a big group of EU members that are coming for a conference tomorrow. Starting to get sad about Nicki leaving this weekend, havn’t experienced anyone leaving yet. Really going to miss her here, be great if we could keep in touch once were both home.
Jan 28
Had before breakfast off which meant a lovley lay-in, still couldn’t sleep past 7 o’clock though. Walked the 4M’s after breakfast still completely adorable, when you feed them their milk they just gaze into space and look so peaceful, unlike their usual wild selves. The actual walk was a bit of a disaster as the cubs refused to come back to camp, at one point they didnt move from one area for over an hour and a half. So we ended up carrying them a little way, which of course they hated, and we felt awful about doing. It was pretty hot by then and the cubs were tired out so the volunteers took turns to sit with them until after lunch and then they came back. Boundary patrol with Rebecca and JJ this afternoon, got to learn a little bit more about JJ, as he is so quiet havn’t really got to know him yet. Then we had a boat cruise which was so much fun, all the volunteers, and Greg, Ed and Andy. Spent the whole time laughing at Ed and Andy, got to see much more of the sunset than usual and it was so beautiful. After dinner we went across the river and sat around a campfire, drinking and talking. I turned out to be one of the last ones there, just David (one of the guides) and I talking till 2.
Jan 29
Luckily I had another lie in, which I needed after my late night. After breakfast I helped out with the horses. Waited around for a bus load of 60 clients to arrive. Supposidly due around 10.30, ended up arriving closer to 1. So the horses didn’t need to be ready until 4 in the end. Had a late lunch because of all the clients being late, so we went up to the breeding program instead, cleaned out the enclosures and filled up the lions water. Had lunch around three, then raked the horses school. After dinner Anna and I stayed up talking and watching TV in the TV room with David and Gerald (two guides). We ended up watching my Bungy video that I haven’t seen since the day I did it. Actually felt nervous but excited while watching it.
Jan 30
So tired this morning, worked with the elephants before breakfast, watched them train then got to have a ride! Just for 10 minutes or so but it was completely amazing, must get to do it again. Then after breakfast I went in with the 5A’s and Anna and Dave (their mum and dad). Can’t believe how much the cubs have grown since I arrived. They were all so sweet, trying to chew my elephant poo shoe. Walked Casper and Cleo, sat with them under a tree to get some shade, feel quite a bit more confident with them now. Hopefully get to go on a client walk with them soon. Anna and Dave just couldn’t get rid of me, as in the afternoon we went out for boundary patrol. Must have walked about 3 miles, which felt good. Having an early night to catch up on some sleep.
Jan 31
Went on a long elephant ride first thing, for about an hour, just such an amazing feeling to be traveling through the bush on the back of an African elephant, which are apparently the biggest elephant breed, and are very hard to train. Normally you can’t swim with them but at this park you can, feeling so lucky to be here. After breakfast cleaned enclosures and went on a cub feeding (meat). Then after lunch went on a big, long snare sweep through nearly the length of the park. Dave found a snare then we found a dead baby donkey, which was so sad. Went back after with Greg to collect it, ended up cutting it open at vultures restaurant. It was so interesting to watch, didn’t feel faint, as I expected to feel. In the evening I helped David with his bird, feeding it and I even got to hold it – Cool! Bit later got to help Ed with feeding the 3K’s, such sweet cubs, Ed even showed me how to get them to suck your thumb – sooooo happy to be here!
Feb 1
Mum’s Birthday
Helped with the horses this morning, Savannah came in looking really unwell so Faye and Anna took care of her and I cleaned tack, keeping out the way as I knew I’d be no help. Turns out Savannah may have Colic or horse sickness, either is serious. Supposed to walk to the 4M’s but it kind of got cancelled due to everything going on around Savannah, plus the 5A’s were vaccinated earlier then was planned, so Anna and Dave had to help as they are their cubs. So the game count was on again, then it was cancelled as it was too hot for the mules – but not too hot for us huh!? Greg was going to put me on yet another snare sweep but changed his mind (taking pity on me maybe) and so instead I helped Anna and Dave spray the enclosure next to the guides quarters. We were spraying for termites and each looked like ghostbusters when we had the pack on our backs. Spoke to mum in the evening, sounds like she had a nice birthday, she got the flowers that I asked Alan to order for me, Dad thanked me as he said he spent the whole day ‘mopping up’ after she received them ;D.
