Client Feedback - Botswana Great Wilderness Journey

We love it when clients take the time to give us direct feedback on their adventures. Sometimes it comes in the form of photos or video or safari stories, and sometimes it is a letter such as this. Every time we hear from a client, it reminds us of why we do what we do - ensuring our clients have the safari experience of a lifetime! Thanks to Kay Hamish-Ladd for the letter and the gorgeous photos!

Kent, thanks so much for your help in selecting a safari for Africa. I think the Botswana Great Wilderness Safari was the perfect one for us. I wanted to pass along feedback on our wonderful guide in case you communicate with Wilderness Safaris on their staff. Kay

We just returned from a wonderful experience on your Botswana Great Wilderness safari. We believe that a major reason that our trip was so wonderful was our guide, Russell Crossey. My husband and I were part of a group of 5 people that included an 82 year old man and his 14 year old grandson. Every person in our group had wonderful things to say about Russell. He is a wonderful combination of experience and enthusiasm. He is extremely knowledgeable about animals, birds, history and geology. He could identify birds that we could barely see. His enthusiasm never waned from the dark of early morning when he woke us up until the dark of night when he escorted us back to our tents around elephants. He never was flustered, even when he was driving a vehicle that broke down when we were on the way to the Khwai airport and he had to call for someone to come get us in time to make our flight.

Russell was relentless in his efforts to find all the animals we hoped to see, including a leopard and wild dogs hunting at the break of dawn.

Russell is clearly liked and respected by camp staff and other guides. He was warmly greeted where we went. He was always flexible and adjusted the plans any time he heard about an animal sighting. He made sure everything ran smoothly for us and is a real credit to Wilderness Safaris. His combination of knowledge, experience and
personality must make him one of your top guides. He never seemed to tire of our relentless questions and had a wonderful sense of humor.

I had high expectations for our trip - I had waited 30 years to go on an African safari. Because of Russell, my experience exceeded my expectations. He created such a warm atmosphere for our group who had not known each other before the trip. Because of our experience, my husband and I now hope that we might be able to go on another trip with Wilderness Safaris and if we do we will be trying to get on another one led by Russell. We will also give his name to friends who are considering trips to Botswana.

On a separate note, we really liked the itinerary of the Great
Wilderness Safari but it would be nice to have a night or full day in
the Kasane and Chobe River area. We are very impressed with the
logistics and facilities that Wilderness Safaris offer.

Wild Dog Pups in Selinda!

The past 2 weeks have been fantastic for guests from Selinda and Zarafa Camps in Botswana’s Selinda Reserve, with regular sightings of the 4 to 5 week old wild dog puppies. The alpha female dog was heavily pregnant in early June when she disappeared into the den site. Four weeks later on one of the first visits to the den she revealed her babies, and aren’t they just the cutest thing you have ever seen?? We are really optimistic that these pups will have the chance to reach adulthood and bolster the numbers of the Selinda wild dog pack.

July - Botswana Game Report - Xigera Camp

This July game and camp report comes to us from our friends at Wilderness Safaris and Xigera Camp.

Hot water bottles, blankets and ponchos continue to be a great hit this winter, with temperatures dropping to as low as 7⁰ C at night and during the mornings. The campfire has been the perfect venue for cosy gatherings in the chilly mornings and evenings, with hot chocolate and coffee being the order of the day.

Water levels continue to drop after having reached their peak in May, and every day we need to reach a little lower to climb into the boats and mokoro.

Wildlife
At this time of year, when the water levels are still high, all the guest activities are centred around boating and mokoro rides.

Guests continue to be mesmerised by the awe-inspiring beauty of the area, and the chance to enjoy the exquisite vegetation, as well as the smaller animals such as frogs. Viewing hippo and elephant from a mokoro is also a special experience that leaves one with a sense of relaxation and harmony. Guests going out by boat on day trips towards Chief's Island have been lucky enough to spot lion crossing the water as well as the elusive Pel's Fishing-Owl.

Game viewing in general has been prolific, with regular sightings of giraffe, kudu, red lechwe, bushbuck, hippo, elephant and crocodile, among other species. A number of elephant have become comfortable around camp and often spent time feeding and sleeping around the camp. An old giraffe has also taken refuge around the camp, and was seen browsing off the trees above the tents daily.

