Back home from Kwando (Hari)
Sep 3rd, 2006, 09:23 AM
#41
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Michael,
Thanks for the pics. Seems like the really dark one (alpha male) is the same. or could be the same: However, the other two i cant recognize. The other dog is very similar to the dark dog. The alpha male in your picture also, has the unmistakable thick fur on the neck area. You got me thinking Michael, i will try and start with pictures of the dogs in the next few days.
Spencer, had definitely never seen the two dogs we saw. Charles/Justice and Custard seemed certain, as they had never seen such dark dogs outside of Kwara. I missed out showing the pics to Doc for confirmation. We spoke about it many times, but, it skipped my mind amidst all the lion action at Kwara.
Hari
Thanks for the pics. Seems like the really dark one (alpha male) is the same. or could be the same: However, the other two i cant recognize. The other dog is very similar to the dark dog. The alpha male in your picture also, has the unmistakable thick fur on the neck area. You got me thinking Michael, i will try and start with pictures of the dogs in the next few days.
Spencer, had definitely never seen the two dogs we saw. Charles/Justice and Custard seemed certain, as they had never seen such dark dogs outside of Kwara. I missed out showing the pics to Doc for confirmation. We spoke about it many times, but, it skipped my mind amidst all the lion action at Kwara.
Hari
Sep 3rd, 2006, 09:54 AM
#44
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Michael,
Before i hit the sack, i must tell you Spencer was in shock when Harry called in the sighting on the radio. He had the look of excietement and shock on his face. I asked him what was it:
He said two cheetahs- I thought, jolly the boys are back.
Two leopards, he said- What????
"No, two wild dogs. Hang onto the rails and hold tight" He yelled out, "we are running wild with the dogs".....
Before i hit the sack, i must tell you Spencer was in shock when Harry called in the sighting on the radio. He had the look of excietement and shock on his face. I asked him what was it:
He said two cheetahs- I thought, jolly the boys are back.
Two leopards, he said- What????
"No, two wild dogs. Hang onto the rails and hold tight" He yelled out, "we are running wild with the dogs".....
Sep 3rd, 2006, 02:33 PM
#46
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Excellent report, Hari. Love your enthusiasm. And you certainly didn't waste any time. I was fully expecting you to take a break.
Not at all surprised by the cheetah sightings. Kwando and neighbouring Selinda always seem to produce the goods with cheetah, despite the fact it is such good lion country. Much the same applies to sable and roan...nearly always see one or the other, sometimes both. But it's usually roan which is hard to get close to, not the sable. I've some great shots of sable bulls drinking from the spillway. Looking forward to seeing your photos.
I'm also pleased to hear the v. good relationship continuing on the Kwando- Selinda boundary. It's so much more productive for companies and clients alike than the cold war that exists further south. It will be interesting to see whether Selinda's overtures in the south are successful.
So you caught up with OB on the border...I think you'll remember I heard he was transferring from Selinda to Zib, but he either stayed at Selinda or the transfer was only for a short time. As you see from Lynn's report, her guide at Zib was BB, so it looks as though it was he who transferred, not OB.
John
Not at all surprised by the cheetah sightings. Kwando and neighbouring Selinda always seem to produce the goods with cheetah, despite the fact it is such good lion country. Much the same applies to sable and roan...nearly always see one or the other, sometimes both. But it's usually roan which is hard to get close to, not the sable. I've some great shots of sable bulls drinking from the spillway. Looking forward to seeing your photos.
I'm also pleased to hear the v. good relationship continuing on the Kwando- Selinda boundary. It's so much more productive for companies and clients alike than the cold war that exists further south. It will be interesting to see whether Selinda's overtures in the south are successful.
So you caught up with OB on the border...I think you'll remember I heard he was transferring from Selinda to Zib, but he either stayed at Selinda or the transfer was only for a short time. As you see from Lynn's report, her guide at Zib was BB, so it looks as though it was he who transferred, not OB.
John
Sep 3rd, 2006, 02:48 PM
#47
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Hello,
Interesting how much difference one guide can make in the relationship between two camps -- Spencer said that the fact that OB used to work with Kwando and remained close to his former colleagues was a major factor in the friendly relations between Kwando and Selinda. I also saw OB on my trip when we headed down to the Kwando/Selinda to look for the lions and buffalo.
