Kwando did it again, great rainy safari at KNP
Dec 9th, 2009, 12:41 AM
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Kwando did it again, great rainy safari at KNP
This is my first trip report ever, so bear with me. tongue.gif
English is not my mother tongue, so please bear with me again cool.gif
Part I:
Lagoon Camp, Botswana
In 2004 we stayed the first and last time at this camp. In this year we had our first impressive contacts with wild dogs including 2 hunts with kills.
In the following years Lagoon was always booked, but this year we had luck.
Day 1, Nov., 7th,
After a late arrival in Maun due to departure delay in Johannesburg, we flew to our first stop to Kwando Lagoon. In the air we could see „rain-towers“ increasing on our way north.
On landing our pilot had to start through as an Impala was running straight on the airstrip in that moment.
We were greeted by our guide Allison and tracker BD. We had to hurry up, as the cheetahs had been seen close to the airstrip, which also caused the Impala to run on it.
After a couple of minutes we found the 3 brothers close to a small pan. We watched them for a while before heavy rains started. We drove to camp. Our car was not wet, it was flooded. The ponchos tried to do a good job but they couldn´t prevent us getting wet. In camp we were shown to our tents and we could get rid of our wet clothes.
The Lagoon tents need some kind of renovation. Don´t get me wrong, I don´t need more luxury, only some kind of make up, just like working zippers for example. These tents have for sure seen better days.
Day 2, Nov., 8th.
Early wake up as usual. And no rain. After some coffee of for morning game drive. Other guests in our car left for Lebala, so we had to make our way south to Halfway Pan. That´s a nice place with lots of birds and some hippos. Great sighting of African Fish Eagle, Monitro Lizard and African Darter.. We met Charles who´s managing Lebala now. On our way back we saw the Cheetah brothers again. They where relaxing on a termite mount. We took quality time with them.
In the afternoon we had to share the URI with 4 other guests, which is not a good option in a 2 row car. We knew that that could happen to us, but we hoped it wouldn´t. Those belgian people came out to be very nice and they were so polite that one of them was always sitting in the front beside Allison and we had our row on our own.
Nevertheless we saw lots of plain game, the usual stuff. Said that, I must mention, we really saw a lot of plain game this year, both in Lagoon and Lebala, more than in previous visits. Especially Giraffes have been abundant.
The highlight of that day was for sure the sighting of a pangolin after dark. I don´t know how BD was able to spot that strange animal. We spent lot of time with it. At least we also saw it move and climb around a termite mount. This was our first first timer.
Day 3, Nov., 9th,
Time for the dogs.
We found these, in our eyes, most fascinating animals close to camp.
The „Northern Pack“, 11 adults and 7 puppies. The puppies were already pretty grown and running wild. They were lying closed to the road and we watched them for a while.
We decided to leave them and come back in the afternoon for some „dog action“.
Other sightings: Zebra action, a recently killed Kudu, but no cats to be found, a herd of buffalos and the usual plains game and lots of birds
During the midday break it started to rain, but the rain stopped right in time for the action.
The afternoon drive was packed with dogs running wild. After the greeting ceremony they went of hunting.
During that they brought up a Bat-eared fox, who was running for dear life. Amazing what you see, when you follow those guys. Roan Antilope in the distance was another sighting.
They came across a dazzle of zebra. The Zebras started to chase and attack the dogs, which was also amazing.
In the end the dogs managed to take down an impala fowl and a fully grown Impala.
Useless to say, that there was no sundowner stop and we returned to camp for our drinks and food.
On our way back to camp a uge Black Mamba crossed our path.
At this point some words about the camp. Lagoon Camp is a rustic camp, which we like. But we think it´s time for some kind of renovation of the tents. They seem to be a bit to run down. Unfunctional zippers and such things. Keep in mind: I only talk about renovation not renewing. Maybe just new canvas would do! But that´s nothing, to keep us not going there again!
Day 4, Nov., 10th,
We got up earlier as the previous days, as our belgian friends had an early flight to Kwara.
It was about time to change it, as we now were out on the first light of the day. But it seemed to us, that somebody forgot to open the animal´s cages, no one at home.
At least we found a giraffe in the early sunlight,which made for some nice photos.
Then we found a relaxed secretary bird on top of an acacia tree. We could approach the bird and I was able to take some shots.
On our way back to camp we drove right into a big herd of buffalos.
Battling giraffes was another first timer for us.
After brunch we had to say byebye to our belgian friends.
We decided to go on a boat cruise at midday. The sun was not shining so it was quite nice. Something different.
New guests arrived, and we were surprised to meet Pascal and Michel from France again, whom we met last year at Lebala. Both of them fabulous photographers.
