Just back to reality after a lovely Kwando safari in Botswana.
As usual, my Thanks to my friends and guides - Spencer and Mr.Moe for all their skill and dedication to providing a great safari viewing experience. Thanks also to the wonderful camp management and hospitality at both Lebala and Lagoon camps run so efficiently by, Lebo and Charles (Lebala) and OB and Thuso at Lagoon. Fun times, Indeed!!!
This trip was all dogs and cheetahs for me ........ can hardly complain. At Lebala the pack had moved dens to the concession and great fun watching the interaction with the 9 puppies. Dogs setting off to hunt etc etc.,
Likewise, the Lagoon pack too in sublime form - moved dens a little more South (probably fleas at den) to the Zebra Pan area on the fringe of the mopane. Unfortunately, they went off hunting into the mopane everyday - but, great social interaction at the new densite. They were hunting buffalo on a regular basis when based from the old den, when they used to set off to the flood plains where the buffalo herds are at the moment. Guess they are doing kudu and warhog now. 18 dogs with 9 puppies here. With a large pack of this size, they are always doing something or the other.
Cheetah brothers doing well. Have been temporarily seperated the past two weeks. They are getting closer to the re-union as two brothers seem to be sniffing at the trail of the lead brother. All hunting and feeding well on kudu and impala. Saw two brothers take down a female kudu the other morning. They have been calling out in hope of the re-union ....... at one stage, they were over 50Kms apart. One brother way South near Twin Pools and the other brother way north in the upper Kwando. Still, always unpredictable and that's why they are my brothers ........... sleep all day when you think they are going to be active and then when unexpected, whack a kudu at 8am and let you get back to camp in time for brunch and a shower!!!!
Leopard and cub (smallest cub I've ever seen) right behind Lebala camp. Another female Leopard trying to defend it's Reedbuck carcass from a hyena at Lagoon. Missed the Magician - we did track for over 45 minutes the other day, but, I lost patience as we were transferring from LEbala to Lagoon that morning and was on a mission to get to the cheetahs in time.
Saw some random Lions here and there........ mostly sleeping as Lions do! The others at Lagoon saw a female and sub-adults take down a warthog!!! (I was at the dog den, ofcourse)........
Great general game at Lebala (Kudu, impala, warthog, a bushbuck in camp, giraffe). Big buffalo herds and plenty of elephant. One nice herd of Roan.
At Lebala, saw a single flamingo in 3 pans (Motswiri, Kubu and Baobab). Only the big pans down South hold the last drops of water. Bone dry at Lagoon, though ........
Elephants everywhere .........
One herd of 20 Sable and a shy biggish herd of Eland at Lagoon.
One lovely Kudu watching from a termite mound that I was able to inch closer and closer to get a good photograph. He was obviously watching the dogs running wild as they were returning to the den after their morning hunt.
Short boat ride to the Elephant drinking/crossing point across the left side of Lagoon camp. My first time on the Lagoon boat, ever!
Overall, a great time .............
Questions, please give me a shout.
Regards
Hari
Edited by madaboutcheetah, 07 September 2012 - 05:08 AM.
