WEATHER
This month has seen a minimum of six and a maximum of 32 degrees and there was even some rain at the end of the month.  The half hour deluge delivered 28mm and had us all running to zip down tent flaps. May gave us misty mornings clearing to beautiful blue skies with a fresh chill in the air. The misty laden mornings lend a surreal and beautiful aura to the area, with the sunlight filtering through to those that wait below for the first bit of morning warmth.

VEGETATION, LANDSCAPE AND WATER
The landscape is turning a rich, golden brown as the grass dries and water becomes scarce. The red syringa trees are already showing signs of early frost with dry and leafless individuals dotting the landscape.  At the same time, the purple-pod cluster-leaf trees are dropping the last few pods. The seeds will spend the winter dormant before trying their luck at survival when the spring rains arrive.

WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Our most exciting sighting this month involved a late evening viewing of a young female leopard. She is small but powerfully built and we think she is about four years old. We watched in awe as she slowly ambled down the road towards us, stopping  every so often to investigate the bush fringing the road. She came to within just a metre of the vehicle and we held our breath as she looked directly into the awe-struck faces watching from the front seat.  She then wandered around the side of the Land Rover and continued along the road.  We followed her for a little while but left her when it became clear she was hunting - we didn't want to spoil her chances of catching a meal. We've had another five very good leopard sightings this month.

Unusual mammal sightings have included serval, honey badger and African wild cat. The serval was a fleeting glimpse in the long, dry grass. We happened upon the honey badger on a night drive one evening. As is the wont of this fearless creature, it stood on its hind legs and hissed at the Land Rover( roughly 100 times heavier)before trotting arrogantly off into the bush. Sadly, the African wild cat was seen at a pan one night. It had a very badly damaged leg and was consequently emaciated.

BIRD SIGHTINGS
A flock of marabou storks visited the camp pan recently and provided us with huge evening entertainment.  The flock consisted of about 20 squabbling birds foraging in the water.  These birds are not attractive in the classic sense with their bald, blotchy heads and spotty pink crops dangling under their beaks.  They hung around the pan looking morose and then one by one, just as the last light of the evening faded, spread their enormous wings and flew into the nearby trees to roost. 

Hornbills are common in Hwange National Park. The noisy Bradfield's hornbills can be heard most of the day, calling to each other. They take special delight in 'chatting' right outside the rooms very early in the morning.

GUEST COMMENTS
Staff went out of their way to make us feel special with lots of little touches such as Fiona's birthday cake and the last night dinner on the tent terrace to celebrate our honeymoon.  Sam and Fiona Marshall, UK
Enjoyed the walks through the acacia Erioloba woodlands with the wonderful vegetation, birds, animals and sounds.  Jonathan Turner, South Africa
The passion of the staff, their kindness and a male lion close to our vehicle, also the elephants.  Mercuri Family, New Caledonia