Feb 2
Worked with the elephants again this morning and got to go on another ride, this time with Jodie on Amai, so much fun, nearly spent the whole time in fits of giggles. Only thing is the elephant rides can be a bit hard on the old bum. After breakfast had the game count that was planned for yesterday. Went out with Nephard and his mule cart, which was even funnier as Anna and Dave were with Anna and I. So so funny trying to find the game and count them, not easy to write when youre bumping along in a mule cart. Saw a lot of game, they didnt seem to mind us to much in the cart. Helped Faye with the horses in the afternoon, grooming and feeding. Savannah is much better now, which is a relief for everyone.
Feb 3
Felt so ill today, had before breakfast off anyway, but when it came to the mornings activity I just felt to ill to get out of bed. The morning was pretty crazy anyway by all the accounts I had from Anna, apparently Casper got caught up in the reeds down by the jetty and Bobbie had to end up cannoing over there to try and rescue the poor cub. Felt a bit better in the afternoon so went out on boundary patrol with the new volunteer (Naomi) who arrived on friday. Got to know her as it was only us two (what a sweetie). Then got ready with the others to go up to the Connelly’s for a BBQ (so nice of them to invite us). Had a really nice meal chatting and laughing with the others. Ended up feeling dodgy again later on, so annoying as I went to bed while the others had a great time by all accounts round the campfire.
Feb 4
Greg had given us all a lay-in today which was gratefully received, had our meeting before breakfast instead. Did another game count, this time on horse back on Cassio, saw a bit of game, not a huge amount though. Got back in time to say goodbye to Jodie and Rebecca who have both turned out to be really good friends of mine, and people who I will miss terribley. Must keep the lunch date that I planned with Jodie and Annette when I get back in August! The aternoon turned out to be quite a disaster. Supposed to have done boundary patrol on horse back, I went one way with Faye, but as we got about twenty yards around the stable, just about to the boundary the horses refused to go any further. We made several attempts to get them moving in the direction we wanted to go, but they just didnt want to go, instead they kept turning back to the stables. So we tried to get them to follow the same path as the others that were doing the other side of the boundary, but they wouldn’t go that way either. I wasn’t really prepared to continue on a horse that was determined not to do what I wanted it to do so I just told Faye I was giving up, and that that section of the boundary had only been done two days before anyway. Loads of things getting to me at the moment, feeling like I have no one to turn to. Started to feel really homesick and had a good cry. Felt a bit better before bed, telling myself to get it together, that it is just a bad day.
Feb 5
Felt a bit iffy again this morning, with stitches, so at the elephants I just watched them train and took pictures for Anna, as she and Dave are leaving soon. Then went on a ride around the park, looked a bit like rain †:( After breakfast went out with Dave and Kim, Casper and Cleo, got really close to the cubs, Cleo was actually quite affectionate, licking my hand and knee, got some great photos. Read my book in the sunshine at lunchtime, then went up to the breeding program in the afternoon. It really takes forever sometimes for things to get organised, and sending five volunteers up there when there is little but no work planned for us seems stupid to me. Started to feel all teary again, later on Kim obviously noticed and took me off for a walk, ended up crying on her shoulder, just feeling alone and trapped, missing my family, so strange as I was so happy at the start of the week.
Feb 6
Worked with the elephants again this morning, trainning and mucking out the enclosures, talked with the new volunteers, Katie and Kelly. Had a shower before breakfast, always feel so dirty after shoveling elephant poo. Took Luke, Leo, Mel and Mufasa out with the lion handlers after breakfast. The cubs walked really well, with no problems. Then we spent the afternoon mending parts of the boundary, chopping branches off trees using them as forks to secure the fences. Got back fairly early and got to go on a client lion walk with David, which was really funny and enjoyable, (took Luke Leo and co. out again).
