Jump to content

Zambia – May 2012 - an unforgettable experience


Maki

Recommended Posts

More microlight flight pictures:

 

gallery_47102_939_690953.jpg

 

gallery_47102_939_8363990.jpg

 

gallery_47102_939_1641802.jpg

 

gallery_47102_939_1396207.jpg

 

gallery_47102_939_9697152.jpg

 

gallery_47102_939_4988062.jpg

 

gallery_47102_939_7074253.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great views of the Nsefu section from the air )if a bit scary!)

It is much greener than when we were there (August 2013) - it is great to see it at that time of year

Link to comment
Share on other sites

africapurohit

Wonderful report @@Maki - I love the microlight photos! I'm glad you've mastered the direct uploading of photos.

Edited by africapurohit
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks to you all for checking my trip report!

 

@@africapurohit - thanks for all your help - writing reports and adding photos is not an easy task! I am happy you enjoy the report, thanks.

 

@@TonyQ - you should try the microlight next time, it's not that scary, it only seems scary! I've send you a PM regarding adding photos (thanks to @@africapurohit I know how to add attachments)

Edited by Maki
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our last day at Tafika, we had a great start with the microlight flight, great experience and lovely sightings as well.

After the microlight flight, we had a cup of tea and left for a drive to the salt pans. I could not believe it was our last day already.

I enjoyed the scenery and when we got to the salt pan we saw the wild dog pack! Luckily we had the vehicle to ourselves and could stay with the dogs as long as we wanted -joy!

 

post-47102-0-08581000-1385410078_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-63262600-1385410108_thumb.jpg

 

There were some bush fires as well, which I didn't expect in May.

 

post-47102-0-88592300-1385410139_thumb.jpg

 

The dogs were active, a very nice sighting.

 

post-47102-0-22170300-1385410154_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-82304800-1385410266_thumb.jpg

 

Playing in the water...

 

post-47102-0-83156600-1385410314_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-51300400-1385410335_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-29583200-1385410374_thumb.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is something about wild dogs, I could watch them for hours, never a dull moment...

 

post-47102-0-89747500-1385411244_thumb.jpg

 

The dogs didn't mind the vehicle at all

 

post-47102-0-55320400-1385411257_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-76506700-1385411290_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-70627300-1385411302_thumb.jpg

 

Pregnant dog..

post-47102-0-44217300-1385411321_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-53423700-1385411353_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-33886800-1385411374_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-76374300-1385411394_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The dogs were a great sighting (my favourite) but it was time to head back to camp for lunch, we felt very fortunate to spend a couple of hours with them in the morning.

 

On our way back we saw some crowned cranes:

post-47102-0-00743900-1385411537_thumb.jpg

 

a dazzle of zebra:

post-47102-0-31956800-1385411668_thumb.jpg

 

and vultures...

post-47102-0-13378500-1385411700_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-69497700-1385411710_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-74144300-1385411722_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-05265800-1385411734_thumb.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We saw a leopard with a cloudy eye when we were there in 2006. Is it possible that this is the same one?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@Raelond - possible, I guess so, but there are more leopards with a cloudy eye in South Luangwa, there is mention of one in tdgraves report, and also one in safaridude's trip report.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the afternoon, our last game drive in South Luangwa, we headed back to the salt pans, hoping to catch the dogs again. The dogs were not in the same spot as earlier in the morning, but we did see a nice heard of buffalo:

 

post-47102-0-68622500-1385556392_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-25162200-1385556408_thumb.jpg

 

We drove around a bit, hoping the dogs have not moved to far out and than we spotted them, relaxing on the road..

 

post-47102-0-24599700-1385556628_thumb.jpg

 

Some dogs were resting, others playing...

 

post-47102-0-20647200-1385556750_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-95292600-1385556727_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-14333200-1385556783_thumb.jpg

 

post-47102-0-49951000-1385556804_thumb.jpg

 

I like those big ears

post-47102-0-22518100-1385556793_thumb.jpg

 

We stayed with the dogs until they decided to move on.

 

During sundowners we discussed how lucky we were with all the sightings that day, first the microlight flight with the lions and hyenas, than the wild dogs in the morning and afternoon.

We had one more nice sighting on our way back to camp during the evening game drive, we saw another leopard, great end of our safari in Zambia!

 

post-47102-0-10630000-1385556814_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@Maki A great trip report thank you for posting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@Maki

Wonderful dog sightings + really good photos

What a marvellous day - thanks for sharing it with us

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Excellent report & images Moki, it's my favourite area (along with Ruaha) in Africa as well. ;)

Looking forward to a return of 5 nights@ Mwaleshi & 14 nights @ Tafika from late Oct 2014.

 

Cheers

Marc

Edited by africaaddict
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great views of the Nsefu section from the air )if a bit scary!)

