Here we are, standing in front of a locked gate! Do I have to drive all the way back? I couldn’t believe it.

Thinking about it, this gate is locked to ensure the safety of the animals from us humans. Guards with trained dogs patrol this wildlife reserve against poachers. I only shoot with my 300 mm lens.

Let’s see what happens. The baobab tree behind us looked quite intriguing in the afternoon sun and I still had some hot water for a coffee. I just poured the milk, as a little girl approached from a wee community we just passed.

This zebra wants to see zebras. She knew where the key was hidden and opened the gate. Only to lock it again as she ran along the path and disappeared beyond the Acacia Trees. I hadn’t finished my coffee when I heard the roaring sounds of a moped. A ranger from the northern camp drove up with the little girl behind his back. So cute. She smiled from ear to ear.

‘Sorry sear for the wait, but you are most welcome’ the ranger said. I like the accent.

‘We made this access, so people don’t have to drive through Blantyre.’

‘That’s why I am here. How many people come this way?’

‘Not many. But you are most welcome.’

After a wee payoff to my courier, I followed this ranger to the scout camp. This is where the rangers and their families live. I was hoping to stay the night here but these are only staff quarters.

Happy and enchanting faces appeared again in form of Rangers kids.

I had forgotten all the names of his excited family, unfortunately.

While the ranger tried to communicate with staff at the main gate on the southern entrance, I entertained the kids.

Batman in training wasn’t so sure about these circumstances.

He still has a few more years to learn.

It was obvious that not many people drive this way, which is just the way I like it.

I needed to traverse to the main gate located on the southern side of Majete Wildlife Reserve, edging the Shire River. I farewelled this joyful base, it was passed midday already and the sun shone at full strength. Even though well maintained, this route was dusty, sandy, and rocky all at once. Fire breaks have been lit in various locations, the wet and fire season isn’t far off.

Zimba was happy to trot along as he does. ‘What kind of notable animal will we see first?’ I challenged my striped companion. Elephants or buffalos were my guess.

He he, Zimba won the bet on his cousins in flesh and blood. I should have known. 4 skittish zebras crossed the track in front of us. ‘No one likes a smart arse, my friend.’ We saw many antelopes as we advanced towards the main gate.

Nyala seems to be very common and comfortable in this grassland.

But so is Impala.

A Water Buck posed in front of my lens.

And a kudu lady wasn’t impressed by our approach.

I filled out forms with my details and paid for two nights’ accommodation at the main entrance. I will probably stay longer, but let’s just see how this shire evolves.

I had only a few hours before sunset and went on a cruisy drive around the river loops. I was hoping to see elephants as it’s been over 6 years since I saw them. A tragic encounter in Khaudum National Park was my last memory of these gentle giants. However, none were seen, much to my dismay.

A baby hippo-pot mus be feeling the heat too as they gathered on a tiny sandbar on this Shire. So I joined them for a wee snooze. The breeze along the river was refreshing.

A fellow visitor I met earlier stopped and asked me if I wanted to see a lion. ‘Oh yes,’ they were a big part of my last meeting in the Kalahari as well. He described the location of where to find this single male, camouflaged behind bushes. This lion king was either hungry or confused as he kept staring at these black and white stripes before he eventually trotted off.

I watched the sun setting over the Shire River in one of a few picnic areas. ‘Leaving your car is at your own risk’ it said.

The fading colors were worthy of that risk.

I headed back to the community campsite, where I will be staying for the next few days. I was greeted by a friendly campground ranger, who showed me the vicinity. I was pleasantly surprised by this refurbished campground. Spotless amenities and a shady resting area, which was joined with a campers kitchen including oven and two fridge/freezers. Plenty of charging stations and comfortable seating were also nicely presented. I can freeze my bottles of water and charge my appliances whilst driving out on the search for elusive animals.

‘Are there any elephants in this park?’ I asked the camp warden. ‘Are there any elephants left in Africa?’ I finalized my question. ‘I have been in Africa for over 3 months and have not seen a single elephant!’ I joked. It appeared he didn’t understand my humor.‘ ‘Tomorrow you see many!’ he replied.

I set up camp under the stars and cooked a well-earned meal in the camper kitchen, listening to Pink Floyd.

‘Music is not allowed on this campsite! It irritates the animals’ as old mate storms into the kitchen.

I thought this was payback for my previous elephantastic silliness. ‘This music sues your soul and even that of the elephants’ I answered.

But no, he wasn’t joking. He glared at me with staring eyes.

I sat around the bonfire later that night. Alone. Under the stars. What else do I need? Good company perhaps?

I heard a lion roar not far from camp during the night. Memories came back once more as I laid in the Loftus Tent.