Safari Updates

Brendon's News:We were up extra early to maximise the wonderful time we have had on this safari. On the way to the buffalo we found the pride of seven lions ...  and they were in the middle of a meal, having caught a lechwe during the night.The sun provided backlighting for our first shots, and then we moved around to get photographs of the lions not only feeding feeding but also interacting with one another.   Right next to where the lions were eating was as all pond and suddenly an unusual drama erupted out of the water. A young lone hippo has taken refuge here after being kicked out of his pod. And he was guarding his pond jealously and with vigour.                          .     He charged furiously out of the water and sent the lions scampering away. When...

Brendon's News:On the way to the buffalo herd this morning we encountered the pride of lions from last night. We stopped for a few seconds only to capture some photographs against the first signs of the dawn.   After an even shorter stop for an elephant we raced on to catch up with the buffalo before they started to move. As we arrived the sun was rising, creating that magical, diffuse, liquid light and when we could see, there was one of the lionesses from Silver - Eye's pride. Looking around, we saw the other lions also emerge from the lightening duskiness - including the dominant male and one of the subadult males that had been chased by him yesterday. The buffalo stood up and seeing the lions nearby started to move away from the area. The lions followed close on their heels, but made no attempt to hunt. Through water...

Brendon's News:The tension was palpable as we left this morning. Three or even four prides of hungry lions in the area.  Surely they need to feed soon. The sense of urgency we felt on their behalf made us more excited and anxious than ever.And before bed last night and right through the night we heard lions roaring, sounding as though they were almost in the camp. In fact they were so close that we heard them cross the nearby wooden bridge at one stage. We found lion tracks close to where we had left the buffalo and flowed these. As we caught up with them we could see that the two adults and two subadults were heading determinedly towards the buffalo that we could also see in the distance. We pulled ahead and captured some magnificent backlit and rim shots as the lions now walked toward us with the bright rising sun behind...

Brendon's Bulletin:We dashed straight to where the buffalo were this morning and arrived before sunrise. Silver - Eye and her entire pride were lying in an open area, not yet quite awake, and in a good vantage point to keep an eye on the buffalo. As the lions woke up our cameras were very busy capturing the early morning rituals - grooming and greeting each other. The rising sun allowed beautiful backlighting and our rim shots were most successful.Then the lions moved toward the buffalo. Crossing open, clear water channels, and creating splashes against the sun again gave us some stupendous shots.Finding a convenient spot, the pride ensured that the heavily pregnant lioness, who is unable to hunt at present, was settled before they moved toward the buffalo with renewed vigour and determination.As on the previous days it is clear that the lions are hungry - and now hungrier than ever.   ...

Brendon's News:We rushed straight out  to meet up with the buffalo, expecting one of the prides of lions to be close by.About half way to the lions we came across the pride of six lions we have seen previously. Four lionesses and a subadult male were cavorting in the early dawn. We watched enthralled as they played, leaping onto each other, nuzzling, rolling and tumbling around. As they enjoyed their morning games, they moved slowly but certainly in the direction of the buffalo. There were numerous water channels to be crossed and the lions seemed to use a variety of approaches for each, sometimes swimming across, sometimes leaping, or finding a shallow spot to wade across. The wading was accompanied by a continuation of their game with much splashing, attacking invisible foes in the water and swatting anything that rippled. The photo opps were quite amazing!   Eventually the lions tired of...

From Brendon:When we met at Maun airport this afternoon our short flight to Duba Plains was delayed as we waited for luggage to be located. This meant that our flight was later than usual and gave us a beautiful, long shadowed, and warm coloured perspective of the magnificent terrain as we flew over.We rushed out after a quick snack and briefing. Most of the guests have visited the area with us in the past and were clamouring to get going.The good news for us is that there have been no lion kills in the area for many days, leaving all the lions quite hungry and sure to hunt in the next few days.Because the buffalo are currently a distance away in Silver - Eye's territory ...  at Leopard Point, it was not possible to head that way this afternoon, so we meandered around fairly close to the lodge.The afternoon light was...

Chitabe: An Entire Morning with Wild Dogs ends our Eventful Safari   From Brendon:During and after dinner last night we heard Wild Dogs calling, calling, calling. We could hear them in the distance, then listened expectantly as they came closer and closer, then receded again. At bedtime they had returned and were not too far again.Finding the tracks from last night was a simple task this morning. We followed these, peering hopefully all around as we travelled, but the tracks were old - from last night.Then fresh tracks! The dogs travel fast, but these tracks were fresh, so we headed off again with renewed enthusiasm.We caught up with the pack and there were nine very busy active dogs running around.     The reason for their disquiet became clear as we watched. One of the females was coming into season and the males were driven to a state of excitement.  ...

From Brendon:Our aim this morning was twofold. The lions were not far away and the males looked ready for a meal yesterday. And those tantalising paw prints belonging to the wild-dogs were also nearby.While searching for the wild-dogs we photographed giraffe, elephant, zebra, different buck, and different birds - but no signs anywhere of the dogs. Then, finding some lion tracks we followed these and found seven lions again lying out in a wide open space giving us marvellous photographs to add to our already large collections. Three young males were playing vigorously, mock- fighting each other, stalking each other and the resting adults, and racing at speed around the area, behaving like young children everywhere.Several pools have appeared in the Chitabe area as the waters recede, and the pools are filled with trapped fish. The fish have less and less space as the pools shrink in size, and each pool therefore...

From Brendon:We could hear lions calling as we enjoyed our predawn coffee and snacks so our first objective was to try to find them.Finding their tracks was quite easy and these led us straight to the pride lying in an open dust bowl. The sun wasn't up yet and there was a bit of cloud cover so we parked and waited. Then, as the sun's rays started to pierce the clouds the lions began to stir. Slowly one yawned - then, yawns being catchy, the others started yawning in unison.   Photo: Hilton Kotze   They got to their feet lazily and rubbed heads for their morning greetings. Flash and spotlights helped us to get some heart warming shots of this waking ritual.Then the pride started to walk, without any apparent destination. When a herd of giraffe came past they glanced up momentarily but showed no inclination to hunt. As the...

Brendon's News:There is something really special about getting up in the early, mysterious darkness before dawn and then venturing out after a snack and some steaming, delicious coffee.The first shards of light pierced through a thicket of palm trees on an island, causing us to stop and wonder at the beautiful spectacle and of course to capture the magic on our cameras.We headed to the marsh area to photograph birds and as we arrived in the area we were thrilled beyond words to see a Civet. Not only that - he was completely relaxed, and this usually shy creature hung around for ages, allowing us to take photo after photo. We spent quite some time with him - until he eventually sauntered slowly into some thick bush, giving us a final farewell glance over his shoulder.We were still feeling the thrill of that encounter when not 100 meters away we found...