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| | | "Rhino SIghting In North Luangwa by John Coppinger"
29 August 2010 00:00 | | | read more... |
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 | Game viewing Diary | |
| Date: | 19 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Bryan Jackson | | Outing: | Morning Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | Lion, Leopard, Serval, Carmine Bee-Eaters, Elephants playing in the river, Baby Warthogs, Bushbaby, amongst all the Antelope down by the river eating sausage flowers.
This seems to be the common sightings on most game drives these days. I keep going to the Salt Pan in the hope of finding Wild Dogs again. No luck so far, maybe tonight.
We have a film crew coming in the next few days looking to film Carmines, Hippo and Elephant so will be busy running around with them. Hope the rain stays away. John, Stephen & I have all guessed wrong on when the first rains will be. Carols day is today, if it rains, I’m sure she must have been throwing the bones.
| | | | | Date: | 19 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | This morning I went on a short walk which started at 06:05 hours. There was a small herd of buffalo near camp before we crossed. Saw lots of hippos, crocodiles and birds as we crossed the luangwa river. On the other side we saw the white backed vultures in the tree and we went to check there was a dead buffalo. Nothing eating it but lots of hyena foot prints. After that we saw some zebras. kudu, impala, and more buffalos all in one area. Then later we saw white pelicans in the sky mixed with marable storks. Since it is geting very hot at about 09:00 hours we started to walk back before that time so that we got back before 10:00hours. | | | | | Date: | 18 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | This morning I went on a short walk with one guest. We saw a western banded snake eagle. As we walked to the crossing we saw one lion on the other side of the river and after we crossed we tracked him and found him on water pond with a hippo in it. He ran away. Then we went to a lagoon and there we saw zebras, puku, impala, buffalos, sadle billed storks and many more birds. Then after tea we walked back to camp at 0945 hours. | | | | | Date: | 15 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | Having staying at Tafika I was asked to go up to the North Park to help for 3 nights since Ernst had to go to Lusaka to see the dentist. I flew there late morning on 11th October with two guests. We touched the ground at 11:30 hours and drove to Mwaleshi camp for 15 minutes. My guests were telling me that they were disappointed with south Luangwa because they did not see much. I said it happens sometimes you see lots sometimes not. So they told me they were not interested in animal droppings or foot prints but they wanted to see big game. I was worried but I thank God he delivered everything. That afternoon we saw 7 elephants coming to drink, and we watched them for good 10 minutes. The next morning we walked up stream and saw more than 60 wildebeests coming to the river in small groups, hyenas lying in the wet sand to cool themselves, zebras grassing, warthogs, puku, impalas and many different birds. Walking back to camp we came across a big herd of buffalos going towards the camp. We had to walk away from them since I did not want to disturb them so we did and they stayed without moving away. After lunch at about 1300 hours the buffalos started moving and they came right in camp. We watched them coming as we were waiting for our afternoon tea. When I saw them I estimated more than 2000. Then we drove to the confluence to check the wild dogs which were seen in the morning but we did not find them instead we saw crocodiles, pel’s fishing owl and hippos.
The other morning we walked to the small water hole but before we got to this hole we found 5 lions lying on the river bed but they moved off very quickly to the long grass. Then later we saw puku, impala, warthogs on the water hole and a monitor lizard. In the afternoon we went back to the lions and this time we had a very good view of them before they disappeared. Since the guests were leaving on 14th and flying off at 08:30, they asked us not wake them up at 05:00, but that did not work. We were woken up by the barking of the baboons. We thought they barking at the leopard but not. I looked through the window I saw nothing, they barked again and this time looking through the window I saw 6 wild dogs crossing the river and stopped in front of camp. From the other side of the camp I saw two more dogs crossing and met up with the 6. We tried to follow them in the car but they crossed and went to other side that we could not see them again, although we could hear them calling in the grass. My 3 nights stay at Mwaleshi was very enjoyable. Thanks.
| | | | | Date: | 08 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Morning Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | The past two days game drives I did were very good since we saw so many things. One morning we saw a leopard eating the impala up in the tree. While we were there a piece of impala dropped down and the leopard came down very quickly, took it and walked away from us to the tall grass. After that we saw a cub in the sausage tree looking at the puku under the same tree. The other day I did a transfer to Kaingo camp and on the way we found 5 lions under the tree. As we got there one mail stood up, walked to the female and mated. We stayed for 20 minutes and we saw them mating again. Before reaching Kaingo camp crossing there were lots giraffe, buffalos, kudu, elephants and many impalas. We are having good sightings this time since the game is all near the river. | | | | | Date: | 07 October 2009 04:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 7 October
A female Montague’s harrier came past the dining room at low level during tea before the afternoon activity. We then set off for the afternoon walk up stream from camp and found a small group of buffalo grazing along the Mwaleshi River. We then proceeded and found a group of elephants who moved off very smartly when they got our scent on the wind, which was unfortunate as it was a calm scene of feeding elephants with the sun setting behind them in the distance. Another Parade was found close to camp on the way back. Unexpectedly, we found a group of six lions that moved away due to our presence, but we got some good views of them when the vehicle fetched us and we were able to approach them a bit closer than on foot. They were eyeing a group of buffalo lying down close by and we hoped there would be some action during the night.
