The first half of this year has not been without its stresses, which is why we count ourselves as some of the luckiest people on the planet. Our Mana memory banks are topped up daily with reserves and riches which will last us a lifetime. A rainy season that originated in animal heaven has made the heart of the Zambezi Valley smile and as winter gently nudges summer aside, grasses gold and stately trees abound. Baobabs laden with their globe-like fruit form stark chandeliers against the clear blue sky whilst the majestic mopanis prepare for their transition from green to gold. Towering Terminalia prunoides form a princely purple rain and the rain trees provide their soft grey antidote. Down on the ground, from panicum maximum to little tufts of natal red, the grasses try to out-seed and outshine each other.
In amongst this sea of content, the pans are slowly starting to dry up after being full to the brim for longer than usual. Owners of beaks or bills do more than chirp or cheep as they poke around the diminishing pools for their amphibious snacks. Thick vegetation and plentiful supplies of surface water have given our feathered friends, both big and small a chance to shine. Whilst the lions ruffle Stretchs sparse feathers by melting into the grass right before his eyes, it does give the guests a chance to look skywards and plump up their bird-lists. From openbills to waxbills, Jan and Fi Teede managed to record over 120 species on their May safari, a record that may prove hard to beat.
Talking of lions, the new cats amongst the pigeons are without doubt the Nyamepi pride. Numbering up to 17 at times, they continue to play their cat and mouse game with Stretch. The mane-man entices him with his plate size pugmarks, the cubs tease him with their little ears twitching in the grass and the old girls bewitch him with their golden eyes and throaty dont come any closer growls.
Mana has recently been beset with a butterfly influx that would make a lepidopterists heart flutter. Brown veined whites in their millions have transformed the road into the valley into a most incongruous but beautiful sight. They flutter about alighting on the first sign of moisture or food and without doubt their favourite is a freshly laid pile of elephant dung.
When disturbed they all take off and the air is filled with thousands of snowflakes falling slowly back to the ground as their butterfly brains urge them to settle again. The conditions for them this year were obviously perfect and werent we the lucky ones to witness this beautiful metamorphosis. We may not however, have said the same had we witnessed their earlier larval stage. Unlike humans, they have got it right and reserved their beauty and energy for this last chapter in their lives.
And on that note may we remind you that it is never too late to have a happy African childhood. Smoke yourself over a Mopani fire, get stoked by a lions roar and soothe your soul with a sultry sunset.