Feb 7
Took Casper and Cleo out first thing, freezing cold this morning, but the cubs were great, Casper got stuck up a tree again, and it took him a while to work out how to get down. After breakfast Annette, Tineke and I took the 4M’s out into the park for the first time. To be honest Annette and I were dreading it, as we have both had trouble getting them to walk with us before, so taking them out into the park itself with all that long grass was going to be a challenge. Bobbie and Milena helped us by walking the cubs out of camp (as they are their cubs, they obviously follow them really well). We were nervous that they weren’t going to stay with just us volunteers, but Bobbie and Milena managed to sneak off without the cubs noticing. The walk went so well, apart from we had to make a quick d’tour as we spotted one of the elephants in our path up ahead. But we walked with them and they stuck fairly close with us, we kept an eye on them when they went in the long grass, and they sat with us when we found some shade. They kept trying to chew my bag, my coat and my shoe laces while I was trying to take photos of them. One cub actually managed to chew all the way through my laces in a matter of seconds before I could tell him no. Started to talk a bit to Annette about how weird Ive been feeling lately. Like Im out of place, just realising how stupid Ive been acting. Sitting there with the cubs in the middle of the park, in Zimbabwe – AFRICA! How ungrateful have I been. So new mood – snap out of this bad one, and get back into the experience again. Greg came to meet us before lunch with bottles for the cubs, so we fed them and left them with him over lunch, and then another set of volunteers came to walk with the cubs in the afternoon. I spent to afternoon with Anna and JJ at the breeding program insulating the crates that the cubs will be travelling to in Vic falls. (Some of the cubs will be moving to Vic falls to be walked up there in a couple of weeks time). To insulate the crates/cages we used the rubber belts that they have on baggage claim at airports. Got really filthy doing it. Had another power cut tonight, which means that the camp is completely blacked-out apart from candles. Can really see the stars then- Beautiful!
Feb 8
Went with the horses this morning before breakfast, feeding, grooming and helping to take their temperatures, I say helping to take their temperatures, to be honest I don’t go anywhere near that thermometer or that end of the horse if I can help it, so what I infact do is walk along with either Washington or Depaniel and write down the temperature of each horse as they read them out to me – very technical I know! †;) Then after breakfast I went on a walk with the 3A’s and Elsa, they walked really well today, no naughty looks were had. So hot though! Went into town (Gweru) this afternoon with Vic, Greg and Suzie, I can’t believe this is my first trip and I’ve been here how long now!? We went in to get some drink for tonight, Gweru is much the same as Bulawayo, just smaller. When we got back we started to get ready for the campfire. Didn’t have any dinner just incase I got stomach ache again, spoilling another evening here. We all went across the bridge to the campfire and sat around it drinking till around 10:30 when nearly everyone got up in twos and threes and sneaked off to Mrs Taylors house. This was because Bruce and his brother had joined the campfire. I thought it was a bit mean of everyone, and wasn’t really bothered about moving, so I stayed and chatted with David (one of the guides). We were actually the last ones there in the end, went back to camp around 2:30 as the fire had gone out and I started to get cold.
Feb 9
Went out with Luke, Leo, Mel and Mufasa this morning, no clients just a few of the volunteers and Ed and Andy (guides) we were all a bit worse for wear after last night, so it was a slow walk. Watching Ed with the cubs is so amazing, she is so great with them, she can do anything with them. We all got back and had a big breakfast and felt a lot better for it. After breakfast I was with the horses, I helped Faye cut their maines. Did a snare sweep in the afternoon – and I found a SNARE! so chuffed! Then before dinner I went on a client walk with Luke, Leo and co again. Enjoy going on the client walks, now I have been here for a while, I definetly feel more confident with the lions than I did.
Feb 10
Enclosure cleaning first thing, not the most pleasant job to start the day but we did it quickly and it was nice and cool, so it was quite painless. After breaky we walked the 4M’s – not painless, they refused to follow us back AGAIN! But i got some good pictures of them, before getting scratched to hell while feeding them, they are just so strong now. Kim and I came back from the walk early to say goodbye to Anna and Dave. So sad to see them go I started to cry. Gonna really miss them both, they are so lovely, hope we can meet up when I get home. In the afternoon we went up to the breeding program, it was just JJ, Naomi and I so it was really nice. We brought down another one of the fences. The afternoon got even better when I was asked to drive the three of us back to camp in the ‘Series 2′ – A stick that jams everytime you try to change gear, a brake that you need to pump for it to slow you down and steering that takes forever to turn. But so much fun! It was like driving without an instructor for the first time again – FREEDOM! Mum and Dad tried to ring, but could only make it through on my mobile so they said they would try again tomorrow night. Stayed up talking with David again, then went to bed to the sound of roaring lions – I do love it here!