Birds and Birding
The abundance of general bird life in this area, makes Xigera a haven for birdwatchers. Even the guests who are not avid birders have commented on the variety and quality of avian sightings, and how birding has opened another dimension to their safari experience.

As mentioned above, we have had various sightings of Pel's Fishing-Owl, as a pair have begun nesting along one of the water courses. Other regular specials include the Slaty Egret.

Camp News
The past couple of months have seen a hive of activity behind the scenes, with numerous renovations and upgrades taking place, most of which are now complete.

Our brand new walking bridge sports a drawbridge that now allows boats to pass through, even with water levels at their peak. On the other side of the dining area we have created our famous 'sand pit': a patch of sand that captures the tracks of any animals that may walk over the bridge and into camp. So far it seems that only the monkeys have been brave enough to make the crossing. There have been a number of leopard tracks milling around the bridge; possibly the elusive felines are still wary about the new bridge.

The main area has also undergone redesign with the bar now looking onto the channel. The buffet area has been repositioned and a small, cosy library area has now been included. A new, lower foot-bridge (with drawbridge mechanism to allow boats to pass) has also being built to avoid disturbing the view from camp. A new star deck has also been built for dinners, star talks and private dinners.

Perhaps most exciting of all has been the installation of our new solar power system. This system means that we can now provide the whole main camp with power generated by the sun, allowing us to do away with diesel-guzzling generators, and so further reduce our carbon footprint adding to a true ecotourism experience.

Photos courtesy Wilderness Safaris

June - Botswana Game Report - Zarafa Camp

This recent game report comes from our friends at Zarafa Camp.

Well winter is upon Northern Botswana. The overnight lows are dipping to 5C but fortunately, and typically, midday temperatures rise to a very comfortable mid-twenties touching 30 degree Celsius. Even as the flood waters continue to push into the area, the dry season has begun; there hasn't been a single drop of rain during June. Ironically, it’s during the dry season that the most free standing water is found.

The flow of water in the Okavango Delta system as well as the Linyanti Swamp system due to massive rains in Angola earlier in the year is resulting in higher than usual water levels in the Zibadianja Lagoon, Selinda Spillway and Savuti Channel. Yet winter continues and the “dry” season unfolds with many trees losing their leaves, vegetation being grazed and dying back revealing game sightings not often encountered during the wetter summer months which are characterized by much dense green vegetation.

With free standing water in the surrounding waterholes all but dried up, the concentration of game along the Zibadianja Lagoon and adjoining waterways is phenomenal.

There are large breeding herds of elephants (Loxodonta africana) moving in and out of the tree-line here to drink from the lagoon regularly. They have even come through camp, drinking in view of our deck pools which was an absolute spectacle for guests.

By far the highlight is the denning of the wild dog (Lycaon pictus) pack. The estimate is that on the 12th of June 2011, puppies were born in the same den used last year. There have been some awesome encounters with the dogs while they have hunted as far over as Zarafa Camp and have been moving around the edge of the lagoon and even seen on Joubert Island crossing shallow water towards their den.

At present the den site is closed to vehicles to give the dog puppies some time to settle. In the very near future though, guests will be able to have scheduled visits to the den and this will provide a once in a lifetime experience watching them rear their young puppies and all the super interactions between the members of the pack during this time. The adult pack have been hunting around camp frequently to the point where a young male impala (aepyceros melampus) was chased into the lagoon in front of the deck and stayed put in the water until long after sunset.

Photos Great Plains Conservation

Gretchen's Trip Report - part 2

The next destination in my journey was Chobe National Park in Botswana. You can fly into either Kasane (Botswana), Livingstone (Zambia) or Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) to get to Chobe. Flights to Livingstone and Victoria Falls tend to be more economical than to Kasane.

I flew into Livingstone and was greeted then transported to Chobe via the Kazangula border crossing. This is a river crossing; you are dropped by one guide and vehicle on one side and met by another guide and vehicle on the other. I love African border crossings (though I don't think that's a universal feeling amongst all travelers). They are most often very busy and some level of commerce is always present, as well as people, vehicles and animals. They are always interesting to pass through, and Kazangula just popped to the top of my list of favorites.

