Gorongosa to Casa Msika
Another early start, damn I could do with a late one once in a while, but it was totally worth it because we were embarking on our first major game drive of the trip. A whole morning drive in the lovely Gorongosa National Park. It is a real thrill to be driving through this park knowing that the largest park restoration plan is in full swing. Many a sighting of warthog, oribi and waterbuck followed, and the jokes were flowing in the retard car. Impala apparently have impala fun and frolick longingly in the impala plain (as explained to us by Garith). The elusive lions remained elusive (we are not allowed to open to the ever-delicious woolworths prawn chips until we see one) but we did manage to catch a glimpse of a small elephant herd flapping through the fever tree forests that frequent this amazing park. Our game drive semi-ended at Casa Leones, which is a house that was taken over by a pride of lions. We had our first taste of “plains game” when we stopped at a large open area crowded with waterbuck, oribi, warthog, baboons, impala, steenbok, wildebeest and bateleur eagles.
Unfortunately the game drive had to end somewhere. We arrived back to our campsite sweating profusely. Some of the group decided to enjoy breakfast at the restaurant. Apparently you can get ham and cheese omelettes but you cant get toasted ham and cheese because the ham is finished??????? ha ha, only in Africa. Luca and I thought that we could escape having to pack up camp by waiting for the local vet, Carlos Perreira, to finish with an interview. We managed to corner him and question him about wildlife vet work in Gorongosa. We were invited to view a herd of buffalo that had recently been translocated to Gorongosa. We considered this as a special privilage to view these completely wild animals in their new surroundings of a boma located in the Gorongosa Wildlife Sanctuary. We met up with Julian, a very well spoken and intelligent man, who took us on a short game drive to show us the area and their Tsetse fly and water testing labs.
It was getting late for our departure to Chimoio, but we made the most of the time lag to tell ridiculous stories and jokes (What a shocker). We had a small taste of home by stopping at a Shoprite which allowed us to stock up on vital supplies (obviously the eggs did break in the back of the car). The drive to Casa Msika was a hair-raising experience. Trucks overtake each other in the dark, many of them without lights. The Mozambicans have a strange custom of turning their brights anon just as you are passing them, making the driving that much more challenging.
After a nervous hour of travelling we reached our destination of Casa Msika. We were welcomed by the manager Sean and his wife Kim and given a brief description of their operation. They are wanting to establish a community vet clinic at Casa Msika and would love our input as to what such a clinic would need to get off the ground. Another hearty ½ chicken meal was wolfed down. These guys really know how to make a chicken taste extra amazing. Sean couldnt tell us enough about his zebra escapades, which were amusing to say the least. Garith and Darren were blessed with bright pink mosquito nets (how did the manager’s know that that was their favourite colour?)
Bed time for day 6, what an interesting day it was. We are all so excited for what lies ahead.
Keep it real
James
