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My 5 day trip to Zimbabwe. July1- July 5. Day 1.
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My 5 day trip to Zimbabwe July1- July 5
Day 1 • We are leaving the Atlanta Georgia Airport to fly into Johannesburg Africa. This will be a 16 hour trip over the Atlantic ocean to the country of South Africa. This country is located at the very tip of Africa. We are going to land in Johannesburg tomorrow and then fly into Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. From there we are going to take a little plane into the middle of no where Zimbabwe. I will start telling you about my adventures once I get to my Country.
Day 2 • We just landed in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. The temperature is in the Mid 80’s. This is actually very cool because it is winter in Africa. This is due to its location on Earth. It is also the dry season meaning there is not much water. We heard this is the best time to travel to Africa because the animals come out of the forest into the plains in search of water. We are about to get on a small plane to travel to Hwange Zimbabwe.
Day 2 continued • On the small plane you fly so close to the ground you can see all the paths the wild animals have made all over the country side in search of water. I saw a few watering holes, one had a family of elephantsaround it. When we landed there was a huge cloud of dust because the ground was so dry. The land had a lot of small grasses, tall palm trees, and short shrubs.
Day 2 continued • Driving to camp we saw a pride of 16 lions. They were sun bathing in the middle of the dirt road. We also saw an ostrich and a Black Stripe Jackal.As the sun went down and we arrived at our camp it got very cold. Because Hwange is a plain with a lot of dessert sand it does not keep the heat very well. I am excited to see what tomorrow brings.
Day 3 • Today I woke up to the sound of the Red Grass being rustled by some unknown animals. Maybe it was the baboon family that has taken residents in the Umbrella Tree that towers over our tent. Our guide picked us up from our tent since it is still dark outside. We are not allowed to leave our tent unless we have an armed guard when it is dark.
Day 3 Continued • We ate breakfast and watched the heard of Zebracome and drink from the large watering hole. I also saw water buffalo and elephants coming to drink as well. They seem to be living in the same area in harmony. They come drink some water eat some grass and then go on their way. • After breakfast we went on a game drive. We stopped to see the same pride of 16 lions. They had killed a Warthogfor breakfast at the edge of a lake. There were about five lions snacking on the warthog and the rest were laying in the grasses. Some were even perched on top of termite hills. In the lake there were some hippopotamus. At times all I could see was the top of their heads.
Day 3 Continued • Today was a successful day. We saw many watering holes that were active with wildlife. We saw a lot of animals living together in harmony. It was like I was viewing a little savannah ecosystem. We saw many populations of Zebra, elephant, lions, and giraffe. It was amazing to see the by the watering holes aware of each other but not bothering each other (lions usually hunt at night or the morning). They were one happy communityliving in the Savannahs of Africa. • We watched the sunset and had snacks. Once again as soon as the sun went down it got very cold.
Day 4 • Today we are taking a plane to Mana Pools. This is a little more north. So the temperature is a little warmer. Still winter time so it still does not get as hot as it does in the December months. • Mana Pools is beautiful. It has many more mountains and the place we stayed was on the shore of the Zambezi River. This Shallow river separates Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Day 4 continued • It is harder to see animals here because we are more in a forest than an open plain. The animals seemed to be really well camouflaged. However we were able to see crocodile on the shore of the Zambezi and we heard the hippo. They sound like a chainsaw being started. On our way back to camp we were lucky enough to see a female lioness and her cub hanging out in the shade of a strangle fig. There were baboons swinging from limb to limb above them. At one time our guide allowed us to get out of the jeep when the cost was clear. I saw a huge line of gigantic ants that made noise when I blew on them. It was pretty cool. We also saw a tree that was COVERED in hippo poop. Evidently hippos mark their territory. It was gross! We also found poop that was white. We were told that this was hyena poop. That is turns white because they eat everything including the bones so it has such a high concentrate of calcium it turns white! • On our drive back it did not get as cold but still chilly. I noticed that there were a bunch more bugs here. It must be because the weather is warmer. I cannot believe that is did not rain the whole time we were here. It really is the dry season!
Day 5 • Had a restless sleep. Woke up numerous times because of a kill that happened down the river. The hyenawere cackling and the I heard the low grumble of the lions calling each other. Felt like it was right outside my tent. • Bitter sweet….have to go home today. Catching a plane to Johannesburg and then back to the states. This was a wonderful trip.
Key • Underlined- Abiotic • Bold- Biotic • Pink- Different Organisms • Yellow-Biome • Light blue- Ecosystem • Red- Community • Green-Population
