4 out of 5

No, no. Our trip was definitely a ten out of ten. We saw so many different animal species, and our days were filled with such indelible experiences. Using Drumbeat Safaris through Hemingway Safaris proved to be the right choice for us. We can’t thank the coordinators enough for this marvelous journey.

However, Africa has a list they call “The Big Five.” This used to be the top five animals hunted while on Safari, but now the shooting we talk about is with a camera. This list consists of: elephants, lions, leopards, African buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. Of those five, we were fortunate to see four. 4 out of 5…

Our experience with the African buffalo was fleeting. We saw live buffaloes once during the Safari and once while on our boat tour. In the midst of our travels, we also saw the remains of two different African buffaloes.

One thing I’ve since learned about them is African buffalo females vote. Indeed, they vote when it’s time to move locations. Apparently, one female buffalo will stand and face the direction she wishes the group to travel. Then, one by one the other female buffaloes stand and vote by facing the direction they wish to travel. Once consensus is achieved, the herd moves.

African buffaloes have four species, but the most common is called the Cape Buffalo. They are fierce. And unpredictable. Scotty shared stories of people traveling by foot through the bush looking for optimum photo opportunities. Some of those expeditions (not with Scotty) didn’t fare so well. So…my conclusion is…stay in a vehicle. It will likely be a much happier experience.

To learn more about lions, leopards, and elephants, feel free to read my blogs dedicated to them: Musth We Talk About Elephants; Lions: The Good, the Bad, and the Scary; and I Spot…The Cheetah and the Leopard.

The rhino is revered by many, but there wasn’t much chance we would see one. When we arrived in Zimbabwe, a local artist created a rhino sculpture using soda cans. It was quite impressive even if we weren’t able to see the real thing. Maybe one day seeing a rhinoceros in the wild will be more common. With successful conservation efforts that’s a real possibility.

Until then, my friends, the Safari has ended. We will return to a typical bed in a typical hotel while we finish up this journey I never knew I needed. Next up…a boat tour, Victoria Falls, and Zimbabwe!