The 2025 Botswana Journals, Ch. 29: Hiding Again

        “The rivers have water in them,"  reports Marg.

     Interpretation: Don’t expect much from the waterhole hides, as there is water elsewhere for wildlife.   Botswana had months of rain before we arrived.

       Well, rats, I think.   But I soon find out that “water in the rivers” doesn’t mean flowing streams.   Instead, I find only isolated pools of water and drivable riverbeds.   They soon become my favorite parts of Mashatu Game Reserve.

       Meanwhile, we are once again at the Lala Limpopo overnight hide, waiting for the talent to show.

        A black-backed jackal is the first.   We watch as it approaches one of the lights Aubrey set out to illuminate the waterhole.  The jackal is snapping at insects in the light.   It reminds me of driving through a downpour in Kenya and seeing a jackal jumping and snapping at something as the raindrops bounced off the dirt.

        "Termites," said our guide.  "They come out of the ground when the rain seeps in."  That was when I learned that insects make up a large proportion of a jackal's diet.

        Finally, near midnight, a jackal approaches to drink.

        Then, a spotted hyena.

 

        I go back to bed, but I'm soon awakened when the big guys show up.

        A small herd of wildebeest arrives to slake their thirst.

 

        I go back to bed and am not awakened until it's time for breakfast.

        We have things to do today.   We are leaving Tuli Lodge and heading deeper into the Mashatu Game Reserve to the main lodge, Mashatu itself.

        Our bags must be ready by 11 AM.