Lying in what I am sure is the most comfortable tent in existence (not all that many tents have en suite bathrooms with all the trimmings, beds, and other furniture), I was trying to figure out what that ungodly noise was.

Zimply Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls makes Niagara look like a broken sprinkler head

I was in a safari camp on a bluff overlooking a sprawling marsh near where the fabled Zambezi River joins Lake Kariba, and the bizarre bellowing and wailing coming from the gorgeous wetland was driving me crazy.

Not with annoyance, because such critter noises don't bother me in the least, but because I didn't know what was making the racket. It sounded as if the creature was right outside my door, but an earlier glance outside proved to me that there was nothing on the stoop. (Yes, the tent has a porch, too. And easy chairs.)

I had come to Africa to tackle the renowned tigerfish, which, according to tales, is one of the most ferocious, heavily armed fish swimming about the planet. And as I was to learn, when you find yourself using rocks for bait, the fish are not to be trifled with.

In any case, a brilliant orange-red sun was crawling up over the horizon, so I hauled my butt out of the rack, took a hot shower (no, seriously), dressed, and strolled down the path to breakfast, called"brekkies" in Zimbabwe.

Reeducation Camp

Under the thatched roof of the dining hut I found my professional hunting and fishing guide, Don Price, who owns and operates Southern Quest Safaris out of Bulawayo.

As the sun comes up,
the hippos bed down

"Don, just what kind of beast makes that horrendous noise?" I asked, just as the thing bellowed again."Well, Bwana Bob, that is a hippo. It will stop soon now that the sun is coming up," Don replied. And I was sure it was some kind of bird.

Having spent 20 years in the employ of a band of international gun- and explosives-laden ruffians known as the United States Marines, I was under the mistaken impression that I had seen, heard, and pretty much done it all, including leading a band of rather angry Marines in ground combat.

But my first safari clearly demonstrated that I had but scratched the surface when it came to adventure. And that was fine with me because, to the best of my knowledge, safaris were supposed to consist of incredible adventure from start to finish.

I had been in the country a week and had yet to be disappointed.

Move on to Rocks for Bait

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Zimbabwe Adventures From Victoria Falls to the Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe is ze place for natural wonder. Top Zimbabwe Trips Zimbabwe National Park Rhino Safari The Zambezi Lion Trail more Zimbabwe...

Bob Newman is the author of North American Fly Fishing, and his many articles have appeared in Field and Stream and Salt Water Sportsman, to name a few. Bob began fly fishing at age 10 and has taught catch-and-release techniques at L.L. Bean.