After being met on the Botswana side, we finished the border crossing and made the short transfer to Sanctuary's Chobe Chilwero Lodge. The lodge is perched on top of a bluff overlooking the Chobe river. It's very luxurious and intimate, with only 15 guest cottages. Each cottage is spacious with both indoor and outdoor showers, freestanding bathtub, luxurious bedding and a sitting area. Because of its location, it also has power for little luxuries like an in room mini-fridge (no wait for a cool beer on a hot afternoon!) and air-conditioning. In keeping with little luxuries, there is a private garden out back with seating and relaxing hammock, as well as seating out front overlooking the Chobe river.

There is a pool on the grounds for those hot days when you need a cool dip. The main area is airy, spacious and comfortable, with lots of indoor and outdoor seating; afternoon tea on the lawn is particularly lovely. There is wi-fi and cell phone reception if you must, or if you want to post a quick email home to let everyone know you arrived and that everything is wonderful, there's a guest computer available for use. The connection speeds are tolerable, but it's not broadband. There's a nice curio shop with all sorts of interesting things to take home to your family and a few supplies like batteries and such in case you forgot yours.

The food is exceptional - this was the case at all of Sanctuary's camps and lodges. Breakfast is a buffet followed by cooked options if you wish. Lunch is a buffet as well, with wonderful light choices, including a variety of healthy options. Dinner is plated and multi course. Additionally, you have a choice of entrees, and of course any dietary restrictions can be accommodated. When you travel, let us know in advance if there is anything you can't or don't wish to eat so we can make your wishes known early. At Chobe Chilwero, you have the option of dining inside or out, though barring terrible weather, I find dining outside in Africa to be wonderful and special any time of day.

Activities at the camp include game drives in Chobe National Park and sundowner cruises on the river. If you find either of these strenuous or just want to treat yourself, Chobe Chilwero has an amazing full service spa offering everything from couple's treatments for your romantic trip, body treatments, hydrotherapy and more. Book your treatment in the tree house for an extra special experience. I can attest to the credentials of the spa staff; I was lucky enough to have an absolutely amazing massage during my stay.

While you're waiting for the next report, don't forget to keep an eye on our Facebook page for trip photos, more trip report information and links to You Tube videos from our travels!

Next up: game drives and sundowner cruises in Chobe National Park - living the safari life!

Photos courtesy Gretchen Healey

Gretchen's Trip Report - part 1

As you know, several of us in the office recently spent time in Africa to see what's new, what's improved and what's happening. I had the pleasure of a quick but very interesting trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.

I flew South African Airways from Washington, DC to Johannesburg. This flight stops in Dakar, Senegal en route. It's a quick and painless stop, but can be frustrating on a long journey to spend an hour somewhere you aren't staying. If you want to take a nonstop flight, the JFK (New York) to Johannesburg flight became nonstop on May 1st. I personally feel like it's better to get it all done in one fell swoop, but we'll leave that to seat availability and your discretion on your own journey!

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, I was met and greeted at the airport and escorted to the Gautrain station. Get it? Johannesburg is in Gauteng province, hence the Gautrain!

I hardly needed the escort, as the way to the train is very clearly signposted, but it's always nice to be greeted upon arrival. Joburg airport is amongst the best in the world; it has decent places to eat, great airport lounges for frequent fliers and shopping galore. I know a number of people that build a little extra time into their journeys just for the shopping!

Getting my Gautrain ticket was easy. There are automated kiosks as well as a manned booth. I opted for the latter and got a 'return' (two-way) ticket to Sandton, a desirable area of the city where my hotel was located. I entered the station with my 'Gold Card' (ticket) and awaited the train. The station was immaculately clean, well lit and staffed with security. The train runs frequently (every 12 minutes during peak hours), so you never have to wait long.

When the train arrived, I alighted and took a seat. The train was as spotless as the station and was comfortable. The ride to Sandton takes fewer than 15 minutes; a fraction of how long it might take by car depending on the traffic. The Sandton station is clean and well lit as well, and easy to navigate. I took the elevator and found myself on the street opposite my hotel; the Radisson Blu Gautrain.

The rooms at the Radisson are spacious and modern and will fulfill your needs for a short city stay. For dining, you will find the 'All Day Restaurant' in the hotel serving up very good food (including some traditional African dishes), with a nice wine list and views of the surrounding area. The breakfast buffet is staggering; it's a heck of a way to kick off your morning.

The hotel also has a bar, as well as a sundeck with a pool and an outdoor bar. If these aren't enough for you, there are a few restaurants within the building on street level, though I did not have the opportunity to dine at any of them as my stay was short. Finally, the hotel also has free wi-fi (and decidedly expensive computers for you to use if you don't have your own; about $7 for 15 minutes access) and good workout facilities.

