Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa, Zambia

Thanks Doogs. A pleasure to share them, I am still going to post some more but not sure when as the week is flying by and it's only Tuesday

Zambia certainly was different to Kenya but just as wonderful. I think one of the best things was being close to the river, so much life goes on there so there was always something to look at, also perfect for sundowners of course

I forgot to mention that one of our guides was called Manda he was the winner of the Wanderlust guide competition when we all voted for Jackson. He was absolutely superb, knowledgeable on everything and everyone and always able to get you into a good position for a photo opportunity. All out great guy - I will post a photo soon.

Lai Pai

Those have just made me Lai Pai. they are magnificent but my favs are definiately the ele feet, like you I am so struck by their feet, then the baby sleeping and also the baby looking under his mums tum, just gorgeous pictures
Also the ele in the swamp is fascinating, it makes me smile that the ele looks as though he is sinking in it but the birds and monkey look as though they are walking on water.
A great selection and so look forward to the next ones

littlewid-x-

Lovely photos LP. Really good to see the Elle's, and I have to agree, the lttle sleeping Elle, and the Feet are my favourites to. Thanks for sharing
WS

Thanks Littlewid and WS - those birds are right there with the eles amazing just how close they get and don't get flattened!

I haven't posted any giraffe photos yet so will do that today, another species in Zambia called Thorneycroft. So that'll be later along with anything else I haven't covered.

Lai

Anxiously awaiting the pics i'm loving all these photo's

littlewid-x-

May be Friday now, we're off to a wedding in Cumbria tomorrow .................

Lai

I will just have to practise my patience Lai Pai Have a lovely time at the wedding and I hope the weather is kind to the Bride & Groom.

littlewid-x-

A few more for the weekend - one morning we took time out from game viewing and went to visit the local Chiwawatala basic school in Mfuwe. Driving from the National Park we drove through the town and passed the best bra shop I've ever seen.


Every colour, shape and size




Some of the beautifully made houses


Flame creeper tree outside the school


No one could tell me the name of this but it was a lovely big tree






The children are given one meal a day at school. Maize meal being cooked.




This lady was carrying fresh water from the pump





The children all love having their photos taken and can't wait to see themselves, - they are just such fun and the younger ones walked round with us whilst the head teacher showed us round. Mfuwe Lodge pay for 4 teachers, the school has around 700 pupils, so half go in the morning and half in the afternoon. It was such a great visit and I was so pleased to have taken some bit and pieces for them for their prize giving at the end of term.

Back to wildlife next time ........

Lai

Bet you thought my cup runneth over when you saw that LP . It's great to see the children, and the school. It makes you realise how different our worlds are, and it was really good of you to take stuff to the children, and also see how happy they look to see visitors.Looking forward to more wildlife
WS

What gorgeous children they are Lai Pai, they looked very happy and cheeky too bet they were pleased with the things you took them too. The houses are lovely but I wonder how we would fair living in them all the time, I bet they are not as materialistic as we all can be at times.
Loving the bra shop, they could give La Senza a run for their money
That Flame Creeper is stunning, so colourful, it's beautiful.
Gorgeous pictures and it's nice to see real life as well as the wildlife

littlewid-x-

WS - you get me every time

I think you are so right Littlewid, we wouldn't survive long without missing all our home comforts and material things. And yes they were wonderful and very cheeky, until the head teacher said back to class and then with no messing they went - ummmmmmmm our kids could learn from that!

I'll sort the rest of the wildlife photos Sunday/Monday

Lai

Just a handful for today.

Giraffe drinking


A tower of giraffe - these are Thorneycroft giraffe


"Are you looking at me"?


Mother and young baby


It's a slow process to lie down


"Got it" - Grey Heron fishing


Baobab tree - really amazing old trees


Known as the 'Sausage tree'


A little personal grooming


As the last of the sun goes down - and the sundowners (A slightly blurry photo )


Lai

Great photos again LP. Lovely to see the Giraffes, and I agree the Baobab trees look brilliant. Think I'd rather be a Heron than a Monkey
Thanks for sharing some more of your holiday
WS

At Lusaka airport there is a beautiful sculpture called Lechwe of the Kafue flats by Coert Steynberg
with a wonderful quote from Henry Beston.

“Creatures of the wild; we patronise them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves; and therein we err, and greatly err.

For the animals shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses that we have lost or never attained, hearing by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren; they are not underlings; they are the other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time; fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

I think he sums it up extremely well.

Lai

Very true indeed LP, and such beautiful sculptures
WS

Strangely enough no Doogs, we didnt stop at the bra shop we passed it on the way to the school and decided on the way we just had to get a photo. It would have been a challenge finding the right size I think!

The giraffe are beautiful, I love seeing the different species, and Thorneycroft is a new one to me.

I don't think I've ever seen sausage trees before, they are amazing and the baboons love them. If one of those landed on your head you'd certainly know it

I'm going to put together a small slide show after Christmas hopefully .......... new technology and my non techie ability allowing

Lai

Oooooo I adore that Grey Heron shot Lai Pai, brilliant capturing it fishing, I bet you were jumping with joy with that one and I love the Giraffe drinking too, the water dribbling out his mouth, brilliant.
I had not heard of the Thorneycroft either, I think all Giraffe are just so beautiful and graceful.

That sausage tree is amazing, I have never seen anything like that before, it's quite spectacular isn't it.

So looking forward to the slide show after christmas, it's going to be brilliant

littlewid-x-

Thanks Littlewid - I'm glad you've confidence in me I may be asking advice but will have a go once I've got my Christmas pressie from Pete

Lai Pai

and :What: and and and and hopefully

Lai Pai

It's taken me some time to put together a 5 min slideshow of our trip to Zambia, but it gives an idea of our safari. (Sound needed).




Lai