August 16th 2008.

August 16th 2008.

After waking to our usual delectable breakfast we separated into our teams and embarked on our final round of latrine surveys. The teams met up again after completing transects (routes which we travel along to count number of scats) at the Mankwe vulture ‘restaurant’. This area is used to attract and feed vultures. Louis, one of the researchers at Mankwe, focuses on bird research and in particular, vultures. He hopes to use this area to lure vultures, tag them with tracking devices and then work out which areas are most important for their feeding and breeding behaviour.
After returning for a filling lunch we relaxed around camp.
At 16.00 we all loaded into an open vehicle and went on a short game drive to the highest point at Mankwe - the kopjie. Here among beautiful scenery, good company, music (Forrest graced us with his mandolin talent) and chips and soda. We enjoyed our final African sunset. Here we also received certificates recognizing our research efforts at Mankwe.
After the sun dipped below the horizon we once again loaded into the vehicle and returned for the “last supper” at Mankwe. Post-meal we all went to the second fire pit at camp where were up for a special treat – a night of African drumming! We were all taught the basics and technique of the art, and then participated in creating several drum sequences and chants (“Africa!”). Along with learning the drums we were also exposed to shakers, a kudu horn, and a Swiss instrument called a “hang”, which resembled a pair of symbols glued together. To play the hang you had to bounce your fingers along several dimples to produce a sound similar to a marimba.
After our drumming session finished we sat around our final campfire at Mankwe, enjoying a pickup game of night soccer and raps from Louis, Lynne and Dakota (written by Kevin!).