Olly had already phoned ahead with our lunch choices and by the time we reached the lodge it was getting on for 14:00 and unfortunately raining steadily. We turned down the drive to Mahogany Springs, our home for the next 2 nights, only to find a large pile of fresh earth blocking the driveway.
Gerald was on the phone to the hotel immediately and very quickly 5 chaps were out in the pouring rain, shovelling like mad to move enough earth for us to drive past.
It didn't take too long and once at the parking area, we were met by some very thoughtful staff holding umbrellas for us. Although the lodge is of solid construction the ambiance to the place and the staff rather reminded me of Kenya and I think I'm going to enjoy our stay here.
Ian and I, along with Charmaine and Frederick were given the Munyanga Suite, which consists of two very large bedrooms with en suite plus a shared lounge area and a huge balcony running the whole width of the building - wow!
After a very acceptable lunch, Ian opted for a rest and Charmaine and Frederick decided they needed to pack as they were staying the next night away for a Gorilla Habituation Trek some 4-5 hours drive from here. So Olly, other Ian and I went for a wander around the grounds, although it had stopped raining it was still very overcast so not the best light for photography.
Double-toothed Barbet (another "lifer")
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
Neave's Banded Judy
Finally, a couple of decent shots of Ross's Turaco
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat
Green-headed Sunbird
Yellow-throated Greenbul
We then headed back up the track, noting that all the earth had been moved, and onto the "main" road. This is a view looking into the National Park and whereas the whole area used to be forest, the cultivated areas are taking more and more land away.
Olly has this identified as a Kivu Blue-headed Tree Agama (also called
Rüppell’s Agama) but to be honest I wouldn't have a clue, other than it's an agama.
Possibly an Erythrina abyssinica (Red Hot Poker tree)
Two Red-rumped Swallows and one Common Fiscal
The middle one is possibly an Angola Swallow.
Although we were only a couple of miles from the National Park gates, the area was very undeveloped and people lived a decidedly rural life.
Dragging poles along is a common hazard on the road.
As are herds of goats
I must say though the markings on some of them are just lovely.
I think Olly and other Ian would have walked on until it got dark but I decided I'd had enough and would head back to the room and with that the other two decided to call it a day too. Back in the lodge grounds we had a few more sightings.
Fanti saw-wing
Another as yet unidentified
???
And to end with, a delightful Bronze Sunbird.
As we'd read online before we came that Mahogany Springs offers a complimentary glass of something with dinner and as a result it was a very convivial evening and the food was delicious. Tomorrow is the big day - THE GORILLA TREK - and it was quite sad to learn that Frederick and Charmaine would be in a different group to us. Because they have opted for an extra Gorilla Habituation Trek, they need to stay overnight some 5 hours drive away and so, presumably, have been allocated a troop that is fairly accessible so they can head off with Gerald in good time.
But for the rest of us ......................... who knows what we will face!