I would submit that taking the train to the city after an 18+ hour journey is not for everyone; sometimes you just want to fall in the back of a vehicle and be whisked to where you're going. Definitely weigh this before deciding whether the Gautrain is right for you and your trip. The benefit is that it's a budget friendly way to get into Sandton. The drawbacks are that it requires some maneuvering after a very long and tiring journey, and only goes to two places (as of this writing), so the lodging options are very limited.

My return journey to OR Tambo the following morning was just as easy and uneventful. From there, I was off to Botswana and Zambia. More on that next week!

Gautrain station photo courtesy Gretchen Healey

Hotel photos courtesy Radisson Blu Gautrain

Leopard - Hyena clash: Savuti Camp

From our friends at Wilderness Safaris, we bring you this exciting game report from Savuti Camp in the Linyanti Concession in Botswana.

The healthy flows of water in the Linyanti River over the past few years have been good for the local hippo population. And where animals live, so too they die, and when an adult hippo succumbed just a few hundred metres from the river, its demise signalled a free-for-all amongst some of the resident carnivores. For the first day and a half, a clan of spotted hyaena dominated the carcass, tearing it open from the belly, and eating a large portion of the meat. The next day, the hyaenas, having fed to saturation point, moved a short distance away.

Some of them lay down in nearby pools of water to cool off, and others made their way to the river to drink. Some simply lay in the shade of bushes, digesting their easy meal. Their absence allowed another carnivore's access to the remnants of the hippo, in the form of a young male leopard. When we arrived at the sighting the leopard was struggling mightily to try and bite his way through the very tough skin of the hippo's leg. It looked to us as if he was trying to sever the leg and make off with it. The skin was too tough though, and the leopard continued to methodically work off small bits of meat, and gulp them down.

Later that afternoon, as the sun was setting, the first hyaena returned. The hyaena approached the carcass directly opposite the leopard, and began to eat, but the leopard was having none of it, and after threatening the hyaena for several seconds, he made a sudden, snarling rush at his bigger adversary.

When male leopards and hyaena clash, it is not always clear which animal is dominant. On many occasions an adult spotted hyaena will manage to drive a leopard off a kill, but at other times the leopards fight back and successfully defend their food. The outcome may depend on the motivation levels at that time of the particular animals in question, in other words, which one is the hungriest. Any sustained fighting carries risks for both participants as neither of them can afford to carry injuries.

In this instance, the male leopard had the most to lose. The hyaena had a bulging belly but no stomach for the fight, and this time it backed off in the face of the leopard's aggression. Darkness had already fallen when we left the leopard quietly tearing away at the carcass. The next day there was no sign of him, and the hyaena were back, finishing off what was left of the hippo.

Want to visit Savuti Camp and get in on the excitement? Call us to plan your customized safari!

Observers: Lets Kamogelo and Grant Atkinson
Photographers: Lets Kamogelo and Grant Atkinson

Kathy Wojcik joins AAC

Kathy Wojcik has joined the safari specialist staff at Africa Adventure Consultants. With 25 years of experience as a leisure and cruise travel consultant with American Express Travel, she brings to AAC a wealth of experience and passion for her work. She has traveled to 65 countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

On her most recent safari, Kathy visited Amboseli, Lewa Conservancy and Masai Mara where she was thrilled to encounter many species of animals and birds—the big cats being a special favorite. She enjoyed her first camel ride at Lewa—she recommends wearing padded biking shorts if you have them!

Kathy also is an avid outdoorsperson, enjoying many of Colorado’s hiking trails, and loves tending to her organic flower and vegetable gardens. She welcomes your inquiries and will be happy to discuss your preferred travel destinations.

Kings Pool Camp Sightings - March

Something interesting or exciting is literally always going on in Botswana; and most times our partners at Wilderness Safaris are there to see it. This game report comes from Kings Pool, a beautiful, luxurious camp in the Linyanti Reserve in Northern Botswana.

Kings Pool Camp has nine beautifully appointed tents of canvas and thatch. Each has a large bedroom area, lounge, private plunge pool and 'sala'. The spacious en-suite bathrooms are tiled with double showers and hand-basins - as well as an outdoor shower for those who wish to shower close to nature. The lounge, dining room and pub areas are on expansive raised decks. There is also a communal pool and an open-air 'kgotla' for dining under the stars. Game viewing at the camp is wonderful, as evidenced by the following sightings report.

