Trip Report: Sep 2007: Rattrays (Mala Mala), Little Mombo, Kings Pool
Oct 9th, 2007, 10:33 PM
#21
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Great report Matt! Glad you surpassed your birding goal, well done. Were you able to use the calls on the PDA to get any special sightings again?
With regards to cheetah unfortunately for them over time most of the protected areas become thick with lions forcing the majority of the population to make their living on private lands. I'd be interested to hear what Grant's thoughts were. It would definitely seem that the lions and hyenas at Mombo make it hard to replace the Steroid Boys and I imagine the Savuti Boys largely keep other males out of their area.
With regards to cheetah unfortunately for them over time most of the protected areas become thick with lions forcing the majority of the population to make their living on private lands. I'd be interested to hear what Grant's thoughts were. It would definitely seem that the lions and hyenas at Mombo make it hard to replace the Steroid Boys and I imagine the Savuti Boys largely keep other males out of their area.
Oct 10th, 2007, 03:59 AM
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Excellent tale, Matt. Finding the right balance between comfort and safari experience is very definitely a tricky proposition, one that is likely to have different answers for different people. For that matter, different answers for any one person at different times.
Oct 10th, 2007, 06:38 AM
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Matt-
Thanks for the heads up with the aircraft woes. Should that happen, I will now be better prepared for ultimate patience. Also, thanks for the warning of first-timer stupid moves. My focus of this life long dream trip is to enjoy whatever happens-I will forward you my animal sightings from the the same camps next month. We leave on Sunday, and once again, thank you to everyone for the posted information. Keep your fingers crossed I see a few Cheetahs. They are my favorite cat.
Thanks for the heads up with the aircraft woes. Should that happen, I will now be better prepared for ultimate patience. Also, thanks for the warning of first-timer stupid moves. My focus of this life long dream trip is to enjoy whatever happens-I will forward you my animal sightings from the the same camps next month. We leave on Sunday, and once again, thank you to everyone for the posted information. Keep your fingers crossed I see a few Cheetahs. They are my favorite cat.
Oct 10th, 2007, 07:43 AM
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Enjoying a few minutes of downtime in our hotel in Beaune whilst Pete has a soak in the tub!
Matt, how wonderful that you surpassed your birding goal - I'm envious of having Grant as your private guide - he's an incredible guide both for birders and also for experienced safari-goers who want to see/ learn something more. We had the pleasure of being guided by him at Tubu Tree and liked him very much.
We were disappointed that WS had made such a switch away from the smaller cessnas that seat 4 to the caravans when we last visited in 2004. I appreciate that it's more cost effective for them but the delays magnify so much more and hit so many more people that you'd think these might weigh in on the issue. Evidently not so. Disappointing.
Matt, how wonderful that you surpassed your birding goal - I'm envious of having Grant as your private guide - he's an incredible guide both for birders and also for experienced safari-goers who want to see/ learn something more. We had the pleasure of being guided by him at Tubu Tree and liked him very much.
We were disappointed that WS had made such a switch away from the smaller cessnas that seat 4 to the caravans when we last visited in 2004. I appreciate that it's more cost effective for them but the delays magnify so much more and hit so many more people that you'd think these might weigh in on the issue. Evidently not so. Disappointing.
Oct 10th, 2007, 07:51 AM
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Happy belated birthday too! It appears you did not relay that information to the camp staff so that you could have a big to-doo. Maybe a lack of to-doo is the present you wanted.
Thanks for your observations and insights on Mombo, Botswana, etc. Very helpful.
Here's a question for you regarding the specific destination of Mala Mala that is similar to questions asked of me regarding Africa travel in general.
Do you think a time will come when you will want to go elsewhere? Do you think Mala Mala will always be included in your Africa itineraries? Have you found other places you like as well? Do you ever feel like you are missing out on other locations with their wildlife and birds?
I really liked my time at MM and can understand its appeal. Just wondering how you can remain so faithful with all the temptations out there.
Thanks for your observations and insights on Mombo, Botswana, etc. Very helpful.
Here's a question for you regarding the specific destination of Mala Mala that is similar to questions asked of me regarding Africa travel in general.
Do you think a time will come when you will want to go elsewhere? Do you think Mala Mala will always be included in your Africa itineraries? Have you found other places you like as well? Do you ever feel like you are missing out on other locations with their wildlife and birds?
I really liked my time at MM and can understand its appeal. Just wondering how you can remain so faithful with all the temptations out there.
