March 2009 : Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe

It seems that just when we thought that the rainy season was over, heavy dark clouds descended over Malilangwe and the heavens re-opened bringing a tide of new rains.  This has slowed down the thatching process somewhat.  The new thatch roof looks manicured and has the first hints of colour change peeping through. 

Malilangwe Dam
Malilangwe Dam has gorged itself in replenishment and will certainly indulge in more of the catchment in the days that follow, which will only add to its grandeur.  The photos to the right show the transition of the dam in the last couple of months (December to February 2009).

Feast of Colour
The bush is awash with a wave of yellow - lemon, custard, sunshine, golden!  The unrelenting smiles of flower heads dazzle through the greenery – from miniscule daisy-like bushes to the brazenness of the different types of hibiscus.

Chilojo Cliffs
An eroded weaving road led the way to Chilojo Cliffs on a day-visit into the neighbouring Gonarezhou National Park.  It was spectacular to see the Runde River in all its glory. Adorned in a garb of green, Chilojo Cliffs was seen altogether in a different way!

...and Klippy Makes Three
Pamushana’s pair of resident klipspringers recently gave birth within the lodge gardens.  It was a marvel to discover their new born baby hidden between some rocks along a garden path and then witness as the spindly-legged little lamb took its first steps.  “Mama” klipspringer bears the scars of a narrow escape which she had with a leopard in recent months.  We found the secret hiding place in the confines of a crevice amongst some boulders in the lodge gardens, and we were able to check in on him regularly.  Over a month old now and we are delighted to report that baby Klippy is still doing well, as he frolics around here with Mama and Dad!

Sundown Suprise!
An afternoon drive on the Banyini was stirred by sudden rushes of quelea formations flying across the open grassland.  And then there they were – larger than life – a pair of White rhino who were bathing in the last of the sunlight.  Unperturbed by our company, we spent the good part of half an hour with them as they wandered through knee high grass and indulged in the attention they were receiving from yellow-billed ox-peckers.  Just metres from us, they stopped to stare before walking off in the direction of the setting sun.

Squirrel Diaries
Our newest addition to the family at Pamushana is Squirrel, who has stolen the hearts of many visitors to the lodge.  We rescued him in November 2008 when he fell into our lives with a thud!  The love he has received has certainly been reciprocated, as his antics and ever-cuddly little character draw a lot of attention.  He has started to stash morsels of food away in a variety of places – perhaps preparing for the cooler months?

Brown Eyed Boy
On a trip back from Mikela the other day, on the Binya road, much to my suprise, I came across a lone hyena sniffing around in the grass on the side of the road.  I stopped to admire him, switched off my engine and gently called him.  His curiosity got the better of him and before too long he was sniffing around my vehicle and tried to get his teeth around the tow bar!  Other traffic passed by and stopped momentarily, but he seemed very enamoured by my presence and on several occasions got closer to me – peering in through the passenger window and sniffing the front of my vehicle.  His proximity to my driver’s window was sometimes a little too close for comfort, but I did manage to get a few lovely shots of this soft brown-eyed teddy before leaving him as a memory in my rear-view mirror.

We hope to welcome you all into our colourful world of tranquillity, where you may even leave your soul beneath the branches of an old baobab tree.

This entry was submitted by Shelley Mitchley
Unless indicated, all photographs were taken on location at Singita Pamushana
28 February 2009
Singita Pamushana