Safari Updates

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...

Brendon's Bulletin  ...First - apologies for this late update ... connection hassles!We had left the pride of six lions getting closer and closer to the large herd of buffalo and we dashed there in the early darkness yesterday morning to find them. We have been so lucky to see so many lions in the past few days and our enthusiasm seems to increase with each encounter. We picked up the buffalo spoor and started to follow them and while tracking them we joined up with an adult male lion who had the same goal ... he was also following the buffalo. We got great shots of him in the early deep golden light as we traveled along together. He was striding along really purposefully and we realised that he may just decide to hunt on his own. That is not unknown for this lion!What a group we were ... photographers and lion...

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...

From Brendon:Sometimes when we go on a safari we encounter those wonderful days when nature seems to conspire to provide the most beautiful experiences for us. Today was one of those days. There has been very little rain here in the Delta, so the water levels are quite low. This enhances  visibility and the surrounding vegetation somehow seems greener and lovelier than ever, and getting around is very easy.We landed at Duba at around 1500. The flight was beautiful, giving us our first glimpses of the scenic area and we captured some lovely shots on the way in. Then after a light meal and a quick briefing we set out on our first game drive.We were informed that one of the three local prides of lions had captured a buffalo this morning. The other two prides are quite hungry and have reportedly not eaten for quite a few days.We headed straight...

The recent rain has made the bush so very beautiful – fresh, crisp, clean and totally inviting.  As we arrived at Elephant Plains just in time for lunch, the sun broke through the cloud cover, heralding one of those afernoons that smells and looks just the way it should – the way one imagines the bush at its best!  We spent most of the afternoon with a pride of lions that had killed a buffalo some time earlier today. There were three cubs aged about 2.5 months, and their antics kept us enchanted for hours. The oohs and aahs echoed across the veldt as cameras clicked, capturing those magical moments.   On the way back to the Lodge this evening, we were delayed for some time when we encountered four male lions. We practiced back and side lighting and were getting into the swing of things when the lions started to...

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...

Wim describes another full day at Masai Mara:The is a special area at Masai Mara named Out Of Africa, because scenes from the movie were shot there.  The area is up on the escarpment with lovely views and plentiful wildlife.We headed there this morning hearing that lion were in that area. As we arrived  a large male lion walked directly past us, toward a lioness we had only sent now. As he approached, she moved cautiously to the side and we realised that she was hunting. As we tried to manoeuvre our vehicles for a good view she disappeared behind a bush. Because of the terrain we were unable to get closer than about 50 meters, but within moments a wildebeest ran out from behind the bush with the lioness in hot pursuit behind it.The wildebeest hightailed it down the outta inside with the lioness hot on its heels. Seconds later...

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...

Mara news from Wim:   Last night as we were relaxing we were told that a cheetah with four very small cubs had just started to hunt when a thunderstorm interrupted her, leaving her hungry overnight and likely to hunt gain this morning. It was also unlikely that she would move four cubs during the night – especially in the rain.   With this in mind we made an extra effort to leave early and drove straight to where she had been sighted. We could have had blinkers on, hardly looking to the left or right in our excitement at being able to catch up with her.   When we found her she had caught a Thomson’s Gazelle and was preparing to disembowel her kill and to enjoy her meal.   We spent most of the morning with her as she ate, then suckled her cubs, then rested and then ate...

News from Wim:   Another phenomenal day! Whew! So much happened that I am really going to have to try and remember it all ..   We started this morning with one of the clearest skies that you can imagine. There was not a cloud in sight and the air was so still that not a leaf rustled.   Scarcely 2 km into our journey we found a pride of lions with small cubs. We stopped long enough to get some awesome shots of the family interactions and when they moved into a thicket we moved toward the river.   Trying to describe the Masai Mara as it appears at the moment is difficult because many would think I may be exaggerating. I am not! There are wildebeest as far as the eye can see. The Plains are covered with what appear to be acres of wildebeest and their zebra companions....