Safari Updates

Brendon Reports: Everyone was here by lunchtime yesterday ... and none of the guests have experienced the wonder of Elephant Plains before!So, it was with great excitement that we left for our first afternoon drive.And Elephant Plains sure lived up to its well deserved reputation.We were hardly out of the gate to the Lodge when - about two minutes into our safari - we found two lionesses. As we approached we recognised Bebe from the Salala Pride. She was accompanied by a young - probably about two years old - gorgeous young lioness. The two were lying out in the open on the airstrip, soaking up the afternoon sun.   While we started filling our cameras with images of these two we heard alarm calls nearby. Then again, more urgently! Baboons were in a real state, letting all and sundry know that there was real danger close by.We followed the sound and sure...

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,...

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: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...

From Andrew:   Although it was quite overcast this morning when we set out, there was no rain and the morning was cool, crisp and very picturesque.   We soon came upon Salayexe (the young leopard mother) and her cub. Although they were in thickish grass they were moving around a lot and we managed some excellent sightings and photographs.   Salayexe’s cub is at that very playful, cute stage and we watched as he pounced on his mom’s tail, then climbed a tree to ambush her, and then crept around in the grass to surprise her. They were both enjoying themselves so much, and we thoroughly enjoyed capturing the fun and interactions between the two.   The playful mood changed momentarily when two adult hyenas arrived on the scene. Salayexe stopped, glared at the two and watched them carefully as they strutted through the area.   When we left a...

Brendon’s News:   The sun was just rising, heralding a gorgeous, still morning as we set out in the glorious weather. Our aim today was to try and photograph Fish Eagles.   As we travelled up one of the river channels the Fish Eagles were active, flying and diving to the water surface for their catches.   As we travelled we came across several banks where Malachite Kingfishers are nesting. The birds seemed to be everywhere and we made a definite stop for some time to get some spectacular shots.   Another large bank a little further on proved to be a nesting area for African Skimmers. Again we stopped for some time to watch (and photograph) as the birds competed for territory, chasing each other high into the sky, and then returning, only to take off again in another dispute with another bird. These aerobatic displays kept us engrossed and...

From Brendon:   Our goal this morning was to photograph active Fish Eagles in the early dawn, and this is exactly what we managed to accomplish. The Eagles performed well for us in the early golden light, and we managed some great shots of them swimming, fishing, and flying to and from their nests.   A huge herd of buffalo came down to the waters’ edge for a very early drink in the soft colours of the morning and moments later we were excited to see a large number of buffalo actually swim across the river. We have seen elephant swim across almost every day, but it was very special to see the buffalo go across!   Speaking of elephant, we found large herds on the flood plains, eating, drinking, bathing and dusting themselves.   I remembered a spot where we had seen White-backed Night Heron last year, and we decided...

Brendon's Report:It is almost ethereal to be on the river just before the sun comes up. Ones senses are just that much more alert, and the surroundings take on a mysterious, beautiful aura. Heading down river we encountered so many animals arriving at the rivers edge for their early morning drink. First a herd of buffalo drinking, then the usual large numbers of elephant that seem to be almost everywhere. These were followed by a highlight for us - Sable Antelope on the banks of the river also enjoying an early morning drink. The Fish Eagles were unusually active this morning. They seemed to be all around, calling, fishing and carrying food to their nests. Numerous territorial disputes broke out and our cameras were really busy as we tried so hard to capture as much of the action as we could. Kingfishers and Skimmers kept us equally busy and at times...

Brendon's News:We all arrived at the Chobe river this afternoon to be transported to the Nguni Voyager on the River. We were warmly welcomed by the staff and immediately felt relaxed and at home. After a delicious lunch and a short briefing we set out on the small boats.And what an afternoon!We saw approximately 1000 elephants. They had come down to the river to bathe and drink, and we watched as some entered the river for a swim, and others enjoyed a dust bath on the banks of the river.The afternoon light made the scenes truly magnificent.We ventured further up the river to where the Skimmers nest. Although there are no chicks as yet the birds were active, skimming across the surface of the water, flying around and silhouetted beautifully against the deep blue sky.We decided to watch the sunset from some quite remote backwaters. And what a good choice that...