One short flight later and we're in the South Luangwa national park, a reserve almost insanely rich with game. Even on the way from the airport to camp we got this fantastic drive-by of a hippo loitering by the water's edge.
Sanctuary's Puku Ridge camp is our new home, and a very lovely one it is too. Our canvas lodges and the main dining and lounge area of camp look out across a huge plain.
We recover from our journey in the comfy chairs and spot game on the plain. A herd of zebra gather around the pool to drink.
Watching the large baboon population is addictive; their fights and allegiances unfold like a soap opera. One tiny baby is particularly noticeable - whilst it isn't fully albino, its coat is white instead of brown. Our guide Keenan tells us the tiny thing has become particularly aggressive to compensate for its difference in appearance.
Then it's time for our first game drive. It's amazing; the game just keeps coming. As well as lion and leopard, we spot elephants, giraffe, buffalo and impala.
Then it's time for our first game drive. It's amazing; the game just keeps coming. As well as lion and leopard, we spot elephants, giraffe, buffalo and impala.
Then we drive to a spot on the banks of the river where a flock of carmine bee eaters dart around the sky, flashing vivid red and blue. Time for a gin and tonic, perhaps?
With just the sounds of ice chinking against the glass, we sit and watch the sun set.
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