Feb 11
Had a day off today, layed in a bit till breakfast, then spent the morning sitting looking out over the river reading my lonely planet guide to the U.S. Researching America started to make me think about the months after Zimbabwe, started to get excited about it. Loads of the volunteers have left for their Vic falls trip so there’s hardly any of us left. Nice though because I became more involved with the cubs feeding. I helped to feed the 5A’s and got scratched quite badly again, quite sore actually. I helped Anna with her polo cross in the afternoon, throwing her the ball for her to catch in her net, while she was on one of the horses. Spoke to mum and dad in the evening, discussing the US trip, even more excited now. Cannot wait for so many fantastic things to come, and still 2 Weeks left here in Zimbabwe! – HAPPY HAPPY!!!! x x x x
Feb 12
WHAT A DAY! Started with enclosure cleaning, but before we left we heard over the radio that Amy had got out of her enclosure and was down by the Elephants and Horses. So we took some meat with us and managed to get her back in. After that first bit of excitement followed by the joy of enclosure cleaning we had our second piece of drama for the day. We were all sitting having breakfast when a Crocodile was spotted swimming in the river! So everyone crowded round to watch while Bobbie (our head guide) strode out to just before the bridge with his gun, and shot it! (It had to be done as we were told it isnt safe to have a crocodile swimming around while there are people fishing and cannoying all the time.) There was such a loud bang that it made most of us jump. But before the guys could fish the croc out, it SUNK! But Vic said it should float to the surface in a couple of days and we can get it then. What excitment and drama! And it was only breakfast time. Then had to go on boundary patrol on horse back, I got to go on Khan, which up until today I always enjoyed but he behaved so strangely, he must have been spooked by something because at one point he just bolted from a walk to a canter, but I managed to stop him (still not a confident rider). Then later in the patrol he must have been spooked by something else because he stopped in his tracks and refused to walk further along the path, then he started to turn back. Neil and Annette helped me out and in the end he started to follow them again, but it was so weird. When we got back from boundary patrol I was asked to join Anna and a new voulunteer ‘Ash’ on a cub feeding (with clients). The lion handlers (Adam and Nathan) that are going to Vic falls, went too, I ended up spending my time with them, they are such a laugh. Well it was a laugh until we reached the Waterfall enclosure and only Zuva came to greet us at the fence. There was no LC. We luckly got there first before the clients and soon realised that something was wrong. It wasn’t long before Nathan and Anna walked around to the back of the enclosure and found LC dead. The clients soon arrived and it was so awkward trying to get them back in the truck without them seeing LC’s body. It was so awful and sad. The second lion to die in that enclosure. Vic said that he wants some of the lads to go in there and search the entire enclosure for snakes, he thinks that might be what killed her. I spent the afternoon with Vic, we went up to the breeding program and I watched as Teddy (the adult male) was put into his neighbouring enclosure with two females. Vic wants to start him breeding again. Then we went back to camp and we tried to surface the croc on the boat, all to no avail, just have to wait for nature to take its course. Then I went on the computer in the office for a bit and entered some data capture sheets into the system (the sheets where we record the behaviour of the lions we walk). Then I picked some of the V’s up from the breeding program in the series 2. In the evening I got to go on a client horse ride with David (leading) and Anna went as well. Got to go on Khan again. Once again Khan started acting weirdly, and at one stage he suddenly broke into a canter, but I managed to slow him down to a walk again, even laughed about it with Anna. The two of us were having quite a laugh riding together, Khan seemed to like Petals the horse that Anna was riding as he kept wanting to be along side her. It was all fun until suddenly Khan went off again, he must have been spooked by something as he went from a slow walk to a full gallop in seconds and he dragged me through an acacia bush, which is covered in really sharp thorns. Once again I managed to hold on and slow him down. But the thorns had scratched my face and made it bleed. Anna came back to see if I was ok, I was in shock and my face was so painful, I started to well-up. Anna called David back from the front and he held Khan’s reins while I dabbed my bloody nose with a tissue. But then Khan took off again, this time from a standstill to full galllop, but David had the reins and they got whipped from his hands and they snapped. The bridle and reins came off Khan and I only had the saddle to hold on to. Khan was going so fast and I had no control at all, I heard David shout to jump off (my first reaction was HOW!?) So I had to throw myself off and ended up doing a kind off policemans roll across the bush floor. Luckly I was wearing my helmet as I hit my head, it was even more lucky that Khan didnt stand on me as he apparently was still galloping round after I had jumped off. I was so so scared, shocked and embarrased as it happened infront of the whole group of clients. I stood up and got my breath back, trying not to break down infront of all those strangers. Andy (guide) asked me if I was alright and I said yes, but ‘I’m walking back to camp!’ he said thats fine. David asked him to lead the ride back to camp, so all the clients slowly left the clearing. When it was just David and I, I totally broke down in tears, I was just so frightened when it happened and so shocked at what had happened so quickly. David was so good allowing me to cry on his shoulder and he walked with me and the horses back to camp. I was bruised and a bit bloody, but it was more the shock of it that got to me. Ended up going straight back to the room, all shakey. Anna came and found me after dinner, she said she wanted to see if I was alright but made me laugh when she said, she thought if she’d have gotton off Petals she wouldn’t have been able to get back on her again (petals has the reputation of being a bit of a wild one). WHAT A DAY!
