On January 1st, 2022 we drove back towards Kongola. After ten miles we turned to the Kwando River. The slope led us to Mavunje Camp, which is famous for birdwatching. Here we met Dany, a profound bird lover, a year ago. We were the only guests and could choose our place. Brigitta directed me to Camp No. 1, which is right on the Kwando. What a location for birdwatchers!

In the evening we grilled sausages, accompanied by a bottle of sparkling wine – it was time to welcome the new year! The next morning, we got up at 5 a.m. Half an hour later Isaac cast off with us on board for a three-hour river cruise. It went through narrow canals passed of papyrus and reeds to the main canal. Here we met a group of hippos that Isaac carefully circumnavigated.

On an island we saw numerous Lechwes with their young. And then we met the first Malachite Kingfisher. And then on a second one! And then on the third and fourth! (Malachite Kingfisher is rarely seen!) But that was not all: On the way back, we came across the very shy and rare Sitatungas, a species of antelope that is adapted to life in the swamp with its large hooves. (The last time we saw Sitatungas many years ago in the Okavango Delta, Botswana!)

PS. As a kind of dessert, at the very end of the tour, we got to see a large osprey sitting on a branch and eyeing us curiously!