As the sun slowly sets at the close of another great African afternoon, a range of vibrant colours reflect off the great Linyanti River as it leisurely meanders downstream. Just before the colours disappear completely, the tranquil water surface explodes, and the last afternoon light sparkles off of each water drop as a hippo breaks the surface in front to breath.

Hippo males have been fairly aggressive towards other males this month and two hippos have died from male territorial clashes. These carcasses have been located close to camp on two separate occasions, attracting numerous vultures and other carrion eating birds as well as hyaenas, jackals and on the second carcass - the lion.

Another recent addition to the Kings Pool package is a resident male lion. Guests have heard his majestic roar calling his lioness and cubs on most mornings and evenings. These contact calls have been so close on occasion that they can be heard above the cracking and rumbling of thunder and lightning during a typical summer storm. This male lion has also attracted the attention of another two males form the concession next door and they have been making brief visits to the Kings Pool area. The Kings Pool lioness and cubs have also been playing their part in entertaining our guests this month. The cubs always put on a good show as they pounce, run, stalk, bite, and play attack each other - fun, fun, fun!

Elephant are never far from the area, with breeding herds slowly moving through camp and the big males moving around without a care in the world. Our guests this month have had the pleasure of spending an afternoon on the Queen Silvia - the Kings Pool double-storey barge - and witnessing elephant crossing the great Linyanti River. From the upper deck of the Queen Silvia, looking down on a small herd of elephant swimming, playing, splashing and at some points fully submerged with only their trunks out of the water for air is truly a magnificent sighting - just add a gin and tonic and a beautiful sunset and life cannot get much better.

A trip to Kings Pool would not be complete without seeing a leopard or two. Our guides found male leopards, female leopards, climbing leopards, leopards with kills, shy leopards, sociable leopards, young leopards and old leopards during the course of the month.

Unusual and rare sightings this month have included roan antelope, cheetah, wild dog, Osprey and Bat Hawk. So all in all, quite an exciting wildlife month here at Kings Pool.

Guides - Khan, Diye, O.D. and Lemme

Wildlife photos courtesy O.D., camp photo courtesy Dana Allen - Wilderness Safaris

Tubu Tree Camp Sightings - March

This game report is courtesy of our partners at Wilderness Safaris. We can never get enough reports on the big (and little) cats!

With anticipation growing daily we were finally shown the new kittens of Tubu Tree. Since the beginning of November, when the Jao Concession lion pride was last seen together, the daughter looked as if she was ready to give birth any day. She disappeared for a while only to be seen in December again - looking thinner and obviously lactating. Then she was seen in the daytime hunting, even hunting out front of Tubu Tree Camp on the floodplain. This got everyone excited and all decided to try and follow to get the answers to all the questions of how many cubs there were, where they are, male or female etc.

One of our questions is now answered as camp guide and guests recently investigated a Hooded Vulture sighting and found the mother feeding on a wildebeest. Having heard an unusual sound, they decided to sit and wait it out to see what would happen. Their patience was rewarded when over an hour later, just before full darkness, four little ones came out to join mother. What a sight - they were able to catch a couple of pictures and spend a little time with them before they went back into hiding.

Tubu Tree Camp is also known for leopards. Of course they were not to be outdone by the lions: our resident queen leopard, Boat Station Female was also seen lactating on the 23rd of November 2010. She also kept her cubs hidden for a while and then sightings started up again and tracks were seen of a little one with her, which just added to the anticipation for cubs.

Finally we had some sightings but with the bush being lush and thick it made it hard to follow. One morning drag marks were spotted going across the airstrip and into the bush. Just a few metres in, there she was with an impala kill and one little cub who was full energy and a little shy of its safari vehicle encounter.

This now leaves us with three young male lions just over a year old and four little lion cubs making a total of seven young lions running around, coupled with two one-and-a-half year old leopards and another young leopard cub. The questions is now how many kittens can Tubu Tree have? Never enough, it seems.

