July 2009
We had a number of interesting reports from our African associates during June indicating that great game sightings are at an all time high. The Sabi Sands has been, as usual, phenomenal as has Zambia and Botswana. Rains seem to have been so good this last season that the results are now being seen with the animals finding plenty to eat. However winter is now at its coldest so we will keep a watchful eye on progress.
This time of the year is one of my favourites to visit the game reserves. Animals tend to gather around water holes, dams and rivers and we nearly always have a spectacle to enjoy. Grass is shorter and the foliage less lush so animals can be seen more easily. Whilst the antelopes (read Impala) may not be lambing most other animals especially the big cats, Rhinos, Giraffes and Elephant have youngsters at foot and can give many hours of really fascinating viewing. (See the photos below)
As the years have gone by I have learned that watching animals should be a slow and methodical process. Too often people rush from A-B-C to get fleeting glimpses of animals so that they can “tick” the boxes! When they find a lazy pride of Lions or a Hyena at the den they soon get bored and want to move on! To really maximise your viewing pleasure it is very important to learn patience. In doing so you learn quickly to observe what the animal is doing, what it may do next and enjoy its activities. On many occasions waiting patiently has paid me handsome dividends. The very small Lion cubs appeared for the first time just as it was getting dark after we had sat quietly watching mum just lying down. She sat up, called gently and from out of a hiding place came three tiny cubs – we were the first to see them! We have seen Lions, apparently just sleeping, suddenly become alert when a scent or sound alerted them to possible prey and then watched the commencement of a hunt.
When next you go to Africa remember to always take your time to enjoy everything around you, watch, listen and smell. Even the tiniest creatures can be fascinating if you watch carefully! And never ever miss a game drive. No matter how sleepy you may be or the extent of your hangover, GET UP for the dawn drive. It is the drive you miss that the rest of the crew will see the elusive Leopard or witness the kill that you have never seen. You will ultimately regret that you missed a game drive!
Neil Whyte, one of the Rangers at Savanna, has been sending me regular reports of sightings on the many game drives that he leads. He has also attached some amazing photos that you will soon see on our web site.
Our guests travelling to Kenya and Tanzania this month should have a great time. All reports indicate that things are in good shape and game is plentiful.
Our 2009/2010 DVD is now to hand and if anyone who would like this updated version please go to our web site - www.destinationsafrica.com.au and send us a request by clicking on the DVD request section on the Home page.Postcard from Tanzania Part 3 – Hilary
The last thrilling instalment of our Tanzanian epic, ended with us looking forward to lingering over our delicious dinner at Mbuzi Mawe and very thankful for a scheduled late start the following day. After breakfast we meander through the thick thorn savannah towards the Serengeti’s northern corridor. The trip has a dual purpose, to check out the Migration Camp and to soak in the atmosphere of the famous Serengeti.
We park the vehicle on an enormous rock and walk across a sturdy looking wooden bridge much to the alarm of a little dassie (hyrax, which looks like a big mouse) enjoying a laze in the sunshine. The manager seems to be surprised at her own tolerance of what are regarded by many as pests, largely because of their habit of marking territory with copious quantities of very strong smelling urine which has a whitewashing effect on the nearby stone walls. This doesn’t stop them looking very cute to visitors who do not have to suffer their odorous company long term, especially the one-day old babies who are also scurrying about. We are led into the split-level lounge by the South African Manager, Brenda, who has her nose rather out of joint because her office has not advised her of our visit. Hopefully she is more hospitable to guests. Clearly the lodge deserves its reputation as beautiful and luxurious, perched among the outcrops and overlooking the vast rugged landscapes of the northern Serengeti. This camp is truly off the beaten track, as less than 1% of visitors to the Serengeti reach this corner. However it is on the main migration route to the Maasai Mara (which is only 25 miles away). Its 20 sumptuous and spacious tents are carefully positioned on the banks of the Grumeti River adjacent to an impressive kopje to give occupants maximum privacy. The downside of this privacy is the extended walk from the furthest tents to reception and the dining room.
