Day 95- Hwange 6/1/13

Guess what - woke up to yet more grey overcast skies. Weather has been so wet that none of our laundry had dried (tumbler driers do not seen to be known here) so our truck is full of wet clothes. Not much we could do about it, as we travel on to Hwange national park, formerly a royal hunting grounds, and now the largest national park in Zim but fortunately we were able to hang everything up in our chalet accommodation.

After lunch we went out on our first game drive here. Weather at least dry, so we did not have to wind down the roll up windows of our ancient Land Rovers. Unfortunately, did not see any "new" animals, but spotted another five lions, so now up to 72 as we chase the target of 80. There are, however, many attractive birds - the names of most of which I cannot of course remember. Two that stand out in my mind, however, were the carmine beeeater and the "hammerhead" (so unique that it has its own genus) which seems to have a most unusual nest.

After dinner, we went for a night drive to pick up wildlife in our roving searchlights, and then on to the Hwange Safari Lodge where they there is a large watering hole, scanned by searchlights, where many animals come to drink. We were all looking forward to this but - although an extremely upmarket hotel - mains electricity had been cut off so were using their own generators. Hence no searchlights but at least an opportunity for a few drinks in opulent surroundings.