In the afternoon we were accompanied by a nice english couple.
We saw the cheetahs again. They had managed to take down an Impala earlier and were now busy relaxing in the shadow. We met Thabo and Borman, who told us, that they would „take care“ of us in Lebala the next day
Besides that it was a quite afternoon.
At least we were able to get a nice sundowner on a pod with lots of hippos, both alive and dead.
On our way back we saw a Pel´s Fishing owl, another first timer.
Some spring hare and a genet were also spotted.
Day 5, Nov., 11th,
Time to leave Lagoon and go to Lebala.
We headed to Halfway Pan again for prisoner exchange.
On our way there we again enjoyed the battle of giraffes and met some buffalos.
Also the cheetahs passed by to wave bye bye.
Lebala action coming soon!
English is not my mother tongue, so please bear with me again cool.gif
Part I:
Lagoon Camp, Botswana
In 2004 we stayed the first and last time at this camp. In this year we had our first impressive contacts with wild dogs including 2 hunts with kills.
In the following years Lagoon was always booked, but this year we had luck.
Day 1, Nov., 7th,
After a late arrival in Maun due to departure delay in Johannesburg, we flew to our first stop to Kwando Lagoon. In the air we could see „rain-towers“ increasing on our way north.
On landing our pilot had to start through as an Impala was running straight on the airstrip in that moment.
We were greeted by our guide Allison and tracker BD. We had to hurry up, as the cheetahs had been seen close to the airstrip, which also caused the Impala to run on it.
After a couple of minutes we found the 3 brothers close to a small pan. We watched them for a while before heavy rains started. We drove to camp. Our car was not wet, it was flooded. The ponchos tried to do a good job but they couldn´t prevent us getting wet. In camp we were shown to our tents and we could get rid of our wet clothes.
The Lagoon tents need some kind of renovation. Don´t get me wrong, I don´t need more luxury, only some kind of make up, just like working zippers for example. These tents have for sure seen better days.
Day 2, Nov., 8th.
Early wake up as usual. And no rain. After some coffee of for morning game drive. Other guests in our car left for Lebala, so we had to make our way south to Halfway Pan. That´s a nice place with lots of birds and some hippos. Great sighting of African Fish Eagle, Monitro Lizard and African Darter.. We met Charles who´s managing Lebala now. On our way back we saw the Cheetah brothers again. They where relaxing on a termite mount. We took quality time with them.
In the afternoon we had to share the URI with 4 other guests, which is not a good option in a 2 row car. We knew that that could happen to us, but we hoped it wouldn´t. Those belgian people came out to be very nice and they were so polite that one of them was always sitting in the front beside Allison and we had our row on our own.
Nevertheless we saw lots of plain game, the usual stuff. Said that, I must mention, we really saw a lot of plain game this year, both in Lagoon and Lebala, more than in previous visits. Especially Giraffes have been abundant.
The highlight of that day was for sure the sighting of a pangolin after dark. I don´t know how BD was able to spot that strange animal. We spent lot of time with it. At least we also saw it move and climb around a termite mount. This was our first first timer.
Day 3, Nov., 9th,
Time for the dogs.
We found these, in our eyes, most fascinating animals close to camp.
The „Northern Pack“, 11 adults and 7 puppies. The puppies were already pretty grown and running wild. They were lying closed to the road and we watched them for a while.
We decided to leave them and come back in the afternoon for some „dog action“.
Other sightings: Zebra action, a recently killed Kudu, but no cats to be found, a herd of buffalos and the usual plains game and lots of birds
During the midday break it started to rain, but the rain stopped right in time for the action.
The afternoon drive was packed with dogs running wild. After the greeting ceremony they went of hunting.
During that they brought up a Bat-eared fox, who was running for dear life. Amazing what you see, when you follow those guys. Roan Antilope in the distance was another sighting.
They came across a dazzle of zebra. The Zebras started to chase and attack the dogs, which was also amazing.
In the end the dogs managed to take down an impala fowl and a fully grown Impala.
Useless to say, that there was no sundowner stop and we returned to camp for our drinks and food.
On our way back to camp a uge Black Mamba crossed our path.
At this point some words about the camp. Lagoon Camp is a rustic camp, which we like. But we think it´s time for some kind of renovation of the tents. They seem to be a bit to run down. Unfunctional zippers and such things. Keep in mind: I only talk about renovation not renewing. Maybe just new canvas would do! But that´s nothing, to keep us not going there again!
Day 4, Nov., 10th,
We got up earlier as the previous days, as our belgian friends had an early flight to Kwara.
It was about time to change it, as we now were out on the first light of the day. But it seemed to us, that somebody forgot to open the animal´s cages, no one at home.
