Life In Liwonde

Join us for life at our lodge in Liwonde National Park

A Good Day For Elephants

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A Good Day For Elephants

We nearly had a few disappointed campers this weekend when there hopes looked to be dashed upon viewing no elephants on their morning game drive. Perseverance prevailed however when shortly before leaving this guy charged out of the bushes at us (thankfully, otherwise we may have missed him).

Once he’d calmed down he very graciously posed for photos and let us sit and watch him graze. It never ceases to amaze me how majestic these creatures are, how easily they blend into the surroundings and how quiet they are.

I will never tire of watching elephants…

Name That Bird (please…)

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Name That Bird (please...)

We caught this bird up in the trees in Liwonde National Park last weekend and we have an argument going between our guides as to the exact species.

One is adamant that it’s a Marshal Eagle whilst another seems certain that it isn’t but can’t come up with an alternative; just that the Marshal Eagle is to rare a find in Liwonde for it to be so.

If there are any twitchers out there that can shed any light I’d be greatly appreciative so as to end this mini war that’s consuming most dinners in our lodge.

Doing it Malawi Style

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Doing it Malawi Style

So after a heavy amount of unexpected rainfall on Sunday night (it’s supposed to be the end of the rainy season), we ventured out on a game drive early Monday morning. Whilst or 4×4 zebra copes with almost anything there was one patch of mud that made us almost skid into a tree before coming to an abrupt halt with wheels freewheeling in the mud.

Our fearless leader must have baulked when realising he had a car fall of ladies to try and help him push the car to freedom; but once again the Dutch rallied around and traipsing through calf high puddles and dodging elephant dung they scrabbled around to find pieces of wood to place under the wheels before rocking the 4×4 out of the mud.

Jubilation ensued all round and we all clambered back aboard only to get stuck a short while later. This happened a couple more times and each time the girls enthusiasm, strength and determination didn’t wain. Despite slips and near falls, covered head to toe in mud and flip flops buried in mud the ladies were eager to continue the drive and were rewarded as we tracked down a number of animals in out time in the park with no more complications. The ladies arrived back to the lodge and had a well deserved breakfast.

Remembering to Look Up

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Life In Liwonde

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Too often life gets you get caught up in the day-to-day running of things to the extent that your head stays down while you try your best to get through all the things that get thrown at you…and then you breathe and look up.

As one of our crewmen was away at college, I had the pleasure of accompany the rest of the crew on an overnight cruise a few days ago, and after I got over the initial withdrawal symptoms of not being online and thinking of all the things that I should be doing on dry land I was so glad I went. Once the guests had been settled with drinks in hand and we’d set off at a gentle glide I grabbed a drink myself and sat, looked and looked again and remembered why I love this country.

Whilst seeing the sights of a family of elephants…

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Remembering to Look Up

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Lodge1

Too often life gets you get caught up in the day-to-day running of things to the extent that your head stays down while you try your best to get through all the things that get thrown at you…and then you breathe and look up.

As one of our crewmen was away at college, I had the pleasure of accompany the rest of the crew on an overnight cruise a few days ago, and after I got over the initial withdrawal symptoms of not being online and thinking of all the things that I should be doing on dry land I was so glad I went. Once the guests had been settled with drinks in hand and we’d set off at a gentle glide I grabbed a drink myself and sat, looked and looked again and remembered why I love this country.

Whilst seeing the sights of a family of elephants and lolloping hippos and fearsome crocodiles will never get old, the scenery surrounding Liwonde is breathtaking at the best of times. Watching the fisherman, village life and hypnotic movements of the river is enough to soften anyone’s soul and unclench those shoulders.

Thank you Malawi, I love you

 

 

A Well Earned Breakfast

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A Wel Earned Breakfast

Upon greeting Silence, our game driver, after the tour yesterday morning it seemed evident that things didn’t go according to plan – especially when asked how it went he shook his head very solemnly and said terrible.

It seems that one of our Liwonde National Parks elephants caused eight of guests to have a bit of scare on their morning game drive. The happened upon a family of them (perfect photo op) and then the wind changed and the bull of the group and a young male caught their scent and the heads came sharply to attention and with ears twitching the bull charged.

With all the years experience that Silence has, this didn’t initially phase him – he backed away as you should to show subservience – but this bull was in no mood to back away and continued on his path. Stopping barely a couple of metres short of the Land Rover Silence was a bit caught out – in front a big bull, off to one side a young male all eyes on the action, bush to the back and a ditch of indeterminate depth filled with water.

The bull began to make an awful racket as if calling the rest of his family and Silence made the decision to rev the Land Rover’s engine to drown out the sound and in challenge of the huge animal. After a few rounds of this the elephant took a step back and from this it was decided to try and catch him out and Silence made a bold shot forward with the Land Rover. The bull stepped back and Silence continued in this vain for a few more tries; until the young male took this moment to get involved. The Land Rover then shot off towards the water in a last ditch attempt and thankfully it turned out not to be too deep and after slipping and sliding for a few metres firm ground was found which led to a pathway.

Sighs of relief were had all round, but no photos taken. The group then came back to a much earned breakfast on the boat and a story to take back with them.