Suitably impressed with the Camp if not with the manager, we saunter back to Mbuzi Mawe for lunch and to collect our bags. Since this is the first time we have slowed down since our arrival in Tanzania, our poor driver, Habibu, who has vigilantly acted as driver, tracker, guide, porter, organiser and general all-rounder since we met him, has succumbed to exhaustion and has fallen asleep strewn across one of the couches in the lounge. We are in no real hurry today so we leave him to slumber for a while. Then the little schoolboy who lurks inside John’s very adult skin, gets an idea for a practical joke!!! He tickles Habibu’s face with a blade of grass, mimicking the many pesky flying insects around. After many swats, Habibu wakes up to find some very amused travelling companions. After very fond farewells from the very friendly staff we hit the road again.
My travelling companions know that the funny little wart hog is one of my favourite creatures, so now viewing them from a different perspective, their appearance is heralded by all and sundry. Caked in mud with tusks that seem to go the wrong direction and a face only a mother could love, they make a very entertaining spectacle scampering away in single file, tails straight up in the air like aerials. We arrive at our next pit-stop, Mbalageti Tented Camp, in the middle of the afternoon. When the welcome ritual is completed (including signature of the usual waiver of liability in case we come off second best in a tangle with a local predator) we avail of the opportunity to sit in peaceful contemplation on the veranda of our chalet gazing across the scenic panorama of the Mbalageti River and the Serengeti plains. Perched on the top of the Mwamveni Hills, this lodge is truly far from the madding crowd as well as good value for money (at least in East African terms). Although quite a large camp, consisting of 14 standard rooms, 24 luxury tented chalets and 2 suites, the fact that it is spread widely across the crown of the hill guarantees guests a sense of privacy and remoteness. Guests are welcome to cool off after a dusty day in the swimming pool, made from local rock and perched on the edge of the restaurant veranda with a 360 degree view of the Serengeti. Alternatively aches and pains can be eased away in the massage boma. A Maasai warrior calls to guide us to dinner, sporting the traditional brightly coloured shuka clothing and clutching a spear and torch. We walk and walk and walk and when we have given up ever getting there, we arrive at the brightly lit restaurant.
We have arranged to meet a couple of people for dinner, Julian & his wife, a couple of poms who are based in Arusha and are spending their honeymoon checking out Tanzanian lodges. Over a rather ordinary dinner, we have fun comparing notes. Julie offers me a sympathetic ear and a share of her antihistamines, as I bemoan my acute sensitivity to the local airborne predators, the tsetse fly. Although many places in Africa have managed to eradicate this particular beast, Tanzania is not one of them. Unfortunately, it appears that we have picked the worst time of year (March/April) from a tsetse perspective. We take some comfort from the assurances that as there is no sleeping sickness in the area, the only adverse effect we might suffer is a reaction to the anti-coagulant the tsetse injects in the process to enable a plentiful supply of blood! John’s response to the bites is much milder than mine and Kate doesn’t even know if she has been bitten! Oh the hardship of being such a sensitive soul. But now that I have encountered the little bastards, I’ll give them a miss in future and limit my visits to the dry season when it is expected that few if any tsetses are about.
Our chalet is comfortable and roomy, constructed of local stone and canvass. We ruminate on the difficulties they must have encountered in trying to establish the camp in this remote location on the top of this substantial hill. We respond to the pitch darkness of our first moonless night here by sleeping soundly, so the morning finds us refreshed and ready for adventure.
Our first destination today is the CC Africa (now curiously called & Beyond) property, Grumeti River Lodge positioned on the banks of an oxbow tributary of the Grumeti River. Our arrival is heralded by the honk of a resident pod of hippos, whiling away the hot daylight hours in the shelter of the river. This small but flamboyant 10 tent camp is located in a remote valley a mere 50 kilometres from Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Each tent is positioned under makuti (palm frond) canopies is decorated with vibrant colour and traditional African artifacts. Its proximity to the Grumeti River, gives the less squeamish guests an opportunity to view at close range the fight for survival the migrating animals endure while negotiating crocodile infested waters. Another camp that offers the an opportunity to view the same rather gruesome spectacle, is Kirawira, the most exclusive of the Serena group safari venues and a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. This is a truly beautiful camp which is a combination of classic opulence and camp practicality. Standing high on the bluff of a bush-cloaked ridge, commanding panoramic views over the endlessly rolling reaches and volcanic reefs of the Serengeti National Park, it is a reincarnation of a Victorian era tented camp where guests enjoy luxurious accommodation, a valet service, superb cuisine, fine wines and the best of East African hospitality. Since we had the pleasure of sampling the cuisine at a very civilized lunch, we can attest to the excellent quality as well as its presentation.
