Day 9 Fumbering in the Bush

Six o’clock we rose to dress and go for tea and coffee. A little after 7 am, we split into two groups and went fumbering into the bush camp. “Fumbering” is a local expression that means to meander or walk as a herd. We learned about the various bushveld and saw numerous animal prints in the sand. We heard an owl and saw it perched in the tree. It is not a nocturnal owl. It was the size of a small barn owl. As we walked our guide, Jake told us about the various shrubs, thorn bushes and low vegetation. He pointed out the many dung piles and helped us identify the animal that left them. He asked all the students to pick up some dry Impala dung balls. The shape was much like a bullet, pointed on one end and flat on the other. Each student was instructed to take 4 pellets and keep them in their pocket. Jake shows us the Mother-in-law plant, and explained how it could be used for many things, including ear aches, stomach ailments and to make rope. The students will be in a competition tomorrow to make a stretcher using all natural materials. He show us what tree branches would be good to use and encouraged us to sabotage the other group in fun.

On our way back to the mess hall, Jake drew a line in the sand and showed us how to spit the Impala dung from our mouths much like you would spit a watermelon seed. We had a contest to see who could spit the dung the furthest. Needless to say, some students had a little difficulty putting the dung in their mouths, but others did quite well and gave Jake some real competition.

We ate a hearty bush breakfast on our return. Eggs, grilled toast, fresh oranges and mango juice. They served the leaders a special jam made from local marula tree fruit. It was a brown honey-like thick syrup that was great to pour over toast. Peanut butter was also served with other jams.

After breakfast, we all piled into the land rovers to go looking for game. We were able to take up close and personal pictures of the Rhinos and a herd of Water Buffalo. We were driving over a rise and came straight on a magnificent giraffe staring right at us. There were 5 giraffes that were grazing on the trees and all seem to pose for our cameras. These animals really are majestic in the wild! After the giraffe we rode back and spotted some wart hogs, and a jackal.