8 October
On the morning walk up stream, we found four of the lions that we had seen the previous evening watching a group of 4 Cookson’s Wildebeest. Fifty Zebra were counted on a stretch of about two kilometres of riverbank, grazing. We also came across a group of seven elephants crossing the Mwaleshi River and drinking at the same time. There were two youngsters in the group and it was amusing to watch them clamber onto the bank out of the river onto the other side with the adults giving them a gentle nudge from behind to get them up.
The afternoon walk produced a group of nine elephant with a very large tusked cow drinking from the Mwaleshi downstream from camp. We had the wind in our favour and went un-noticed as we positioned ourselves on the bank to watch them slake their thirst.
9 October
A morning walk to the Mwaleshi- , Luangwa River confluence turned out to be an exciting outing. We first found a group of seven elephants crossing and had to wait for them to see which route we should take to avoid them when they came up on the bank. Luckily, they continued across and we could just continue in the same direction. We were following a big male lion’s tracks and judging by their age, he could not be too far ahead of us. Sure enough as we rounded a grassy area, he was there. Lying on his belly in the sand and facing away from us with the wind in our favour. We crept closer and when we were about twenty metres away from him, he smelt a rat and looked around to find five humans peering at him through the grass. He immediately jumped into a full gallop and jumped onto a high bank where he observed us for a while before he sauntered off. His mane was very beautifully coloured, as it was dark with blonde highlights on the edges. I hope he stays around.
At the confluence, there were four fish eagles fighting over some kind of animal remains and a Pel’s fishing owl flew out of a tree above our heads and only afforded us a little bit of a view. There were also Kudu bulls and two Waterbuck coming to the river to drink.
| | | | | Date: | 05 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Alex Phiri | | Outing: | Night Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | Last evening we had a very good drive after we had gone to the Carmine colony to watch the carmine bee eaters going in and out which was so interesting to watch and we spent about 20 mins.
After watching the carmine bee eaters, we went on straight for our drive and we saw things like elephants, baboons, banded mongoose, lots of impalas, puku and the baboon started barking after we had crossed bandas drift and we decided to check but we could not find as the grass was tall and I decided to come and check again after sun set all this was before the sundown.
Having finished our sundown, we decided to go and check on what the baboon was barking at and we found the leopard under the sausage tree and up in the tree was a kill and this leopard had killed the female impala. On our way, we managed to see the following things like genets, white tailed mongoose, three porcupine, civet and a bush tailed mongoose.
| | | | | Date: | 05 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Morning Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | This morning I had a nice game drive since we saw lots of game. There was a big herd of buffalo 10 minutes from camp. They were coming to the river to drink but they picked our scent and ran away. In the distance two elephants crossed the river and walked towards the buffalos. After that we got into the park to check on the leopard which they saw last night. We found her eating the impala. We watched her at least half an hour. As the meat was getting smaller and smaller, the other piece dropped down and she came down quickly walked to it and picked it up and moved away from us, sat down and started eating again. Then we drove further and saw another one lying on the branch in the sausage tree. The antelopes were just looking at this leopard. As I was looking for the tea stop we saw 9 giraffe by the side of the road looking at us as I drove passed them. We also saw kudu, bush buck, crocodiles and hippo. Lovely birds as well. | | | | | Date: | 03 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | Last night game drive started by visiting the carmine bee-eaters colony which is about 5 minutes from Tafika camp. After spending half an hour we drove to the park. As we got to Bandas loop we saw elephants coming to the river and we went near to see them. When we got there they have already started to drink. We watched them until they crossed very close to us. Ten we moved further for sundowner. As Amon our trainee guide was turning round he saw a leopard near the lagoon. Watched him for few minutes and he disappeared into the gully. After our drinks we started our night drive and Amon spotted a chameleon in the bush. A minute later we saw another one. Then we were looking for lions since the guests asked to find lions. We could not find them instead we found three more leopards. After that we saw genets, bushy tailed mongoose, hyenas and another leopard lying on the branch of the sausage tree with the legs hanging down.
This morning I took a walk with 4 guests who wanted to go back to the bee-eater’s colony. They also wanted to see lions. Luckily enough early today we heard the monkeys making an alarm call and the night watch man saw the lions chasing the puku through the work shop. So before we started our walk I asked my guests what they wanted to do first to look for lions first or to go the bee-eater. They said lions and we did. We couldn’t find them for first 30 minutes and Brighton spotted the foot prints. We followed them and we found them lying in the grass. The saw us and walked away. We kept following them and saw them again but they moved off. Then we went to bee-eaters spent an hour and walked back to camp. Few metres before camp I saw pel’s fishing owl on a branch with fish in its legs. Lilians love birds under the tree.
| | | | | Date: | 03 October 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Alex Phiri | | Outing: | Night Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | The last three nights we have been seeing good sightings of leopards and other things like mongoose, civets, genets, giraffe, baboons and the usual impala, puku and elephants crossing the river.
I have been going out with same guests most of the time and they have added up about 21 leopards three nights of stay at remote Africa safaris. Coming to the lions we saw them a night before and last night we had lions near the camp .
| | | | | Date: | 01 October 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 1 October
On the Sundowner drive to the Leopard tree we found a big herd of buffalo crossing the Mwaleshi River. They seemed spooked by something as the whole herd stampeded back to where they had come from. On closer investigation we could hear lions, but did not see them and could only surmise that the lions had attempted to hunt the buffalo and startled them.
2 October
We took a morning drive to the Mulondoshi River where we saw Kudus and Puku on the way. Wild dog tracks were also spotted in the road and we kept an eye out for them, but did not manage to see them.
