Their camp had been set up in a clearing above the river. The sleeping tents were pitched in a line beneath the mottled shade of the acacia trees, and the crew was lined up and waiting, faces alight with anticipation and welcome. Camilla stepped down from the Land Rover, stretching stiff limbs, and Sarah scrambled out of the back seat, dragging all her camera equipment. Piet and Hannah arrived moments later and Anthony led them all forward for formal introductions.

‘This is Francis, our cook. Samson and Daniel will serve your drinks and meals. William is in charge of your tents and any laundry. Equally important are Musioka and Joseph who look after the vehicles, and collect the wood for cooking and hot water, and for our campfire at night. Now – tents. Sarah, I’ve put you and Hannah in together, with Piet next door. Camilla, you have your own quarters in the middle there. If you prefer some other combination, you can swap around as you like. Showers and loos are behind your sleeping tents. You can use the small shovel in the loo tent to cover up whatever’s in the long drop. There are lanterns and torches in every tent, and outside under the fly leaf.’

‘What about going to the loo in the middle of the night?’ Sarah said, embarrassed by her question, but more afraid of the consequences of ignorance. ‘I mean, there could be hyenas and lions wandering around. Couldn’t there?’

‘Just don’t stroll around with a half-chewed impala leg in your fist. If you come across a lion you can give me a shout.’ He grinned at her. ‘It’s OK, Sarah. We have a fire going and an askari on duty all night. Now – there are canvas basins and buckets of water on your verandahs, for washing hands and faces. We’ve left the back of your tents unzipped for now, so that you’ll get the benefit of what breeze there is. At night you close the zippers, front and back. All the windows have mosquito screens on them, and you need only roll down the canvas flaps if we have a rainstorm. There are cold drinks in the mess tent, and Samson makes a mean Bloody Mary.’