Oct 10th, 2007, 03:56 PM
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Lynn
I hate a too-doo for my birthday, particularly being sung at. Nick at Mombo actually made me a humourous card and we had some champagne - Villiera from SA - extrememly good, particularly the pink which we had at Kings Pool.
While on the wine subject, Hamilton Russell Pinot and Jordan Cabernet were room gifts at MM which we enjoyed with dinner, alongside the perennial favourite Mulderbosch SB (I like the 06 better than the 05). Also for you new world Chardonnay fans, Jordan Nine Yards is excellent.
9/30 is Botswana Independance day, so the entire staff of Mombo showed up to sing at the LM Boma, we had asked they not go on for too long, but because they came after dinner we really enjoyed their show. Often at WS camps, the show is before dinner and goes too long, this was perfect. It was also nice to catch up with Alex our guide from last year.
Lynn, now to your questions on MM.
"Do you think a time will come when you will want to go elsewhere?"
I already do go to other places and enjoy them a lot, but there is something about MM which love, that may change in time, but right now we all feel like part of the family and get treated exceptionally well, its hard to duplicate that.
"Do you think Mala Mala will always be included in your Africa itineraries?"
I can't imagine it not being, unless we do another trip with Nicky and James to Bots, but it's not something we've talked about.
"Have you found other places you like as well?"
I love Mombo. For game I loved Savuti and would be interested in checking it out in the future. I think Duma Tau is probably the best location for a camp in N.Bots, but the rodent population was a bit much for us last year. Now if DT were 6 paws, I'd be there in a shot, but I'd better shut up before WS get any ideas.
"Do you ever feel like you are missing out on other locations with their wildlife and birds?"
Yes. Thus my desire to tack Pafuri onto my Jan 09 trip to MM. Having said that, I really need to visit E.Africa or Namibia to really improve my bird list while on safari. I am spending a few days in CT, next year and so will take the opportunity to bird a bit.
For me MM has become a second home, we are greeted with hugs by all the staff, Michael the barman at Rattrays makes sure everyone knows what we drink and how to prepare our specials if he is on leave. You just don't get that unless you have visited somewhere a lot, and now that I get that kind of treatment I don't want to give it up.
I hate a too-doo for my birthday, particularly being sung at. Nick at Mombo actually made me a humourous card and we had some champagne - Villiera from SA - extrememly good, particularly the pink which we had at Kings Pool.
While on the wine subject, Hamilton Russell Pinot and Jordan Cabernet were room gifts at MM which we enjoyed with dinner, alongside the perennial favourite Mulderbosch SB (I like the 06 better than the 05). Also for you new world Chardonnay fans, Jordan Nine Yards is excellent.
9/30 is Botswana Independance day, so the entire staff of Mombo showed up to sing at the LM Boma, we had asked they not go on for too long, but because they came after dinner we really enjoyed their show. Often at WS camps, the show is before dinner and goes too long, this was perfect. It was also nice to catch up with Alex our guide from last year.
Lynn, now to your questions on MM.
"Do you think a time will come when you will want to go elsewhere?"
I already do go to other places and enjoy them a lot, but there is something about MM which love, that may change in time, but right now we all feel like part of the family and get treated exceptionally well, its hard to duplicate that.
"Do you think Mala Mala will always be included in your Africa itineraries?"
I can't imagine it not being, unless we do another trip with Nicky and James to Bots, but it's not something we've talked about.
"Have you found other places you like as well?"
I love Mombo. For game I loved Savuti and would be interested in checking it out in the future. I think Duma Tau is probably the best location for a camp in N.Bots, but the rodent population was a bit much for us last year. Now if DT were 6 paws, I'd be there in a shot, but I'd better shut up before WS get any ideas.
"Do you ever feel like you are missing out on other locations with their wildlife and birds?"
Yes. Thus my desire to tack Pafuri onto my Jan 09 trip to MM. Having said that, I really need to visit E.Africa or Namibia to really improve my bird list while on safari. I am spending a few days in CT, next year and so will take the opportunity to bird a bit.
For me MM has become a second home, we are greeted with hugs by all the staff, Michael the barman at Rattrays makes sure everyone knows what we drink and how to prepare our specials if he is on leave. You just don't get that unless you have visited somewhere a lot, and now that I get that kind of treatment I don't want to give it up.
Oct 10th, 2007, 05:15 PM
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No we did not see Legadima. Photso are coming, DW is hard at work - much harder than me on video.
