Safari Updates

AndrewReports:Searching for Salayexe this morning we first bumped into a clan of eight hyenas. They were moving along close to the road, scent marking, examining and sniffing bushes intently as they went, leaving their anal smears to warn any intruders. We followed them, capturing images of individuals, groups and the interactions between the clan members.                                             After stopping for a drink at a small dam they disappeared into thick bush.So on with our Salayexe search - but we were interrupted again,this time by a lone hippo wandering around quite a distance from water. He was very relaxed, munching on the vegetation, totally ignoring us with our clicking cameras.                   Again our search for Salayexe resumed - and this time we were not...

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: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...

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.   ...