During the afternoon walk, approaching the Mwaleshi, we found a herd of seven elephants moving and feeding through scrub mopane. A cow with very long thin tusks was amongst the group and it was nice to see them without disturbing their peace as the wind was in our favour and we remained hidden behind some trees.
3 October
After picking up the new arrivals at the airstrip, we investigated a group of vultures in trees nearby. We could not see what they had been feeding on, but we did get a good view of White-headed-, White-backed and Hooded vultures. A Tawny Eagle was also sitting nearby to see if he could capitalise on whatever the vultures were feeding on.
Buffalo tracks on the path way indicated a big herd and we followed the herd up to the Mwaleshi river where we found them drinking. They then moved on to the plain across from camp where they rested under the trees for the rest of the day.
In the afternoon, we found the same herd and they had blocked all our paths to continue the walk so we decided to have a leisurely walk back to camp in the Mwaleshi River.
4 October
The morning walk produced two Hyaena running away as well as the large herd of buffalo from the previous day feeding on a flood plain. We also saw a herd of Cookson’s Wildebeest and a male Kudu come down to drink whilst we were having tea.
5 October
We drove and then walked to Tuwidi lagoon, where we came across many vultures in Mopane trees. As they were still sitting in the tree and we hoped that the predators would still be present. But, we only found the carcass of a buffalo cow killed by lions. There were lion scats present which proved that lions had made this kill, but we could not find them and assumed that they must have gone for a drink at nearby Tuwidi lagoon. Very big leopard tracks were also seen leading to the carcass and we assumed that it also went to feed from the carcass. At the lagoon we waited to see what would come into drink, but only found warthogs and impala and decided to move to a nearby spring and see if the lions had maybe gone there.
As we approached the spring, we could hear sloshing in the water, deciding that a herd of elephants must be drinking, and approached from another angle to get a better view. However, the elephants decided to move in our direction and we had to change our course to avoid them. We then found a large termite mound with a tree on top that worked as a good vantage point . Although we still could not see the elephants clearly, we could hear them and see an occasional ear flapping. A group of Banded Mongoose then discovered us and trotted right up to our mound where they whistled and scurried about trying to make out what we were. We managed to get a good view of them before they decided to saunter off and then we had a hyaena do the same thing. It was sniffing the air and looking into our direction, but could not work out where we were. Eventually his fear of humans got the better of him and he galloped away.
The afternoon activity was to go for sundowners on the Luangwa where we had beautiful light onto the grazing animals and enjoyed the hippo choir at sunset.
| | | | | Date: | 26 September 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 26 September
First a drive and then a short walk at the Luangwa River gave us very good views of a family of elephants. We firstly saw the matriarch suckling her calf and then moved onto a termite mound to see the rest of the herd pass close by without noticing our presence.
Before the afternoon walk, a group of six elephants came to feed in front of camp in the river. They had two young calves with them and it was good to see a breeding herd come as close into camp during the day as it was quite unusual.
Later on during the walk, we came across four lions lying on the bank of the Mwaleshi. There were two adult females and the two cubs. The injured one’s face was still swollen, but seemed to be healing.
27September
The morning walk took us up-stream on the Mwaleshi where we found Cookson’s Wildebeest, Hyaena on the beach and a large herd of Zebra.
In the afternoon, we took a drive to the confluence for sundowners. Kudus and Waterbuck were seen on the way there and a female Leopard on the way back to camp.
28 September
Elephants were the theme of the day as we saw them on the morning and afternoon walk. What was pleasing about the afternoon sighting was that we found them going down to the river and were able to watch them mud bathe and drink, which always makes for good entertainment.
| | | | | Date: | 25 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Bryan Jackson | | Outing: | Morning Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | We have been busy so I haven’t done my game viewing diary for a while. Everything is starting to run together, so will put everything down as though it was all on one day drive.
Going through my records for the past month of Leopard & Lion sightings I have seen an average of 1 sighting a day for each. A total of 30 Leopard sightings, 43 leopards. And 30 Lion sightings, obviously a lot more lion as we see the pride of 12 around Tafika often.
The big herds of Buffalo (300-500+) are coming down to the river twice a day to drink. 6 Buffalo drown the other day close to camp, we think Lion must have chased them and in their panic they could not get up the bank. The watchman tell us the Lion & Croc were fighting over the carcasses in the early morning.
The Giraffe love having the Sausage trees in flower, rapping their long tongues around the flower stems and hoovering down all that fresh new growth.
The Leopard are starting to change their hunting patterns because of the heat, hunting more in the early morning when it’s cooler. We are still seeing them in the evening, lounging around enjoying the cool. Last night we came across a female up the top of an Ebony tree chasing Baboon, she was happy at the top, but coming down was a problem. A bit tricky, she eventually reached a branch 2m off the ground and just sat there.
Seeing Serval at the Salt Pan at night is becoming a regular feature, most drives see at least 1 if not 3-4, all within the wetland area around the spring.
Porcupine are more worried about finding something to eat than running away from the spot light, we had two walk in front of us across the road less than 10m’s away.
Genet posing in a tree, young Bushy-Tailed Mongoose using the spot light to catch insects.
The Elephant shrews are still running away. Not sure if we will ever be able to change their habits.
We have put up two hides at the Carmine colony close to Tafika, I was there the other day when a large herd of Buffalo came down to drink, on the opposite bank fortunately, would have been exciting and a little nerve racking with 500+ Buffalo around the hide.