Throughout the camp, native wood, African art and tented canvas are combined with typical Victorian and colonial furniture to recall a bygone era of explorers, pioneers and early colonial settlers. The elegant central meeting tent is evocatively furnished with a tasteful selection of chintz-covered chaises longues, jewel-hued Persian rugs, antique escritoires, wind-up phonograms, leather-bound travelling cases, brass shooting sticks, carved rocking chairs, and stud-backed smoking chairs.
Kirawira Camp has 25 luxurious double tents and a swimming pool located in a very picturesque setting and flanked by a couple of very comfortable looking hammocks. The accommodation is housed in deluxe individual tents set on wooden platforms. Each has a spacious double bedroom and bathroom, styled from the Victorian period with a private verandah from which there are spectacular views over the endless Serengeti.
The lush vegetation around Kirawira is home to a wide variety of large game – lion, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, baboon, gazelle and wildebeest. It is also an area abundant in bird life, which is regularly encountered around the camp itself and featured in slide presentations daily by the resident naturalist.
Unfortunately we cannot linger as we must return to Mbalageti to pack for our early start tomorrow. It seems that we have the entire camp to ourselves, as the party of 92 Americans who are doing a world tour at breakneck speed (with no more than 2 days in each country) have departed to dash through Egypt in a few hours! Not my idea of fun though we are doing a bit of a dash ourselves on this trip!
Just as the dawn is breaking we emerge from our chalet, wondering if we should wait for an Askari (warrior). Concluding that since daylight has begun to emerge, we are permitted to walk unaccompanied much to the surprise of the Askari who was just about to set out to collect us. After breakfast we set off to explore the central part of the Serengeti and are rewarded with very varied wildlife including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, tope, impala, baboon, jackal, bat-eared fox, giraffe, wart hogs, hyena, monkey, crocodile, hippo, cheetah, reed buck and mongoose. After a few hours bouncing along on the gravel roads, my bladder can take no more and I plead for a pit stop. There is hardly a bush in sight much less one nearby to accord me some privacy, just the endless expanse of grass and the dusty road. So throwing caution to the wind and positioning myself behind the vehicle I relieve my very full bladder rather indelicately – if the nuns who schooled me could only see me now!!!
I now invite you to tune in for the next (and final) instalment in the next issue of the Message Stick.
News from Savanna Private Game Reserve
(With thanks and acknowledgement to Paddy Hagelthorn and the staff of Savanna for photos and text)
Once again this month, we have been privy to some very exciting and wonderful drives. The big news is that we have now started to view the female leopard Mambiri’s cub. While this cub is no more than a month old, it is very relaxed with the Land Rovers being around and we have had some wonderful viewing of her. (We think it is a female) Mambiri has also been relaxed with the cars and allows us to get into the den site and view them both without any animosity at all. Mambiri is the first leopard that I have witnessed ever bringing a cub to independence in her first litter. Normally it takes leopards 4 - 5 litters before they are able to be proficient enough to bring cubs to independence. If you take the Tai dam female, for instance, she brought her first cub to independence last year and this is the first cub in approximately 11 litters that she has had. So we hope that Mambiri’s success continues with this new cub.
Mambiri was also observed killing a 3.5m python, which she fed on for 5 days. What was amazing was that she hoisted this python into a tree to keep it away from other predators, such as hyena. In close proximity to this kill, another python kill was discovered. This kill was at least a month old and only a few bones remained, probably an indication that Mambiri has done this before.
We are not sure whether Makwela has had her cubs yet, as she has been conspicuous by her absence. We are just hoping that she hasn’t had her cubs outside the reserve. As far as we know, the Shangwa female has still got her one cub. We have been seeing the Tulamanzi male, which is the young male leopard from the south of our property, on a regular basis. However, this month we have not seen the big new male that was making “inroads” into this territory last month. I believe that there is still a territorial dispute unfolding with these two leopards.
The young lion cub from the Ximungwe pride is still surviving, but what has been interesting is that the cub’s mother seems to have stopped lactating and this is still too early for this cub, as it should still require a fair amount of milk in its diet. Cubs are normally weaned from 6 - 7 months. They start eating meat at 6 - 8 weeks, but they need milk supplement until this age. The other unusual thing that is happening is that this female is now mating again with the Mapogo. This is probably an indication that she may desert this cub, as committing herself for three years to raise one cub may not be an option.
