Lion Camp

This is a wonderful camp, beautiful lodge, great rooms and fantastic game viewing.

On the road

Photographs from my trip to Mambwe to say goodbye to the District Medical Officer, Dr Zulu. I like the bicycle park in the hospital grounds. The shops have a predominantly religious theme to their names. I like the “Small beginnings” shop. The invoices from the Faith Kills Fear shop have missed off the Fear bit,…

Last night in Zambia

It’s my last night. I have had my farewell sundowner at Kapani Salt Pans, been serenaded with “For he’s a jolly good fellow” and received a great present – coffee table book of photographs from the valley. I had my last game drive this morning and saw half a dozen lions and a leopard, as…

Performance Management at the Health Centre

We had a meeting at Kakumbi Rural Health Centre last month, chaired by the Public Health Officer, Mr Chulu. He had just returned from a regional meeting which discussed how well each health centre was meeting its targets. I was fascinated by his report on our failings, which had been pointed out by the health…

Today the beast I have most enjoyed seeing is the Buffalo

The Cape Buffalo looks mean. Its wide horns form a boss as they meet in the middle on the forehead. Beetle-browed, they resemble Martin Johnson, the Leicester Tigers and England rugby player. I once saw him shopping in Asda – MJ, not the buffalo – and you could shelter from the rain under his superciliary…

12° 53′ 51″ South, 31° 56′ 53″ East

12° 53′ 51″ S, 31° 56′ 53″ E. These are the precise co-ordinates where Phyllis came to a gradual halt. I was doing an emergency home visit to see a patient in Lion Camp, about 42 km from the main gate. The engine cut out and I glided to a halt. The power steering failed,…

Today the bird I have most enjoyed watching was the Yellow-Billed Stork

“Remarkable bird, beautiful plumage.” Norwegian Blue Parrot sketch, Monty Python’s Flying Circus. I admit, it does look ugly, but it is prettier than the Marabou Stork. The young birds have grey, dull feathers. When first looked at the birds in April, they looked interesting because of their huge yellow beak. But the other day I…