Hippo have become Sausage hunters, going from tree to tree looking for fallen fruit, well worn trails weave everywhere.
| | | | | Date: | 24 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Chikoko Walking Trail | | Camp: | Chikoko Walking Trails | | Blog: | After spending one night at Tafika I went for another long walk. I had been requested by Patrick and Alison to take them on this walk. But I had 4 more guests who joined us. So I left on 18th September starting with crocodile camp. On the crossing point there is a carmine bee- eater colony that when we were crossing they all flew off. There is also a small channel which we use for our canoes to cross and two hippos ran fast going in to opposite directions. On the other side we saw a hyena which I thought he was drinking water. After crossing we saw a herd of buffalo, zebra, waterbuck and elephants. In the afternoon at crocodile camp we walked to the Luangwa River where we saw crocodiles. But before we got to the river on a dried lagoon, a bull elephant was eating some ebony fruits. He did not noticed us so we sat down by the tree and watched him for a while. He was between 200 and 300 metres way from us. The next morning, few minutes after we left camp were lots of animals in one place like puku, elephants, impala, buffalo, zebra and warthogs. That afternoon walk I went to a place to check where I thought we missed an Ardvark since we saw the dust and when we got there we could hear something inside the hole but there was nothing. We only found kudu. At night some elephants came into the camp to eat the ebony fruits.
In the morning on 20th we saw a family of elephants one of them has one task missing, so when we walked to chikoko we saw the same family half way between crocodile and chikoko camps. Getting near chikoko river we had plenty game and we stopped for tea by the river. That day in the afternoon we walked to the carmine bee-eater’s colony then to hippo. While watching the hippos elephants came and started crossing. About 5 different groups crossed one after the other. Time was against us so we had to go back before dark. Two baby hippos were play fighting but we left them. The walking camps are now fantastic because there is lots of game. At night a hyena came in to camp and took our hot chocolate that I was not happy since I like to drink in the morning before our walks. The other walk we saw bateleur eagles on a branch, verreaux’s eagle-owl flying away. Later that day we saw pel’s fishing owl in an ebony tree. Again at night the elephants came to my house that they kept me awake so I said to myself if they come again I will chase them away so that I can have a good sleep. The other day we walked back to the river to watch the elephants crossing. When we got there we saw a dead a hippo and some of them were leaking the dead hippo which I have never seen before. There were no crocodiles eating I think may be because it was not opened. We went back to check the following morning still no crocs eating. We also saw a civet which came very close to us less than 20 metres. We finished our walk on 24th and before the crossing to Tafika after tea a big herd of buffalo walked to the river for a drink. We watched them at least 20 minutes and left crossed and back to Tafika.
| | | | | Date: | 23 September 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 23 September
Ten lions, roaring out in front of camp, did the morning wake up call. Once it became light enough, we could see them all spread out on their sides with full bellies.
In the afternoon, we took a walk where the lions might be and were not disappointed as they came to drink from the Mwaleshi. The female with only one eye was identified, so it seems as if they are the residents for this season. One of the cub’s faces was badly swollen and had a raw patch above the eye, which must have happened during a feeding frenzy.
24 September
A morning walk upstream started out well with twenty five zebra and three different groups of wildebeest A Bateleur Eagle was also found feeding on a terrapin carcass. At the tea stop, a huge herd of Buffalo materialized out of the bush and came down to drink. Two male Kudus also showed them selves to us and even came closer to browse on some new growth on a Natal Mahogany. Six Hyaenas were lying in the river digesting their meal as their stomachs were bulging from under them. A yellow billed kite was feeding on intestines lying in the river which must have come from the Hyaena kill. A young Fish Eagle robbed him of his spoils, just to have a White-headed vulture come and do the same to him. After the tea stop whilst crossing the river, I noticed some activity close to where we had tea. A pack of African Wild Dogs were chasing Puku across the beach. They did not have much chance to catch up to the Puku and gave up the chase. They then made their way back to the river where they lay down in the shade of a fallen log. By this stage, we had managed to get back to our tea stop position and watched them from closer quarters to count eleven individuals. They then decided to come for a drink and it was quite comical to see them shying away from their reflections in the water.
A little bit later, one of the Hyaena decided to start chasing Puku and was soon joined by three others. It only seemed like a half-hearted attempt, but they did succeed to chase all the surrounding game away at the same time. Slowly they then returned to the river where the Wild Dogs tweaked one’s curiosity. As soon as the Dogs noticed the intruder they surrounded it and attacked its rump which is the Hyaena’s most vulnerable part and avoided the dangerous snapping jaws. The skirmish only lasted a few seconds and they all went back to their resting spot while the Hyaena loped off.
We stayed to see if there would be any more action, but eventually we had to give up and make the long walk back as the light was failing.
25 September
During the night, there were many lions calling around camp and we decided to see if we could find them. We headed downstream and a male lion roaring ahead of us, aided tracking. We could not find any tracks, but had a good idea which direction he was by the roars and headed away from the river along an elephant track. Eventually we found fresh tracks and shortly after heard a snarling growl in the nearby bushes, which we assumed was the male. However, not long after that, the roaring started again ahead of us and we assumed that it was a female that growled at us. We then continued and could hear him very close, but could not get a visual through the thick bush. Lamek, the scout then noticed movement and saw the Lion moving away from us. We determined his direction and moved onto an open patch where we could get a clear view of him once he passed through. However, the Lion had other ideas and came back along the path where we were sitting low to see him. At a distance of about fifteen metres, he noticed us and just stared at us intently for about a minute and then turned around and returned to the thickets.
| | | | | Date: | 20 September 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 20 September
A Fly-by, by a Glossy Ibis started the morning walk, which turned out to be a good omen as we found a beautiful Pel’s Fishing Owl that flew out of a tree and perched in the top of a Mopane tree where Barry Stephenson managed to take a good photograph of him. We also saw a lone elephant bull feeding and a large herd of buffalo completed the walk for us.