At least we found a giraffe in the early sunlight,which made for some nice photos.
Then we found a relaxed secretary bird on top of an acacia tree. We could approach the bird and I was able to take some shots.
On our way back to camp we drove right into a big herd of buffalos.
Battling giraffes was another first timer for us.
After brunch we had to say byebye to our belgian friends.
We decided to go on a boat cruise at midday. The sun was not shining so it was quite nice. Something different.
New guests arrived, and we were surprised to meet Pascal and Michel from France again, whom we met last year at Lebala. Both of them fabulous photographers.
In the afternoon we were accompanied by a nice english couple.
We saw the cheetahs again. They had managed to take down an Impala earlier and were now busy relaxing in the shadow. We met Thabo and Borman, who told us, that they would „take care“ of us in Lebala the next day
Besides that it was a quite afternoon.
At least we were able to get a nice sundowner on a pod with lots of hippos, both alive and dead.
On our way back we saw a Pel´s Fishing owl, another first timer.
Some spring hare and a genet were also spotted.
Day 5, Nov., 11th,
Time to leave Lagoon and go to Lebala.
We headed to Halfway Pan again for prisoner exchange.
On our way there we again enjoyed the battle of giraffes and met some buffalos.
Also the cheetahs passed by to wave bye bye.
Lebala action coming soon!
Dec 9th, 2009, 05:29 AM
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More more more!
I confess the vehicle seat config is what puts me off the most as I would ABSOLUTELY not want a middle seat in row of three. And to be honest, wouldn't be ideal having some one sitting in that seat either as that's where husband and I usually put our camera bag etc.
I confess the vehicle seat config is what puts me off the most as I would ABSOLUTELY not want a middle seat in row of three. And to be honest, wouldn't be ideal having some one sitting in that seat either as that's where husband and I usually put our camera bag etc.
Dec 9th, 2009, 05:44 AM
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We went to Kwando the first week on November 07 and there where 2 eles at Lebala airstrip to received us,i thought that was very special but 3 cheetahs is even better,amazing!
Looks like Lagoon camp didn´t disappoint you, plenty of dog and cheetah action...and a pangolin!!!
It is great to miss sundowns for that reason.
Did you see lions ??
Would be great to look at some of your pictures photos ??
Paco.
Looks like Lagoon camp didn´t disappoint you, plenty of dog and cheetah action...and a pangolin!!!
It is great to miss sundowns for that reason.
Did you see lions ??
Would be great to look at some of your pictures photos ??
Paco.
Dec 10th, 2009, 06:58 AM
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Dec 10th, 2009, 10:03 PM
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Nice pictures.I like your sunset photos and the leopard cub has a very nice expression,you say you would have like more detail in the body of the cub...i like the DOF, shallow focus in this case.
The Pangolin close up is also nice, we can see that special face and the big claw.
Paco.
The Pangolin close up is also nice, we can see that special face and the big claw.
Paco.
Dec 12th, 2009, 09:17 AM
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Nice pictures!
Kavey
Not only the 3 seats packed but also the fact that still Kwando does hunting in almost 85% of their concessions is a no-go for me.
It sounds the tents haven't been refurb since 2003 when we visited (without knowing about the hunting)
SV
Kavey
Not only the 3 seats packed but also the fact that still Kwando does hunting in almost 85% of their concessions is a no-go for me.
It sounds the tents haven't been refurb since 2003 when we visited (without knowing about the hunting)
SV
Dec 12th, 2009, 09:34 AM
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"English is not my mother tongue"
Hey my friend, I would not know that, you're report is excellent. I'm very thankful that English -is- my mother tongue, I would not want to have to learn it!!!! And, very nice photos also.
As somewhat aside-
Kwando web site says for all camps -
"Maximum 6 guests per vehicle in individual seating"
What does that mean? Only that everyone has a seat, no one has to stand? Three to a seat is not acceptable for me. Period. I don't care how little nor how much the room rate is.
regards - tom
Hey my friend, I would not know that, you're report is excellent. I'm very thankful that English -is- my mother tongue, I would not want to have to learn it!!!! And, very nice photos also.
As somewhat aside-
Kwando web site says for all camps -
"Maximum 6 guests per vehicle in individual seating"
What does that mean? Only that everyone has a seat, no one has to stand? Three to a seat is not acceptable for me. Period. I don't care how little nor how much the room rate is.
regards - tom
Dec 13th, 2009, 12:50 AM
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@ sv: Who says that Kwando is doing hunting on 85% of their concessions?
Can you prove it?
I know, that the the concessions at the Kwando river had been hunting concessions before Kwando leased them, but now?
