Safari Updates

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...

Duba Plains  is like no other place on this planet. Located in the northern segment of the renowned Okavango Delta,  inaccessible for 11 months of the year by any other means other than flying, this private 30 000 hectare game reserve is truly set in the heart of wildest Africa. You are overcome by the power of true natural beauty and remoteness from the second you arrive on the Island. The camp is set on the banks of one of the many permanent waterways that complement this unique wilderness. On our recent photographic safari to Duba Plains our guests had the opportunity to experience this fantastic paradise. We landed at Duba in the early afternoon in time for a late lunch after all had settled into their rooms. After lunch we headed out on our first excursion to explore the surrounding area and go in search of the lions and...

Who would have thought that two consecutive days could be so exciting. The whole ODP Safari group was up by 4am and after a really hearty breakfast, everyone was raring to set off by 5 and to track the two prides of lions from the previous day. All the members of the first pride were still sated from feasting on the young elephant. They were relaxing and enjoying their full stomachs. After some very satisfying photographs, the ODP Safari group left to go in search of the second pride ... The pride that was getting closer to the buffalo herd. When the second pride of lions was discovered, they were surprisingly still quite a distance from the buffalo. They had not eaten for some time and appeared quite hungry. They were definitely going to hunt. The ODP Safari group followed them presumably en route to the buffalo. But nature always has...

The ODP Safari in Duba Plains got off to a spectacular start. (again!) Wim van den Heever with the other ODP Hosts and the Safari Guests today saw something that few have witnessed. A pride of lions caught a baby elephant. This rather rare sighting was a once in a lifetime photographic opportunity and everyone's cameras were really busy. Meanwhile, another pride of lions is closing in on the herd of buffalo that moved onto the Plains recently. This should result in some interesting and exciting interactions in the next few days. The excitement is almost tangible. The bird watchers were especially pleased with a sighting of a Black Coucal, and cameras again clicked furiously. Later, when a Rosy-throated Longclaw was sighted, the cameras again worked overtime. With such an exciting start to the Safari, one can hardly wait to see what the next days will bring .....

Duba Plains Safari Diary

(click on image to view bigger)     Our ODP Safaris on the majestic Chobe river have been spectacular this year.The Skimmers, Kingfishers, Bee-Eaters and just about every stork you can think of in huge amounts.We also concentrated on a few smaller avian subjects such as this Lesser Striped Swallow.Patients was well rewarded with mind blowing results...!We look forward to the second part of our Chobe safaris kicking off just after the Masai Mara safaris.Keep your eyes on the blog the next two weeks as we at ODP Safaris head off to the Masai Mara...!...

(click on image to view bigger)   Our first safari on board the Nguni Voyager has kick-off this year. The Chobe region is looking fantastic and the bird life is even better than before. The African Skimmers are unbelievable this year with some breath taking opportunities coming our way...! We almost spent our entire 4 days hunting these elusive and highly prized gems of the avian world..! The result... Spectacular..!! Look out for some more hot action from the banks of the Chobe River!...

(Click on image to view bigger) It's almost Chobe season again...! I really am looking forward to our ODP safaris on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers this year. Bird life is simply unbelievable with the first of the migrants arriving later in Aug when we kick off. The Skimmers will keep us nice and busy with huge herds of Elephants and Buffalo to add to the amazing spectacle. This Yellow-Billed Kite was from last years safaris. Watch this space for more updates later this season..!    ...

The official trailer of the "The Last Lion"

 

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ODP's new safari to Duba Plains kicked off in March this year.
I can quite confidently state that this amazing venue is a wildlife photographers dream.
The intense lion and buffalo interaction is truly amazing to witness and photograph.
Words cannot describe the exhilaration when moving with the lions as they hunt the Buffalo's - stuff that dreams are made of...!
In 4 days we had 4 kills - 2 of which we could photograph from start to finish.
Apart from the lions and buff's we also had huge herds of Lechwe, Bat-Eared Fox, Aardwolf, Tsesebe and amazing bird life to mention but a few.