21 September
In the morning, we walked to Tuwidi lagoon where we found Cookson’s Wildebeest, Impala and Warthog coming to drink.
In the afternoon we took a drive to the Leopard tree for sundowners. On the way there, we saw Dwarf-, Banded- and Slender Mongoose. Wildebeest, Elephants and Zebra were spotted on the plain below while we watched the sun sink away.
22 September
A day trip to the Mwaleshi Falls where we found four groups of elephants on the way there. One cow had extraordinarily long tusks, which is unusual for cows in this part of the world.
The small rafts of Hippos were still present at the pool below the falls, which is probably due to the high water levels this year.
| | | | | Date: | 17 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Chikoko Walking Trail | | Camp: | Chikoko Walking Trails | | Blog: | I took another walk to Chikoko and Crocodile camps on the 8th of September. I started with Chikoko camp where we stayed for two nights. On our two nights stay we saw 43 elephants crossing one morning, a small herd of eland, a big herd of buffalos more than a thousand, giraffe a leopard on a kill. We tried to go back to the kill for the leopard but she was not there. There are plenty water bucks now at Chikoko, zebras everywhere puku, impala and bush bucks are also around the camp. After that we moved on to Crocodile camp and on the way there lots of baby elephants swimming in the river, fish eagle on the nest at the lagoon. One afternoon at crocodile camp we walked to Luangwa River to check on the elephants crossing but this time no luck so we head on to other place. As we were walking Batwell the scout whispered to us ‘leopard’. But by the time we looked I only saw the tail going into the grass and I said that’s all she has gone. We walked towards where she went and fair enough she was there in the grass lying looking at us. My guests had time to take some photos since she did not move. We were there for at least 15 minutes and we had to move time was jealous. After two nights at crocodile I thought I was coming but I was wrong because in the evening I was asked to go the crossing to meet other guests to take them to chikoko for two more nights. So I did and was very happy since I like staying up there. This time we did not see leopard or lion but good sightings of the usual stuff. We also visited the carmine bee eater colony which is near chikoko camp. Again I thought now this Is it I am going back to Tafika but not they asked me to meet up with Isaac swap guests and walk them to crocodile. Isaac and I we were like passing ball to each other since we were meeting in the bush and swapping guests nearly every morning and it worked very well. I stayed out there from the 8- 17 September. I loved. This is the best time to be out there so many animals around. | | | | | Date: | 16 September 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 16 September
A morning outing to Tuwidi lagoon where some warthog came out to drink and then a herd of three elephants. Unfortunately, they got our scent and moved off before they could have a drink.
Back at the airstrip we found the Kittlitz’s plover family again. What was interesting was that they were quite relaxed feeding along the fallen logs. The mother then suddenly called out the alarm and they moved away from the airstrip. Shortly after we could hear the aeroplane and she must have realised the danger being so close to the strip and took them to safety.
In the afternoon, we walked downstream where Lion and Hyena activity had been reported, but we only found a group of feeding elephants.
17 September
On the morning walk, we found elephants close by in tall grass where we had limited views of them.
A group of twenty-nine Cookson’s Wildebeest gave us a beautiful show of their apricot flanks. One would have thought they had been paid for the cooperation that they showed and only ran off once the bull became restless.
Later on during the walk we were confronted by a hippo running out of a shallow lagoon. Fortunately he turned away when we did some shouting and we were happy to see his rear end disappear into the tall grass.
An elephant bull with large tusks was also spotted on the way back to camp.
18 September
A day outing to the Mwaleshi falls. A Lappet- Faced Vulture nest was spotted on the drive to the falls. We were also pleasantly surprised to find a Leopard tortoise walking along the path on the walk. A flock of European Bee-eaters made their presence known by flying over our heads which were the first for the season.
19 September
On the morning walk, our objective was to find the lions. After a long while we found spoor that lead us back to the camp where we eventually found them due to Special’s alertness as they lifted their heads a bit out of the tall grass and he spotted them. Unfortunately, we did not have a clear view and then heard them running off after a few moments.
The afternoon trip out to the Mwaleshi Luangwa confluence was highlighted by a magnificent Kudu bull which was not at all fussed by us driving up close and taking photos of him.
| | | | | Date: | 12 September 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 12 September
Waiting for the aeroplane at the airstrip in the morning, we noticed a mother Kittlitz’s Plover with her two young chicks. They must have been only a few hours old as she was very protective of them and they looked like fur balls on toothpicks.
There had also been lion and buffalo activity close to camp and we headed back there to see what was happening and weren’t disappointed to first find the buffalo walking towards a lagoon. We decided then that we would move around them to see if any lions were following and soon had a bush explode with seven, roaring, growling lions in front of us. One young male, was disorientated and headed straight into our direction, but luckily turned tail when we shouted at him. We could see the rest of the pride moving off in the long grass and sighed with the sound of our hearts beating in our mouths.
The PM walk had us find a herd of about hundred buffalo.
