Lebala visit Sept/October 2008
#21
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On the topic of missed details. Celebrated Botswana Day on Sept 30th. My first Botswana Day - was a terrific evening. Traditional Botswana meal and had the entire camp staff at dinner - We were at the table with Mr.Moe and his team. Good times!
#22
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Welcome back, Hari.
Glad you saw the cheetah and enjoyed.
Sounds like the Selinda pack wondered off again from Selinda - we saw 8 very healthy dogs as well. One female was pregnant. BB thought she wasn't that far along - don't know what the gestation time is. Is the Selinda pack now 2 sub packs?
Glad you also saw the pangolin. It was such a highlight for us, as well.
Glad you saw the cheetah and enjoyed.
Sounds like the Selinda pack wondered off again from Selinda - we saw 8 very healthy dogs as well. One female was pregnant. BB thought she wasn't that far along - don't know what the gestation time is. Is the Selinda pack now 2 sub packs?
Glad you also saw the pangolin. It was such a highlight for us, as well.
#24
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Hari, I totally agree with your statement about how constantly things change in terms of predator (or other animal) dynamics. Mombo as you probably know, for example, used to be THE place for wild dogs. Now there are too many lions for the dogs to thrive there. I guess that's why Africa enthralls us all.
When I was at Lebala in late August, I did not see a single hyena. Also, flying into the Selinda concession, I was struck by how much water the mopane pans still held. I had flown over the mopane forests in northern Botswana twice before (both times in late August as well), and the pans were dry. As expected, I saw very few elephants in the Kwando concession this time.
When I was at Lebala in late August, I did not see a single hyena. Also, flying into the Selinda concession, I was struck by how much water the mopane pans still held. I had flown over the mopane forests in northern Botswana twice before (both times in late August as well), and the pans were dry. As expected, I saw very few elephants in the Kwando concession this time.
#27
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Thanks all for your continued comments - some answers.
Hi Sherry,
The Selinda pack have been pretty dynamic over the years and have been constantly having some break away members every year. This past year they lost their alpha female to old age. With this the pack did split up.
That's a different pack of 8. The Selinda guides mentioned this pack to the Kwando guides during one the airstrip pick ups last week.
The current denning pack at Lagoon (Selinda pack members) are currently 5 dogs (4 male and 1 female) with 4 puppies.
safaridude,
We saw Hyenas for sure. But, going back the last couple of years they were all over the place with those clans being very strong.
Ken,
I think it's probably the mixed woodland areas that are being productive. We weren't doing too many drives down South to Twin Pools etc etc., Driving more towards Baobab road, Kubu pan, Nari pan etc etc., as that area seems to be more rewarding at the moment
But there were lots of Elephants apparently at Twin Pools in the evenings.
Cheers
Hari
Hi Sherry,
The Selinda pack have been pretty dynamic over the years and have been constantly having some break away members every year. This past year they lost their alpha female to old age. With this the pack did split up.
That's a different pack of 8. The Selinda guides mentioned this pack to the Kwando guides during one the airstrip pick ups last week.
The current denning pack at Lagoon (Selinda pack members) are currently 5 dogs (4 male and 1 female) with 4 puppies.
safaridude,
We saw Hyenas for sure. But, going back the last couple of years they were all over the place with those clans being very strong.
Ken,
I think it's probably the mixed woodland areas that are being productive. We weren't doing too many drives down South to Twin Pools etc etc., Driving more towards Baobab road, Kubu pan, Nari pan etc etc., as that area seems to be more rewarding at the moment
But there were lots of Elephants apparently at Twin Pools in the evenings.
Cheers
Hari
#32
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Hi Hari,
I'm just back from Switzerland and
France, watching Bath Rugby lose to
Toulouse,alas. Great trip though.
I've just read about your
adventures at Lebala and can't wait
to get there. I leave London on
Tuesday and arrive at Lebala and
meet Spencer on Wednesday. It all
sounds very promising, and I'll try
to give you the latest news about
your cheetahs.
I hope you put your photos up
before I leave.
I get back from Botswana on
6th November.
Jan
I'm just back from Switzerland and
France, watching Bath Rugby lose to
Toulouse,alas. Great trip though.
I've just read about your
adventures at Lebala and can't wait
to get there. I leave London on
Tuesday and arrive at Lebala and
meet Spencer on Wednesday. It all
sounds very promising, and I'll try
to give you the latest news about
your cheetahs.
I hope you put your photos up
before I leave.
I get back from Botswana on
6th November.
Jan
#33
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Hi Jan,
Here are a few pictures to begin with. Sorry, it's taking me awhile to get to the pictures. Will upload more over the weekend.
http://www.pbase.com/haris_7/lebala_october_2008
You will have a great time with Spencer that's for sure. Yes, please give me an update of the cheetah and cub. That will be much appreciated.
I will make an update, once more pictures are posted.
Hari
Here are a few pictures to begin with. Sorry, it's taking me awhile to get to the pictures. Will upload more over the weekend.
http://www.pbase.com/haris_7/lebala_october_2008
You will have a great time with Spencer that's for sure. Yes, please give me an update of the cheetah and cub. That will be much appreciated.
I will make an update, once more pictures are posted.
Hari
#39
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Thanks a lot Fred and Johan. I promise to have more pictures during the weekend.
That's right, Johan - She's in great condition. You'd remember that I narrowly missed her in June last year when you saw her at the spillway.
Regards,
Hari
That's right, Johan - She's in great condition. You'd remember that I narrowly missed her in June last year when you saw her at the spillway.
Regards,
Hari
#40
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i've seen several comments about the NEW TENTS at lebala but no pictures. not even on their site which seems odd.
we're planning a trip in Nov 09 and trying to decide between a few camps in botswana (in additon to little bush in SA)
does anyone have pictures they'd care to share
jeff
we're planning a trip in Nov 09 and trying to decide between a few camps in botswana (in additon to little bush in SA)
does anyone have pictures they'd care to share
jeff