Africa Safari Blog

Kwando Safaris December Sightings Part II

BillGiven — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:21:00 -0700

Here's another update from Kwando Safaris. This is a continuation of the December sightings. Yesterday we covered from Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwando Lebala Camp, and Tau Pan Camp wildlife sightings. We now move on to Kwando Kwara Camp and Nxai Pan Camp.

Enjoy the rest of this month's update!

Kwara Concession

The beginning of December truly proved to become a festive month for all. We began the month with two sightings of leopards: while driving around Marula Island, we spotted a relaxed male, looking a bit hungry, who began hunting whilst we looked on. Unfortunately he was unsuccessful. In the afternoon we spotted another leopard, this one female, she was walking around in the same area that the male had been in the morning, so it’s possible she was interested in mating. Leopards were seen through the rest of the month, including a mother with her cub feeding on an impala.

Predator sightings in the Kwara concession have been quite successful. Lions topping our wish list and rarely disappointing, seeing them almost every day. There is nothing better than observing social behaviour and interactions and what better cat than to display all these than a cheetah and her 3 cubs. As we drove towards Wild Dog pan, we spotted the female cheetah and her 3 cubs playing under the shades. We stayed with the cheetahs for a while and through the month these were shay cats were seen in our concession every week. The coalition of three males were also seen often in the Tsum Tsum area but were difficult to follow through the mopane woodland. On the 14th we were so excited after spotting a pack of wild dogs near Tsum Tsum, and to top it all off, the dogs were feasting on a zebra...

Ever since the rains, general game has been quite plentiful, including in and around camp. Usually in the mornings, we have a lot of impalas foraging between the tents. It’s always great to witness these antelopes in large groups, with the baby impala still quite skittish, always staying close to their mothers. We have not been seeing a lot of elephants in camp, ever since the rains, these majestic animals are mostly feeding out in the marshes and plains. On the 11th we spotted 21 elephants whilst out on the boat cruise, crossing the Kwara channel. Quite an interesting sighting, we stopped the boat and witnessed the ellies swimming, feeding and having a great time in the water.

There have been plentiful sightings of antelopes, including tsessebes, wildebeest, reedbuck and buffalos. Also herds of zebras, dust bathing and grazing at four rivers. We also caught a glimpse of a rare sighting: bush pig! Looking a bit like an over-furry warthog, these animals are exceptionally shy, and hard to see.

A huge crocodile was located at Paul’s crossing, not shy at all and on the hunt for fish. We also spotted 8 hippos at Peters crossing and these colossal giants were playing, and of course grunting!

Birding has been wonderful this past month, considering that all you have to do is sit out on the porch in front of your tent with a pair of binoculars and look out in front of our camp. In the trees in camp we hear the birds calling constantly, including the black eyed bul bul, crested barbet and starlings.

Nxai Pan Camp

The beginning of December saw heavy rains, turning the roads into water channels, more suited to a mokoro! The sun came out, quickly drying things up again, but not before the first of the springbok began to be born… Soon, lots of little springboks were bouncing around, learning to run and jump on their stick-thin legs.

The rain also collected in the pans in front of Baines Baobabs – a magnificent sight at any time, but with the addition of the water birds skimming the pans for frogs and insects, it’s a magical place indeed.

The first two weeks of December saw lots of cats – cheetahs and lions – all doing what cats do best – sleeping! However, there was a leopard who decided not to fit into the same pattern, and was seen walking along West Road.

Perhaps realising she had to set a good example for her cubs, in mid December, a female cheetah caught a young springbok, but didn’t kill it, She gave it to her two cubs to play with – this helps them learn hunting and killing techniques. There is always the chance that the springbok will be able to escape the cubs, particularly when they a first learning what to do, but on this occasion, the baby springbok was not so lucky, and cubs killed it.

After the burst of rains at the beginning of the month, very little else fell, and as things got drier again, the lions and cheetah were seen more and more often relaxing in the vicinity of the natural water holes. Elephants and other animals are also visiting the water holes regularly, as the puddles dry up again.

The zebra migration is currently moving through the park. The zebras appear to have split into two, possibly three groupings this year, spreading further out, possibly due to the late appearance of the rain this year.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Kwando Safaris December Sightings Part I

BillGiven — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:25:00 -0700

Here another update from Kwando Safaris. These are sightings for December. We'll lead off today with sightings from Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwando Lebala Camp, and Tau Pan Camp. The next blog post will feature Kwando Kwara Camp and Nxai Pan Camp.

Enjoy this month's update!

Kwando Lagoon Camp

With the wild dog pups now completely part of the pack, the dogs are highly mobile, and cover a large territory. This means it’s harder to track them down and keep up with them, but it’s a good sign that the puppies have adjusted well to their life, and are learning the skills needed to sustain them throughout adulthood. This month they ranged over the whole concession, and spent several days close to Lebala. Later in the month they were back close to camp. One morning, they caught a warthog piglet and killed whilst the guests looked on. The next night they switched back to their more usual diet of impala.

Leopards were also seen this month, hunting impala. A shy female cheetah was also seen hunting impala, together with her two cubs.

As predicted, the large herds of buffalo that we have been enjoying seeing the last few months have moved off again into the areas of good grazing. They will be back, but not in the number that they have been for a few months.

Jackals – both black backed and side striped – are often seen in most areas of northern Botswana. However, it’s very rare to see them together, and even rarer to see them chasing each other! Jackals do compete for the same food, but generally keep out of each others way. On this particularly morning, we were watching the two black- backed jackals running along in line with the car, when we realised one of them was actually a side striped jackal – much fluffier and larger looking than the black-backed. It streaked passed us, and was running at pace, being chased by the much smaller black-backed jackal. A second black-backed jackal was following at a distance. We lost sight of the side striped, and a few minutes later the black backed jackal came trotting back to check on his partner.

The carmine bee eaters are still in abundance, and have been joined by their offspring, who have not quite got the same vibrant colouration as their parents. Also still learning to catch, their parents occasionally catch an extra insect on the wing, and offer it to the young.

With the large Kwando channel right in front of camp, it’s essential to get out on the boat and take a trip on it. And this month, the guests are providing some strong competition with the crocodiles that inhabit the water: impromptu fishing competitions! Some huge catfish and bream (tilapia) have been hauled up on the lines, to the glee of those watching. Cast off to live another day – or perhaps end up in the croc’s mouth after all – the end of December marks the end of the fishing season for Botswana, to let the fish breed in peace!

Kwando Lebala Camp

There has been phenomenal general game in the area close to the Baobab: zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, tsessebes and baboons all in the same area. Visits to Kubu Pan were also very productive, with 25 hippos squeezed into the rainwater pan! Three roan antelope – normally a very rare sighting – have been seen relaxing around Lebala airstrip each morning. There was also a very unusual sighting of a black mamba fighting a yellow mongoose – we couldn’t tell who the ultimate winner was!

Smaller herds of elephants than last month – about 30 at a time – have been seen coming from the western edge of the camp, crossing the swamps in front of the camp. Normally in December, the elephants spread out through the area once the rains have fallen, sometimes making it difficult to find them, but this year they have still had a forceful presence.

Leopards were also seen during this month, with an unusual sighting of a large male and younger male seen playing and relaxing in the same area. Males are exceptionally territorial, and do not normally tolerate the presence of other males, but perhaps the older male in this case did not feel threatened by the younger one. As it was, the older male was also seen the next day, being chased by a pack of 20 wild dogs, and he eventually had to take refuge up a tree!