13 September
On the morning walk down stream, monkey alarm calls alerted us that a predator was around. We tried to find the direction that the monkeys were calling in ,but were surprised to hear something jump from the tree in front of us ,which we assumed was a monkey. However, Special’s keen eye sight spotted a female leopard watching us from the dappled light, which was of course perfect camouflage for her spotted coat. At least the whole group managed to see her before she vanished like a vapour into the under brush.
When we continued, we found fresh male lion tracks, which we followed downstream along the river. Approaching a thicket of grass, some loud growls suddenly warned us that there were lions close by. We could not see them, but the swish of a tail every few seconds betrayed their position. Deciding to move around, to open ground where we could see them better, a hippo surprised us from the river at close quarters, which put another angle to the danger in front of us. Nevertheless, he moved along towards the lions, which made them growl more, and gave us a quick glimpse of them as they ran off.
14 September
We decided to do a trip to Mofwa lagoon close to the Luangwa where we saw Kudus, Waterbuck, Puku and Impala.
On the afternoon walk we saw a Wahlberg’s Eagle with a Red necked Francolin in its talons..
15 September
On the morning walk, we came across seven lions lying in the Mwaleshi River with full stomachs. The pride consisted of 3 males of various ages, two cubs of about six months old and 2 lionesses. One of the lionesses had her left eye missing and a slack jaw, but she looked in healthy condition and it even seemed as if she might be lactating. Whether she was the mother of the two cubs is unknown.
We then found a herd of thirty-seven Cookson’s Wildebeest coming down to drink at the river.
On the way back to camp, we found three very full hyenas and lions also. It turned out that they were the same pride as earlier as the injured female was identified in the group. | | | | | Date: | 09 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Alex Phiri | | Outing: | PM Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | Another interesting game drives starting from 5th of September to 9th we have been having good sightings of leopards and lions killing buffaloes.
Last night, we saw about five leopards three on one place and two on another place called chimbwi lagoon. The two which were at this lagoon had a kill which they killed the other night and this time they had finished it.
We also saw other animals like elephants, impala, puku, baboons, bushbucks and few zebras all these were before sundown. After we had our sundown, we saw two porcupines, six genets and one hyeana.
| | | | | Date: | 07 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Alex Phiri | | Outing: | Morning Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | This morning the guests wanted me to find them a day time leopard and I decided to go to the riverside as I thought to see a leopard . On our way out, just after passing the gate we saw some lion trunks and they looked to have gone in the thickets .After driving for about 10mins I heard the baboons barking and we looked around we saw two sub adults females part of the salt pan pride and we watched them for about five minutes and we left .The baboons continued barking where I was going and we saw other two lions and they looked to be very full and in a distance I saw some vultures landing we decided to go and have a look and we saw a died buffalo killed by the lions but they were no lions, I looked around, I saw the three male lions who had killed this buffalo. We watched these lions for about 20mins and we went to the kill and this time , the kill was covered with the vultures.
There after we decided to have our tea and after that we thought of proceeding to look for the leopard but we did not see and we decided to came back to camp.
On our way, we saw some birds like pelicans, crown cranes, lovebirds and doves.
| | | | | Date: | 06 September 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 6 September
A morning walk took us all the way to Serendipity plain where we found a big herd of Buffalo grazing accompanied by 15 Zebra and a Wildebeest. There were also Carmine Bee Eaters excavating nests in the bank and we had a good view of them flying out from their holes. On the way to Serendipity plain, we also found six hyenas resting in the river with very full bellies. A Whimbrell was spotted feeding close to the Carmine bee-eaters.
In the afternoon we walked downstream along the Mwaleshi to see if we could find another herd of buffalo that the staff reported seeing in the morning close to camp.
It did not take long to catch up with them as it was a very large herd and their dung was spread everywhere that made tracking easy. An Impala alarm call alerted us to a lone lioness lying on the riverbank. She ran off, but pointed us into the direction of the rest of the pride and we were able to spot six lions lying in the cool sand, watching the grazing buffalo. A group of elephants also appeared and were about to cross the river where the lions were lying, which would have made for some interesting viewing. Unfortunately we had to turn back to camp as it was getting dark and we had to walk a fair distance still before we could reach home.
7 September
The first Blue Cheeked Bee-eaters of the season chirping overhead were recorded during the morning walk. We also saw nine elephants coming down to drink during the morning tea stop.
In the afternoon we took a sundowner drive to the leopard tree where we saw Cookson’s wildebeest and Banded Mongoose on the way there.
8 September
A short morning walk to the lagoon behind camp where we saw a pair of Saddle billed storks feeding in the shallow water and a Fish eagle keeping a beady eye on them.
In the afternoon we walked north of camp where a big herd of Buffalo came to graze on the flood plain. They were very curious about us and came within 50 m of our group to see what we were. After a few snorts at us, they turned around and let us go off in peace. The route back was following along the bank of the Mwaleshi where we suddenly saw an elephant trunk reaching into the trees in front of us. We turned around and moved away, but as soon as we turned around to see what the elephant was doing he caught scent of us and did a mock charge at us. Luckily he did not come too close and could not have been disturbed too much as he immediately started feeding again.
9 September
A walk in the morning had us follow a lion’s tracks along the road. Unfortunately, it went into the long grass and we lost the tracks. The same herd of buffalo of the previous afternoon were spotted on the bank and we had tea watching them graze. Two Hyena were also spotted lying in the shallow water watching us. On the way, back pair of Brown Snake eagles was seen and we had a closer view of them when they flew overhead.
