Sep 23 Olakira Mara Camp

Tea was brought to the room at 06.00 and we left at 06.30 sharp for the 45 minute drive to a potential crossing point. We watch hot air balloons drifting across the plains as we make our way to the river.

The wildebeest are starting to accumulate on our side of the river and Qamara thinks they will cross back either this afternoon or early tomorrow morning. In the meantime smaller herds are gathered on the far side of the river. We take up position a little way from the river and hope that a crossing will happen soon.

The wildebeest are teasing us. They go down the bank then change their minds and gallop to a different spot. It is very much a guessing and waiting game. After a couple of hours we think nothing will happen soon so set up breakfast.

We are half way through omelette, bacon and eggs when the wildebeest start to cross. Qamara says leave everything. I get into the vehicle still holding my coffee mug. Bad idea. Qamara tells me to just throw it out cup and all. We wedge ourselves in and drive at breakneck speed down to the river. It is so much fun and exhilerating. We arrive half way through the crossing and are not in the best position for photos but it is impressive nevertheless.

It is not long before the crossing is over and we head down to the plains by the river. It is a hive of activity. A multi-layered smorgasbord of animals. The back drop is wildebeest but giraffe, elephant, zebra and impala majestically weave their way through them.

We also have a wonderful elephant encounter with two adults and three youngsters. They are relaxed and come within feet of our vehicle. I have some wonderful video.

After an hour or so we reluctantly make our way back to camp but stop for a spot of hippo watching en route.

On our drive back we also see some cute baby giraffes and three klipspringers.

After lunch we head back to the wildebeest herds and encounter a stuck vehicle. We stop to lend a hand.

We patiently wait and watch the herds but there are no further crossings today. We chat and enjoy the scenery and will return early tomorrow morning. We have a really fun evening with two other couples – Rob and Laura and Paola and Nacho. Both couples are on their honeymoons and married the same day as each other. They treat us to champagne and we stay up late. Not sure about the photo below – a very wide-angle and it makes us all look very fat!