The Sabi Sands have decided to re-introduce more wildebeest into the reserve to try and boost the numbers that we already have. Whenever this happens, there are always some casualties until the wildebeest acclimatise to the environment. There have been relatively easy pickings for the Ximungwe pride and a number of wildebeest have been killed.
This month we have seen a baby boom in the rhino population and, on a recent count done by the Sabi Sands, there were 22 females with very small calves. We have one little character, who is about 6 weeks old now, that has absolutely no fear of the vehicles and generally looks quite pleased to see us when we stop to view them. He walks up to the vehicle and then charges back to mom who ignores the whole incident.
One of the females in the elephant herd that frequents the Savanna waterholes has also had a calf this month and we were able to get some wonderful photographs of this baby soon after it was born. We continue to have large herds of elephant in the south on Savanna’s property, which has provided us with exceptional viewing over the past few weeks.
Two new hippo calves have also been born and they too have moved down onto Savanna’s property into a dam near Mackenzie Camp. It is delightful to see these two young hippo resting on their mothers’ backs, as their feet don’t touch the ground. The mothers have been very protective over these calves and photographic opportunities of hippo yawning and showing off their teeth have been exceptional.
We have had two unusual kills this month and we were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time when they happened. One was a spotted eagle owl that killed a nightjar. It never ceases to amaze us at the variety of food that these predatory birds have. Last month we saw a spotted eagle owl with a snake kill. A few months before that, we saw one with a Coqui francolin kill. We know that during the summer months, a large part of their diet is comprised of insects, but this is the first time we have ever seen any owl killing a nightjar.
The second amazing kill we witnessed was a praying mantis killing and eating an adult male grey tree frog. The kill was brought to our attention by the frog’s screams of despair as the mantis ate it alive. One would have thought it would be the other way around and the frog would be eating the mantis. We always knew that the praying mantis was a predatory insect, but didn’t realise that its prey would include such large creatures.
News from Victoria Falls
(Thanks to Shane and his team at Wild Horizons for this information)
White Water Rafting on the mighty Zambezi River has resumed after a four month closure due to high water levels.
"Full Day High Water Rafting will commence from rapid number 11" says Clive Bradford of Wild Horizons. Rapids run during the high water full day rafting include “The Terminators I and II”, “Double Trouble” and “Oblivion”.
Please read the information below – as rafting has been closed for four months, you may need to refresh your memory...
HIGH WATER - FULL DAY
| Dates | 29th May – approximately 1st August |
| Rapids | No. 11- No.25 |
| Meeting Place | Wild Horizons Lookout |
| Check In Time | 8am |
| Return Vic. Falls | Approximately 3.00 pm |
| Lunch | Lunch is served at the top of the gorge at the end of the day. |
"HOME LUNCH"
Experience the true flavours of Victoria Falls with a “home lunch”. Wild Horizons will collect guests at their hotels or B&B in Victoria Falls Town. A short transfer takes you to the Chinotimba High Density suburb. Guests will be hosted by a local family in their residence and served a traditional African home made lunch. (Minimum of 4 pax needed to guarantee booking).
The road between Livingstone town and the Vic Falls Border is being completely re-done. As such there is currently a section of +/- 6km’s on this section where the tarmac has been completely stripped off and vehicles are now driving on gravel. Minor delays can also be expected due to traffic controls and detours on the route. As this is a MAJOR resurface project, we expect the above conditions to last for several months.
News from Wilderness Safaris – Botswana
Botswana Water Levels - 2009
This year has seen some fantastically high water levels in northern Botswana as a result of above average rainfall in the catchment areas. It really has been an exciting time with some challenges and some rich rewards for guests and staff alike. While the Okavango region has essentially passed its peak and inflow levels have dropped dramatically, the annual waters are only now arriving in the Selinda and Linyanti Concessions.
Okavango Region
All our camps are located on raised ground and also on decking and activities have continued as normal with additional road networks developed where necessary. The peak of the flood has actually already passed the northern parts of the Delta where most of our camps are situated (Duba Plains, Vumbura Plains, Little Vumbura, Mombo and the Jao Concession camps). It is just arriving in the southern reaches around Chitabe.