The pride of four lionesses were found several times this month, once feeding on a kudu, with a hyena keeping a watchful eye over them. The three male cheetah were also seen a few times, hunting, but no successful catch whilst we were watching.

The festive season was not a very happy one for some of the young impalas and tsessebes in the Lebala area, particularly around Kubu Pan.

On Christmas Eve, the wild dogs killed a baby tsessebe – it took them about 20 minutes to devour it. On the same day, the cheetah brothers managed to pull down a baby wildebeest, but before they managed to kill it, the wild dog pack arrived and took over the kill, quickly ripping the wildebeest to pieces. Not satisfied, the dogs then moved through the bush and killed three baby impalas. This all happened between John’s Pan and Kubu pan – about 15km – moving through the bush.

Again on the same day, a leopard was found hunting but was unsuccessful.

The wild dogs spent the night Kubu pan, and for Christmas morning, they found Santa had delivered them four baby impalas which the pack caught simultaneously.

The cheetahs, which – sensibly - had moved off away from the dogs, also had a good Christmas catching a male impala. When they finished eating, they moved a long way off – as they had been sandwiched between the wild dogs and the lions.

The lions – one male and a female – were found at Wild Dog Pan, also on Xmas. The next day, they were seen in the same area, mating.

Ensuring that they make the most of the abundant young, on the 27th December t

he dogs killed a female impala by Kubu pan, and then a warthog piglet in the afternoon.

On the 28th of December, close to Lebala camp, the dogs again killed an impala. As they were feeding on it, a hyena made a surprise visit – only to be attacked by the wild dogs. As the hyena made a swift retreat, a lioness appeared out of the nearby bushes and grabbed the remains of the kill before the dogs could return to it! Amazing interaction!

Tau Pan Camp

Unusually hot temperatures for December which followed the few days of rain at the beginning of the month led to the Tau Pan lions doing a fair amount of resting from the heat, under the shade of umbrella thorn trees. A leopard was also seen walking along the cut-line, quite relaxed, but no repetition this month of the leopardess drinking from the pool! Tracks are still being seen in and around the camp, so we know she is still around.

Two brother cheetahs were found feeding on a baby oryx, in Passage valley. They were a little nervous and shy, perhaps fearing the arrival of the lion pride that inhabits the area. We also saw a female cheetah that was encouraging her two cubs to try to stalk springbok… not very successfully I am afraid!

The most spectacular – and exceptionally rare sighting for the Central Kalahari – was a group of 20 bull elephants drinking and wallowing in the mud at Passage Pan! Although signs have been seen of elephant activity in the region, this was the first sighting of the actual animal in many months. And then there were 20 of them!

Great birding this month as well, with secretary birds, painted snipes, hamerkops, marabous, lappet faced vultures, and giant eagle owls. General game was also good with sightings of bat eared foxes as well as the black backed jackals, giraffes, springbok, hartebeest, kudus and wildebeest.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Amazing Zambia Photo Safari Gallery

BillGiven — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:42:00 -0700

Huge thanks to Marc Mol for this contribution to our blog. Marc is a repeat client of The Wild Source and we have featured some of his extraordinary photos from previous safaris on this blog in the past.

For photographers Marc has included detailed info for each photo. For the rest of us the incredible action that brings out the best in predator and prey is on full display in this amazing pictorial from South Luangwa in Zambia. To see a gallery of more of Marc's stunning photos from his Zambia Safari click here.

All images in the gallery are copyright protected by Marc Mol.

Suicide month: A lion pride's battle with 2 buffalo in Zambia's Sth Luangwa NP

Have just returned from 4 weeks in the Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia, my 8th trip to the dark continent and my most incredible safari experience ever, as they say over there this time of year is known as suicide month!......................never a more apt word. 40+ deg's C (105+ F) most days with some tsetse flies to keep you honest.

Location

ALL images taken @ Fish Eagle lagoon, Luangwa River, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia late Oct 2011

Our Story Begins

5.41pm.

The no-tip tailed female from the Nsefu pride was the first to spot 2 male Buffalo drinking on the other side of the river and promptly crossed, followed by the others.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/400s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F

Photo © Marc Mol

5.44pm

By now all but the 3 pride coalition males had buffalo on their mind.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/320s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F

Photo © Marc Mol

Keeping focus on the central lion as she had my attention.

Photo Details:D3s 500VR 1/400s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F

Photo © Marc Mol

5.46pm.

The pride were now closing the gap rapidly. (the other boy is just out of frame, upper left).

At this stage we were sure both knew they were being stalked, but they seemed to defiantly stand their ground.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/640s f/4 ISO6400 I now needed to up the ISO to 6400 & f/4 in order to keep a reasonable S/S.

Photo © Marc Mol

5.48pm. +temp still hovering close to 40C!

The activity was really ramping up now, as the no tail tip female the best & most experienced hunter of the pride led the way by climbing on the back of the first buffalo.

By now there were 3 adult females and 4 sub adults in the thick of it.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/400s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

We sat back and observed from a distance............. but now with my heart and excitement level racing I needed to be closer.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/400s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

5.56pm.

Having finally positioned our vehicle closer as the action now started to spread to the river section making for some exciting water chase/dance routine sequences.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/200s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/200s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/200s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

The other buffalo left of frame portrayed unbelievable calmness as his mate was copping a full round house clawing on his back.

At times the rest of the pride even took time out to grab a drink as the battle developed into a series of rounds.

I, unfortunately didn't have all day to capture a lot more of the action as light as diminishing fast.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/250s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

7.04pm

An hour has passed and after much mayhem one of the buffalo's has become stuck in the thick gooey mud of the riverbank and the pride seized the moment and began tucking in by taking out the tail and biting the spine, subsequently paralysing it.

During the time it became stuck, and with the pride concentrating it's attention on this hapless guy the other buff headed for the safety of the scrub, however it amazingly returned to help it's bro and fatally paid the price with the pride turning on it, this made sense as it was less of a risk with the other now drawing the attention of large crocs with it trying feebly to free itself from it's muddy grave.

Photo Details: I used my SB900 flash zoom function in this image to try and capture the reflecting croc eyes in the BG.
D3s 500VR +SB900 1/60s f/4 ISO400, slight crop top & bottom to pano.

Photo © Marc Mol

7.16am (next morning)

It's now the following morning and most of the pride are digesting their meal and relaxing in the early morning rays, the no-tip tail female however couldn't resist one last antagonistic confrontation with the mud stuck buffalo which had somehow managed to turn and face the shoreline.
...............truly mortal enemies!

Hours passed and with the lions being sated, didn't bother him again, this poor fellow perished later that evening, falling victim to some large crocodiles. The whole battle experience was truly a memorable experience.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/2500s f/5.6 ISO800

Photo © Marc Mol

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Photographing African Wild Dogs on Safari

BillGiven — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:44:00 -0700

Selinda pack pups focus intently on their mother waiting to be ‘released’ from the den area to play.
© Bill Given

Virtually all of our clients that have the good fortune to view painted dogs mention it as a top highlight because of their fascinating social behaviors and high activity levels. All of this lends to great photo opportunities but because of their quick action and multi-colored coats getting spot on photographs is challenging.

Award winning photographer, Russell Johnson, who conducts an annual photo workshop with The Wild Source has just produced an outstanding free eBook full of excellent advice on photographing African wild dogs. You can download a copy of this great photographic guide here. We are also currently offering space in Russell’s Botswana Photographic Workshop so please contact us to get more details.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Kwando Lebala Camp, Tau Pan Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

BillGiven — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:13:00 -0700

Kwando Lebala Camp, Tau Pan Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

Welcome to two one of the Kwando Safaris Monthly sightings report for October. This blog post provides updates for Tau Pan Camp and Kwando Lebala Camp and is a follow up to yesterday's Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwando Kwara Camp and Nxai Pan Camp updates.

