February 2011

JMA’s Rant!

Well the holiday season is almost over and I can’t say that I am unhappy! The December to end January holiday period is very disruptive to us as people send in their travel requests and are entitled to a quick response but we are delayed with public holidays, staff on leave etc. We did pretty well and were able to get a fast enough turn around but not my usual demanding standards! So now we can get back to “business as usual”!

The Aussie$ is still very strong against the US$ and even stronger against the ZA Rand so it is still a great opportunity to book and pay for your safaris. A number of our clients have done this – some as far as a year ahead - as they don’t want to gamble on our currency getting any stronger. This is therefore a really good time to travel.

South Africa, Botswana and Namibia have also experienced floods – although nothing like those that have occurred here. Some areas have been temporarily isolated but it has not affected any of our clients travel plans. Some parts of the Okavango delta towards Kasane have been cut off to vehicles as the Savute Channel is very full. As we always fly our clients this has not been an issue for us. Rain is usually very welcome in Africa and the wild life will enjoy it!

A number of people have recently returned from their African safaris and without exception, they have all given us rave reviews. We are, of course, always delighted to get such feedback as it makes the efforts of all our staff so well worthwhile.

This is an example from Carol McGowan

“What a big day today. We did the elephant safari and then walked down to Victoria Falls in both cases getting extremely wet and yet both were well worth the effort. Then with a quick freshen up and dry off ready to go out for our helicopter flight over the falls, again another indescribable experience.

Yes you are right you have definitely saved the best until last. All my dreams of seeing the various animals has happened. Just one small wish left and that is to see a group of giraffes. Have seen one but would like to see a group. Hopefully I am not being too demanding.

Savanna is simply incredible. I don’t know how to describe it and do it justice and Paddy has been simply wonderful as have all the people here in trying to ensure our needs are met.

Thanks to all of you for arranging such a wonderful experience for us, something we definitely would not have been able to do on our own.

Carol and Frank McGowan very much enjoying their African Safari.”

So there you go – when are you going on your safari?

I took this photo just outside Governors Il Moran camp when we were in Kenya recently
– just love the guy on the tree watching the others!

Bush dunny – Kenya style. Everyone can watch!!!

Hilary and JMA enjoy a joke at Serengeti Bushtops Camp

News from Savanna

With acknowledgement and thanks to Paddy Hagelthorn and the Savanna Team

After missing out on a few of the earlier blogs, we have put together the highlights for January so far! Hlabankunzi started the year off for us, with attempting to hunt some impala near Tawny Eagle pan. Unfortunately she was unsuccessful in her attempt, but we had great views of her! We have seen her cubs a number of times this month, and have also given us fantastic viewing! Some sad news however is that one of the two cubs was 4 killed very recently by the Shinzele male leopard, which has been moving into Hlabankunzi’s territory over the past couple of months.

The buffalo have returned, and we are now seeing plenty of calves with the herd. Although buffalo breed all year round, there is a peak in births during the rainy season. We have also been having great viewing of large herds of elephant and have had a few good sightings of them swimming in the dams that are now filling up nicely with all the rains!

The young Tlangisa female made a few appearances lately. Early on in January, she was found relaxing in a large dead tree, and we had some wonderful photographic opportunities. A few days later she was at Mackenzie Camp, and one of the Ximungwe lionesses came past her within 40 meters without seeing her. The lioness fortunately carried on moving further north lying down on the odd termite mound for a rest.

Metsi and her two cubs have also been doing well. Late on a drizzly morning, we spent nearly two hours with her and the two cubs. The one cub was acting very fierce a few times with mother close by to protect her, before they both came down and posed beautifully on a tree stump next to the vehicle!

The Sand River has swollen a number of times this month with plenty of rain, making off road driving very difficult in places, and crossing the river impossible at times!

The Kashane male has also been fairly prominent on Savanna’s property, especially around Nkombe dam.

The Kashane male has also been fairly prominent on Savanna’s property, especially around Nkombe dam. We had great sighting of a serval, which is usually a fairly shy cat. We watched it for nearly 10 minutes before it disappeared.

The Ximungwe pride has been fairly scattered this month, as we suspect that the short tailed female has dropped cubs, and two others heavily pregnant. The two cubs that are now nearly 7 months old are still alive and doing well.

The birds have been spectacular this month, with all the migrants back, and we have had great views especially of the Carmine Bee-eater. The other photo is that of a Yellowthroated Longclaw.

Hopefully the rain will stop soon, and we can look forward to bright sunny days, and lots more updates from the bushveld....

