The traffic on tonight's commute was dreadful

 

Family drinks

 

The Flatdogs farewell

Our flight back to Lusaka was late on our last day in the valley, meaning we had plenty of time at Flatdogs Camp to enjoy the bar and restaurant.

Like all the best Safari holidays though Flatdogs and The South Luangwa Valley had one last parting surprise.

Three elephant wandered into camp, first by the swimming pool, then into the dining area where our delicious lunch had to be temporarily abandoned whilst these gentle beasts fed off trees in the camp centre.

Not that we ever need an excuse to return - but this would have done the trick if we did!

Elephant crossing

Elephant cross the river each evening and return in the morning.

Here, we watched them splash their way back after a night feeding on the opposite bank - often at the expense of gardeners and farmers unfortunately.

This brings them into conflict with humans and there was a real tension about the elephants returning.

Ele family

Elephant study

Elephant numbers in South Luangwa are said to be stable and possibly growing. Certainly we saw many young calves this year which was a positive sign.
One always feels humbled to be in the presence of such majestic animals.

Back in the Valley in style - thanks to Flatdogs

The Tree House deck at flatdogs

Our early morning visitor (the other Ele isn't the wooden one!)

The wonderful owners of Flatdogs, Jess and Adrian, offered us their exclusive Tree House for our first night back in the Valley.

Last year they were so supportive and helpful when we had to come home early because of an injury sustained due to a fall at another camp just two days into our holiday. To give us a taste of this wonderful accomodation was above and beyond.

To top it all, on our first morning, we were treated to a pair of elephants munching their way around the grass surrounding the tree house - a truly wonderful return to our Safari favourite.

Dust bath

The tastiest leaves are always at the top

An elephant reflects

Thorny lunch

Another mum and baby

Another mum and baby.

Typically, if an elephant can fit underneath its mother’s belly it is under one year of age and very young baby elephants have a thick coating of fur that falls out by the time the elephant is 6 months to 1 year old. So this baby was probably 6 months to a year old.

Elephant lunch

This Ele really enjoyed his lunch of acacia pods just metres away from our vehicle.

Ele sunset

Ele bath time

Ele at dusk

Elephant fording the Luangwa River

We saw thius family group on the far bank of the River Luangwa and our guide Patrick predicted where they would cross and got our vehicle into the perfect place to watch them cross.

You can see the tiny baby tucked in the middle of the group to keep it safe from the many crocs in the river.

We sat and watched for about half an hour.

Magical.

Caution - Animals crossing!

 Before we even got into the park on our first morning we had to contend with the rush hour traffic.

The gardener

On our last game drive of the holiday we watched this big boy push over the tree.

Partly because he wanted to reach the fresh green leaves high up, and partly because he was in "must" and 'cos he could.

Just love Eles.

Chomp, chomp, chomp