As always, if you have any questions about Kwando Safaris, please contact me.

Kwando Lebala Camp

A young female leopard cub has been the star of the show this month, having been seen several times on her own, and with her mother. The young cub was spotted clambering down from a tree, and trying to hunt birds, before becoming exhausted and lying down for a nap.

A variety of lion were seen this month, including one large pride with seven cubs who were feeding on a buffalo carcass. Tracks for the two shy male lions that have been seen in the Lagoon camp area, were found also not far from Lebala camp, but were too skittish to be seen.

Huge herds of elephants are moving continually to and fro across the marsh in front of camping – perhaps living proof that the grass is always greener on the side! Both at night and during the day, their rumblings can be heard resonating through the camp rooms, as the amble along, feeding as they go. Since the camp itself is built on an island, its only elephant traffic jams that delay guests getting to their rooms.

Beautiful birdlife in the marshes, with special displays from the black egrets – their hunting technique of creating an umbrella out of their wings to encourage the fish to swim into the shadow, is always a pleasure to watch.

Genets, wild cats, spring hares, porcupines, honey badgers have all been seen on the evening game drives. The rarest sighting was of a striped polecat – a small weasel or skunk-like animal that also goes by the name of a zorilla.

Tau Pan Camp

Let’s face it; it would be bigger news if lions were NOT seen at Tau Pan. Well, that certainly wasn’t the news this month. The resident pride (so resident, the camp staff wouldn’t be overly surprised to see them relaxing in the armchairs in the lounge) have been doing their morning stroll to the waterhole before moving off to rest from the heat under the shade of the small trees. Another pride of three males and three females have been venturing in from Passage Pan, and sneaking down to drink at the waterhole whilst the dominant pride is napping. It’s only a matter of time before scuffles break out – and a scuffling group of lions is something to be reckoned with.

When the lions frequent an area in such heavy numbers, it can be hard to see other cats, as cheetah and leopard normally slink around the outskirts and keep a low profile. It appears not every leopard follows the same handbook – or perhaps she was away from class that day? At the end of October, a hot Kalahari afternoon proved too much for one leopard, who decided that the crystal blue plunge pool next to the lounge was the perfect place for an early sun downer. In spite of a number of people being in the lounge at the time, the water was just too tempting, and she spent several minutes lapping up the cool water before slinking off.

Large fires in the Kalahari have helped reduce the amount of moribund vegetation that was building up – this clears the way for the green shoots of grass to grown once the first drops of rain have fallen, and provides a well needed food source for the antelope. As the long dry grass is burnt away, it also provides less cover for the shyer animals, and increases the chances of seeing some more unusual critters. Not really known for the shyness (certainly not around our camp anyway!), honey badgers are, in most places, difficult to see. So it was a very excited group of guests that managed to see a grand total of eight honey badgers in one game drive! Perhaps some kind of convention that we are unaware of?

Good birding this month as well… yellow billed kites breeding close to the camp, black shouldered kites (one of the few birds that can actually hover) and plenty of other raptors.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwara Camp, Nxai Pan Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

BillGiven — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:53:00 -0700

Welcome to part one of the Kwando Safaris Monthly sightings report for October. This blog post provides updates for Nxai Pan Camp, Kwando Kwara Camp, and Kwando Lagoon Camp. Tomorrow's update will cover Tau Pan Camp and Kwando Lebala Camp.

Enjoy this updates - and please contact me with any questions you may have about Kwando Safaris.

Nxai Pan Camp

Without rain, the water hole has become a major meeting point for all the animals …. From the comfort of camp (even from the comfort of their beds!) guests have been able to see lion, spotted hyena, brown hyena, kudu, springbok, zebra, wildebeest, steinbok, duiker and many elephants all drinking at the waterhole! The star of the waterhole visitors this month was one lone wild dog – a rare visitor to the park.

Cheetahs have been our most ‘common cats’ these months, with many sightings of the one adult and two young. They have been have been seen regularly out on game drives, hunting and resting, and one occasion where when they were feeding on a springbok.

Lions, doing what they do best, have been lounging around in the heat, near the water hole. Four adults and five youngsters took a chance to try and hunt around the edge of the waterhole, waiting for appetising antelope to wander on down, but there was no success whilst the guests were watching.

Lots and lots of wonderful general game milling around the area, waiting for the rain as well, and queuing for the waterhole. Black backed and side striped jackals have been adding their calls to the evening sound effects, together with the soft-shoe shuffle of the ghostly white elephants drifting by.

As for the birds – the summer arrival of the Wahlbergs eagles has made life as a small rodent or lizard a tad perilous. These birds too visit the waterhole, together with goshawks and martial eagles. Not a very comfortable time of year for the three scrub hares that normally live in comfort under the main deck… sneaking out for a late afternoon snack of grass roots has become a little trickier!

Kwando Kwara Camp

As the first rain clouds begin to gather, turning the landscape into a kaleidoscope of colours, good sightings abound this month. Grazers and browsers have been plentiful, with large herds of zebras, kudus, and buffalos being seen throughout the concession.

We have also been delighted to see the young ones, with baby tsessebees following their mothers around, getting accustomed to the area – and their legs! We have also been seeing huge herds of buffalos, with these formidable animals grazing, drinking and fighting as part of their daily activity.

Night drives provide the perfect opportunity to come across interesting sightings including side striped jackals sitting by their dens and hoping to pick up left over’s from nearby kills. Jackals mate for life, and one of their offspring often remains with the parents to help raise the next litter of pups. On another game drive to the Splash area, a very relaxed civet was spotted close to the vehicle, giving a rare opportunity to view this animal at close quarters.

A pride of seven lions managed to bring down a giraffe, on which they spent several days feasting, with their cubs in tow. Three brothers from the popular “seven brothers” followed the buffalos for a few days but did not have any success making a kill. Two females with cubs were also seen being followed around by one of the brothers. The mother grunted each time the large male came to close to her cubs, probably sensing danger. During the nights, we have often heard the lions roaring – a wonderful sound to serenade us to sleep!

This month, after several weeks of not seeing wild dogs in the area, we were lucky and came across fresh tracks. Such a discovery could not be ignored, and we followed the tracks until we came face to face with a pack of four – two males and two females – the guests snapped away with their cameras! As the dogs were resting, we were able to stay with them for about 1.5 hours, before they attempted to take down a reedbuck – and caught!

Godikwe lagoon has been top of the birding parade, with its own heronry. Boat trips make use of this wonderful sighting. Pink backed pelicans have also been seen this month!

While enjoying the mokoro activity, we have been enthralled by the plentiful painted reed frogs, and also the Angolan reed frogs that have been appearing in good numbers. On the reptilian front, a large African rock python was found on close to Bat Eared Fox den. The python was dead – there were no indications of injury from another animal, so its death remains a mystery.

The favourite sighting this month was of a cheetah with three cubs which we were able to see for several days. On the first day, the mother cheetah killed an impala, and on the second day after tracking it, she had pulled down a baby tseseebe.

Kwando Lagoon Camp

Swimming lessons continue – hot temperatures without rain, have increased the daily visits to the river by the numerous elephants. Hundreds are crossing the river each day, near camp, and enjoying cooling off in the deep water. As guests lounge in the camp swimming pool looking out, the river gives the impression of a giant paddling pool with elephants of all sizes ‘frolicking’ – if that’s the word to use for a 5 ton animal? Breeding herds cross with a little more decorum than the bulls, the little trunks of the youngsters peeping out from the top of the water, as their feet paddle away to keep up with mum.

