Chipata, Zambia
Posted by: Charley Boorman | Date posted: 20/07/2007
Pictures
Be vewwy vewwy quiet. We're hunting wabbits...Unhh, that's no rabbit! ©
Looks like the guys have been up to some more wildlife spotting.
'There's one up in the tree, just over there,' whispers Charley. 'He's literally just there. Ah, he's beautiful! Can you believe it? Gorillas!'
'I can't believe we're getting so close to them,' continues Ewan. 'It just feels kind of not right, being so close to them, you know?'
'They're so beautiful, we're so close,' Ewan whispers. 'I can see a mother and her baby. I don't know, I'd say we're ten feet away from them. They're just gorgeous with their kind of staring eyes. Just beautiful. Ah, they look so cosy. ... Look at their hands, and their feet. Their little toes and fingers.'
Charley continues. 'They're just everywhere. It feels like we're in the middle of all of them. I feel quite nervous. She's just moved a bit closer. She's breastfeeding her baby right now, and she's pretty relaxed.'
'The ranger said we need to move back because the silverback's coming!' warns Ewan.
As the alpha male strides into the gathering, Charley is in awe.
'Bloody hell, he's enormous!'
'The silverback, the male, is right here.' says Ewan. 'He's like ten feet away from me. And now all of the other females and their young are following him.'
And it doesn't stop there. Hippos, gorillas, and now zebras too! The guys have pulled over to take a closer look.
Ewan explains, 'So this is the first time, since we did my paint job here on the side tank back in London... this is the first sighting of my brothers. My zebra brothers - look! And sisters. There they are, look! They're so cool! I've never seen a zebra in the wild in my life, have you?'
'They've got much bigger ears than I thought.' Charley observes.
'That's the long-eared variety,' Ewan reckons. 'That's why that is.'
We asked you what we should have as the caption for the photo at the top of the page. Congratulations to Evil Puppy from Istanbul - see the slideshow above for the winning suggestion!
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 48
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At 12:54:39 PM on 20/07/2007, Jamie (Manchester) wrote:
Caption
Spot the ape?!
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At 01:31:30 PM on 20/07/2007, Michael Lobodzinski (Toronto, Ontario - CANADA) wrote:
Caption
Fishing in Africa, bait: Bananas!! Keep the post's up!! Lovin every minuet of it!
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At 01:42:43 PM on 20/07/2007, Morgan (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) wrote:
caption
"After just a few weeks in Africa, Charley - that's him amongst the bushes - has gone completely native."
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At 02:42:16 PM on 20/07/2007, Jules (Penrith NSW Australia) wrote:
Photo Caption
Charley spotted 3 Gorillas. 2 of them seemed to be very photogenic. The other one didn't seem to care.
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At 02:57:30 PM on 20/07/2007, Andy (Manchester) wrote:
Photo caption
David, Charley & Ewan reach Zambia. Congratulations guys, you finally made Zambia. I grew up there for 8 years, and have great memories of the place. Glad you're all safe, enjoy the rest of your trip. Andy
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At 02:59:22 PM on 20/07/2007, Glorious (Las Pinas City, Philippines) wrote:
Gorillas in the Mist
"For once, everybody has great hair!" And I was waiting for Sigourney Weaver to pop out anytime. :D Great clip, boys!
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At 03:11:22 PM on 20/07/2007, Richard AW Tortorella (Langley, BC, Canada) wrote:
Caption...
Ewan auditions for his next movie roll : "Two men and a simian".
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At 03:26:11 PM on 20/07/2007, Troy Murray-Plumer (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA) wrote:
Caption: Photo 1, Chipata, Zambia ...
"I do so enjoy these family reunions!"
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At 03:41:10 PM on 20/07/2007, Andrea LaRock (Santa Rosa, CA) wrote:
Awestruck
I am in complete awe of those gorillas. It is mind blowing to see how close you guys are to them!!The Momma and her baby are so precious together; how sweet and touching to see her cuddle her wee baby! And that male gorilla! I would have been pretty scared if I were that close to him...the sheer size is staggering! What a blessing for you to have this once in a lifetime opportunity to witness these sights in person. :) Much love...Andrea xx
At 12:49:22 PM on 20/07/2007, Wolfgang Knoepfler (Bristol) wrote:
Zambia and Namibia
Hi Guys, good things come from good people and you certainly to a lot of good things by doing this trip and showing us the beautiful side of Africa. If you come across Tony King from Safpar and Pete Hemmingway in Livingstone please pass on my regards, as well as Martin Webb-Bowen in Namibia. And should you go through Kamanjab you must visit Duncan and Debbie (everybody knows them). Duncan is the graziest Scotsman on earth - you'll love him. May I wish you a safe journey. Wolfgang
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