Shadreck's Office

While visiting Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge, we stopped by Shadreck's Office.

Shadreck's Office is this massive baobab in Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.

Shadreck hollowed out the inside of this amazingly old baobab
(think hundreds and hundreds of years) and used to live inside.

The problem?  Shadreck was a hugely successful poacher

and used it to hide the animals he had killed.

This was one of the largest, most beautiful baobabs I have ever seen.

It was a pity to learn its sad poaching history,

but also amazing to see the inside of a baobab and see it surviving Shadreck.

We saw a Klipsringer (my first time) and they are absolutely adorable!

A sneak peek of the next post: the lovely Chivilila Falls!

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Take My Breath Away: Mana Pools Style

Oh, be still my heart!  Mana Pools, I believe I have fallen in love with you.

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.

The beautiful sunset over the Zambezi River and its lovely baobab trees.

Preparing for the very Zimbabwe custom of a sundowner at sunset.

Mana Pools with the Zambezi and the mountains of Zambia's Rift Valley in the background just left me speechless.

How can a morning not be perfect when you have a walking safari through this landscape?!

This sunset on the Zambezi River reminded me of this sunset in Senegal.

The tree swing at Ruckomechi Camp in Mana Pools.

The rays of the setting sun on the Zambezi River.

Ruckomechi has this tucked away spot to take a bath while the elephants saunter past.

Those of you (lucky enough?) to know me, know I have a ridiculous obsession with taking jumping photos

where ever my adventures take me.  Voila!  My jump for joy at sunset at the Zambezi!

(Thank you, friend, for humoring me and taking the photo.)

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Moving through the valley...

Wildebeest running through the Save Valley in southeastern Zimbabwe, Africa.

Eland moving through the valley.

Birds in flight moving through the valley.

A baobab in Save Valley.  Oh! How I miss the baobabs of Senegal.

A hunter's hide on the Hammond Ranch in the Save Valley Conservancy.

A stork in flight through the valley.

One of the pans.

A zebra moving through the valley.

Anyone who knows me knows I love, love, love (borderline obsessed with?) people jumping photos.

Apparently this transfers to impalas leap, leap, leaping!

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A Baobab on an Island

The lagoon of the îles de la Madeleine, off the coast of Dakar, Senegal

The islands are home to many birds. In fact, the smaller island has a strong white coloring to its volcanic rocks due to the birds answering nature's call.

This stunning baobab tree dominates the center of the island.

The center of the island, with its green and flowing, tall grass did call to mind dry, sandy, and dusty West Africa.

Two Senegalese pirogue drivers watch ex-pat sun bathers at the lagoon.

The water is deep enough in the lagoon for snorkeling.

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Light through the Storm

after the first storm of the rainy season, the sun reminded us she was there

Palmarin, Senegal

 the calm before the storm in Palmarin

Palmarin's lagoon

 the mighty Baobab tree

calm after the storm

the light on our Baobab treehouse

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A Baobab Treehouse Escape!

 Got to stay in this fantastic treehouse built into a Baobab tree!

Palmarin, Senegal

the deck of the treehouse

Such a fun creative idea

 don't trip..

 the view from inside the mosquito nets in the treehouse

 the lounge area at Les Lodges des Collines de Niassam

You can stay in a Baobab treehouse, a hut in the lagoon, or a clay house

More on Les Lodges des Collines de Niassam

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l'île de Sipo

 fabric for sale on the very tiny l'île de Sipo in the Siné-Saloum Delta, Senegal

 Hello, Goats!  Sipo, Senegal

pirogues on the delta at Sipo

chickens playing on the discarded shells on Sipo

 a pirogue at Sipo

Loved this Baobab at Les Palétuviers in Toubacouta, Senegal

What's the Siné-Saloum Delta?

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