Johan,
Please let us know what country wins out!

Hey Johan,
I was at Lebala for one night on my yearly Botswana inspection trip and bumped into you there. Glad to see you had a good time and are spreading the word. Lorna

Here is a thought/question on the water levels at Duba in Oct.

I was educated about the changing tectonic plates in Selinda and how that accounted for a change in water levels and flows. Other posters have also mentioned the same thing about Selinda and its underground shifting plates.

Could the same factors be at play in Duba? Could it be not just rain from above but movement from below that is making parts of Duba inaccessible throughout the year?

I recall way back when I was planning the trip, I asked an agent if they thought I should just wait about 5 years to go to Duba when I would be free to travel anytime of the year? The answer was, "The current geographics of Duba may not last that long because the delta is ever changing. I would not recommend waiting 5 years." Now this was not just sales talk because if I didn't go to Duba, I'd go elsewhere for the same # of days.

When you throw earth movements in with weather/rain patterns, pride dynamics, and buffalo herds, it seems like Duba Plains is in an especially unique precarious position. Makes me want to head back right now!

you're absolutely right Lynn, the delta can change dramtically over relatively short time horizons. Take for example the Mombo area. In the coffee book it says that back in the ealry 90's Mombo was a high water area and most of teh getting around had to be done by mekoro. Nowadays no mekoros are to be found. and up in the savuti channel a bridge taht used to be needed to drive across is just broken pieces of wood now. however plans are being thrown around to get it back up and running as the channel seems to eb flowing more and more each year. So combine the tectonic movements with the fact that the duba boys are nearing an end and i would encourage anyone contemplating Duba to go for it ASAP.

Big Country do you have Africa plans? If not Africa, perhaps a trip elsewhere that might interest Johan since he is destination shopping.

Johan: I'm late getting to this but thanks for posting a fantastic report. The detailed sighting information is my favorite kind of report.

I would think Alaska is the closest rival to Africa for opportunities to observe and photograph charismatic megafuana. A really unique place I hope to make in the future in Svalbard Island -- high arctic (Norway), supposed to be great polar bear viewing as well as walrus, Arctic foxes, etc. I always have to recommend Yellowstone too.

It will be very interesting to see how the dynamics of Duba shake out as the reign of the Duba Boys comes to an end. The dynamic in this area has already undergone lots of change, as Johan pointed out the very intersting buffalo kill numbers. The +/- 23 kills a month was happening when I was there in January of 2003. At that time Tsaro pride had 5 4-year old males and the pride commonly just waded right into the buffalo herd sometimes dropping 2 or 3 buffalo in one hunt. The Pantry Pride was dominant in the area closest to the camp and was the pride most often sighted and I believe numbered around 12-14 lions, this pride I think has 2 or 3 members now(?) so the decimation of that pride alone probably accounts for 10 less kills a month. Skimmer pride at the time had 2 prime 5 year old brothers (spotted mating with Tsaro females in fact) with 2 3 1/2 year olds joining them. And yet the 10 year old Duba Boys were still running everything and all those males must have dispersed elsewhere. At that time there were over 50 lions on the concession, I don't know what today's estimates are but I think quite a few less. The Tsaro cub killing evokes bad emotional feelings but the natural dynamic will change one way or another. New males may bring an end to the killing phenomenon but it is just as possible that the lack of recruitment (young growing into filling the ranks) is going to take a toll on Tsaro leading to the Skimmer Pride or a rejuevenated Pantry Pride out competing Tsaro, moving into their territory or another scenario the buffalo may begin to spend more time in the Skimmer territory and the Tsaro will not be able to adjust. So many things can happen but it is unlikely that this unusual situation will continue for too much longer. It will remain a fantastic place as long as the herd remains strong with the grasses they need.

As to Lynn's question about the shifting tectonics I was recently reading about an area in N. Botswana that in the 1970's was supposedly much more rich than Mombo is today but eventually there was shift that dried up all the water resources and today there is very little game. This is why it is so important to not only conserve large areas but keep them connected with movement corridors. The environment is in constant flux and the animals need the flexibility to adjust.

2 places that i think are great for wildlife experiences are Katmai national park in alaska and the st. lawrence river east of quebec city. Katmai is the best place in the world to view brown/grizzly bears on foot. it's pretty amazing to sit and have a 600+ lb bear come and sit within 10 feet of you with no protection between you and the bear except a guide. very different feeling to being in a vehicle. maybe i'll post some photos if you care. the st. lawrence is the best place i've found for whale watching. we went around in a zodiac and had blue and fin back whales feeding in a circle around us. we also saw a blue whale mother and baby at close range. i had a little trouble with my french but the whale watching is unsurpassed.

Question for Johan or PB or anyone else,

My questions are based on the "Relentless enemies" dvd..... the commentary mentions that Duba Plains is a closed island and there is no way out of Duba for any of the buffalo. My question is...is this because the lions dont allow the herds to get away or the geography is such that there is no escape out of the island?

Pred, i think the Relentless enemies documentary mentions Pantry pride members really being killed while taking the buffalo front-on...

The legacy of the duba boys will remain forever, regardless of how much time they have left.....

Hari

Pred,

Sorry.......Indian safari will match or outdo Alaska/yellowstone/norway. Dont you think?

Okay Johan, you have to do all the above countries on different trips.....

Hari

Hari: I hope to find out regarding India, but yes a safari in India has to be right up there as well. I think the Pantanal already mentioned by Lynn does too.

Jouberts are referring to the geography (waterways) as keeping the buffalo on Duba Plains. I have read where they indicate that the lions are isolated there too and that is definitely not so. Many lions have wandered in and dispersed out. I would think the buffalo could leave as well (not positive) but the habitat is fantastic for them so there really is no reason to leave -- they can be eaten by lions in Vumbura too.

Big Country -- I just took my daughter over the summer on the St. Lawrence, outstanding whale viewing. We struck out on blues unfortunately, there was a pair but the weather did not allow us to get there but we had amazing viewing of finbacks and a humback, as well as sightings of minke and belugas. Would like to return in the future to see the blues.

Thanks, Pred....makes sense. Yes, the commentary on that documentary was a bit dramatic.....so, i guess they theatricize it to an extent. So i would gather that, it's a combination of fantastic habitat and deep channels that keep the buffalo in duba. Thanks

Hari

Thanks for the Duba Plains geography update and the St. Lawrence whale watching. What time of year is best for Johan (or anyone else or me) to go to St. Lawrence?

If I recall correctly the whale concentrations (especially blue whale opportunities) are best from mid-August through September. There is still good viewing before and after that but that is the prime time.