If the major of their concessions where proposed to hunting, do you think you could get any close to the animals? They would be very skittish, which they are not more than in other areas we visited in Botswana. For sure you can not compare with KNP and Masai Mara, as those animals are used to loads of cars.
The seating is a problem, but no reason for me not to go there again. It would be a major problem, if there are 6 ambitious photographers in the car. We´ve always been lucky that it was only me who´s the crazy guy with all the gear. It is always possible to take the seat beside the Guide in front, which also makes for a good eye level with the animals. The guide just has to turn the car in the right direction, which he will if he´s a good guide (which is a fact @ Kwando as far as I could note on own experiences).
Kwando for me offers the best opportunities to view excellent wildlife mixed with loads of fun and action. For that I will always take the disappointment of maybe sitting with 3 in a row.
Can you prove it?
I know, that the the concessions at the Kwando river had been hunting concessions before Kwando leased them, but now?
If the major of their concessions where proposed to hunting, do you think you could get any close to the animals? They would be very skittish, which they are not more than in other areas we visited in Botswana. For sure you can not compare with KNP and Masai Mara, as those animals are used to loads of cars.
The seating is a problem, but no reason for me not to go there again. It would be a major problem, if there are 6 ambitious photographers in the car. We´ve always been lucky that it was only me who´s the crazy guy with all the gear. It is always possible to take the seat beside the Guide in front, which also makes for a good eye level with the animals. The guide just has to turn the car in the right direction, which he will if he´s a good guide (which is a fact @ Kwando as far as I could note on own experiences).
Kwando for me offers the best opportunities to view excellent wildlife mixed with loads of fun and action. For that I will always take the disappointment of maybe sitting with 3 in a row.
Dec 13th, 2009, 05:46 AM
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Part II
Lebala action
Thabo and Borman picked us up at Halfway Pan.
We shared the URI with an american couple.
Thabo said, that they found a big male Leopard on their way. So we headed there looking for the cat.
Some nice bird action on our way: fighting egyptian geese.
Another Lebala vehicle was still with the leopard and we joined.
We drove into and over the mopane. Just in front of the cat we got stuck. A piece of wood blocked us eye to eye to the leopard. Thabo tried hard moving back and forth, but we were definetly stuck.
Luckily the cat was disturbed by all the noise and movement and walked away. Thabo tried and tried. No way. So we called the other car, which was following the cat in the meantime, to push us.
They came and did what we were looking for. It helped a bit but Borman still had to make use of the machete and cut a big branch which was blocking the drive shaft. At least we were free again!
We managed to catch up the elusive cat. He was nonetheless quite relaxed but went from one shady place to another.
We left it alone and headed to camp as the sun was already pretty high. A good start for our stay at Lebala.
At Lebala we were greeted by Hermina, BK and Nature, whom I did not recognise without his long dreadlocks. Later we also met Charles and Spencer again.
We were shown our nice, big „tents“, which we like very much. It´s not necessary to have this kind of accomodation but it is nice anyway.
At brunch I asked Thabo about the dog situation and he said, that recently there are 2 packs around: the „Southern Pack“, consisting of 6 adults and 7 pups, and the „Useless Pack“ of 6 adults. They call them useless because they don´t have puppies.
After siesta it was time for some Rock´n´roll.
We went south (I think it was south, the way into the marshes).
We saw a big African Fish Eagle. Useless to say that it flew away and I did not manage to get the BIF.
The first portion of the afternoon drive was dedicated to birding. My wife Claudia was anxious, she could miss some dog action. But first you have to find them.
We saw a black egret on his fishing attempt and again some Egyptian Geese.
Then we came to the big Carmine Bee Eater colony, something I always wanted to see and never managed in 5 years, so another first timer.
It was nice to see all these colorful birds. Again I failed to take a good BIF.
A family of Ostriches were running around the plains and the dad-ostrich did not seem to be happy with us around.
On the flood plains Red Lechwe were grasing. As we approach they ran away, good for some action shots.
And here they are:
African Wild Dogs, the „Useless Pack“.
We followed them into the dark and again missed our sundowner, (the only good reason, to miss one
)
At dinner I had a very nice chat with Nature, who is really a nice guy and good manager.
Day 6, Nov., 12th,
We headed south to see what we will see.
Dung beetles, Zebras and other plains game, the morning starts quite.
Then 2 radio calls. Thabo starts laughing:
„Guys, Spencer just called that he found 2 male lions, while camp just called and told me, that the wild dogs (the Southern Pack consisting of 6 adults and 7 puppies, btw) made a kill right in camp. What shall we do?“ We decided to go to the dogs, maybe we could pick up some action, the lions won´t move. That´s the way safari works: sometimes you shake the bottle of ketchup and nothing comes out, but then all of a sudden everything pops out.
