When I was in Chobe this past August someone in our group saw a "jackal" run acorss the road in front of our vehicle. It was pretty far away and no one else but our guide saw it. Later that nite our guide Nick admitted that he didn't think it was a jackal at all. He said it didn't move like a jackal and he was quite sure it was a wild dog.
Lily

Gaurang,

That border area you refer to- I.E.,Twin Pools, Old Hippo Pools etc etc., is really really buzzing in the dry season.....in fact, in August i think i spent a lot of time there....also saw a 3000 strong herd of buffalo there.

Yes, during the rains it can be hit or miss in the area....as i discovered last year during those longish rains.

Hari

So the moral of the story is..

Seeing Wild Dogs is a huge priviledge and more about luck than planning.

Example - in June we saw dogs at Mombo 4 out of 6 days.

Last week - arguably the best place to see Dogs anywhere was Mala Mala, where a pack of 17 made at least 6 witnessed kills, chased some Rhino around, and treed 2 Leopard.

Make the plans with Dogs in mind, but don't be disappointed.

Hi Hari

Yes Kwando, Linyanti and Selinda are very seasonal with hit/miss results and I would never want that to change. During my time there the Kwando concession had much more game and variety, as well as some truly harsh landscapes. Also, the behaviour of the the animals in Kwando represented a more "wild" element to this area. These are truly wild areas with hardly no human influence or fences. For me it is a privilege just to be in such places as they may not last for ever.

I agree Gaurang.....WILD is the right choice of word.

Hari

Also....about the preparation of the 5 den sites last winter....the alpha female may hv done that in advance, if she needed to move her pups there from other dens due to fleas or other predators etc etc.,

I think the alpha female prepares multiple densites prior to the litter....

Hari

Hi Hari,

I promise I will quit stalking you soon...any advice on what to tip the private guides? We arranged a private guide for all ten days split between Kwara, Lagoon and Labala (sadly Little Kwara was fully booked...)

Many thanks!

Hi loru100,

That's such a subjective thing.....just tip him whatever you normally would to any safari guide plus extra (as you find suitable).....if still in doubt, ask the camp management.

Kwara is also a charming camp. You have the same views from Kwara as you would from Little Kwara (just different angles). And ofcourse, the most important thing......the game viewing is the same.

Enjoy!!!

Hari