Tinashe's Africa Trip, Zimbabwe & Botswana, Apr 4 - 24, 2024 - 4 - Shashani Matobo Hills Lodge - Rhino tracking & Cecil Rhodes World View

Monday, April 8 -  Shashani Matobo Hills Lodge  - 

Matopo Hills National Park, the World View (Cecil Rhodes Grave) & Rhino tracking

Woke at 4:03am by loud noise & for some reason thought power had gone out.  Thought Marge was up & said aloud for her to put on the bathroom battery light, then realized she was in bed & the light was on!  Then never got back to sleep.  She didn’t either.  Up about 4:46am.  Showered & got ready easily. 

Over to breakfast about 5:45am. 

Supposed to leave at 6:45am, but the bus had gotten stuck.  Ended up shuttling us down to them & it was 2 vehicles instead of one. 

Hour and a half drive to Matopo NP.  Met by Andy & he loaded us into his jeep & we immediately went to the rhinos.  He said he had used the hour we were late to find the rhinos & we were going there first & would walk!  

Took about 20 minutes to get there, then a short walk (less than a mile) to see a Mama & Baby rhino. We went to all sides to get the best view. It was absolutely incredible. Andy was fantastic!!!!!

The dominant male showed up while we were there. It was amazing!!!!

Then on to see Cecil Rhodes burial site on top of World View.  Gorgeous.  Got a group picture (minus Marge).  Have to edit her in. 

Stopped for a little shopping (Marge bought me a really neat stone necklace).  Then to see petroglyph painting of rhino.  Also stopped to see a Memorial for Tin Hats (MOTH - Rhodesian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI & II.  

Dropped off at gate about 4pm & drove back to lodge. John, Connie, Marlyn, Danny & John, the guide walked up the mountain across from the lodge. Ken & I got pictures.

Decided to call George & he actually called us & used video and he chatted with everyone except Ken & Sue & Tinashe that were having their first hot shower!

On to dinner outside.  It was delightful!  Steak 2 huge pieces of Rump steak, polenta, spinach, & veges.  Delicious.  Apple crisp for dessert.  Stars came out.  Sat with Tinashe.  He’ll give us a star briefing on the ship on Kariba.

Back to room about 9pm.  Packed & updated journal.  Marge in bed about 9:15pm.  Me about 10:15pm.  Lovely Day!