Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve

 Father Chunda drove us to Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve which is about 1hr 30mins west of Rumphi.  It shares an open border with the Zambian reserves of the Luangwa Valley.  The journey was bumpy in many places on this dusty road but the 4x4 vehicle made it a pleasant journey.  Fr. Chunda arranged for a Ranger to accompany us around the reserve.  At the entrance, the blue and black flags were up here and throughout the reserve….Tsetse Fly warning ….WINDOWS UP!!

Eyes peeled….we caught sight of warthogs first.  Next buffalo lined up barring our path; not keen to let us pass.  Next Kudus came into view.  The monkeys were too fast to catch on camera.  However we were able to drive over the hard, dry bumpy soil to the water’s edge to see the hippos close up.  They appeared happy to swim in the water, looking at us.  Many birds were around too but the highlight of the visit was when the Ranger suddenly jumped out of the vehicle and the next thing we heard was a gunshot.  He had spotted a poacher who was obviously eyeing up the hippos. The poacher ran,  zig zagging across the land, swimming through the water until he was only a speck in the distance.  Obviously, he was heading off towards the border.  Would you believe it – he was naked!!

Buffalo

Tom & Fr. Chunda

Kudus

Hippo

Ranger

 

Meanwhile Tom and I were concerned about the number of flies coming into the car, due to the being opened.  We were well prepared with our sprays. Lodges have been upgraded here on the reserve for bird watchers and wildlife watchers to stay, although I’m not sure about staying here due to the tsetse flies and being out in the open right next to the wildlife.