Zimbabwe

Today we stayed at Big Cave campsite, which is 3 km from the Matobo National Park boundary. The campsite is located in one of the leopard richest areas of the world and has wonderful views down the valley into the National Park. We were taken on an all day Game Drive around Motobo National park, a wilderness area rich in white and black rhino's. It was an amazing cultural experience. We got into the vehicle and the first thing Ian, our crazy guide said to us was "If you only came to see animals then get out." At first I was a little shocked at that command, thinking "Well what else do you go on a Game Drive for", but then I understood. It was so much more than just animals. Within 5 minutes Ian had already shown us 5 really different, really interesting plant species. We tried a really interesting plum that had two components to it. The outside was really sour and the seed was actually a nut. He showed us a plant called 'Bushman's Soap' which is meant for burns and works even better than Alovera. He also pointed out some natural hallucinogens, poisons and pain killers. We got to try bush orange, this really sticky fruit and some berries. After that, we hopped off the vehicle and the real adventure began. Rhino tracking. Ian was very clever and it didn't take long before we came across 6 white rhino's. We managed to get 5 metres away from them without them running away and boy were they breathtaking. The experience was surreal. Once we returned to the vehicle, Ian asked for a volunteer. Not knowing what I was getting myself into, I immediately threw my hand up. Then he explained to us, that I would be sitting in the bait seat. The bait seat is a seat that is located right at the very front of the vehicle, designed to attract animals. Although it was a little bit intimidating, the feeling was amazing. I had full view of everything and felt as if I was floating on air. Ian then drove us to an amazing spot that the Bushmen once occupied. We climbed this mountain which lead us to a cave that was covered in incredible cave paintings. Ian explained to us the legend of the Bushmen which was extremely interesting. There were even shadow paintings which can only be seen in the dark because they glow. To end the Game Drive, we were then taken to a local village where a chief and his family lived. The chief was just as crazy as Ian. He told us stories of how he was attacked by a leopard and wore it's skin proudly. His grand children then danced for us and we all took photo's wearing the leopard skin. After that, we returned to the campsite where we watched yet another beautiful sunset and there was a leopard sighting (which I missed :( ). Nevertheless, it was still an amazing experience. The stars were so prominent, so we slept outside and listened to the sound of the leopard's in the distance.