The afternoon walk was taken downstream when we saw a herd of elephants crossing the river. One of the cows had very large tusks and a youngster accompanied her. We also found a lone Waterbuck bull and Cookson’s wildebeest on the way back.
10 September
We started the walk following fresh leopard tracks that seemed to be only up to an hour old at the most, hoping that we would catch up with the animal where it might be resting in a tree. We first found a group of buffalo that came to drink and by skirting around them we must have flushed a predator as a troop of baboons suddenly started alarm calling from a tree. They were very excited and we could hear the progress of the animal through the bush as impala and Bush-Buck alarm calls marked its path.
Our group then were lucky enough to find a Hyena on a Puku kill. Half of it had been consumed already and the Hyena was tearing into it greedily. It was not long before the first vultures arrived. The Hyena rushing at the vultures and snapping at them as the birds flew away entertained us and the camera shutters were snapping non-stop.
After tea we walked across a flood plain where a leopard suddenly rushed out of a thicket, but it was too fast for the group to notice it, but the tracks at least confirmed that it was not a figment of my imagination
| | | | | Date: | 06 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Stephen Banda | | Outing: | Morning Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | Yesterday morning I went on game drive with two guests who came sometime back. They are very keen on birds so our drive was very slow going. Reaching at Bandas lagoon we saw some vultures flying not far from where we stopped. We went on to see what was there only found some blood. Further down we saw more vultures landing and when we got there we found a dead buffalo. We did not see the lions at the kill since it was almost finished and they have left. We drove away about 100 meters for tea stop while watching the elephants drinking. After that we started driving back and as I went to check on M300 loop we saw a leopard lying under the mopane tree. She was very calm that we got very close to her about 30 meters. Few minutes while we were there she moved to a dead log climbed on top and lay down. | | | | | Date: | 04 September 2009 04:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 4 September
A morning walk to Elephant lagoon, but true to its name, we were not able to get to the lagoon as elephants constantly blocked our path. We also saw a Tawny eagle rob two Wahlberg’s eagles of their prey. In the afternoon, the elephant theme continued and we watched a herd of eight walk across the plane in front of camp to drink in the river. We were able to watch them from close up down wind from them where they did not notice our presence.
5 September
A day drive to the Mulondoshi river south of camp was undertaken. A variety of game was seen including buffalo, zebra and a lone hippo in a lagoon close to the Mulondoshi River. At South Gate we found elephants coming to drink at the Luangwa river during lunch where we could watch them splashing and cajoling in the deep water. Later on we also found a whole family group of elephants feeding on an acacia tree. It was interesting to watch as they were very relaxed and we could watch all the interactions between the various members of the herd. On the way back we saw a good view of a Civet and not long after we also found a large spotted genet which we could compare to the civet.
| | | | | Date: | 04 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Alex Phiri | | Outing: | Night Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | This was the afternoon drive when we went to the saltpan area as it was reported that they were wild dogs. We saw a big herd of buffalo coming to have a drink at the pan, we watched them for a good period of time and we had our sundown after wards.
After we had our sundown, I decided to go to kankonje area about 500m from the hot spring. On our way to the area we saw two lioness and one male coming towards the hot spring, we watched them for about 10min and we continued to kakonje . Whilst there , we did not see anything apart from the genets. We thought to come back to the hot spring but on the way back, I heard the warthog screaming and I thought to go and see although it was off road and it was the three lions killing the warthog. The male managed to hold the warthog and pushed the two females away. The lioness decided to sleep while the male started eating the warthog although it took about 20mins to die.
The warthog screamed a lot because the male eating it while alive. And finally we decided to come to camp; on the way we saw more genets, civets and mongoose .
| | | | | Date: | 04 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | Bryan Jackson | | Outing: | Morning Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | I had an incredible days viewing yesterday, 5 Leopard sightings, all in the daytime. 4 separate Leopards. 12 Hyaena, Giraffe, Elephant, Impala, Puku, Tawny Eagles, Kudu, Buffalo, Large flocks of Lillian’s Love-Birds & Pels Fishing Owl.
It started when we saw a group of Elephant on the open plain walking on a mission to somewhere only they new. We followed, got in front, took photos, left them, meet them again, left them and finally watched them come down onto the beach and cross the river. In between all this we saw 3 Hyaena one with a buffalo leg in its mouth running along the road the other 2 chasing, trying to get their share. A female Leopard come up out of a gulley, stand looked at us then move off into a thicket. A male Kudu, 3 females and 2 young feeding on the Capparis bushes. We sat on the beach at Chimbwe watching 6 Giraffe trying to decide whether or not to cross the river. Several hundred Buffalo came down behind us onto the same beach to drink. Another vehicle arrived on the opposite to watch the action. This made up the Giraffes minds, they turned round and walked back up the beach. We were about to leave when John said here come the Elephants, they walked down to the car, stopped, looked, shook there heads, walked around us to the water and crossed over. We drove off the beach up onto Chimbwe lagoon to see another Leopard walking off to a dense thicket to rest up for the heat of the day.
The night drive I was feeling lucky so jokingly said any requests, Peter said daytime Leopard would be nice. No problem sir.
Can you believe, 3 separate daytime sightings, one lying on a branch (classic pose) another grooming itself watching 3 Hyaena eat the remains of its kill. 2 Tawny Eagles were also helping themselves to the scrapes. And the last, the best view, a young female cub (maybe 10 months old) lying next to the road at eye level. She got up, stretched, and walking across the road in front of us.
