Our first day at Mfuwe lodge & game drive

After a good nights rest I was excited to see the lodge in the day light and explore a bit.
The rooms are very comfortable and have large decks that over look a wide open area.

 When we opened up the doors in the morning we were greeted by Elephants, Baboons, all sorts of birds I didn't know yet, and Impala's. Wow, I am really in Africa with all these wild animals right there in front of me roaming free.

Wake up is 5:30am, followed by a light breakfast, and then it's time for our first game drive at 6:30am.

 Our driver & guide for the day is Jason.

It is amazing all we saw and learned on our morning drive. The pictures best tell the story.  Here is just some of what we saw.

This young guy wanted to show off a bit before turning around and walking off.

 A pack of wild dogs, which is a rare sighting.

Warthog

We did have an interested moment when we got a flat tire right next to a few wild dogs sleeping under a tree. This is not the same group of wild dogs we saw earlier.  Two different groups in 1 day.

We needed to get out of the jeep to change the tire.

 The dogs kept a close eye on us to see what we were going to do but after a few minutes just got up and walked away.

There was also some Giraffe's close as well and we were able to get some nice pictures with them in the background.

It is hard to remember these are wild animals sometimes when you are so close to them but they are and you need to be careful.

A Puku & a Marabou Stork

Impala's - Lions McDonald's. See the M

We spotted this Leopard and followed him for a bit until he disappeared in the bushes.

 We were busy focusing on him we almost missed what was right in front of the jeep.

Another Leopard laying right there in front of us.

What a beautiful animal. Then to see 2 together. What a morning we were having.

At 11:00am we went back to the lodge for Brunch, followed by a trip to the local School. The BushCamp Company is helping to give back to the community. One of the projects is providing not only education for the local children, but clean & running water, food, more classrooms, electricity, and dormitories.

These are things we take for granted. Imagine walking to school 7 miles. That is what many of the children do, then not having anything to eat all day.

Bushcamp has set up a charity, Charity Begins at Home and now provides 1,800 students with lunches every day.

We got to meet some of the students. These 2 girls are living at the school in one of of the new girl dormitories. They have been doing so well in school they have now become Head Girls. They are role models for the other girls, help keep the dormitories clean, and have other  responsibilities.

Because of the efforts of this charity along with some of the other groups helping many students are now able to not only complete their education through grade 12 but are going forward to college.

It was nice to see first help how involved the Bushcamp company is helping the local community.

Here is the link for more information

https://www.facebook.com/CharityBeginsAtHome12345

It has been a action packed morning and time for some rest before our first night game drive.