News Snippets

Robin Pope in Zambia

So then what has been happening since you last heard from us in the Valley… well 2010 has been and gone and the Luangwa Valley has not let us down so far in 2011. The game viewing has been superb and the weather has been reasonably well behaved which has been great in keeping the bush refreshed and green but it has also been dry for the most part of the day which is excellent for all out and about in open cars.

Before however I get lost in tales of wildlife, there is a small story that I thought would be fun to share with you all….. Each year we close both Tena Tena and Nsefu during the course of the rains. The camps are not left completely abandoned and each camp has a team of 3 watchmen stationed in them keeping an eye on everything as well as maintaining what needs to be maintained.

We generally bank on sending re-supplies up to the teams in the first week of January as the road is either passable or the river has come up enough to boat. On Wednesday myself and Rob decided to give the road option a good old go – it has to be said that this was not a successful journey and we were back at Nkwali 2 hours later, the Land Rover significantly muddy and John (who works in the office) took one look at it and his face dropped at the thought of trying to remove the thick layer of mud splattered all over! The following day Ruben (heads up all of our special projects) was given the challenge of boating up – usually when the river is high this takes no  more than 2 hours, 6 hours later Tena Tena was in sight.

The guys were delighted to see him so he moored up and offloaded all their food and stopped for a chat – the rain decided that moment to give a short sharp shower and just as he was preparing to leave they all heard a strange noise – all eyes looked down 12 towards the boat only to discover that instead of a boat there was now a large pile of mud as the bank had collapsed on top of it. Well I am sure you can imagine the looks on their faces – one of those classic moments that just makes you giggle. Unfortunately no photographic evidence of the occasion.

Back to camp…

Nkwali has been very busy and the team is being kept on their toes with lots of game activity. At the beginning of the week the wild dogs were spotted by Fred which was a highlight and exciting news that they are around so fingers crossed for lots more sightings of our favourite canines.

Lions have also been sighted almost every day this week (it doesn’t rain but it pours) the Mfuwe pride have been strutting their stuff and showing off for the cameras, but the best sighting of the week came from Nyambe who was out on an all day picnic and saw a lioness with 3 very small little cubs – always a highlight no matter how tough and manly you pretend to be.

Leopard have been rather more aloof however Bertie had a fabulous sighting of a female  wandering nonchalantly through the bush then scoot up a tree to a conveniently placed branch ready to pose for the cameras. Unfortunately for the family in the car at the time their camera chose that moment to simply stop working and as all mothers will know this is the time when you can rely on your children to make you feel pretty good about yourself! The youngest son announced that mum had missed the photo of the holiday….

The elephants on the other hand have quite simply been everywhere – around camp but also plenty of sightings in the park as well. Having changed the dusty look to one of muddiness they are reveling in the cooler temperatures with no shortage of food and water at their trunks tips.

Namibia

Sense of Africa News

Namibia is coloured electric green at this time of year, having received much rain in January, the country is absolutely stunning and growth and young animals are abundant and very visible.

There are various lodges and roads however that have been affected, by these heavy rain  showers, in some regions, there is severe flooding – if you have not received our Sense of Africa newsflashes with this specific information.

To kick start January, Namibia announces the extension to the National Parks, a positive impact to our wildlife heritage for the future. We also touch on important laws in Namibia, to be adhered to, as well as an epic first time mtb race and Windhoek City Tour Colouring Competition for a holiday camp for local underprivileged Namibian children.

Smoking Law in Namibia
Please take note that as of January 2011 a new smoking ban will be implemented in Namibia. This law forbids the smoking of tobacco in a public place or any area within a certain distance of a window, ventilation inlet, door or entrance. Offenders to this law will be liable to a fine.

Drivers License in Namibia
Only drivers licences are accepted in English and travellers to Namibia need to ensure they have an international driver’s license or the new EU driver’s license when visiting Namibia. Please note there are a number of police checks throughout the country.

Sossusvlei Shuttle
Hobas shuttle is no longer in operation, NWR has now taken on this shuttle service. This service will run from sunrise to about 1.5 hours before sunset for clients whom are in accommodation outside of the park. Guests who are booked into Sossusvlei Dune Lodge and/or Sesriem can arrive at Sossusvlei an hour before sunrise and leave an hour after sunset. Self Drive clients will be able to pay cash for the seats on arrival at the 4x4 location, but will not have a booking and may have to wait a while to get a vehicle into Sossusvlei.

Well that’s it for another month. Not as much news as usual because of holidays but still
some great pics from the guys at Savanna!

Happy safaris!

John
61 (0)2 4984 9747
61 (0)411 749 627
jma@destinationsafrica.com.au
www.destinationsafrica.com.au

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