Feb 13
Quite a quiet day today, I cleaned out all the Elephant enclosures myself and then went over to the stables to see Khan. At breakfast I asked Milena what I was doing for my morning activity and she said that she wanted me back on that horse! I really didn’t want to, but I knew she was right. So after breakfast I walked over to the stables again, standing infront of Khan I started to well-up again. Felt stupid that I was being so dramatic, but I was so shocked about how last night’s ride had turned out. Andy, Ed and Kim were there while I got back on Khan and walked him round the school a few times. Glad I got back on, as I do really like him, and I’ve never been horse riding before. I spent the rest of the day on the computer again, entering the data capture sheets. After dinner I sat around the fire pit chatting with the Vic falls lads.
Feb 14
Went out with the Ele’s first thing, and cleaned them out until 7:30 when I went back to camp to say goodbye to Kim. She didn’t end up leaving till around 8:30 in the end (Thats African Time for you!) so we went in to see the cubs. They had put the 5A’s and the 3K’s in together, it was so much fun seeing the eight of them all playing together. It was so sad saying goodbye to Kim, as she started to cry I started to cry too. Getting so fed up of these goodbyes, lucky Im the next one! As Kim was taken to Bulawayo by Ed I started to get sad thinking about how little time I have left here now. Having doubts about spending time in Miombo. Did a bit more computer work in the morning and then went in with the 4M’s and Adam. Loads of us then went in to feed the eight cubs – what a hilarious episode, all eight of them running round making their silly noises fighting to get to the bottles. Wish I could have filmed it! Did boundary patrol in the afternoon, Ash and I worked out we probably walked nearly 7Km, quite pleased with that. Then later on we watched as the boys jumped into the river and swam down to get the croc. It was all so exciting and funny watching them diving down trying to find it and haul it up. But they somehow managed it and the boat took it to the river bank. It was then taken up to the workshops to be skinned. Mr Connoly (owner) said he was going to count its teeth, so none of us should get any ideas! Stayed up late again around the fire pit, chatted with Adam till 2 in the morning.
Feb 15
I dont want to go to Miombo, not when I’m having so much fun here at the park, not when I’m so settled here, and finally feel completly comfortable, and not when I leave on the 25th! Even worse as we don’t know if Bobbie, Milena, Casper and Cleo and the 4M’s and the Vic falls lads will be here when we come back. When we left we all shouted out to Milena to make sure they would be all there when we get back. We left around 10:30, jammed in the mini bus. We stopped off in Bulawayo on the way so that the girls could change their flight tickets, they aren’t leaving till March now. Standing there with them in the Air Zimbabwe office I was wishing I could change my flights too. We got to Miombo around six. It was then that Leila decided to tell us that she wouldn’t be taking us back to the park until the 23rd! Well this was too much for me, back in the room, I was so upset, saying to Anna that if that was the case then I would have only 1 DAY left at the park before I left to go home. It was just too much, as the original plan was to leave on monday, and when tuesday was hinted about as our leaving date I wasnt impressed, but to leave on wednesday, it was just so unfair. Plan to have a chat with Greg, telling him that if I’d have been told that we weren’t leaving until then, then I wouldn’t have come. Left it for the evening, still stressing about it though.
