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A few years ago during my first trip to Kalahari ,we stayed one night in Kalahari tented camp.It was very cold during that night in august.We had a nice sundowner,a nice hot meal and early bed to be a little bit warmer under the blankets.We slept immediately after a long day in the park and nice sightings.
But quite soon ,some nice laughings you could recognize as soon as they are uttered,woke us up !
It was colder and colder ,minus something (we learnt later that during that night it snowed a lot in Joburg)
The nice hyaneas ,as you could guess ,were rather noisy around and under the tent.
It was the first time for us to be so close to hyenas.And we love them.As many of you ,I think they do not deserve the bad reputation they have.They are so cute and clever !
We felt asleep once more and one hour later I heard strange noise coming from under the tent as I thought,as if someone was gnawing a bone. o
And gnawing,gnawing,gnawing,laughing,knawing,laughing... Iwas almost falling asleep again and all of of a sudden,as a kind of reflex,I suddenly understood this bone was not a bone It was plastic,it was my car.They were chewing my rented car !
I jumped from the bed ,a sweater, a lamp ,shoes on and opened the door (silly thing !)
They were three nice hyenas around the car : (a japanese one) chewing the front part,the side mirror for another one and the number plate for the last one.
What shall I do
To be continued

That is why they say the best 4x4 car is an Avis car ...

Waiting for the rest of the story.

Goronta,

We had a similar experience in 2006 when our tent was surrounded by ~8 - 10 hyaenas. Luckily they did not like the taste of an Isuzu, but smelled that the neighbours left their braai grid and food outside without closing the kitchen.

During our last visit we found that the parking area is completely fenced off and hyaenas no longer a risk to your car or spare wheel. There is also a glass door to the tent. No longer velcro strips that do not want to stick,

Love to hear the rest.

What an exciting night Goronta - can't wait to read what happened next ........

Oh yes -- those hyena

Also had a run-in with one

Three busy hyenas, a very cold night, a lamp rather weak and this poor car being eaten !
At that time there was no fence to protect the car,just a low wooden door between the car and the tent.
You're right Son godin,I went back to KTC since then and now the parking is totally fenced.
What shall I do ? I rembered I was told there was an assistant on duty during the night.I tried to call him.Nobody moved except three pairs of shining eyes looking at me and laughing.

My S.O was in the bed and scared as you can imagine.
There should be a whistle somewhere.. Back inside looking everywhere in the tent to find it.Nothing.Could it be in the kitchen ?In KTC,the kitchen is separate from the bedroom.
Out again,looking at my 3 dear friends still playing with the poor small car, I walked slowly to the kitchen,took a knife ;Stupid reaction !Looked everywhere.No whistle.
Out again,Hello dear hyenas,shouting and shouting.No help !
To be continued

what a adventure

Now I feel like shouting ...Hello dear Goronta !

Please help and don't keep us waiting !

Goronta,

So what happened...

I don't want to take over your story and PM you a pic of the protector of KTC.

The suspense is killing me

and then

Waiting .....