Safari Updates

Brendon ReportsThe buffalo had moved during the night so when we arrived where we had left them last night all we found were the tracks.Following the tracks to find the buffalo, we found a pride of lions instead. Four lionesses and two eight month old cubs were playing, jumping and stalking each other as they also followed the buffalo tracks. We could hear the buffalo in the distance and before long we and the lions had caught up with the large herd.The buffalo had not yet risen for the day, and were lying around covering quite a large area. The lions, seeing the inert buffalo strolled over to to a termite mound where they, too, proceeded to lie down. They remained watching the buffalo for some time until sleep overtook them and they dosed off.Having taken numerous photos of the buffalo and lions in the glorious morning light we turned our...

Brendon's Amazing NewsWe dashed out to reach the buffalo just as the sun started to rise this morning. They had not moved far since yesterday and we tracked them quite easily.They were just waking up as we arrived and with the magnificent sunrise behind them we started the day with some beautiful shots again.The six lionesses were also in close attendance and as the buffalo began to move away the lionesses followed close behind but in a leisurely fashion, feigning a total lack of interest in the buffalo.After about half an hour of this game of tag the buffalo lay down again. The lions again pretended a lack of interest and rather spent some time playing, leaping on each other and rolling around in the grass until they were tired of the game and also flopped down for a rest.The buffalo started to move again and with this the entire mood...

Brendon's Exciting NewsWe left before sunrise with each of us excited beyond measure. Our expectations were high, knowing that there were at least two prides of lions that had not eaten for a number of days. Yesterday they were already showing signs of hunger.With this in mind we headed straight to the buffalo and reached them on the open plains at first light. We approached until we could see them really clearly - but they were on the far side of a wide, deep water channel, so we could not get any closer.   Photo: Hilton Kotze On our side of the channel we found the pride of seven lions from yesterday. Six lionesses and a subadult male were in for an action packed day! We joined the lions and together we watched the buffalo across the channel wandering what our next step should be. The lions were specially attentive, watching...

Brendon's Bush NewsWe arrived at a very warm Duba Plains after a short but beautiful flight from our connection in Maun.We could barely wait to get started and after a rapid briefing and a quick meal we set out on our first game drive of this safari.It didn't take long for our excitement to start - we found lion tracks and followed these carefully, checking around in all directions all the time, but not giving the plentiful game our attention as we peered at the tracks. We could see that there was more than one lion and tension grew as our guide told us we were getting closer to the track makers.And we found not one but two prides of lions lying within about 50 metres of each other. Both prides were draped across various termite mounds and other small outcrops so that they could keep a somewhat lazy eye on...

Andrew Reports:The northern area has yielded great sightings every day, so that is where we again headed before dawn.On the way, and as just the sun rose, we encountered a herd of around fifty buffalo. We stopped for photographs and our attention soon focussed on one of the males that was feeling particularly frisky in the early morning. He was jumping on various other members of his herd, proving to be a nuisance to them but a source of entertainment for us.   Another vehicle told us that they were in sight of two male cheetahs and it took moments for us to join them. As we arrived we saw that the cheetahs were hunting, and we had time to quickly position ourselves and settle quietly to watch the action.Cameras ready!The cheetahs spotted some impala and thankfully for us, they ran ahead of the impala and then doubled back. The impalas...

From Andrew:It was drizzling, but just barely, as we left camp this morning. The cloudy sky would make a lovely backdrop for any sightings and with this in mind we headed back to the two cheetahs with the kill from yesterday.They were nowhere to be seen, but we stopped next to the dam wall where we hoped to spot them, to capture some images of the sun beginning to pierce the clouds. The sunrise was truly spectacular. Then a Spurwing Goose arrived and landed on the dam wall to strut around for a for photographs.Suddenly the goose flew away in alarm - and up popped the two heads of the cheetahs we had so hoped to see. They climbed onto the dam wall and we spent almost an hour taking pictures of them sitting, stretching, walking, watching, and generally enjoying the early morning sunrise. The cloudy, impactful background allowed us to...

Andrew shares:Remember that yesterday the two dominant male cheetahs in the Marsh had a failed hunt when they were interrupted by a reedbuck as they closed in on the impala.Feeling confident that would hunt again early this morning we caught up with them before daylight. They were awake and active - traveling from termite mound to termite mound as they scoured the area.   Our assumptions were spot on - they were hunting. The sky was becoming lighter as they continued their progress, giving us numerous opportunities for excellent images with the early sun piercing the clouds in the background. Then they spotted a herd of impalas and from that moment all concentration centred on the buck. We manoeuvred into a good position and then watched anxiously and expectantly, afraid to breathe as the scene unfolded in front of us.The impala looked up, very jittery and anxious. Then, sensing that something...

From Andrew:We really wanted to get some images of black rhino and maybe cheetah as well, so we headed north again, hoping to see them in the Marsh area of the reserve.But just as we left the camp we encountered the Mountain Pride of lions. The two lionesses and four subadults were very alert and on the move. A hunt, we wondered? We followed the pride in the early semi darkness and suddenly saw them stop, stiffen and concentrate on a herd of wildebeest. A female started to stalk the momentarily oblivious prey. Creeping as close as possible before giving chase resulted in a wild scattering of animals  - both lions and wildebeest - in all directions, but no success in the hunt.After the failed chase the lioness called and called to gather her pride again and we followed the family to a nearby waterhole where they enjoyed a long drink...

Andrew Reports:The early dawn found us back in the Northern marshy area of Phinda where we have seen so much action in the past days. We were hoping to find black rhinos and cheetahs and were surprised to find the pride of lions exactly where we left them yesterday - close to a small waterhole. They were grooming each other and restfully enjoying a quiet morning, watching the water hole without interest. The scene was so very peaceful with White-faced Ducks swimming in the tranquil water and we knew that the lions would not hunt today after that huge zebra meal they finished off yesterday. We started started to move on to continue our search for rhinos and cheetahs.We had scarcely moved a meter away when one of the subadult lionesses who was watching the ducks suddenly sprang into action . She ploughed straight into the water in an attempt to...

Andrew's News:We knew that the Marsh lions had not eaten for a few days so that was where we headed first this morning, hoping for some hunting action. When we arrived we saw that they were busy with a zebra kill, and as there was not much left of their meal we realised that the kill must have taken place last night.The sun was rising as we arrived at the kill and the beautiful lighting conditions gave us excellent photographic opportunities.Suddenly, while we were photographing the lions, quite a serious altercation broke out between and adult male and one if the subadult males.   The viciousness appeared quite alarming but ended quickly when one of the adult lionesses became involved.The noise of this altercation attracted the attention of a herd of about thirty buffalo. They arrived on the scene and appeared to disapprove of what they could see.     Together...