Linyanti Region
The annual waters of the Kwando River are due to arrive here in the coming weeks and it is an incredibly exciting time with the promise of a joined Selinda Spillway (the waterway that links the Okavango and Linyanti regions) and a Savute Channel that may even reach the long dry Savute Marsh this year. The water means of course that the popular logpile hide at Savuti Camp is not accessible; a wealth of wildlife is however moving along the Channel, providing some of the best big game viewing in Botswana at the moment.
All transfers between the Linyanti and Selinda Camps are being done by air (Sefofane) as the Savute Channel is really too deep to be crossed.
News from East Africa
GIRAFFE MANOR OPENS AFTER REFURBISHMENT
Nairobi, Kenya
Known for its quirky interiors and traditional 1930's furnishings, Giraffe Manor is now open after an extensive refurbishment. Having closed in April for an annual general maintenance, this year the decision was made to invest in new décor as well as structural enhancements to ensure that all rooms have en-suite facilities. The fresh new design complements The Safari Collection's portfolio of properties, representing East Africa's finest destinations
May Game Report Masai Mara
With thanks to our friends at Governors Camp – Masai Mara
May brought warm days and rainy evenings typical of this time of year. Early morning temperatures averaged around 18°C but by midday we were basking in 31°C sunshine, in the late afternoons the storm clouds would gather and most evenings brought heavy rain showers. The combination of rain and sunshine has brought on lots of growth in The Musiara Marsh and adjacent grassland areas this in turn supporting lots of resident plains game. The rain in surrounding areas has also caused The Mara River to rise.
There are still good numbers of elephant and calves spread out within the Musiara and Bila Shaka grassland areas, with good grass available these elephant are not frequenting the woodlands as often. These families of elephant often make their way to the Musiara Marsh to feed and bathe. There are some large males in Musth and a few matings have been seen. During the months of February and March the Warburgia trees in the forest were dropping their fruit. Elephant love these small apple shaped fruit and the fruiting trees drew many elephant into the woodlands and subsequently into the camps to feast. There are a few elephant individuals that we all recognise well from their frequent visits to favourite fruiting trees in camp. There was one large bull in particular who would spend hours moving from fruiting tree to tree in the forest. He would curl his trunk up the tree, then slowly ease his weight against the trunk of the tree and then push against the tree trunk to encourage the fruit to fall. This bull would visit all three camps and many staff members encountered him as he wandered throughout the camps. On the 21st of May he was feeding out in the grasslands and came across another large bull elephant, both males were in Musth and at around lunchtime the two had an almighty fight. Our bull unfortunately sustained fatal internal injuries inflicted by the other bull elephant's tusks (we think the tusk must have pierced his lung / heart area) and he met his end and died near the Bila Shaka riverbed. Vultures were soon on the scene feeding on the carcass.
Giraffe are ever present within the Musiara area, specifically near the Marsh and between the camps; large numbers of them are being seen with many calves in crèches. Both sexes have horns, although the horns of a female are quite a bit smaller. The prominent horns are formed from ossified cartilage or cartilaginous growths, and are called ossicones. The appearance of horns is a reliable method of identifying the sex of giraffes, with the females displaying tufts of hair on the top of the horns, where as males' horns tend to be bald on top - an effect of necking in combat. Males sometimes develop calcium deposits which form bumps on their skull as they age, which can give the appearance of up to three additional horns. An interesting note on the Giraffes circulatory system; in the upper neck, a complex pressure-regulation system called the rete mirabile prevents excess blood flow to the brain when the giraffe lowers its head to drink or browse at grass level.
Within the riverine woodland verges there are good numbers of Defassa Waterbuck, breeding herds of impala with young calves and Olive Baboons. Out on the plains warthog are mating with boars sparring for oestrus females.
Reedbucks (who favour flood plains and drainage areas) are resident in the swamp. Towards the end of the dry season the grasses were dying back making the reedbuck visible and easy prey for cheetah and lion, but the arrival of rain and the growth of the coarse swamp grasses has hidden them away once again from preying eyes!
There are good numbers of eland with young calves on the high plains, there are also some large dominant breeding bulls that flank the periphery of these breeding herds. Topi, with their six month old calves, are resident on the high plains with herds of females congregating in well used lekking areas.
Blue Monkeys (C. mitis) have been seen in the forest around Governors' Camp. One rather confident Blue Monkey has been known to swim across the Mara River from the conservancy side to the reserve. He would sit and wait at the waters edge for up to an hour. Once he was sure the resident Nile Crocodiles had moved away he would jump in to the fast currents and swim strongly to the far bank. Many primates particularly new world primates are quite capable of swimming though it is not common for them to swim great distances.