Thabo made the Michael Schumacher and speeded back to camp. We arrived right in time to witness a lot of puppy action. They fed on a fully grown Impala and we saw kites steeling some food from them.
We watched it for more than an hour and headed south to look for the lions.
Cruising past elephants and other game, we reached the two male lions, to watch one of the most boring sights in africa: lions doing what lions do best: sleep!
So back to camp after an amazing morning drive.
At camp a mechanic came and asked if we already had seen lots of snakes as there was one in a tree closed to the dining area. So we went to see that snake in the tree: it was a beautiful little green snake with big eyes. We were just some centimeters away from this snake not knowing what it was. At least we were just centimeters away from a most poisonous snake: a female boomslang!
At brunch we saw a beautiful African Paradise Flycatcher, which is nesting in camp.
So time came again for the afternoon drive.
For our disappointment we were once again stuck with 6 pax in the car. I think Nature realized our disappointment.
A couple of Polish people joined us.
I took the seat beside Thabo, which was the best photographic option.
Later Thabo told us, that the Polish couple didn´t want to join another party of 3 (with an disabled guy), in the car, with whom they already had to share vehicle @ Kwara. Needless to say, that the communication with those people was close to zero. Later the man told a story of him hunting buffalo in Uganda, which disappointed everybody.
We found the dogs again resting in the shadow. Their bellies were full, full, full. They did not look, that they should do some hunting later. So we left them alone.
Another snake: Egyptian Cobra.
We looked for the lions and they were still busy sleeping.
A nice herd of female Kudu and lots of birds were other sightings.
After sundowner (yes, sometimes you may also have one @ Kwando) we met something quite familiar:
the Southern Pack
Back in camp another chat with Nature and a discussion with Thabo about the 3 in a row situation at Kwando. He said, that he hopes that there will be some kind of change with the vehicles. Maybe a third row. I don´t know if that´s a serious background or just his wish. It is not easy for the guides to deal with that as they realize that clients are not too happy with that.
Day 7, Nov. 13th,
Another day, another drive, This one will go into history as the „rare animal“ drive.
Another meeting with the „Southern Pack“.
The dogs are very nervous, maybe they realize that there is another pack of dogs close by.
We follow them. On their hunt they chase an African Wild Cat. A big Civet is running for his life. We never saw this animal during daylight. Another First-timer.
The dogs kill a baby impala in the thickets which we can not witness. We only see the remainings of the poor animal. The puppies feed of it and the adults leave the food for them.
We go west as we want to see some male Kudu, who use to be there in the Mopane forest.
We get to see that imposant animal (luckily the man from Poland has no weapon).
At Python Pan Thabo starts laughing: the „Useless Pack“ of Wild Dogs! The american lady asks Thabo:“Are you sure that this is an endangered species?“
Driving further west we come to „Lebala Zoo“:
Giraffes, Zebra, Tsessebee, Impala, Warthog on one place, and here we are ladies and gentleman: a relaxed Roan Antilope! Another rare one!
We are able to watch this big animal for some minutes and can get close enough for some pictures.
Thabo tells Borman, that we now only look for rare animals, nothing else!
As we have to drop the Americans on the airstrip we drive back towards camp.
Another rare sighting: an Elephant without a trunk and tail, maybe lion attack maybe Namibian snare.
On the airstrip another rare one: Wattled Crane, endangered bird.
We wave bye bye to the Americans and have a 4 pax car. I can´t resist asking Thabo, if we get some more people in the car in the afternoon, but he luckily denys.
At camp Thabo can not stop telling everybody about our rare animals drive.
The French group of Pascal and Michel also arrived at Lebala and I have a nice talk with Pascal.
The afternoon drive is a quite one. Maybe Thabo needed a break from rare animals, so we visit the carmines again.
We see another nice herd of female Kudu with juveniles, who busy look in one direction. So our Guide/Tracker system decides to see what they are alert of. It´s a hyena resting in the shadow on a termite mount.
A puncture and we see Thabo sweating.
Driving around we are accompanied by a big herd of Elephants.
On a pan we see a very nice Yelowbilled Hornbill in Golden Light.
Wow, and another sundowner. On a nice waterhole with more Wattled Cranes.
I can´t resist and ask Thabo for another first timer: I would like to see a Caracal. He just laughs.
We head back to camp.
But you name it, you get it: a Caracal. Not good for photography but for memory!
That´s the end of a most remarkable safari day!
Day 8, Nov. 14th,
Our last half day at Lebala.
We go north to Halfway Pan for another prisoner exchange as Poland will leave us for Lagoon.