An unusual sight called in by the guides one day – a “nesting leopard”. Not some hybrid of a cat and a bird, nor a leopard that had ‘changed its spots’, but a young male leopard that had used his initiative and climbed into an African Fish Eagle’s nest, and devoured two hatchlings. A hard lesson for the mother eagle, to perhaps next time build a nest on not so sturdy a branch…

Although we had no luck with cheetah sightings this month, the lions were seen several times. A couple of intruding young male lions have been seen in the area, always nervous and running away – just waiting for the chance to sneak in and try their strength if the pride males falter in some way. However, the Masalek pride ensuring they kept ‘bulked’ up by feasting on a beautiful Roan antelope, with a couple of warthogs for ‘chasers’.

The big breeding herds of buffalos are still in the area, waiting for the rains to fall so that they can enjoy the new grass. Most of the young will be born around this time, which provides good pickings for the cats of the area.

Now the wild dog pack have left the den – the pups are more mobile – its hard work keeping up with them. The pups are still too young to participate in the hunt – without mucking it up that is – but they are getting used to the idea of being on the move. Although this can make it more difficult to see them, our trackers and guides do an excellent job at finding them regularly, as they move around the Kwando concession.

The good news is that there are still 9 pups – so no mortality amongst the young – always a risk when they leave the den and encounter the dangers of the big wide world.

Although the rains have not yet arrived, most of the migrant birds are here already. The carmine bee-eaters have excavated their nests – miniature caves into the side of the river bank, so this makes a great trip for everyone on the boat – watching them fly in and out of their holes at eye-level.

Night drives this month have featured large porcupines (including one right in the camp!) , a nervous little African wild cat, and seven noisy and rambunctious hyenas feeding on a dead elephant carcass.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Ultimate Zambia Safari Deal for 2012!

BillGiven — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:56:00 -0700

2 Nights Free Plus a Private Guide for Free!

Leopard sightings abound in both South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks.
©Bill Given

Our clients returning from high season 2011 safaris to Zambia were unanimously blown away. Many had combination itineraries with Botswana, and they enjoyed it all but Zambia stood above for the level of adventure with diverse activities, camp intimacy and personalized guiding. Game viewing was shockingly good as well, especially for leopards and elephants, while the night drives are some of the most productive on the continent allowing for a full diversity of species to be sighted.

Zambia remains the premier location for walking safaris while the Zambezi River delivers exceptional water safari activities with canoeing and boat safaris. In high season Zambia continues to be a very good value compared to Botswana and South Africa’s prime safari areas. Based on all this I decided to sit down and craft out an ideal Zambia safari deal to offer in 2012.

Continue reading this blog post to learn more about the safari, or you can view this itinerary in its entirety, by clicking here.

South Luangwa was the birth place of walking safaris and remains an exceptional place for walking experiences.
© Bill Given

I have developed an itinerary that emphasizes all of the best features of a Zambia safari. Old Mondoro Camp in Lower Zambezi National Park has become a real gem in our client itineraries that has garnered rave reviews so that was a must include. In South Luangwa we have a very special relationship with The Bushcamp Company and I worked closely with them to create this special safari offering. The result is an extraordinary Zambia Exploration Safari offered exclusively by The Wild Source and built around the following:

Outstanding and Flexible Guiding:
Old Mondoro offers 3 guides for just a maximum of 8 guests ensuring that all activities are on offer at all times – very unique! In South Luangwa we are including a private guide and vehicle throughout the 8 nights there, allowing guests to divide time between walking and game drives exactly how they want it.

Diversity of Activites:
Game drives, night drives, walking, canoeing, boat safaris, fishing, and cultural visits are all available on this itinerary. However, unlike most safaris where you have to coordinate activity opportunities according to the demand of other guests you have the dedicated guiding to do what activity you prefer at all times on this itinerary (water activities are offered in Lower Zambezi not in South Luangwa).

Intimate Bushcamps:
Each year it seems safari camps get larger and more elaborate. On this itinerary 10 of the 11 safari nights are in camps comprised of just 4 tents/chalets. The accommodation is all very comfortable but in tune with the bush and due to the size the personal service is sensational.

Serious Value:
The deal part of this equation is pricing was done with 2 free nights and also includes a complimentary private guide for 8 nights which is an additional $2,000 value to greatly enhance the safari experience. For serious game viewing this is likely our best high season quality to value deal ever.

We of course continue to specialize in custom itineraries and even this itinerary can be modified to fit individual client needs but it is one exceptional sample of what we can offer in Zambia.

See the Zambia Exploration Safari Itinerary

For all of the details about this Zambia Exploration Safari - including a detailed itinerary, Please Click Here.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwara Camp, Nxai Pan Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

BillGiven — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0700

This is part two of the Kwando Safaris monthly sightings report for September. In the previous blog post, we covered the sightings at Tau Pan Camp and Kwando Lebala Camp. This blog post provides updates on the remaining three camps: Nxai Pan Camp, Kwando Lagoon Camp and Kwando Kwara Camp. Enjoy this final update - and remember that I'm always available to answer your questions about Kwando Safaris.

Kwando Lagoon Camp

As the season changes and the heat of the African summer descends upon us, the elephants have found the perfect plunge pool in the Lagoon channel which they have been witnessed frequently crossing in to the Kwando water body system! Both bulls and breeding herds have made this their stomping ground. Calves were also witnessed making the crossing, using their trunks to ‘snorkel’ their way delightedly to the other side. What a magical sight to see them emerge unscathed!

It seems the buffalo also made their way over to the Lagoon area and were spotted, nearly a thousand of them in the area. It is quite a sight to see when they all move together, kicking up as massive cloud of dust that surrounds them in the midday heat.

The african wild dogs were seen at their ‘new’ den. The parents appear to be doing a great job in caring for their pups as all appeared well fed and in excellent condition! Not only did the wild dogs have successful hunting this month, seen feeding on an impala, but a female leopard with her cub was also seen feeding on the calf of an eland. Another leopard shared her hunting behaviour as she frolicked from termite mound to termite mound scouting the area, to later settle comfortably up a tree. The Malasera Lion Pride seems to have found eland the choice for the menu as well and was seen at two Eland kills. They were accompanied by the two ‘shy boys’ who lived up to their name and slowly sauntered off after being sighted. The pride was later discovered at the airstrip attempting to hunt some warthogs, though their efforts were in vain!

Inter-African migrant birds have started to appear in large numbers as in common this time of the season, accompanying the graceful yellow billed kites and carmine bee eaters in their daily flights. Vultures and other raptors have also been seen frequently along with batelear eagles.

As with at Lebala, the Black-backed jackal and hyenas were seen on night drives. Upon return to camp, the hippos serenade the guests as they prepared for dinner – a wonderful nightly chorus of grunts and snorts as they communicated between themselves. This is Lagoon’s very own evening song to be heard most nights until the dawn.

Nxai Pan Camp

As with Tau Pan, Nxai Pan also was visited by its own pride this month. The watering hole seems to be the choice spot for many as the temperatures start to climb with the onset of a new season. On more than one occasion, lionesses bought their cubs to drink in the cool, refreshing waters before they continued through the concession. A number of cubs have been seen with various females; some cubs estimated to be but three months of age whereas others are older, possibly closer to a year. Elephants have also found the watering hole a welcome respite from the midday sun and large bulls and breeding herds were seen often, some even climbing in to cool off! They were, however, not in the mood to share this welcome oasis with the lions, which they quickly chased away.

