Safari Updates

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...

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...

Brendon reports:We found buffalo tracks soon after leaving the camp in the pre-dawn darkness. We tracked these and found the herd of buffalo all fast asleep. After scouting around to see if any lions were present (lots of excitement but no nearby lions) we returned to the now awakening buffalo. We captured some wonderful shots of the buffalo as they started to stir and move around on the wide open plains. The light as always at that time of morning was quite indescribably gorgeous, and the sleepy buffalo created perfect shots for us.We heard lions calling during last night  and wondered if maybe one of the prides had joined the pride at the buffalo kill. We headed in that direction and found that we were quite correct ... the two prides were feeding on the remains of the buffalo - and when I say remains, all that remained were a few...

Ben's Update:We started again this morning with an incredibly beautiful sunrise. Beautiful flat topped trees with the golden rays of the sun creating shards through them proved to be a lovely backdrop for a pride of lions resting peacefully in the foreground.Many of the Topis have given birth in the past few days and when we stopped to photograph some of the little ones, their curiosity brought them right up to our vehicles. A little further on a herd of wildebeest next to the road again provided foreground a stark contrast to the dramatic, fluffy white clouds billowing above, while a herd of waterbuck also posed regally with that beautiful sky above.After coffee we checked the river for any sign of a crossing buildup but although we could certainly see thousands of wildebeest on the opposite side of the  river, they were roaming around aimlessly and there were no signs that...

Ben’s Bulletin:   This morning we drove straight down to the area where we had seen the huge crossing yesterday, and sure enough as we arrived we could see the buildup of wildebeest on the opposite bank.   We scarcely had time to position ourselves really well for the action when the front animals leaped into the water – the crossing had started. Within moments the others followed, and although the crossing was not a huge as yesterday it is still amazing to see approximately 3000 wildebeest accompanied by their ever present zebra companions jump into the river and make the crossing with such determination. About half the animals from the far bank made the crossing at that time. For some reason the other 3000 remained behind to consider a later crossing.   But on our side of the bank consternation arose as a group of young calves returned to the...

Brendon Cremer from Elephant Plains As you can imagine we were in a great rush to get back to the leopards this morning. The morning was one of those crisp, clear times where colours appear brighter and everything looks more alive and dramatic. When we arrived at the spot where the leopard had been, little had changed overnight. The male (his name is Zingana) was feeding on his impala in the tree, while the female (Moya) tried hard to coax him to the ground. The colourful sky again provided a magnificent backdrop of the leopard and we captured hundreds of images of him feeding, then walking along the tree branches, then resting, and then feeding some more. We also managed excellent midair shots as he finally leaped to the ground. As he reached the ground Moya immediately continued her seduction programme. She jumped onto him, then rubbed against him, and...

  The ODP Safari to Duba Plains got off to a spectacular start today. The ODP hosts, Brendon and Ben,  were at Maun to met their guests and as soon as the connection from Johannesburg arrived, the group boarded the aeroplane for Duba Plains. The hosts were delighted to see familiar faces as well as newcomers among the guests. The excitement was almost tangible as they flew over the area towards Duba Plains ... cameras already clicking away as magnificent aerial views swam past the windows. After lunch and the orientation briefing, everyone  eagerly clambered onto the vehicles, anxious to get out, start tracking and photographing. The large herd of buffalo have moved to the far side of the Plains, following a kill late yesterday. The ODP Safari group headed straight for the kill. And wow!!! The action!! The lions were feeding, but not just feeding sedately. Much action as the...