Feb 16
Woke up at 5 am to go out spore tracking on the border of Whange National park. It was a gorgeous sunrise. It was really interesting walking down the track finding out what animals had crossed there during the night, but after 3 hours the girls and I were hungry and a bit bored. Wanting even more to go back to the park. We went out again after breakfast to continue down the track. This time something amazing happened, so we were all just walking down the track when some elephants were spotted right near us, they were quite close by so we were told to get back into the truck for safety. There turned out to be a whole herd of elephants on either side of the track in the trees. We estimated in the end that there were around 30 in all! Along with some Bulls there were tiny babies with their mothers. It was just so incredible, I couldn’t stop smiling, Elephants have always been one of my favorite animals, and to see them in the wild like this, and so many was just so wonderful. We were all so thrilled, and I was so pleased that I was there to experience it. Came back for lunch and were told that we could chill out for a couple of hours. Then we went out to the site where we hoped to dart a hyena, we left a load of animal bones there, to attract the hyena and then Paul put a dead monkey in a tree to attract a leopard. After dinner we came back to the site and we covered the car all over in branches from nearby trees, then with the other car we drove around the site leaving a scent trail, with soaked elephant skin, so the hyena’s would be drawn by that too. Then most of us got in the other car and hid on the opposite side of the clearing to the covered car, where Paul and Zoe were lying in wait to dart the hyena. It started to get dark, and the air became alive with noise from the wildlife around us, it really felt like someone was playing a tape called ’sounds of the african bush’ I think the frogs were actually the noisest. No sorry Paul’s tape recordings were the noisest, as he started to play tape recordings of wilderbeast in distress and hyena’s calling out, it was really exciting, as we had to keep completely quiet, it was pitch black, so the only way we knew what was happening was through radio contact with the other car. TWO HYENA’S had come to the carcass. One of them was a male called ‘Scar’ that they had previously collared, although it was cool to see him, we wanted a new hyena to collar, preferably a female. We stayed out till around eleven, when we left the first car and drove back to camp. Paul said he would let us know if there were any developments, so we could drive back and be there. But as it turned out, we never went back, and slept all the way through, finding that ‘Scar’ had just sat watching the covered car all night, and they weren’t able to dart the second hyena.
Feb 17
We had a lie in till 7.30 and I had a shower (outside!). It was really cool actually, being in the open air, with trees overhanging and bamboo screens for walls. That morning we learnt to fire a dart gun, as the drugs that they use can be fatal to humans, Paul let us load the dart guns with water – just a tad safer ;). I managed to hit the target with the dart gun, but had a bit more trouble when it came to fireing the rifle. Especially as the second go at the rifle meant that the others were to pretend to be excitable tourists, yelling and jumping up and down, pretending that the pieces of paper on wooden boards were infact charging buffalo. If anyone remembers how loud Anna2 could be at times, they would understand how good a screaming tourist she was, and would sympathise with the fact that I missed the targets. But we did have a lot of fun. That afternoon we went out looking for lion kill sights. Going on the information received from the collared lions, we tracked the positions where they were shown to have spent a fair amount of time in one spot. The first site we found with little trouble, it was incredible – we found a giraffe carcass. Apparently it was about 2 months since it had been killed, but there was still skin across the bones, along with the skull, it was just facinating, there was hair all around the site from it’s tail too. We took the lower jaw, to find out more about the giraffe, from it’s teeth I think. Then in the next couple of sites we didn’t find anything, these may just have been areas where the lions were resting. It wasn’t until our last site of the day when we found something else – an Elephant carcass! Again the carcass was a couple of months old, however we were all distressed and angry to find a gunshot hole through the elephant’s skull, along with holes where the ivory tusks should have been. This elephant was not killled by lions, but by one of the many poachers around Whange National Park. The only upside was that the lions had benefited, and been able to feed from the rest af the elephant.