The cats seem to be the common theme through all the Kwando areas as the leopard and cheetah were also spotted throughout the month. The leopard, on one particular occasion, chose to sneak through camp and use the walkway as it silently passed between room six and seven. A female cheetah with her two cubs enthralled guests when she commenced a hunt shortly after being spotted! Fortunately for the steenbok which was her chosen prey, she was unsuccessful this day.

That precise little antelope, the springbok, was also seen prancing around along with the gemsbok, impala, wildebeest and zebras. Scrub hares have been seen, a small family even having taken up residence under the deck in the dining area! Late afternoon drives have also allowed for some viewing of the African Wild Cat and the much loved Motswane (honey badger) was also seen exploring the area. The greater kestrel was seen circling the skies and other sightings of birds included the marico fly catchers, chat fly catchers, white backed vultures, and like Tau Pan, the Kori Busturd!

Kwando Kwara Camp

As always, Kwara Concession has been teeming with the majestic wonder and intimate sightings which it is so well known for! A lioness was spotted, attempting to imitate one of her closest rivals, the leopard, as she gracefully perched herself atop a Sycamore tree. As the sun began to set, she vacated her lofty hide and descended silently only to disappear in to the blue bush. Shortly following, a chorus of welcoming from her new cubs floated through the air to the nearby game vehicle. She has cubs! It is always an exciting day to discover new additions to a family!

Nearby, another pride amused themselves with a baboon kill – a mere snack for these vivacious eaters! Though guests are lucky enough to see these proud beasts quite often in the concession, it is always special to see them, especially when they are joined by the awesome presence of three large males!

The resident hyenas entertained some of the visitors. Two clans clashed with long, unfriendly confrontations and threats. These territorial displays between the eleven adults did not, however, evolve in to any physical contact, but a thrilling sighting nonetheless!

The cats continued to demonstrate their presence in the concession with a female leopard taking down an impala which she and her two cubs dined on at sunset. This delicate antelope provided a substantial feast which they were seen feeding on for three days! Game was also found in abundance. Elephants with their slow, methodical gait were ever-present companions to guests on their daily drives as well as buffalo, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, tsessebee and kudu along with the smaller versions of the cat family – wild cats and cerval. Even the often shy and elusive sable antelope was spotted this month, with his princely curved horns which glean in the sunlight. Though a rare sight, they do appear occasionally to the delight of all to see!

As we move in to a new season, the surrounding flora is exploding in all its beauty bringing with it some extraordinary bird sightings. The Xobega Heronry is an extraordinary sight boasting exquisite populations of storks, egrets and herons, amongst others which have been roosting there for some time now.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Tau Pan Camp, Kwando Lebala Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

BillGiven — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:37:00 -0700

Here it is - the latest sightings from Kwando Safaris. These sightings are for the month of September. In this first blog post, we'll be discussing Tau Pan Camp and Kwando Lebala Camp. The next blog post covers Kwando Kwara Camp, Nxai Pan Camp and Kwando Lagoon Camp. Enjoy the update and if you have any questions about Kwando Safaris - please don't hesitate to ask.

Tau Pan Camp

The Tau Pan Lion Pride has continued to be seen, frequently passing by the water hole to drink in the mornings. On one such occasion, they left the pan and after a short walk, found the appropriate resting spot, where the adults lay down whilst the cubs entertained themselves by playing boisterously amongst themselves as the day progressed, to the delight of the guests! The cheetahs also used the pan as their watering hole, however, soon moved off to disappear, expertly camouflaged, in to the bush.

The Oryx Gazella, or Gemsbok, with its long, gleaming black horns, was also seen at the various water holes to then disappear silently in to the surrounding landscape. The springbok, with its exquisite white belly, was spotted on the plains, along with steenbok, wildebeest and kudu. And the cheeky little ground squirrel was seen scurrying along, stopping and rapidly scratching in search of food, to be shielded from the sun with its large, fluffy tail. The slender mongoose also popped its head out of a hole a couple of times to check on the activity taking place around it. And a spotted genet – a rare sighting indeed! – catapulted itself out of its hiding place, and disappeared just as quickly in to shelter of the long grass. This constant activity as guests travel through the area is what makes Tau Pan such an exciting place to visit!

Birds are also seen in abundance in this area - the lilac breasted roller, red crested khorran and the pale chanting goshawk were just a few of the variety of birdlife that has been seen and continues to be seen throughout the days.

Honey Badgers are frequent nightly visitors to the camps; even seen stealthily creeping under the deck of one room to the delight of the occupant! One amazing incident also occurred, where a family of four were spotted as they searched for their breakfast. This interruption in their early morning ritual sent them bounding across the open plain at incredible speed as they sought a hiding place!

Kwando Lebala Camp

Massive herds of elephant, typical for this time of year, have been spotted roaming the Lebala plains this month, feeding on the rich abundance of foliage which starts to appear around this time of year. In fact, the guests do not need to venture far from camp to enjoy the sight of these peaceful pachyderms as they enjoyed a refreshing dip whilst crossing the channel that runs through Lebala camp. These intelligent creatures are frequent visitors to the camps and they are heard most evenings as they wade through the water and lumber softly by the tents. Visitors are gently lulled in to a restful nights sleep with this nightly Lebala lullaby!

A massive herd of buffalo – numbering nearly one thousand – also wondered through camp as they headed South to Twinpools, the old daggaboys bringing up the rear in the protective fashion of the wisened sentry as the calves mewed from within the herd, seeking their mothers.

Twinpools offered some incredible game viewing as usual – with elephant herds numbering up to two thousand at a time! Even the lions which proved elusive in other parts of the concession chose Twinpools as their resting place for a few days. The pride of seventeen lions consists of three lionesses, four sub-adults and eight cubs and is often seen throughout the concession engaging in a variety of activities for the guests to see.

Leopards, luckily, are a regular site in the concessions, but one particular female decided to remain in the nearby vicinity of the camp for a few days, checking out her old routes, used the time to teach her cub a few of the life lessons it had yet to learn. She was also found with a kill – a full-grown male impala! Her kill proved too heavy to drag up to the safety of the nearby tree, making her vulnerable to any competition. Sadly, the hyenas were attracted by her successful hunt and she lost her meal to their determined efforts. It was an exciting encounter to view from the game vehicle!

Other game included giraffe, wildebeest, warthogs, steenbok, lechwe, zebras and hippos. The roan antelope, equally timid and regal as the Sable which was seen in Kwara, was also spotted in the area! As always, the birding was exceptional, from the friendly little carmine bee-eater flaunting its fabulous colours in the air, to the water birds wading through the water on the ground. The painted reed frogs also played their part as their choir twinkled their chorus through the night.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Kwando Lagoon Camp Leopard on the Hunt

BillGiven — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:54:00 -0700

In July at Kwando Lagoon Camp I had what was likely my most interesting leopard sighting ever. We found a young female leopard stalking through the grass and then exploding up into a tree. She was very intent on hunting birds and often made big leaps between trunks and major branches. The leopard would then probe far out on small limbs before descending quickly and jumping to try another part of the tree.

The leaps came with a shocking confidence and she was clearly on a mission.
Her eyes were constantly gazing up in search of prey.
© Bill Given

Eventually she came down from the tree and hunted through the grass before trying two more climbs.
© Bill Given

Having come up empty she proceeded to rest on top of a termite mound striking lovely leopard poses.
© Bill Given

Once again the leopard began to hunt and entered some tall grass. As the light was getting low for my long lens I switched to video just in time to film her quickly pounce on a francolin and come trotting out with her hard won bird.

