Safari Updates

Andrew's News:We started with a wonderfully restful morning after all that excitement yesterday when Salayexe grabbed her kill in front of us ...                   Sparring Impala, a shy Steenbuck -                                                       - and curious Starlings kept us busy for much of the morning.   But the afternoon was quite different. After the new ODP Safari group arrived everyone was anxious to get started and what a packed afternoon we had!First, a large herd of elephant drinking at a small dam was followed by a mud bath. As the mud sprayed everywhere, including on themselves, at times it looked as though it was actually raining mud!Hearing noises nearby we went to investigate and found a bachelor herd of impala,...

Andrew's News:There was a tremendous commotion early this morning as we woke up and prepared to depart. The whole bushveld sounded alive ...We could hear Wild Dogs yipping incessantly, punctuated by lions roaring. At the same time leopard calls echoed across the valley in front of the lodge, and exited hyena were carrying on about something or other while the sounds of jackals mingled with all the above. The cacophony spurred us on and within minutes we were on the vehicles prioritising our first move, and wondering what event had sparked the din.We decided to follow the sounds of the Wild Dogs and headed in the direction of the now diminishing sounds. We followed their tracks and found 13 Wild Dogs. It was a great sighting, and the whole pack was still milling around. We searched but could not determine the cause of their disquiet.              ...

Andrew's News:Lions were roaring close to the Lodge as we enjoyed our early morning coffee and when we found their tracks we were convinced that our luck was in. Then, seeing dozens of different vultures (White-backed, Hooded, Lappet faced) in a tree we circled around and around, but saw no lions. The vultures flapped from tree to tree but kept returning to the same area, convincing us even more that there was something there. While taking photos of the vultures against the bright blue morning sky         we heard that Shadow, a young female leopard was close by.Shadow was hunting some impala, but when they sensed her presence they disappeared quickly, and Shadow headed off with us following her. A few meters away she met up with her two young cubs and after a joyful greeting the three cats played together for the next hour or more. Photography...

Andrew Reports:It was still a bit cloudy when we started out early, intent on finding Salayexe, the young leopard mother resident in the area.We found her tracks with those of her cub and were following these through a dry river bank when we looked up and saw a young Hippo bull on the river bank at eye level with us.     After a stop for for about ten minutes for photographs we followed the leopard tracks again. In an open clearing we encountered four hyenas ... three adults and a young subadult. They were cavorting around, playing and enjoying family interactions in the early morning light.                  Thirty elephants were drinking at at waterhole when we arrived. The youngsters and babies were enchanting,                                           ...

Wim Reports:While peacefully sitting on the Nguni Voyager, enjoying our quiet, predawn breakfast we looked up and could hardly believe our eyes ... a large male lion was walking along the bank of the river, strolling along without a care, resting from time to time.                                                                           We jumped into the tender boat to follow him as he sniffed, strolled and took in the morning air, stopping for a quick drink and then carrying on his unhurried way.Shortly after, while photographing the ever-pleasing and always photogenic Fish Eagles intent on their morning catches, we were quite stunned to see another lion - again close by, and also unhurriedly ambling along his way.Back to the Fish Eagles again...

Wim Reports:Heavy clouds rolled into the area overnight fuelled by a chilly wind that caused us to bundle up before setting out this morning. The animals seemed to react to the cold as well but as we moved around we saw impala and numerous Fish Eagles again.                                                                        We moved to a side channel for a while and as we returned to the Chobe River the sun was breaking through the clouds, sending strong shards of light to illuminate patches of the beautiful scene.This afternoon we returned to our favourite spot - Elephant Beach. Many Fish Eagles were around, fishing and swooping above the water, keeping us busy for some time.         A large herd...

Wim Reports:The sunrise found us on the river again after our usual early start.A large number of Fish Eagles inhabit the area and we were fascinated to watch as these beautiful birds persistently fished in spite of our presence. We were able to get really close to them to watch their activities, and watched in amazement as they successfully caught fish time after time.                                 It was interesting also to see the poaching - occasionally, after a successful catch, before the bird had a chance to settle and enjoy its meal, the fish would be snatched in mid-air by a rival, sending the first eagle straight back to start fishing again.One eagle was particularly friendly, and used our boat as a cover as he flew over the water in search of fish. We felt that we got...

Wim's News:Breakfast on the boat in the still, magical predawn added an element of mystique and excitement to the early still dark morning.We were on the water about five minutes before an absolutely spectacular sunrise. Fish Eagles were out early and were swirling around, diving, and grabbing fish in full view. These magnificent birds fishing against that warm, vibrant sky created scenes to behold.(And photograph!)   In a backwater we encountered a pride of lions. They had a kill close by but unfortunately for us they had dragged it behind a bush - inaccessible for our boat. But the interactions between the members of the pride and the arrival of hordes of vultures that were continually chased by the lions, only to return again and again, kept us busy until it was time to return to the Nguni Voyager for brunch.After relaxing and thoroughly enjoying the surroundings from the boat, we...

Wim Reports:We arrived at our meeting place in the afternoon and enjoyed a beautiful scenic drive along the Chobe River to reach the Nguni Voyager moored at Serendela in time to grab our cameras and board one of the small boats to start our first excursion into this unbelievable area.Just as the sun neared the horizon we found a large herd of elephants strung out along an island that fingers its way into the waters of the river channel.   The elephants were feeding on the grass and occasionally taking a quick drink from the river. They were so unfazed by our presence that we were able to approach to within two to three meters of the quietly grazing herd.The beautiful, dramatic sunset provided the kind of backdrop that people travel far and wide to capture, and with our perspective from water level, our results were stupendous.     Each individual...

Ndutu: Home of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the WorldFrom Hilton:A visit to Ndutu has to be a major highlight for any wildlife photographer, and it features on many bucket lists. Our ODP Safari to the area again this year reminded us again why this is so. It is a special place with fantastic photographic opportunities.March in the South-Eastern plains of the Serengeti is the site of one of the most spectacular events in the wildlife calendar. The activity is concentrated in the Ndutu area where about one and a half million wildebeest gather annually for calving.                             During this time many hundred thousand calves are born.                                               The open grasslands create an ideal place for...