Feb 18
Going to Whange today! Packed all the things we would need for camping over night into a trailer, blankets, matresses, tents, food etc… It took ages for us to get to our camp ground, which was called Kennedy 1. I felt quite sick when we arrived, think it could have been sunstroke. After putting the tents up we went in search of more ‘kill sights’, being extra cautious this time as there could be anything lurking in the bush. We didn’t find anything at any of the sights, but we did get caught in a thunderstorm, we got completely drenched-even wetter than I got in Vic falls! – which I didn’t think was possible. We got back to camp and the rain stopped, we tried to dry off but everything was wet through. We went out into the park again to do a game count, we saw the usual ([b][/b], that being zebra, giraffe, wilderbeast, imparla) But we also saw THREE RHINO! Not the usual! we don’t have Rhino at Antelope Park! We were told that it looked most like parents with their baby. They were barely 40m from the road which we were on, So Close! The evening kept getting better as further down the road we came across a HUGE herd of Buffalo! We estimated that they numbered around a thousand! What a sight, seeing them in real life, just there, right infront of us. By this time it was starting to get dark. Then they were spotted – HYENA! around 4 or 5 of them, we could see their eyes, they were stopping around the buffalo, and some elephants that had just arrived at the waterhole infront of us. It was so exciting! It got really dark and Greg used the spotlight to show us the animals. We were using the tracking equipment to try and pick up the collared hyena’s, we managed it a couple of times, but the signal eventually drifted away. We went back to camp for dinner, as we planned to go back later. The only light in camp was the bbq so we all grouped around it, putting our soaking wet shoes and socks around it to try and dry them. We then went back out again to the same area of the park that the buffalo were before, and we spotted A LION! Yes I know I was working with lions everyday at Antelope park, but this was different, this was really the wild! He was standing tall, looking over at the herd of buffalo. What a feeling, I was completley over come, just so happy, I felt so lucky! After this amazing sight we got yet another, a Hyena, just 20m from the car, we saw it so clearly. Couldn’t believe what I was seeing, I felt like I should pinch myself, this couldn’t be real! Then we heard some commotion, some hyena’s ‘laughing’, some lions roaring, and what we thought was a baby buffalo ’screaming’. So we think there was a kill. We didn’t see anymore after that, and went back to camp. I felt so excilerated, on such a high, So So Happy! We went to bed a little after 12, the tents were a laugh, as I shared with Anna, Naomi and Faye.
Feb 19
In the morning we packed up camp and went out into the park again to look for more ‘kill sights’, we used the GPS, it lead the group deep into the bush, we all got scared by a rumble, we thought it might be Elephants, it was thunder. We ran into some tourists later when we were back on the road, their guide told us that on that very road a little further down that morning there had been 6 Lions laying across the road. SO COOL! After the no shows at the ‘kill sights’ we went back to Miombo, where Leila was waiting. She had dropped JJ’s parents there the day before. We watched as JJ and his parents were reunited after months of being apart, it was so lovely and so touching, made me think of home. I had asked Greg previously if I could go back with Leila to Bulawayo and then onto the park, and he left a message for her before we left for Whange. So after lunch I packed and left for my second home. I was so so happy with the time that I had spent at Miombo and Whange but I was over the moon that I was going back to Antelope park. It only took Leila 3.5 hours to drive us back to Bulawayo, I felt really rude as I feel asleep for a while, but the past week had been just a tad busy, she was cool with it. I was able to have a lovely long bath at Leila’s house, I was in there so long she thought I had drown. We had a really nice dinner, and I learnt a lot about Leila, she’s done so many interesting jobs. After dinner we watched a really girlie film- ‘Message in a Bottle’ very romantic!
Feb 20
I woke up around 6.30, and then had breakfast. Gerald (a guide) was in town dropping Suzie and Kelly (2 other volunteers) at the airport for their trip home. So he was able to pick me up from Leila’s and take me BACK TO THE PARK!!!!!!!!! It was a really quick trip back, as we drove through the park’s gates I was SO HAPPY to be back, it was like coming home. Everyone seemed really pleased to see me, I was quite suprised, it was like I was truely missed, like I’d been away for ages. It was such a great feeling to be noticed to have been gone and then noticed to have come back. Even Mr Connoly noticed I was back when he was down in camp, and said it was nice to have me back. Felt sad that I was leaving on friday, but at the same time so happy to have come back early! I did miss home, but I loved the park so much. Kept thinking it would be much better to go when I was loving it so much, then to go when it may not be so much fun.
Feb 21
Back to the usual, if you could ever describe this as the usual! Got to bottle feed the cubs this morning, as there are hardly any volunteers here at the moment. Then went and helped out at the elephants before breaky. Spent the morning cleaning tack at the horses, then helped with bottle feeding all 12 of the cubs – a lot of fun and games! Not just because of the cubs, but because the power was out so we had to heat the bottles over the stove instead. Before shovelling horse shit before lunch, nice eh! So hot today, fed the cubs again after lunch, love being so involved and having everyone know me, been here quite a while now- Loving It! Don’t want to leave Walked the 4M’s in the afternoon, and they came back to camp straight away, very impressed. Then walked Luke, Leo, Mel and Mufasa with Ed and clients and got caught in a thunderstorm! Very wet, but amazing lightning. Stayed up to the early hours talking with Adam, love his company. (oh and got a letter from Nan and Granddad, took long enough, but at least it got here before I left!