Giraffes and lots of Plains Game on our way there. It is a pity you have to go this way, when the wild dog action is south @ Lebala.
But the pan is really beautiful with all the water birds and hippos.
We meet Allison and BD again who bring a prisoner, sorry, guest, from Lagoon and we happily give them Poland.
On our way back south we see steenbuck and other stuff.
That was it for Northern Botswana, sad to leave.
After breakfast we pack our stuff, say bye bye to everybody.
We fly south to Nxai Pan, which is next.
Lebala action
Thabo and Borman picked us up at Halfway Pan.
We shared the URI with an american couple.
Thabo said, that they found a big male Leopard on their way. So we headed there looking for the cat.
Some nice bird action on our way: fighting egyptian geese.
Another Lebala vehicle was still with the leopard and we joined.
We drove into and over the mopane. Just in front of the cat we got stuck. A piece of wood blocked us eye to eye to the leopard. Thabo tried hard moving back and forth, but we were definetly stuck.
Luckily the cat was disturbed by all the noise and movement and walked away. Thabo tried and tried. No way. So we called the other car, which was following the cat in the meantime, to push us.
They came and did what we were looking for. It helped a bit but Borman still had to make use of the machete and cut a big branch which was blocking the drive shaft. At least we were free again!
We managed to catch up the elusive cat. He was nonetheless quite relaxed but went from one shady place to another.
We left it alone and headed to camp as the sun was already pretty high. A good start for our stay at Lebala.
At Lebala we were greeted by Hermina, BK and Nature, whom I did not recognise without his long dreadlocks. Later we also met Charles and Spencer again.
We were shown our nice, big „tents“, which we like very much. It´s not necessary to have this kind of accomodation but it is nice anyway.
At brunch I asked Thabo about the dog situation and he said, that recently there are 2 packs around: the „Southern Pack“, consisting of 6 adults and 7 pups, and the „Useless Pack“ of 6 adults. They call them useless because they don´t have puppies.
After siesta it was time for some Rock´n´roll.
We went south (I think it was south, the way into the marshes).
We saw a big African Fish Eagle. Useless to say that it flew away and I did not manage to get the BIF.
The first portion of the afternoon drive was dedicated to birding. My wife Claudia was anxious, she could miss some dog action. But first you have to find them.
We saw a black egret on his fishing attempt and again some Egyptian Geese.
Then we came to the big Carmine Bee Eater colony, something I always wanted to see and never managed in 5 years, so another first timer.
It was nice to see all these colorful birds. Again I failed to take a good BIF.
A family of Ostriches were running around the plains and the dad-ostrich did not seem to be happy with us around.
On the flood plains Red Lechwe were grasing. As we approach they ran away, good for some action shots.
And here they are:
African Wild Dogs, the „Useless Pack“.
We followed them into the dark and again missed our sundowner, (the only good reason, to miss one
)At dinner I had a very nice chat with Nature, who is really a nice guy and good manager.
Day 6, Nov., 12th,
We headed south to see what we will see.
Dung beetles, Zebras and other plains game, the morning starts quite.
Then 2 radio calls. Thabo starts laughing:
„Guys, Spencer just called that he found 2 male lions, while camp just called and told me, that the wild dogs (the Southern Pack consisting of 6 adults and 7 puppies, btw) made a kill right in camp. What shall we do?“ We decided to go to the dogs, maybe we could pick up some action, the lions won´t move. That´s the way safari works: sometimes you shake the bottle of ketchup and nothing comes out, but then all of a sudden everything pops out.
Thabo made the Michael Schumacher and speeded back to camp. We arrived right in time to witness a lot of puppy action. They fed on a fully grown Impala and we saw kites steeling some food from them.
We watched it for more than an hour and headed south to look for the lions.
Cruising past elephants and other game, we reached the two male lions, to watch one of the most boring sights in africa: lions doing what lions do best: sleep!
So back to camp after an amazing morning drive.
At camp a mechanic came and asked if we already had seen lots of snakes as there was one in a tree closed to the dining area. So we went to see that snake in the tree: it was a beautiful little green snake with big eyes. We were just some centimeters away from this snake not knowing what it was. At least we were just centimeters away from a most poisonous snake: a female boomslang!
At brunch we saw a beautiful African Paradise Flycatcher, which is nesting in camp.
So time came again for the afternoon drive.
For our disappointment we were once again stuck with 6 pax in the car. I think Nature realized our disappointment.
A couple of Polish people joined us.
I took the seat beside Thabo, which was the best photographic option.
Later Thabo told us, that the Polish couple didn´t want to join another party of 3 (with an disabled guy), in the car, with whom they already had to share vehicle @ Kwara. Needless to say, that the communication with those people was close to zero. Later the man told a story of him hunting buffalo in Uganda, which disappointed everybody.