It is much greener than when we were there (August 2013) - it is great to see it at that time of year

 

@@Maki @@TonyQ Part of me wants to try the microlight flight if I go to Tafika (well I should say "when" as it and S. Luangwa is high on my list) and part of me wonders if it'll feel very scary. I'm the one who's scared of small planes to begin with, but I have done so many in the past 2 years that I have gotten somewhat used to them. Looking at the photos of the microlight it makes me think it may feel like the Disneyland ride Soarin' Over California which is really cool (not sure how many people here will know what I mean!) so if/when we go there I will probably try it. I wonder how safe they are?

Edited by SafariChick
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@africaaddict - thanks for the compliments!

 

I am very jealous of your upcoming trip! It will be very different from my "green" experience. Hope you'll do a trip report when back.

When I go back to South Luangwa (matter of time, as my list of places to visit keeps growing) I will also spend some time at Tafika again, it's a great camp with lovely hosts and great guiding.

 

Will you be travelling with remote africa's own plane to Mwaleshi?

I wish they had that plane when we visited in May, it would have been a great time to add the Bangweleu wetlands - Next time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@SafariChick - I would certainly recommend the microlight flight, just for the views ... I thought the microlight flight over the Vic Falls was scary (for a minute I though ''what was I thinking''), but it was well worth it!

 

The microlight flight at Tafika was not scary at all, but that is a very personal opinion. I thought it was exciting.

 

I don't know what to say about safety, there are never guarantees I guess, but what I can say is John Coppinger (owner) has done so many of these flights and I felt perfectly safe.

I just googled Disneyland ride Soarin' Over California, and guess you can compare it in a certain way...Although the microlight experience must be lots better.

 

Just make sure John Coppinger is in camp when you go, as otherwise you won't be able to do the flight.

Be brave and give it a try!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@africaaddict - thanks for the compliments!

 

Will you be travelling with remote africa's own plane to Mwaleshi?

 

Most certainly, will look forward to it, however traveling solo on this trip I may have to pay for 2 seats, so will investigate that further.

 

@@SafariChick - I would certainly recommend the microlight flight, just for the views ... I thought the microlight flight over the Vic Falls was scary (for a minute I though ''what was I thinking''), but it was well worth it!

 

The microlight flight at Tafika was not scary at all, but that is a very personal opinion. I thought it was exciting.

 

Absolutely, and one of the reasons why I come to Tafika, I took 2 flights on my last Tafika trip in Nov '11.

John is a fine pilot and is still very passionate about this place after 27+ years here.

Plus for me it's a great opportunity to get some nice images from the air

here:

 

D71_5792-XL.jpg

 

 

D71_5135-XL.jpg

Edited by africaaddict
Link to comment
Share on other sites

fantastic shot from the air! you captured well the frenzy the crocodiles were in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

super TR @@Maki

you had some awesome sightings. Love the buffalo herd and the dogs, and the dogs and the dogs. As you say, never a dull moment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Beautiful images from the microlight, @africaadict!

Nice dog action, Maki.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

post-49296-0-38076200-1435417924_thumb.jpg

~ @@africaaddict

 

WOW! WOW! WOW!

What a spectacular image !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd never have the courage to take a microlight flight, but I'm glad that you did!

A TERRIFIC view! I happen to be fond of crocodile photos...

Tom K.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

post-49296-0-44052900-1435418173_thumb.jpg post-49296-0-79236800-1435418189_thumb.jpg post-49296-0-07478400-1435418205_thumb.jpg post-49296-0-48514100-1435418221_thumb.jpg post-49296-0-96758200-1435418235_thumb.jpg

~ @@Maki

 

It would have been quite a loss to have missed your superb trip report!

It has held me enthralled, keeping me away from adding to my own trip report.

Your photography completely hooked my interest, with such vivid, saturated images.

The inclusion of camp and tent scenes is especially appreciated.

Loved your Thornicroft giraffes, the hyenas, riverbank lions, microlight shots and the mighty Zambezi.

An overflowing of beauty! Many, many thanks for having written it for all of us to enjoy, even years afterward.

Tom K.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that we slept in the same bed....this is how it looked in August 2007!

 

post-49296-0-42204700-1435418788_thumb.jpg

~ @@marg

 

What a comfortable looking tent!

That's a mighty fine way to enjoy a safari.

I admire the level of detail in the image despite the relatively low light.

Tom K.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Safaritalk uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using Safaritalk you agree to our use of cookies. If you wish to refuse the setting of cookies you can change settings on your browser to clear and block cookies. However, by doing so, Safaritalk may not work properly and you may not be able to access all areas. If you are happy to accept cookies and haven't adjusted browser settings to refuse cookies, Safaritalk will issue cookies when you log on to our site. Please also take a moment to read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy: Terms of Use l Privacy Policy