She then spent ten minutes plucking all the feathers from the francolin before finally enjoying her meal. Continuing to be a show cat completely relaxed in our presence the Lagoon leopard gave herself a bath and then slowly walked off leaving us beaming from the thrill of spending an hour with an active leopard.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Review

BillGiven — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:19:00 -0700

Walks are a great time to observe antelope like red lechwe that often get short changed
as game drives focus on finding the next lion.
© Bill Given

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp:
Featuring Botswana Walking Safaris

The long camp name tells the tale, this is a camp that focuses on walking safaris, which is unusual in Botswana. Sure, lots of camps offer walks but generally as a one off activity. At Footsteps Across the Delta Camp walks are the mainstay and game drives, night drives and mokoro are the additional activities to change it up.

The location in the Shinde Concession is known as Four Rivers, a large and game rich island in the Okavango Delta with the Moremi Game Reserve to the south and is bordered in the east and north by the Kwara Concession. In fact some of the well known animals at Kwara, such as the Tsum Tsum Boys (3 male cheetah) and a group of 4 male lions (part of the magnificent 7) frequent the area.

I heard the lions throughout my nights at Footsteps Across the Delta Camp, overall it was the camp with the most nighttime animal sounds during my latest safari. Many species are naturally wary of humans on foot and walking in an area where that is the daily activity makes a difference as the animals are more accustomed to the sight of walking safaris than in the areas where it is a secondary activity.

Paul and my daughter Ashley on a close walking approach to giraffe.
Being on foot gives a new perspective on the size of these animals.
©Bill Given

The walking focus at Footsteps Across the Delta Camp does mean you spend more time watching plains game, birds, and learning about smaller things such as animal tracks, trees, and medicinal uses of plants. I love including some proper walks on my safari because putting your feet on the ground brings a new respect for the landscape and the animals you encounter. The scope feels so much larger than in a vehicle.

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Guiding: Meet Paul

As always great guiding is paramount but even more important on a walk because the attention to detail is critical and to make the walks fascinating it requires an encyclopedic knowledge of everything that occurs in the natural world. The guide at Footsteps Across the Delta is Paul Moleseng. Paul is both enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He is also very passionate about both walking and his (he’s the manager too) vintage camp. Paul says game drives are like going to a movie while walking is reading a book – far more detailed and up to you to do more interpretation to let the story unfold.

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp:
A One of a Kind Vintage Camp in Botswana

Footsteps Across the Delta camp consists of just 3 rustic safari guest tents
with attached open air private long drop loo.
©Bill Given

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp could be defined as an endangered species as it remains a simple and rustic camp yet exists in a spectacular private concession area. Within Botswana a rustic experience generally means being in a public area, but here you receive the vintage safari camp of past generations and still the enjoy private wilderness that makes a Botswana safari so special. The benefits that come using an exclusive concession include being able to go off road and night drives but most importantly guarantees being able to walk without seeing another vehicle or person on foot. A true wilderness adventure.

The camp is comprised of just three simple Meru tents, each with a long drop bush toilet that is private and attached to the tents by canvas walls. Each tent also has a private bucket shower with hot water delivered by staff. The bucket showers are just a couple steps away from the verandas of the tent where there are wash basins, mirrors and chairs. The service is very attentive leaving guests with the feel of camping but the same kind of attention to detail, right down to hot water bottles in your bed on cold nights, and care that is found in the luxury camps is here as well.

Simple but comfortable with great service.
©Bill Given

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Value, Exclusivity:
Up to 40% off other Camps, Small Size Great for Groups

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp is likely Botswana’s smallest private concession camp with just 3 tents. There are a number of camps such as Little Mombo that have 3 tents but they are almost always an Enclave neighboring a full size camp. In the case of Footsteps it is truly a three tented camp far flung from any others.

This intimate size is ideal for walking since there are six guests or less and for visitors looking for a personal and homey feel in a camp it is certainly a strength. The small size also makes it ideal for groups of 4 to 6 people who can take the camp privately. For a small group of friends traveling together this provides the amazing opportunity to have your own private safari camp and can provide a few nights for you to have your deep interactions without the social distractions of communing with the other guests in a camp – typically a fun part of the safari but I know friends relish having time on vacation to just catch up with one another too.

Ashley on the mokoro with an Okavango bouquet that Paul surprised her with.
© Bill Given

Likewise, Footsteps Across the Delta Camp is ideal for family groups as you can have the camp just for your family. Perfect for parents who want their kids to have an authentic safari experience with in-depth learning as Paul runs the acclaimed Young Explorers Program at Footsteps Across the Delta. The Young Explorers program is custom designed to allow families to discover the wonders of the African bush together. Since you have the camp exclusive for your family the program can be dictated to the ages and interests of all the family members.

Normally exclusivity comes at a high price but Footsteps Across the Delta high season rates are about 40% less than the typical Botswana luxury camp. I rate this a tremendous value to receive top guiding in a prime area with such small numbers in camp. It becomes an incredible value for groups or families taking the entire camp as you now have all private activities, can fully dictate your schedule, and at the same time pay much less than most other camps.

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Review:
Summary

Chacma baboon displays the longest canine teeth in the animal kingdom in a threat display to another baboon.
© Bill Given

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp delivers a one of a kind Botswana safari experience. It has become my favorite walking safari camp in Botswana. It is also ideal for those who like to camp and get ground level with nature.

It is a more raw experience than most Botswana camps due to its rustic set up and walking focus so it will not be the right fit for everyone. However, those looking for an old school safari adventure must consider Footsteps Across the Delta camp.

I can’t emphasize enough what a great fit the camp is for small groups of friends or families looking for a private experience. The guiding is top notch, the area is beautiful, and it is a prime wildlife location. Add the fact that the cost is 40% less in high season than most Botswana private concession camps and you have the unique combination of paying less and while getting the best level of walking. It’s a winning formula for me and has become one of my most recommended Botswana camps.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Mapula Wild Dog Den Discovered By Us!

BillGiven — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:49:00 -0700

Origin of the "Ash Pack"

African Wild Dog Packs are typically formed when members of existing packs wander away, meet up, and form their own pack.

During January, a new wild dog pack showed up in the Mapula Lodge area consisting of four dogs, two males and two females. The dominant male has a torn ear that appears to match with photos researcher Tico McNutt has of a wild dog that was born into the Chitabe pack.

More than likely this dog and his brother emigrated from the Chitabe pack and wandered until meeting the two females who had also emigrated from their natal pack. This is how new packs typically evolve.

The former Mapula pack denned last year in the Vumbura concession to the south with some infrequent returns to Mapula leaving this excellent dog territory open to the new pack. In June the Mapula guides saw the dominant female pregnant and then later in the month saw three dogs hunting and the female missing, evidence that she had denned and was with a litter of pups. The den had remained elusive.

Tracking the Ash Pack

Tracking down the Ash Pack involved getting out of the vehicle and tracking on foot....

On our arrival July 29th the den had yet to be located and the dominant female had yet to be seen. We set a plan to spend the 30th locating the den and early morning my 16 year old daughter Ashley and I set out with the Mapula guide/tracker team of Dicks and Simon. I have shared many adventures with Dicks and Simon and they have often thrilled clients of The Wild Source in the past with their tracking skills.

We found the tracks of the pack hunting very quickly in the morning. We followed them but could not catch up with the pack who had crossed a large channel of water so instead we decided to back track the hunting dogs and find their point of origin which we believed would certainly be the first den for this new pack.