Sundowners at Three Hippo Lagoon, open grassy plains with a full moon. Not a bad place to celebrate 3 Leopards.
We came across 3 separate groups of Hyaena, one eating left overs, another group running round laughing and giggling under a tree with a Leopard kill in it.
To cap the drive off Pels Fishing Owl with a fresh catch sitting in a tree.
| | | | | Date: | 03 September 2009 16:00 | | Guide: | Bryan Jackson | | Outing: | Night Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | We went to check out the 13 Lions that had made a kill on our drive yesterday, they had moved down the road 400m, flat out fast asleep in the long grass. We could only see 10, but I’m sure they were all there. We could hear Buffalo in the back ground so drove round hoping that the Lion might start hunting. Fat chance, they were still full from the last Buffalo kill, and did not move.
Drove along John’s road for a short way, it was fairly quiet. We did see 5 Swallow-tailed Bee-Eaters, tried desperately to get close so we could take photos, but they would fly just far enough away each time to frustrate us.
Back down onto riverside to find a young male Leopard walking from Banda’s lagoon to a tree with a kill. When he saw us coming he raced back to the tree grabbed his kill and tried to climb higher, unfortunately for him he had picked a bad tree, it was full of creepers and thorns and no space to move. Exhausted, he gave up, hanging onto his prize with one paw he lay there panting. He eventually moved it into a position to keep it safe.
One Hyaena lay waiting at the bottom of the tree hoping the leopard would drop the Puku.
| | | | | Date: | 02 September 2009 16:00 | | Guide: | Bryan Jackson | | Outing: | Night Drive | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | The plane arrived late last night so we only got into the park just before sunset. Elizabeth had come to celebrate her 70th Birthday with her 3 children. There was much excitement as we drove toward the gate. Stopping for all the birds and Baboons. I intended to stop at the river on Banda’s drive for sundowners, but the river was proving a little difficult to get to, due to us stopping to look at all the birds. There were a lot of Antelope around, and they seemed to be nervous, we were keeping our ears open for those tell tale alarm calls.
Everyone was having G & T’s, (seems to be the drink of choice on Safari). No sooner had we poured them then Puku and Impala started calling, we waited until everyone quickly downed their drinks and off we set in search of what ever the Antelope had seen.
A young male Leopard was walking across the open ground all antelope eyes focused on him, we followed him for a short way. Lloyd noticed some other eyes in the grass 100m away, another Leopard; we drove round to have a look to discover another young male Leopard. He sat and watched us until the first Leopard started walking toward him, they walked to each other, greeted as cats do then turned toward the car and walked to a gulley behind us. Two bothers approx 2yrs old, waiting for their mother to make a kill. As they walked pasted the car, Hyaena started laughing and giggling to our right. We drove across to have a look, 7 Hyaena fighting over a Puku. We made the assumption that the Leopard mother had made a kill and the Hyaena had taken it over.
It was 7.15 so we headed back to camp for everyone to have a shower and get ready for dinner.
| | | | | Date: | 02 September 2009 00:00 | | Guide: | John Coppinger | | Outing: | Microlighting | | Camp: | Tafika Camp | | Blog: | A great morning flying- John saw 13 lions on a buffalo kill at the end of our driveway - they were the salt pan pride on a safari out the park. Behind Crocodile Camp he spotted a dead giraffe with two leopards scavenging on it..... we will ask the walk who were heading in that direction if cause of death could be determined as one would not expect the leopards to be responsible. Two buffalo herds, great elephant sightings, a family of warthog and other general game were also abundant. Lynn, John's passenger, landed in time to join the game drive which spent an hour watching the lions fill their bellies to impossible sizes with all the antics of a family finishing off the Sunday roast! | | | | | Date: | 01 September 2009 05:00 | | Guide: | Ernst Jacobs | | Outing: | Morning Walk | | Camp: | Mwaleshi Camp | | Blog: | 1 September
A morning walk down stream along the Mwaleshi where we saw a Fish Eagle, feeding on intestines that it must have scavenged from a kill in the river. A Yellow billed kite tried to steal it from him, but was seen off with the eagle obscuring the prize with its wings.
In the afternoon we went to the Mwaleshi – Luangwa river confluence where the sight of all the hippos on the banks made for good photo opportunities. An African skimmer was also seen flying along the Mwaleshi which is an unusual sight in the area.
2 September
At 5h30 am, splashing was heard in the river close to camp and on inspection, 10 lions were seen crossing the Mwaleshi. It consisted of eight adults and two youngsters including a sub adult male. We tried to find them during the walk as we could hear baboon and impala alarm calls, but failed. On the way back to camp a Lanner falcon swooped on some small birds, but did not manage to catch any.
3 September
A walk to Fish Eagle lagoon started out quiet, although we had a good view of a pair of Western Banded snake eagles mating. We then started finding more game as we approached the lagoon with buffalo tracks showing that a big herd was in the area. Our anticipation was rewarded as we arrived at the lagoon as there was just a big black mass of buffalo drinking from the lagoon and wallowing in the mud. We had the wind in our favour and were able to approach to a reasonable distance without them noticing us. Whilst watching them, there were also impala and warthog coming to drink without us disturbing them. We were also lucky to see a pearl spotted owl on the drive back to camp, perched in a tree next to the road.
The afternoon walk produced two elephants close to camp which gave us good views of themselves.
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