When we got here, pretty much every sound at night would make us go "what was that" and now, it is normal to have an elephant making some loud growl or baboon shriek and not even take any notice.
The baboons are strict on discipline and you can hear the youngster getting a bit of a pinch (that is what we have been told by people who should know) and they really scream. At night, baboon rules are; be quiet, don't squirm and go to sleep unless you are on duty! The young have to learn this, and they get told off quite severely.
Leopards (we've only heard them, and seen tracks) make a loud low growling cough and of course the roar of lions is really something to hear.
We've twice now heard lions and elephants having a major disagreement and they are LOUD. The first time, at Elephant Sands, I was awake and heard a very loud low growling followed by (pretty much at the same time) an elephant getting a fright or being really annoyed, poked my head out the tent, and pointed my torch in the general direction to see two small (very young) elephants running flat out towards the camp. Lights at night can be confusing for elephants, and not wanting to add to their plight, I switched off and noticed about 3 adult ele's running from the camp towards the noise. Only the next day, when talking with a guide did we figure out what was happening, as you never see small ele's leading any group. Lions had come across the group and the adults were looking to scare them off while the youngsters ran towards what were likely aunties and uncles or large half siblings.
Last night, we had lions roaring not tooo far from camp, and then clearly they met some ele's and there was a real yelling match. Pretty even contest from where we were. They also were quite close, less than 1km away and loud.
Favourite sounds would have to be the lions, and hyena (which somehow always manages to organise an echo) and then probably the most dramatic is the sound of elephants walking past the tent. Most nights, there is no wind, and the sound of these very gentle but very heavy footsteps going past is something else. Closest so far would be about 3 metres.
Least favourite noise at night.. other campers talking loudly after bedtime (8pm) or snoring, very loudly!!!!
a few more photos... I am way behind what we have been up to, but blame that on Africa.. and lack of internet.
Spot the puff adder. No, spot is not it's name!!!! just find it.
Hopeless shot of buffalo, lucky that kingfisher saved it from being deleted.
Wowsers!!!! So exciting!!!! The stories you will have to tell when you get home!!!
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