The new ODP Safari group were met today at Maun, where they boarded their flight to Duba Plains.

Glorious weather meant that aerial photography was wonderful, and as the plane came in to land, the Delta unfolded before them, and  excitement mounted.

After dumping bags and a very short briefing, the safari vehicles set off.

The first quest was to find one of the lion prides that have been around the area for the past few days. Remember, the buffalo had one pride of lions behind them and one to the side, close to the border between the territories of the two prides.

The first pride was encountered easily close to the buffalo on the Plains. The lions were following the buffalo, and attack after attack followed, but with no success.

The buffalo walked and ran through water, over plains, through streams, with the lions in pursuit.

The ODP Safari group were able to capture some unbelievable photographs, with action, water spraying, buffalo and lions running, attempts to bring down a buffalo ... heart -stopping action!

Then one of the lionesses grabbed a buffalo calf and held on. Others came to her assistance.

But once again maternal instinct intervened, and the furious mother returned to reclaim her calf. She stormed at the lionesses with her calf, head down, dangerous horns threatening. Her aggression intimidated the lioness who finally let go, and fled. The calf trotted off with mom.

By now it was too dark to follow the action, and the vehicles headed back to the Lodge.

Then there was more excitement during the drive back. A serval was spotted and as the vehicles stopped to watch the animal hunting, it caught small rodents right next to vehicles. More successful photography captured this moment in nature.

After getting stuck in some mud quite close to camp, the tired, but very very happy group arrived at the lodge. They will now unpack, which they had not done on arrival, literally throwing down their bags and rushing off.

Tomorrow everyone is very keen to return to the lions as early as possible. The plan is to leave the Lodge as early as they can because neither of the lion  prides has eaten for 5 days. They are really hungry, and todays failed hunting did not help! Hopefully if the ODP group gets out really early they may be in time for some exciting action ... again!!!