Pred - we tried to call in a Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird at Mombo, but there was too much activity in the tree, and we never heard it again.
Kaye - thanks. We do have photos of Kapen and Bycycle mating in the open - I commented it was most unlike her not be disappearing rapidly into very thick bush, I guess the lure of the opposite sex makes even the Kapen female stay in plain view! I really can't believe she is 14 and I first saw her when she was six months old. At least they keep good records at Butlins
Pred - we tried to call in a Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird at Mombo, but there was too much activity in the tree, and we never heard it again.
Kaye - thanks. We do have photos of Kapen and Bycycle mating in the open - I commented it was most unlike her not be disappearing rapidly into very thick bush, I guess the lure of the opposite sex makes even the Kapen female stay in plain view! I really can't believe she is 14 and I first saw her when she was six months old. At least they keep good records at Butlins
Oct 11th, 2007, 02:24 AM
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Matt,
Thanks for the report. Sounds like you had another fantastic trip - Rattrays, Little Mombo, and Kings Pool - Wow! Looks like game viewing was perhaps not quite as good as other trips, just luck do you think?
So do you already have your next trip planned?
Thanks for the report. Sounds like you had another fantastic trip - Rattrays, Little Mombo, and Kings Pool - Wow! Looks like game viewing was perhaps not quite as good as other trips, just luck do you think?
So do you already have your next trip planned?
Oct 11th, 2007, 03:56 AM
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Hi Matt
Shall be great to see all new cubs in June/July next year. They say the Ngoboswan Female is lactating now, so that may produce a cub or two for December of this year!
That is what is so fantastic about returning to one place, seeing the life history of the animals, for you, the Kapen Female, while my first visit I saw the 2 cubs of the lovely White Cloth Female, the female cub is now the Matshapiri Female. I just love that history! Quite a few of the rangers complain about the crankiness of the Kapen Female, a trait I have never witnessed, she really is a beautiful leopard and does not look her age at all!
I am hoping that the Eyrefield Males do not return, as elsewhere they have caused huge amounts of death and destruction, and that would be the certain death of those cubs of the Eyrefield Pride, which would mean no cubs to adulthood for quite a few years!
Kind regards
Kaye
Shall be great to see all new cubs in June/July next year. They say the Ngoboswan Female is lactating now, so that may produce a cub or two for December of this year!
That is what is so fantastic about returning to one place, seeing the life history of the animals, for you, the Kapen Female, while my first visit I saw the 2 cubs of the lovely White Cloth Female, the female cub is now the Matshapiri Female. I just love that history! Quite a few of the rangers complain about the crankiness of the Kapen Female, a trait I have never witnessed, she really is a beautiful leopard and does not look her age at all!
I am hoping that the Eyrefield Males do not return, as elsewhere they have caused huge amounts of death and destruction, and that would be the certain death of those cubs of the Eyrefield Pride, which would mean no cubs to adulthood for quite a few years!
Kind regards
Kaye
Oct 11th, 2007, 06:09 AM
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Brandywine - Mar/Apr 2008 - CT(4)Main Camp (3) with my parents and our friends, Rattrays (3) with our friends and Singita (2) alone. It will be really interesting to compare MM with Singita.
After that we are looking at Jan 2009, Pafuri(2) and a Main Camp/ Rattrays combo for 6-8.
Kaye - I mentioned it, because evrytime we have seen her, she has headed into impenetrable bush, but first she leads you through really thick bush for a few minutes for laughs. I've seen her get a bit testy with vehicles also. But with her sister (White Cloth) and Mom (Trollips Crossing) she was my first Leopard sighting.
After that we are looking at Jan 2009, Pafuri(2) and a Main Camp/ Rattrays combo for 6-8.
Kaye - I mentioned it, because evrytime we have seen her, she has headed into impenetrable bush, but first she leads you through really thick bush for a few minutes for laughs. I've seen her get a bit testy with vehicles also. But with her sister (White Cloth) and Mom (Trollips Crossing) she was my first Leopard sighting.
Oct 11th, 2007, 10:00 AM
#39
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matt, welcome back glad u had a good time at mm. Love u got rattray upgrade. Using my iphone to post. Spent nite at healdsburg madrina manor. Great dinner and accomodations but not mm. Hope to hit a few possibly 3 tastings at wineries. Saw some birds in coast along hwy 1.
Glad u were able to reach your bird goal.
Cheers. Granny joan
Glad u were able to reach your bird goal.
Cheers. Granny joan