The large breeding herd of Cape Buffalo estimated at 300 animals are on the northern grassland plains where the grasses are long, in plentiful supply and well suited for a buffalo diet.
The influx of water in the Marsh is attracting new residents and on the 4th of May a 10ft crocodile made its way along a hippo trail from the riverine forest towards the Marsh.
Within the camps and out in the grasslands we see lots of Dwarf and Banded Mongooses who are insectivorous carnivores. Out in the Marsh another more specialised mongoose is resident, the Marsh Mongoose. The Marsh Mongoose is a solitary creature who specialises in aquatic prey. They are most active at night and in the early evening although some activity has been observed during the day. An excellent swimmer, the Marsh Mongoose nonetheless prefers to keep its head above water, frequently resting on patches of grass and floating vegetation. Regular in its habits, this mongoose follows smooth and well-defined paths near the shorelines.
Recently there are good numbers of spotted hyena and their cubs on the high plains. Much of their prey is scavenged from other predators rather than killed by them. Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) form social groups called clans. Clans may be composed of 3 to 80 members. Larger clans generally occur in prime territory with large prey concentrations, such as the Masai Mara, whereas smaller clans occur in drier or desert type areas of northern Kenya and sub Saharan Africa. All females are dominant to all males, and females remain in their natal clan for their entire lives. The spotted hyena is one of the top predators in Africa. However, there are several species which may kill them. In one study 13 of 24 hyaena carcasses found were killed by lions. Hyenas and lions particularly in the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem compete directly for food and often scavenge each other's kills. This competition often leads to antagonistic encounters that may result in death. This was evident this month when on the 8th the six males on paradise plains killed a spotted hyena. On the 25th at Bila Shaka 50 hyena were seen scavenging on the remains of the elephant carcass. We suspect that these hyenas were from two different antagonistic clans, they aggressively harassed one another and this resulted in one hyena dying.
On the feline front the Bila Shaka / Marsh pride have been moving about within their territory. Two females and three 5 month old cubs were close to the riverine woodland and towards the end of the month three members of the pride took up residence close to Governors' Camp and roared loudly on a nightly basis!
The Paradise pride of 7 lionesses, 5 sub adult males and 'Notch' have remained close to the river on the high plains and have had an eventful month. One male has been mating with one of the females. The pride males had an aggressive encounter with a Hyena which they killed on the 8th and the pride has been feeding off Eland, Buffalo and an adult Hippo.
The Ridge pride of 6 lionesses and 9 cubs of varying ages have not moved very much recently hunting mostly down towards the Talek River. There have also been some new arrivals a lioness up on the plains has 2 young cubs that we estimate are three weeks old.
The cheetah of our area of the Mara are also doing well. Shakira and her three ten month-old female cubs are thriving. They occupy a prime territory which has provided them with abundant food and kept them healthy and well fed on Thomson gazelles and reedbuck.
A single female has been hunting close to our airstrip and has also been feeding off Thomson Gazelles and reedbuck.
The three male brother coalition have latterly moved closer to the Marsh. They have been feeding off young topi and warthog, on the 26th they killed a female warthog and had the prey all to themselves as they were not harassed by other predators.
The female cheetah (Serena) and her male and female 16 month-old cubs are resident on the high plains.
The female leopard resident in the rocky croton thickets near the Mara River had a surprise this month; she killed a Thomson Gazelle which she dragged up a tree and then ate some of it. She then decided to move the kill, she came down the tree moved into a croton thicket where she was ambushed and robbed of her kill by a spotted hyena, who quickly ran off with his easy meal!
The Young male leopard Kijana of the Musiara Marsh has retreated back into the forest for much of the month; in the last week of this month he was lounging in a fig tree on the edge of the swamp with a reedbuck kill.
Back in camp wildflowers cloak the riverbank bushes and frogs in the Marsh croak contentedly late into the night. We hope to share the magic of our corner of the Mara with you sometime soon.
We have some fantastic special offers on safaris at the moment and there is still time to book your migration safari.
NOTE:
We are now arranging pre and post World Cup Safaris but they MUST be booked early as there is unprecedented demand for space. Hotels in cities are already fully booked!
Happy Safaris!
John
61 2 4984 9747
jma@destinationsafrica.com.au
www.destinationsafrica.com.au