We found the dogs again resting in the shadow. Their bellies were full, full, full. They did not look, that they should do some hunting later. So we left them alone.
Another snake: Egyptian Cobra.
We looked for the lions and they were still busy sleeping.
A nice herd of female Kudu and lots of birds were other sightings.
After sundowner (yes, sometimes you may also have one @ Kwando) we met something quite familiar:
the Southern Pack
Back in camp another chat with Nature and a discussion with Thabo about the 3 in a row situation at Kwando. He said, that he hopes that there will be some kind of change with the vehicles. Maybe a third row. I don´t know if that´s a serious background or just his wish. It is not easy for the guides to deal with that as they realize that clients are not too happy with that.
Day 7, Nov. 13th,
Another day, another drive, This one will go into history as the „rare animal“ drive.
Another meeting with the „Southern Pack“.
The dogs are very nervous, maybe they realize that there is another pack of dogs close by.
We follow them. On their hunt they chase an African Wild Cat. A big Civet is running for his life. We never saw this animal during daylight. Another First-timer.
The dogs kill a baby impala in the thickets which we can not witness. We only see the remainings of the poor animal. The puppies feed of it and the adults leave the food for them.
We go west as we want to see some male Kudu, who use to be there in the Mopane forest.
We get to see that imposant animal (luckily the man from Poland has no weapon
).At Python Pan Thabo starts laughing: the „Useless Pack“ of Wild Dogs! The american lady asks Thabo:“Are you sure that this is an endangered species?“
Driving further west we come to „Lebala Zoo“:
Giraffes, Zebra, Tsessebee, Impala, Warthog on one place, and here we are ladies and gentleman: a relaxed Roan Antilope! Another rare one!
We are able to watch this big animal for some minutes and can get close enough for some pictures.
Thabo tells Borman, that we now only look for rare animals, nothing else!
As we have to drop the Americans on the airstrip we drive back towards camp.
Another rare sighting: an Elephant without a trunk and tail, maybe lion attack maybe Namibian snare.
On the airstrip another rare one: Wattled Crane, endangered bird.
We wave bye bye to the Americans and have a 4 pax car. I can´t resist asking Thabo, if we get some more people in the car in the afternoon, but he luckily denys.
At camp Thabo can not stop telling everybody about our rare animals drive.
The French group of Pascal and Michel also arrived at Lebala and I have a nice talk with Pascal.
The afternoon drive is a quite one. Maybe Thabo needed a break from rare animals, so we visit the carmines again.
We see another nice herd of female Kudu with juveniles, who busy look in one direction. So our Guide/Tracker system decides to see what they are alert of. It´s a hyena resting in the shadow on a termite mount.
A puncture and we see Thabo sweating.
Driving around we are accompanied by a big herd of Elephants.
On a pan we see a very nice Yelowbilled Hornbill in Golden Light.
Wow, and another sundowner. On a nice waterhole with more Wattled Cranes.
I can´t resist and ask Thabo for another first timer: I would like to see a Caracal. He just laughs.
We head back to camp.
But you name it, you get it: a Caracal. Not good for photography but for memory!
That´s the end of a most remarkable safari day!
Day 8, Nov. 14th,
Our last half day at Lebala.
We go north to Halfway Pan for another prisoner exchange as Poland will leave us for Lagoon.
Giraffes and lots of Plains Game on our way there. It is a pity you have to go this way, when the wild dog action is south @ Lebala.
But the pan is really beautiful with all the water birds and hippos.
We meet Allison and BD again who bring a prisoner, sorry, guest, from Lagoon and we happily give them Poland.
On our way back south we see steenbuck and other stuff.
That was it for Northern Botswana, sad to leave.
After breakfast we pack our stuff, say bye bye to everybody.
We fly south to Nxai Pan, which is next.
Dec 13th, 2009, 05:26 PM
#16
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Wonderful pictures. Loved the bee eaters, and that's the best pangolin shot I've ever seen (not that I've seen that many pangolin shots!). You're cropping adn composition is great.
Extraordinary sighting of that trunkless elephant, but I'm not sure I understand what a Namibia snare is.
Extraordinary sighting of that trunkless elephant, but I'm not sure I understand what a Namibia snare is.
Dec 13th, 2009, 05:36 PM
#17
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"The seating is a problem, but no reason for me not to go there again"
If you got rid of the word again, that's how I feel, since I've never been but hope to visit some day.
What were the survival chances of that trunkless ele?
If you got rid of the word again, that's how I feel, since I've never been but hope to visit some day.
What were the survival chances of that trunkless ele?