Tracking through varied terrain we depended on occasional patches of exposed earth to confirm that we were still on the right trail.
©Bill Given

The tracking started easy as we found a path that was a wild dog super highway that must be used frequently to reach their favored hunting grounds. Soon the path became sporadic in deep bush so Dicks joined Simon on the ground tracking while Ashley and I drove the vehicle behind them through and sometimes over the thick vegetation. Then it became difficult, in fact, Dicks who tracked to find dens at Mapula in 2007, 2008, and 2009 said this was by far the hardest den he had tried to locate.

From here we were a party of four on foot leaving the vehicle far behind as we stayed on the fresh trail. We had tracked through Mopane woodlands, Kalahari apple thickets, two recently burned areas, African sage and thick grasses. Often there was no clear trail but we would find occasional spits of sand that would reveal that we were still on the correct trail including some areas littered with wild dog scat.

Our Three Hour Tracking Effort is Rewarded

Having worked through such a variety of vegetation our excitement was high when we entered a beautiful little open plain and soon spotted a fantastic looking spread of sand, perhaps a large sand play pen for wild dog puppies. When we reached the sand the evidence was clear as an abundance of dog tracks large and small were immediately visible.

Knowing we had success we kept our victory screams silent and quickly backed away so we would not disturb the dogs. Smiles were huge and once retreated a series of fist bumps, hand shakes and hugs ensued. After a three hour tracking effort we had discovered a new den of the critically endangered African wild dog! As we hiked back to our vehicle we took guesses on how many puppies this suspected first time mother would have.

Meet the Ash Pack Pups

The newly discovered pups have a lot of black still but also developing coats of tan and appeared to be about 9 weeks old.
©Bill Given

We raced back to Mapula, quickly provisioned for a full afternoon expedition as we would now have to find a driving route to this formerly unknown location. Almost as difficult as the tracking, we spent two hours of arduous off road driving, crossing many dicey locations, avoiding getting stuck and having only one flat tire.

The payoff was huge as we came into view of the den and saw the four adult wild dogs. Then behind them puppies, many, came dashing from cover and into their den.

The adults, clearly veterans of safaris barely gave notice to our approach and the puppies had done just what they should with a new sight and sound coming to their area, run for the safety of the den.

About 10 minutes later the mother walked a large circle around the den area looking vigilantly for any dangers. None found she walked to the den entrance, looked down and released the pups.

Nine roly poly little pups exploded out in excitement and we were thrilled. Well fed, healthy and developing their tan markings they appeared to be about nine weeks old. This moment marked the true triumphant return of painted wolves to Mapula and this group was dubbed the "Ash Pack" in honor of Ashley and the lucky mojo she brought to the tracking effort on her first visit to Mapula.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Naboisho Camp Review

BillGiven — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:54:00 -0700

Web Administrator's Note: Bill has mentioned Naboisho Camp and Naboisho Conservancy in his newsletter, and some content was presented in his most recent blog post. This blog post goes more in depth and includes photos and a full on review of Naboisho Camp.

My latest exploration found me at the new Naboisho Camp as the final touches were coming together on camp construction a couple days prior to arrival of the first guests.

Naboisho Conservancy Area

Naboisho Conservancy (50,000 acres) is the latest Conservancy in the growing conservation model where individual Maasai land owners are paid a monthly lease fee by safari camps. In turn the Maasai agree to reduce their livestock grazing in the area and new high quality wildlife habitat becomes available. As a result, Mara North Conservancy along with Olare Orok conservancy have both had unbelievably good big cat game viewing. All this with much lower crowds than are typically witnessed within the Mara Reserve. Naboisho Conservancy is in close proximity to Olare Orok and Mara North Conservancy - I therefore expect similarly fantastic game viewing.

Game Counts

Big cats already have a strong presence around Naboisho Camp. Naboisho Conservancy boasts documented big cat counts of 60 lions, 12 cheetah (including 5 cubs), and 5 leopard. On the large open plain outside of Naboisho Camp we witnessed a mother cheetah with two cubs. Also on the plain were zebra, wildebest, topi, Thomson gazelles, and at least 20 giraffes. The Naboisho Conservancy is showing all the signs of being a great game viewing location.

Naboisho Camp

The tents are lovely large Meru tents with nice appointments. The highlight is the use of local rocks, painstakingly stacked together by local craftsman forming amazing walls for outdoor showers attached to the back of the tents. The use of rock gives the camp a unique flare that I have never seen at a tented camp. Naboisho Camp consists of 8 tents with the option of being twins, doubles, or triples. The tents are well spaced apart for privacy and feature flush toilet, double sink hand basins, and a traditional bucket shower.

There is a central lounge and dining area that will have a central charging facility and be stocked with books and games.

The Rekero Effect

Naboisho Camp is a project by the same principals that have operated the famed Rekero Camp inside the Masai Mara Reserve for years, in concert with their new parent company, Asilia Africa. In fact the former Rekero managers Jono and Dudu are now the managers at Naboisho. Likewise, the Rekero guiding team, under the supervision of renowned guide Jackson Looseyia is expanding to serve Naboisho as well.

Unlike many new camps this makes it quite easy to predict the experience. It will be very similar to being at Rekero Camp of old with outstanding guiding and a focus on a well serviced but simple traditional safari.

Of course the new tents are larger and an upgrade from the current Rekero Camp and there are some distinct advantages of being in the Naboisho Conservancy as opposed to inside the Mara Reserve. Key advantages include:

low density game viewing free of the crowds that often plague the Masai Mara
ability to drive off road for sightings, walking, and night drives

Unfortunately, unlike most conservancy based camps Naboisho will use their Rekero style closed vehicles. They are nice in inclement weather but I prefer to game view and photograph from an open-sided vehicle.

Rekero Camp and Naboisho Camp can complement one another on a safari.
Photo courtesy of Asilia Africa.

Naboisho Camp is a full hour and a half from reaching river crossings so it does make good sense to combine 2 nights at Rekero to focus on the action inside the Mara Reserve if seeing migration crossings is important. Ideally 3 or more nights would then be at Naboisho to deliver the higher quality Conservancy experience. Outside of the Migration time (August through October) it could still be a great combination but I’d also consider staying all at Naboisho on shorter itineraries and even combine it with another Conservancy camp like Mara Plains, Offbeat Mara or Serian for a serious big cat focus.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Naboisho Camp Update - from Newsletter

BillGiven — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:05:00 -0700

Web Administrator's Note: The information in this blog post was in this month's edition of the Wild Source's monthly newsletter: The Roar! If you're not currently receiving The Roar! sign up here.

Please also note that this blog post serves as a follow up to an earlier Naboisho Conservancy udpate that Bill wrote back in November. That blog post was kind of a preview of Naboisho Camp and what Naboisho Conservancy would have to offer. I also expect a more detailed Naboisho Camp update in the next few days written for the blog by Bill.

Naboisho Conservancy Update

Must be the biologist in me, but I get excited to be amongst the first to learn new places.

My most important task on this most recent Kenya safari was to explore the new Naboisho Conservancy, the latest in the successful Conservancy model where individual Maasai land owners are paid a monthly lease fee by safari camps.

The Maasai agree to reduce their livestock grazing in the area and new high quality wildlife habitat becomes available.

Thus far, Olare Orok Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy have become places of staggering big cat viewing without the crowds that occur within the Mara Reserve, and as Naboisho is adjacent to these two conservancies, I expected similar success.