Hopefully things will thaw out soon further south. After having stayed at Duma Tau and Savuti, I'll be at Selinda on my next trip so it will be interesting to see the relationship from the other side of the fence, so to speak.
Cheers,
Julian
Interesting how much difference one guide can make in the relationship between two camps -- Spencer said that the fact that OB used to work with Kwando and remained close to his former colleagues was a major factor in the friendly relations between Kwando and Selinda. I also saw OB on my trip when we headed down to the Kwando/Selinda to look for the lions and buffalo.
Hopefully things will thaw out soon further south. After having stayed at Duma Tau and Savuti, I'll be at Selinda on my next trip so it will be interesting to see the relationship from the other side of the fence, so to speak.
Cheers,
Julian
Sep 3rd, 2006, 03:54 PM
#48
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It's not just the one guide, Julian. He certainly helps maintain the good relationship, but it is in fact a long-standing one. OB left Kwando only a few months ago. I experienced the goodwill two years ago when we (in Selinda vehicles) welcomed Kwando vehicles across the boundary to view the three cheetah brothers, and such co-operation was going on long before I became aware of it. It was a revelation after hearing about the 'goings on' in the south.
John
John
Sep 3rd, 2006, 04:30 PM
#49
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Hopefully you got to relive some of those exciting experiences again through your report. We did!
How did you split up the 10 nights among the 3 camps again? On your previous Kwando trips what was the split?
Weren't you also at Phinda on this trip?
How did you split up the 10 nights among the 3 camps again? On your previous Kwando trips what was the split?
Weren't you also at Phinda on this trip?
Sep 3rd, 2006, 05:46 PM
#50
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John is right, Selinda and Kwando have always maintained good relationships.....it's not just OB, who only recently left Kwando to join LE. Even last trip, we went down to try and take a look at something, but didnt find it.
Napamatt, yes....bassets are the best!!!
Lynn, thanks. This trip, 3n Lagoon, 4n Lebala and 3n Little Kwara. Usually do 3n in each camp. However, i plan to spend really long at Lebala next time. Yes, Phinda just prior to Kwando. I will post a brief report soon, however it may take a couple of days, but, feel free to email me about Phinda ..... [email protected]
Napamatt, yes....bassets are the best!!!
Lynn, thanks. This trip, 3n Lagoon, 4n Lebala and 3n Little Kwara. Usually do 3n in each camp. However, i plan to spend really long at Lebala next time. Yes, Phinda just prior to Kwando. I will post a brief report soon, however it may take a couple of days, but, feel free to email me about Phinda ..... [email protected]
Sep 3rd, 2006, 10:22 PM
#56
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Marc,
Should be good....need a bit more patience, but the Kwando guides and trackers will try their best to track the predators down.
Always, had good cheetah viewing. Leopard and dogs are hit or miss at any time of the year. You always hv a good chance for lions. Hyenas, those damn animals are a sure shot!!! If you spend more time, your chances increase. The green season is much better for photography, as the greens are in place and lots of young animals. Great birding.
Right now, the birding was just ok. At Lebala, you are always in good hands, but, early Nov should still be fabulous as the long rains would just be starting. It never rains all day, just briefly as passing thundershowers.
However, during the rains you will miss the ellie and buffalo herds that will move into the mopane areas.
Hari
Should be good....need a bit more patience, but the Kwando guides and trackers will try their best to track the predators down.
Always, had good cheetah viewing. Leopard and dogs are hit or miss at any time of the year. You always hv a good chance for lions. Hyenas, those damn animals are a sure shot!!! If you spend more time, your chances increase. The green season is much better for photography, as the greens are in place and lots of young animals. Great birding.
Right now, the birding was just ok. At Lebala, you are always in good hands, but, early Nov should still be fabulous as the long rains would just be starting. It never rains all day, just briefly as passing thundershowers.
However, during the rains you will miss the ellie and buffalo herds that will move into the mopane areas.
Hari
Sep 4th, 2006, 07:40 AM
#59
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Michael (MV)
Here's 4 quick pics: you think they are the Kwara dogs?
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-m8zffp
Cheers
Hari
Here's 4 quick pics: you think they are the Kwara dogs?
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-m8zffp
Cheers
Hari
