Jonathan Proud

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Bushman couple at Tsodilo Hills	'Not sure what she's put in the milk-shake today, but it sure is good!'
Tue 11th: Set off early for a game run, but saw very little. There were some interesting birds, including rollers, vultures, pied crows and more ostriches. The highlight was a herd of gemsbok. It was extremely hot and all the travelling was taking its toll. Arrived at Maun about 5pm, got a much needed wash and a good dinner at the campsite bar. Dogs and donkeys disturbed our sleep. Wed 12th: Watched monkeys in the campsite as we had breakfast. Bought drinks and stamps in Maun, then set off for the Tsodilo Hills. Saw a little wildlife on the way and lots of birds. Camped in the bush. Had sausages and baked potatoes, followed by apple crumble. Then someone produced some balloons and we had a birthday party (it was mine!) - all very embarrassing, but an excuse for a few extra drinks and a laugh at the end of a long day.	Bush baby
	Thu 13th: Up at 5:30 to help with preparation of breakfast. Then drove over a soft sand road through scrubby woodland. Saw a few duiker. Arrived at Tsodilo Hills about mid-day. Helped prepare lunch then walked to the 'male' hill with Christine. Returned to camp via the 'female' hill, where we met an elderly bushman. He was very small and wrinkly, with high cheek bones, narrow eyes and hollow cheeks. Later our guide arrived, to show us the bushman paintings. We climbed up the female hill to see some of them and had a superb view of the surrounding plain. Fri 14th: After lightning through the night, there was torrential rain in the morning. We went for a walk onto the female hill with Benjamin, our Bantu guide. We climbed to the top, seeing various paintings as we went.
Bushman
The rain had brought out millipedes six inches long, plus lizards and termites. The sun came out and rapidly heated the ground, bringing out more termites and lots of butterflies. After lunch we went to the bushman village. They were all like the old man we met yesterday, small and withered up by the sun. They sold bows and arrows and necklaces. I bought a necklace made from seeds and four arrows, then bribed the children with sweets to get some photos. Returned to camp, then set off with a bushman guide to climb the male hill. At first it was very hot and the climbing was tiring, then it rapidly clouded over and there was a tremendous thunder storm.	Herero mother and child
	From the top of the hill we could see bolts of lightning striking the ground. Our descent was cold, wet and very slippery. Sat 15th: Strong winds and rain again in the night. Set off on the long drive back to Maun. Stopped at the guides village as we left the hills and gave sweets to the children. When we were clear of the soft sand road we stopped again to inflate the truck tyres from its own compressor. Saw a small group of zebras and a kori bustard. Stopped at a 'bottle store' in the afternoon where there were lots of children who got very excited when someone gave them balloons. Camped by the roadside where we could just hear singing in the evening, from a nearby village.
Bush kids delighted to be given pens and paper

Vervet monkey and baby	'Those ticks get in the most awkward places'
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