Though I was scheduled to be in Naboisho Camp for its first two nights in existence, as is often the case, the opening date got pushed by a few days. I did see the first guest tents established and had a game drive in the area.

Wildlife and Accommodations at Naboisho

Game counts have been increasing at Naboisho. Currently within the Naboisho Conservancy, there is a documented 60 individual lions, 12 cheetah (including a mother with 5 cubs), and 5 leopards. The tents are lovely large Meru tents with nice appointments. The highlight is the use of local rocks to craft amazing walls for outdoor showers attached to the back of the tents.

Just out of the camp is an impressive open plain where we found a mother cheetah with two nearly grown cubs, about 20 giraffes, and an impressive array of grazers. I believe this is will be a very productive game viewing area.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Kwando Safaris May Sightings Part II

BillGiven — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:01:00 -0700

Web Administrator's Note - this is the Kwando Safaris monthly sighting report for May 2011. This is part II. The last post featured Tau Pan Camp and Kwando Lagoon Camp. This post covers Kwando Safaris Kwara Camp, Nxai Pan Camp, and Kwando Lebala Camp. Special thanks to Kwando Safaris for providing the content for this update.

Kwando Kwara

As we move into the what is traditionally known as the ‘flood season’ , the slowly rising water levels may be the reason that the lions stay close by, allowing us to see them pretty much every day. Lions in the Delta are known to swim across channels, if the situation requires it, however it is not their favourite past time – as can be seen when they hiss and hesitantly put their paws in the water. We can expect to have them around for a while!

The five cubs are delighting us with their playful behaviour, and one could spend hours watching them – as some of our guests do! The lion highlight this month was perhaps the Battle of the Giants: one, of the famous seven males was caught in a fight with the Splash boys, and the noise could be heard in camp the whole night! He survived, but with a few ugly cuts and scratches to show for the ordeal.

A male leopard made a quick escape into a tree with his warthog kill, before the hyenas were able to catch up with him.

Great news on the cheetah front: a female with three cubs has been sighted and she seems to be doing well, with the cubs being in good condition.

We see more and more large breeding herds of elephants, especially in the early mornings and afternoons. Solitary bulls and bachelor herds are also seen very often.

Good sightings of general game, like herds of zebras, giraffe, tsessebe, impala, baboons, red lechwe, wildebeest and tracks of buffalos have been spotted.

Night drives were productive this month. Aardwolf, spotted genet, serval, African wild cat, hyena with pups at the den, and a chameleon! One group of guests had a lucky sighting of honey badger - moving with purpose straight down the road towards the vehicle, the badger seemed completely oblivious of the car that he was heading towards. Only at the last minute, when he was about to bang his head on the tracker’s feet did he suddenly look up and realise what he was about to walk into – at which point he made a swift exit to the left!

Rarely seen even at night, one serval is becoming accustomed to the vehicle, and is being seen regularly around the airstrip, even during day time and this serval also has 2 kittens!

Frogs are competing with each other, and sing their arias every evening. The one sound that dominates is from the painted reed frog, also called the bell frog, and when you hear them you will understand the name!

Sightings of water birds are very good. Lots of egrets, herons, ducks, and geese can be seen swimming and feeding in the floodplains.

Nxai Pan Camp

It was a month with lots of lion sightings. One morning, a male lion was at the camp waterhole, so nobody had to go far to see them. The four lionesses had 2 cubs last month…..this month there an additional three, only a couple of weeks old!!

There is a female leopard around and the guides did see her several times at the same spot. She is relaxed and provides us with beautiful sightings.

The two male cheetahs were also found and the one female cheetah was seen in camp one morning.

Wild dog tracks were seen near Baines Baobab, and even though we don’t expect to see them in Nxai Pan, you never know!

Lots of bull elephants, who congregate to big groups around the waterholes.

General game has been good with lots of giraffe, wildebeest, springbok, oryx, steenbok, impala, kudu and zebra.

On the birding side, we still get excited by the numbers of raptors, big and small. We also see kori bustard, secretary bird, violet eared waxbill, flycatchers and numerous guinefowls.

Black backed jackals never disappoint, and are seen every day.

Kwando Lebala Camp

Sadly we got news that the pride of 17 is now down to 15. Two of the cubs are missing, and we don’t know what happened to them. The mortality rate of lion cubs is high, so it is not overly surprising, but it still makes it a little sad. Lack of food is certainly not a problem that the lions are facing at the moment: the pride was seen with carcasses of giraffe, zebra and on one occasion they were found with three wildebeest!

Magician, the leopard well known to the Lebala guides made an appearance this month, as well as other more shy individuals. The three cheetah brothers are doing well, and have been seen with full bellies having a well deserved rest in the shade.

“Our” pack of wild dogs was around, but in the beginning of the month we saw only their tracks. At the end of the month though the guides and trackers were able to track them down again and we had some wonderful sightings of that endangered predator.

Massive herds of elephants are now in the area - breeding herds with babies of all sizes. They are all coming out of the woodland where they spent time during the rains. But now the floodplains are filling up attracting them in great numbers, due to the abundance of nutritious grass growing there.

Buffalo are also coming out of the woodlands for the same reasons as the elephants. Apart from small bachelor groups, we see more breeding herds now.

As in the Kwara concession there are plenty of water birds in the floodplains. Raptors are a common sighting too, with lots of eagles and hawks.

There are regular sightings of both species of jackals - side striped and black backed, and occasionally spotted hyena can be seen, especially close to camp at night.

One night two chameleons made a surprise visit, sitting in a tree just next to the dining area.

Zebra, kudu, giraffe, impalas, wildebeests added to the number of species seen this month.

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Promote Your Page Too

The Wild Source's monthly newsletter gives you the latest news on wildlife, camps, itineraries, and safari specials each month!

See Our Videos!

The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given

Africa Safari Blog

Kwando Safaris December Sightings Part II

Kwara Concession

Nxai Pan Camp

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Kwando Safaris December Sightings Part I

Kwando Lagoon Camp

Kwando Lebala Camp

Tau Pan Camp

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Amazing Zambia Photo Safari Gallery

Suicide month: A lion pride's battle with 2 buffalo in Zambia's Sth Luangwa NP

Location

Our Story Begins

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Photographing African Wild Dogs on Safari

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Kwando Lebala Camp, Tau Pan Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

Kwando Lebala Camp

Tau Pan Camp

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwara Camp, Nxai Pan Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

Nxai Pan Camp

Kwando Kwara Camp

Kwando Lagoon Camp

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Ultimate Zambia Safari Deal for 2012!

2 Nights Free Plus a Private Guide for Free!

See the Zambia Exploration Safari Itinerary

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Kwando Lagoon Camp, Kwara Camp, Nxai Pan Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

Kwando Lagoon Camp

Nxai Pan Camp

Kwando Kwara Camp

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Tau Pan Camp, Kwando Lebala Camp - Kwando Safaris Sightings

Tau Pan Camp

Kwando Lebala Camp

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Kwando Lagoon Camp Leopard on the Hunt

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Review

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp: Featuring Botswana Walking Safaris

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp: A One of a Kind Vintage Camp in Botswana

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Value, Exclusivity: Up to 40% off other Camps, Small Size Great for Groups

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Review: Summary

Connect and Interact with The Wild Source!

Be a Facebook Fan!

The Roar!

The Wild Source Videos

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp:
Featuring Botswana Walking Safaris

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp:
A One of a Kind Vintage Camp in Botswana

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Value, Exclusivity:
Up to 40% off other Camps, Small Size Great for Groups

Footsteps Across the Delta Camp Review:
Summary