Mana Canoe Trail - October 2007
12 Nov 2007
It's getting towards the end of season and instead of slowing down, we are still doing trips every week if not twice a week. Brian and Matthew soldier on down the river battling whatever comes their way and bringing the guests safely into camp.
Weather
We have had a very mild start to October with the September winds still continuing to cool us throughout the day. The temperature started to rise during mid-October to 42 degrees. Miraculously, the night after full moon saw our first spattering of rain. There has not been any since, but it is still very hot and slightly humid.
Landscape and Zambezi River
The baobab trees, normally bare and ugly, have sprouted fresh green leaves and their magnificent white flowers have started to bloom. These flowers are about as large as the sausage tree flowers, but don't be deceived by their crisp white appearance, there will be no pretty fragrance wafting from these flowers. Instead they have a meaty aroma which attracts the bats that pollinate them. The wild mango is ahead and is already dropping its edible, but not so palatable, yellow fruits.
A myriad of butterflies have appeared along the shoreline, adding even more colour to the water's edge. The cicadas and tree frogs are chirping at full volume, enticing the rains to fall. The cicadas are particularly deafening when you canoe past the mopane woodland.
The first rains have caused the earth to burst forth with new life. A sprinkling of new grass can be seen sprouting through the dead leaf matter, a life-saving food source for the animals on the verge of starving. The Crenum minimum Lilies have flowered a little earlier this year. The large white flowers very pleasing to the eye.
Wildlife Sightings
Once again, the lions have been spotted on a walk. A pride of three adolescents and three adults were seen. The youngsters decided to play with a whole herd of buffalo and were swiftly put in their place and surrounded on the tip of an anthill. The older, wiser females watched on in amusement from the shade of a tree as their youngsters learnt a valuable lesson. Even though you might be the king of the jungle, don't try taking on a whole herd of buffalo.
Another, much older female was also seen on the same walk. She was a lot more skittish and very aware of the human presence.
There have also been some great sightings of elephants whilst in the canoes. Some unsuspecting guests slowly glided past an elephant chest deep in water. Everyone was enjoying the tranquillity when the elephant let out an earth-shattering trumpet, terrifying the guests who thought they were about to be attacked and eaten for lunch. When they looked back to see what all the fuss was about, the elephant was once again a picture of peace, eating his weeds in the water. I personally think it was an elephant with a sense of humour. On a walk the guests had the privilege of seeing one of these magnificent mammals stand up on its hind legs in a desperate effort to reach an albida branch.
All the usual suspects are still here. The eland are still looking particularly handsome even though they should be losing condition with the lack of food. The baboons and monkeys are starting to have their babies and little faces can be seen peeping from under the safety of their mothers' limbs. Some of the zebra females are heavily pregnant and look ready to burst. The nyala have been quite elusive this month, obviously hiding further inland as the rains have replenished some of the pans. The kudu are still around in great numbers, their young from last year starting to turn into strong, healthy adults.
Birding
We have regularly heard, but not yet seen the Pennant-winged Nightjars. They have come down from North Africa to breed and have grown their lovely pennants, which are used to attract the females.
A lone Lappet-faced Vulture was seen sitting under the shade of a tree. These vultures are quite uncommon and look like something out of a horror story with their blood-red necks. A whole variety of other migrants are flocking to the warmth of Zimbabwe. We are now beginning to see European Bee-eaters, Emerald Cuckoos and Woodland Kingfishers, the latter two being easily recognised by their calls and can be heard calling in the same areas.
Another migrant, which is the Yellow-billed Kite, regularly visits us in the morning at each campsite in the hope of scavenging a titbit for breakfast.
Guests Comments and Highlights
"We have really enjoyed the unique and special experience of Mana Canoe Trails. Spending time on and around the river offers a very different perspective."
"Very nice trip that cannot be closer to nature. We discovered many beautiful things with 2 very experienced guides. Everything was perfect at the camp, tents, food, people, views and animals. We will come back ASAP."
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