Feb 22
So so tired, got only 3 hours sleep last night because of chatting. But still wore a big smile all day which I’m getting quite a reputation for. Enclosure cleaning first thing, least the drive through the park woke me up a bit. Then after breakfast we did a snare sweep, kept wanting to rebel, and take a nap under a tree, but I was good and didn’t. Ended up burning my face, head and shoulders again! †:-[ Came back and hung out with Adam, Nathan and the 5A’s had fun mucking around with them. After lunch I was supposed to be on breeding program but we got up there and found nothing to be done, but we did get to see the newborn cub! Only a couple of days old, I had tears in my eyes just watching it. So came back to camp, helped the boys feed the cubs, then it thunderstormed so we spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing so much it hurt! I surely don’t deserve to be this happy, I’m having such a great time. ;D
Feb 23
Great day today, went on a lion walk first thing with Neil, Nathan, Casper and Cleo and some clients. The cubs were really well behaved and so funny. After breakfast we walked the 4M’s down to Mrs Taylor’s house Mampara ended up falling backwards off the patio which had everyone in fits of giggles, especially as she had spent the entire walk giving out ankle taps, and coming up to us pretending to give us cub love before sinking her teeth in. The girls and JJ arrived back from Miombo, great to see them all, and lovely to have Anna back. After lunch it was up to breeding program, trying to fit all new padlocks onto the adults enclosures, stamping AP onto them. Came back to camp and went on a lion walk, with just the V’s, Bobbie- Luke, Leo, Mel & Mufasa. Great walk, talked about how the volunteers change while they are at the park, Bobbie said he has noticed a change in me So so happy here, just feel so at ease, like a second home. Stayed up talking to the boys around the fire pit.
Feb 24
LAST DAY! Got up at 5am to walk and feed the 5A’s who were so lively. Had breakfast and took some photos. Went on a horse ride, on my favorite horse – Khan, was a little bit nervous but all went ok. Helped feed the cubs again, such sweeties. Had lunch and then did my Elephant Swim – Ahhh! Really quite nervous at times, especially when I first got on as Tombi decided she didn’t want to go back in the water, so I held on for dear life to the trainer as she resisted. But she eventually changed her mind and went storming in, held on so tight, scared of falling off, at times there was such an incline, felt like I was slipping backwards, when we went under water I held my breath and shut my eyes, but still managed to swollow gallons of the lake. After I had my shower – (Not exactly clean water in there!) Rebecca arrived back, so exciting to see her again, but so jealous that she is just arriving when I am leaving tomorrow :’( Got all dressed up this evening, all the girls had a really fun time of it, especially as we have so little girlie stuff with us. Had a bit of a party round the fire pit – volunteers, guides and the lion trainners. My new nickname is offically MISS SMILE ALOT! Can’t remember ever being this happy! ;D ;D ;D
Feb 25
Can’t believe I am leaving today, so many emotions, so incredibly unhappy to leave the park, the lions and especially all my friends here, but at the same time I am so excited about seeing Mum, Dad and Alan tomorrow. The bus that took me to Harare left at 9ish, Ed drove me to the bus station and Adam came along too. Absolutely horrible saying goodbye to everyone, I started crying when Mr Connoly came over to say goodbye and gave me a hug, then I didn’t stop after that. They all stood in a semi-circle to say goodbye, I cried as I gave everyone a hug. As Ed waved goodbye to me when I got on the bus I was in floods of tears and didn’t stop for most of the journey to Harrare. After a 4hr bus ride Barney picked me up and took me backpackers where I waited the few hours before he dropped me off at the airport for my 10 hour flight home.
Then afterwards I went across the road in the snow – pretty, but cold, to the Seafood restaurant, what a hypocrite I know, but it was so gooooood! Had salmon and chips. Made my way back to the hostel via the Old Town Trolley Tour bus, as my tour wasn’t up. Spent the evening on the net chatting with Mum and Dad, ok day in the end, just a bit miserable weather. 