Dec 14th, 2009, 04:43 AM
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Thanks for the continued report and for your input on the vehicle seating.
You mentioned someone called BK - do you know if this is BK Setlabosha? He was our guide for our first Mombo visit in 2004 and we found him an excellent guide. We were disappointed to learn he'd left Wilderness Safaris before our 2nd visit to Botswana but understood he'd gone solo and was setting up his own business. His cousin, who we met at another camp in 2008, said that the business was struggling and that he might have to go back to work for one of the big outfits. So I wonder if it's the same guy and he's now working for Kwando?
You mentioned someone called BK - do you know if this is BK Setlabosha? He was our guide for our first Mombo visit in 2004 and we found him an excellent guide. We were disappointed to learn he'd left Wilderness Safaris before our 2nd visit to Botswana but understood he'd gone solo and was setting up his own business. His cousin, who we met at another camp in 2008, said that the business was struggling and that he might have to go back to work for one of the big outfits. So I wonder if it's the same guy and he's now working for Kwando?
Dec 14th, 2009, 06:06 AM
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Tomfries
I got the confirm that a "subcontractor" does the hunting within the Kwando concession. And the confirm was provided by their German rep! So not just gossip!
Regarding the size for the hunting:
As far as Lebala and Lagoon goes: The photographic section is a small belt along the concession border. All the rest of it remains for the hunting safaris means that the hunting doesn't necessarily takes place close to the border between hunting and photographic section.
I did my own research regarding the "portion" for bioth safari styles. Gathered information from former management staff and got confirms from other concession holder who BURN the trophy permits instead of selling it.
Just contact Louis (head of the Botswana hunting society) or John Mynhardt. If they have the guts and are convinced they support conservation by killing the animals they won't hesitate to confirm ;-)
Let me assure you: We also were very satisfied by what we saw when we visited Kwando. I have no personal vendetta with them. It's just that we don't want to get involved with ANY concession where both, hunting AND photographic safaris, are conducted.
It's for everybody's own choice or ethics what to do or what to avoid.
SV
I got the confirm that a "subcontractor" does the hunting within the Kwando concession. And the confirm was provided by their German rep! So not just gossip!
Regarding the size for the hunting:
As far as Lebala and Lagoon goes: The photographic section is a small belt along the concession border. All the rest of it remains for the hunting safaris means that the hunting doesn't necessarily takes place close to the border between hunting and photographic section.
I did my own research regarding the "portion" for bioth safari styles. Gathered information from former management staff and got confirms from other concession holder who BURN the trophy permits instead of selling it.
Just contact Louis (head of the Botswana hunting society) or John Mynhardt. If they have the guts and are convinced they support conservation by killing the animals they won't hesitate to confirm ;-)
Let me assure you: We also were very satisfied by what we saw when we visited Kwando. I have no personal vendetta with them. It's just that we don't want to get involved with ANY concession where both, hunting AND photographic safaris, are conducted.
It's for everybody's own choice or ethics what to do or what to avoid.
SV
Dec 14th, 2009, 07:50 AM
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@ sv:
I know that the area used for game drives @ Lagon & Lebala is only the part which is just close to the Kwando River as there are most of the animals. You say it´s a small belt on the border of the concession, which is true, but I say it´s more than this the part of the concession where the animals are as there is the Kwando River.
We´ve been told that the remaining part of the concession is Mopane forest where animals are hard to see and find. Something that I totally understand. In dry season you will hardly find animals there at all because there is no water.
You won´t tell me that the animals in the Mopane forest, where you say hunting is conducted, don´t come to the water during dry season? So these animals which are in "hunting areas" have to go to this water. For that they are really relaxed and I am happy that they don´t run away when a car comes.
Let´s say it this way: I am not convinced.
BTW: I´ve been told, that Kwando got a new lease close to Kwara which used to be hunting concession before. They seem to build a new camp there.
I know that the area used for game drives @ Lagon & Lebala is only the part which is just close to the Kwando River as there are most of the animals. You say it´s a small belt on the border of the concession, which is true, but I say it´s more than this the part of the concession where the animals are as there is the Kwando River.
We´ve been told that the remaining part of the concession is Mopane forest where animals are hard to see and find. Something that I totally understand. In dry season you will hardly find animals there at all because there is no water.
You won´t tell me that the animals in the Mopane forest, where you say hunting is conducted, don´t come to the water during dry season? So these animals which are in "hunting areas" have to go to this water. For that they are really relaxed and I am happy that they don´t run away when a car comes.
Let´s say it this way: I am not convinced.
BTW: I´ve been told, that Kwando got a new lease close to Kwara which used to be hunting concession before. They seem to build a new camp there.
