Safari Updates

Brendon's News: As we started to search for leopard tracks near the Lodge this morning we received news of a male lion close by. It took us moments to reach him, and found him busy with a large buffalo kill. You can imagine how large, healthy and strong he is ... he captured and took down that large, adult buffalo single handedly .                                      We spent ages with him as he fed, and only left when he had gorged sufficient for a while and collapsed on his side for a siesta.At around this time we became aware of alarm calls. Impala snorts were followed by kudu and then baboon alarms. We started to follow these, and passed a large herd of buffalo, ...                           ...

From Wim: Today was one of the most eventful and emotional days that I have experienced in my years in the bush.It all started with a magnificent dawn and a Serval hunting in the glorious light giving us a chance for some really successful photographs.The pride of lions from last night were less than 300 meters away from the serval and were within a short walk from the buffalo.As the sun rose the lions were right in amongst the buffalo. The lions were beside themselves with hunger and the next few hours showed their desperation.First they caused some confusion by chasing the buffalos in all directions. The frenzied buffalo were chased again and again - across open plains, through shallow water, and then we realised that there was a plan developing. The buffalo were being chased gradually but very firmly toward a water channel which would slow down their escape.The lions harried...

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 Reports:Duba Plains is one of the few unspoiled regions where one can view game in an area which has not been impacted by men or civilisation. The abundant wildlife in the area also hosts the 'Relentless Enemies' so beautifully documented by Dereck and Beverly Joubert.It was in the hopes of photographing these 'Relentless Enemies' that we set out on this Outdoorphoto Safari. Our hopes and expectations were high, and cameras ready with plenty of memory cards.And we would need those cards!On our first game drive we quickly found lion tracks which we followed and came across not one but two prides of lions lying mere meters from each other.     Thirteen lions in total!       They showed no inclination to hunt ...     ... but realising that both prides had not eaten for days we realised that this was where we needed to start in the morning....

Brendon's Amazing NewsWe dashed out to reach the buffalo just as the sun started to rise this morning. They had not moved far since yesterday and we tracked them quite easily.They were just waking up as we arrived and with the magnificent sunrise behind them we started the day with some beautiful shots again.The six lionesses were also in close attendance and as the buffalo began to move away the lionesses followed close behind but in a leisurely fashion, feigning a total lack of interest in the buffalo.After about half an hour of this game of tag the buffalo lay down again. The lions again pretended a lack of interest and rather spent some time playing, leaping on each other and rolling around in the grass until they were tired of the game and also flopped down for a rest.The buffalo started to move again and with this the entire mood...

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...

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...

ODP Safaris - Trip report of our last safari to Duba Plains by Wim van den Heever How does one begin to describe and share the amazing feelings, experiences, drama, beauty, sightings and photo ops that make up a safari at Duba Plains? The answer is you cannot! But let me share just a few snippets from one of our last safari with you: Besides the huge selection of animals and birds to photograph one of the biggest reasons we visit Duba Plains is to photograph the ongoing interaction between Lion and Buffalo. The relentless daily struggle between these two species has been captured on movies and documentaries by world famous cinematographers and mentors Derek and Beverley Joubert. Who can forget the incredible scenes we have seen such as in the 'Last Lions' and 'Relentless Enemies'. With this in mind, I cannot really describe that phenomenal feeling of tension, awe, some...

If the days at Duba Plains continue like this, the ODP Safari starting there tomorrow is all set for a bumper time.Setting out early this morning, the pride of lions from yesterday was found having a jolly time, playing, grooming each other, jumping, posing for photographs.Suddenly the play stopped as all together the lions stood still sniffed the air, listened, and then headed off purposefully. They had scented the herd of buffalo about a kilometre away.Closing in on the buffalo, they stopped. Stared! Ears forward, alert, watching.Immediately behind the buffalo was a smallish river - and on the banks of that river stood the pride of lions from the adjacent territory, pacing back and forth, back and forth.Oh goodness - a five meter crocodile in the river could be seen wrestling and attempting to drown a recently caught buffalo calf!The lions on the bank watched, paced, stared, and then lunged into...