Hwange on a high!

With more than 420 bird species, Zimbabwe's celebrated park is perfect to view migrants that don't make it all the way south. It's also buzzing with raptors and regional specials.

- ANTON CRONE

The act of looking for something that may or may not be there enables you to take in so much more. Such is the reward of birding.

When I was younger, I would associate the brochure' image of a destination as a guarantee I would see it 'just so, when actually the only guarantee was disappointment. The Kruger article by Richard Flack in the July/ August 2023 issue, particularly his stunning photo of the Racket-tailed Roller, reminded me of this. I have visited Pafuri and travelled up and down that heartbreaking road on four occasions to find that elusive bird, with no success. I know many birders can relate; on one of those trips I crossed paths with a forlorn-looking Phalaborwa businessman who, having heard of a sighting, had driven straight from the office. Still wearing his tie, he gazed out of his car window, scanning the trees. A 600mm lens lay across his lap, ready for action. But, like me, he was unsuccessful.

It relates to the joy of fishing. The act of dangling a line, not knowing if you'll catch anything, gives you the space and time to contemplate, to take in everything around you and be giddily happy with it. After a number of trips to the bush, I've come to enjoy this approach to travel.