Sinamatella in Hwange on the way to the Game Count

A tractor is called in to move a dead elephant

Try getting to the Game Count in Hwange game reserve (one of the greatest African nature reserves) without tons of adventure. Stopping off at a water hole we were assaulted by the foul smell emanating from a dead elephant. Some men, assisted by a tractor are trying in dry heat to move the dead pachyderm so as not so foul the precious water.

From the hide we watch the maneouvering with growing interest and admiration. This is not the most considerate place of the elephants to have come to rest. Its guts have burst from the expanding gases of decomposition and soon I am sure the vultures will be gorging on this meal. There are possibly too many elephants for the ecosystem in Hwange and thus water is very scarce especially considering the elephants squandering thereof in play and baths and mushing a great deal into mud. The least they could do is spare the rangers’ wits by finding an “elephant’s cemetery”.

Another of my favourite Zimbabwean trees, Entandrophragma caudatum – the aptly named Wooden Banana.

Interestingly enough watching this macabre spectacle along with us are two Germans who have been driving down in a 4X4 from their home country, formidable! Onwards we go, and the trees keep me thrilled all through the heat of the day.

Willy trying to get down some wooden ‘banana’ pods.

I do not think we managed to knock down any “Wooden Banana” pods for closer inspection. I believe this tree makes an excellent bonsai and I only wonder if the bonsai wooden bananas are also dinky. The “banana” splits when ripe as in the top photo (a sign of the rains promised…?) to aid in seed dispersal.

The thorny Rhigozum bush of arid climes all gloriously golden frames a hopping Willy

A beauty of the end of winter is Rhigozum bushes. Such fortitude and gaiety in the face of the dusty heat this sulphurous yellow inspires a rain dance from Willy. Also, “the flowers match my car” line must have surely been uttered – Saffron the Peugeot in the background and Sulphur-coloured Rhigozum bursting into flower in front.

 

A lovely place to rest for the night before the hard day’s counting ahead of us tomorrow is Sinamatella camp site. Just look at the majesty of the plains below. Even with the Game Count the following day we had the place almost to our selves.

Dawn breaks over Sinamatella camp and the valley below.