Our boat over to Sausage Tree Camp.
Today we had a two hour flight to Zambia and I was a bit surprised that the stewardess didn't even offer one peanut with our beverage. Well, that's because they offered a full hot lunch which was crackers and cheese, rolls and butter, salad with goat cheese, lamb with gravy, rice and mixed vegetables, 2 mini chocolate eclairs, and a piece of candy. I'm not lying.
It was a little confusing when we got to the airport in Zambia since we had to pay an exit tax to enter. The tax was $58,000 Kawcha and the only option I had was to hand over my wad, smile and trust the tax collector to give me the correct change.
After passing through the security scaner (which alarmed without getting anyone's attention) to our next flight I had to go to the bathroom which involved going back through the now unattended security scanner and then returning setting off the alarm a third time without anyone even looking my way.
Luska to Jeki and Sausage Tree Camp
All can say is WOW. Our plane was sold out meaning that all six seats were taken. No need for seat belts since we were packed like sardines. The young pilot had a serious case of bed head and a three day beard but he had on an official looking shirt and a copilot that slept with his head against the window. The ride was bumpy due to high winds (plane made from balsa wood) but I will say the landscape was breath taking. More mountainous than I would have thought. The landing strip was a short dirt path and our guides were waiting by a land cruiser that would take us to a flat boat for a 25 minute ride to camp. On the way we saw our first wildlife, impala, baboons, zebras, elephants, crocs and scores of hippos. Too cool.
The camp is a set from a Tarzan movie only it's totally authentic meaning we're sort of roughing it. There are only four of us in camp and we're at opposite ends of the lodge. Our tent is about 50 yards through the woods from the next tent which is unoccupied, by ourselves and kind of scary. No locks on the doors. The sides are bamboo, the top canvas and the doors are open wooden slats. I take it we're just one big happy family here and on the honor system since all of our valuables and whatnot are left in our unlocked room.
We were given the rules which is don't leave the room at night (and I'll be honest there is not any temptation to do that) and little frogs will share our room and shake out your shoes and towels before using. The camp is unfenced and elephant, hippos and buffalo are daily visitors in camp. If you get trapped go into to the closest tent (yours or not) and use the radio for help. Our muchinda, Shepard, will bring our coffee at 6:00, breakfast is at 6:30.
After Shepard showed us our tent and most importantly the emergency radio we left for a night game drive. One guide drives as the other shines a light to spot predator eyes. We saw the usual prey which they try not to illuminate and then we found a lion. That roar just feet from our open vehicle in the dark is incredibly impressive.
When returning to camp we were surprised with a lantern lit bush dinner, only a bonfire, lanterns and a few flash lights for the bathroom which I can't even describe except to say…well I'm not even sure what to say about that…..bathroom is definitely not the right word. The dinner you ask? OMG, creamy butternut soup, tender oxtails, chicken of some delicious sort, the local form of grits only better, (all mostly cooked over an open fire) and an acorn squash concoction that was Caroline's favorite. Sweet hot chocolate for desert.
We let them know our only fear was spiders so you know what I'm going to write next….yep, on the wall by her side of the bed. Aaaaghhhh….. I thought the mosquito nets on our bed were for show, now I know differently.
We're in bed and you can't believe the sounds of the place. Our tent is about 25 feet from the river and there are hippos right in front of us splashing and talking with each other or trying to drown out the frogs, crickets and baboon sounds. There are other sounds that I can't identify.
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