Mwaleshi last safari.

I arrived at Mwaleshi camp on 8^th October to finish the season from Greg who have been here for two months. My first guests arrived on 9^th of October late morning. We had our first walk in the afternoon and saw one wildebeest, elephants, puku and impala. The next day we went up stream and saw a big herd of wildebeests, hyena lying in the water. In the afternoon we drove to the luangwa and walked there. On the bank there were three lions lying flat. The next morning while in camp we heard lion roaring so we went to have a look we found him under the wait a bit thorn bush. We went on until we got to the confluence of the Mwaleshi Luangwa river. The guests left on 12^th.

The new guests arrived on 15^th October late morning. On their first walk we saw two families of elephants both with very small babies. On our morning walk we saw a herd of wildebeests, puku, impala and later 11 lions eating a wildebeest. We watched them for 20 minutes and left them since it was getting hot. On our afternoon walk we had a short one since we found another pride of 4 lions lying under the acacia tree. But before the afternoon tea our resident elephant Groovy(chippy) came near the dining room that we had to chase him away for the guest to come for tea. My guests wanted to see buffalo and we did not found them but the day they left as I was driving back from the air strip I found the buffalo on the crossing. On 18^th we walked down stream following the lions foot print. We did not find them until after our tea break as we were walking back to camp we came across a one male under the winter thorn tree. Near camp was a herd of buffalo drinking. In the evening we heard lions roaring almost the whole night until the morning that we saw them right in front. They had two cubs. On the 19^th morning walk we saw crocodiles eating a puku on the lagoon. From this date to 22^nd we saw lions every time we went out. Morning and afternoon. Elephants, puku, kudu, impala bush buck and baboons. We had a break of one day but siting in camp we visited by our resident elephant in the afternoon and a lonely wildebeest. New guests arrived on 23^rd and they were also very lucky since they saw lions nearly every day morning and afternoon walks.

The last safari was from the 26^th to 30^th of October. After landing at the airstrip they asked to walk to camp. So we did. But it was already getting hot we had a short walk. We saw elephants, puku, impala, wildebeest, warthogs and a hyena. Then we got to camp at about 1025 hours. We saw two common duikers in 2 seperate days. On 27^th we walked up river. There is sick crocodile which was seen in the beginning of the season and is still alive looking very thin. After that in the distance we saw vultures circling above the fig tree. As we were looking to see what was there a group of wildebeests came to the river for a drink. We went to have a check at vultures and found a pride of 11 lions lying in the river after the meal they had. To the other side of the river were a small herd of buffalo. The following day we drove to the luangwa river and left a car under the tree and walked to the dead luangwa. Saw some elephants, warthogs, water bucks, impala, buffalo and hippo. Birds every where. As we returning to camp on the crossing were a small herd of buffalo and Lauwrence our waiter was signaling us point to the other side of the crossing. We saw vultures and when we drove towards them 8 lions were finishing the warthog which they killed 5 minutes before we arrived. They were not more than 100 meters from my chalet. In the afternoon we followed them and they tried to go for the buffalo but they stopped.

The next day which was our last day of the safari walked to the confluence of the mwaleshi, luangwa river. On the way we saw the 8 lions which we saw the previous day, hippo with a big wound on the left left, later a big herd of buffalo about 1000, one hyena and more hippo on the confluence. Back in camp was our resident elephant waiting for us to welcome us. In the afternoon we walked up river and we found a place near the river and sat down for the sun set. While there 3 buffalo came to drink, a hyena, warthogs and puku all came for a drink. It was a nice ending of the season 2011.

I would like to thank all of you who spared some time to read our dairies. Wishing you happy days and good health. Until next season bye for now.!!!!!!!!!