Observers: Justin Stevens, Jacky Collet-Stevens, Brooks Kamanakao
Photographers: Cathy Kays, Brooks Kamanakao

The Last Lions - movie review

I'm just back from a screening of The Last Lions and I'm still breathless. The movie tells the story of a lioness and her cubs and their struggle to survive in the African bush. It also paints a picture of the need for conservation, as lion numbers have decreased from 450,000 just 50 years ago, to around 20,000 today. With the constant expansion of human settlements and encroachment on to once protected lands, lions are more threatened than ever before. The cinematography in the movie is absolutely stunning. The images have an almost still photo quality about them, but are brought to life in a way that keeps the viewer at the edge of their seat for the entire movie. From the quiet beauty of the Okavango Delta landscape, to the images of birds skimming the waters for fish, or capturing the erie nighttime fog surrounding an enormous herd of Cape Buffalo; this is National Geographic at its best. The story itself is more tense than I thought possible; over 90 minutes of intense action in the lives of this little lion family. This movie is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for young children or those sensitive to the occasional violence seen in nature. It is however for lovers of Africa, its wildlife and nature in general. It is typical of National Geographic and does not shy away from difficult images or an unhoped for result in nature, so be prepared. The other bit of magic worth mentioning is the sound. Sitting in the theatre (even one with a somewhat dated sound system) made me feel like I was in the bush. The morning sounds of African birds, the nighttime sounds of hippos and insects, buffalo marching through the tall grass...it's all there invading your senses and takes you straight to the African wilderness. Kudos to National Geographic and Dereck and Beverly Joubert for making a masterpiece. Feel free to share your thoughts on the film with us on Facebook or leave a comment below. Don't forget to watch the trailer; for every trailer viewing on YouTube, National Geographic will contribute $.10* (up to $100,000) to lion and big cat conservation in Botswana. You can also text LIONS to 50555 to donate $10. (msg & data rates may apply). Donations go to the National Geographic Big Cats Initiative. Want to visit the Okavango Delta? Call us to plan a trip to Duba Plains where the movie was filmed.

Photo - Beverly Joubert / National Geographic

Botswana Chitabe Lediba Camp Update

From our partners at Wilderness Safaris comes this excellent game report from Chitabe Lediba.

Weather
The month of January has had some good rainfall and we've recorded 295mls, which in previous years would have constituted half our annual rainfall. We've also had some spectacular storms, as only Africa can produce, with laser-like lightning shows coupled with thunder that at times literally made the earth shake.

Landscape
The concession is alive with youngsters of all living creatures. Everywhere you look there is an enormous variety of birds - especially waterbirds - and animals and the flora is looking beautifully lush and green. It truly has become a paradise.

Wildlife
The wildlife sightings have been spectacular as usual, even with the rain. Chitabe can proudly announce a few new family members in our various groups of predators. The collared cheetah was found and to the surprise of everyone she proudly paraded her four new gorgeous cubs. However, it does appear that towards the end of January, she may have lost one of the cubs as we only spotted three little faces on the last few occasions that we have seen them. Mortality rates among cheetah cubs is high, so we do keep fingers crossed that the mother's good parenting skills will enable the remaining three to survive.

Our resident leopard are also sporting and nursing new offspring, together with our two small prides of lion. The Chitabe pack of wild dog have been seen only a couple of times during the month, which is normal as this is the time of year that they traverse their home ranges. Numbers fluctuate between 24 and 26 dogs, but we are pretty sure that the pack is still at full strength with a total compliment of 26 members.

Love seems to be in the air as our guests and guides spotted both leopard and lion mating. We hope therefore that we can announce some new arrivals in the near future.

All the general game including impala, giraffe and zebra are also in abundance and all proudly showing off their young. It is such a treat to watch these young animals running and playing with their herd mates, so full of energy and excitement.

Birding
Birding has been absolutely amazing. The summer migrants that visit us at this time of year are still keeping the camp and concession entertained by their beautiful song and chatter. Thanks to the rainfall all the floodplains and depressions have filled up, attracting a huge variety of hunters and waders, congregating together as friends.

Camp News
During the last two weeks of January all the old rooms at Chitabe Lediba were dismantled and removed and the sites have been prepared for new structures. In addition to all new guest rooms, Chitabe Lediba will also be replacing the swimming pool and the decking surrounding the pool as well as putting in a new kitchen, laundry and a couple of storerooms.

Photographs courtesy Bill and Barton Barker; Sondra Lee and Debra

Botswana Savuti Camp Update

From our friends at Wilderness Safaris comes this exciting update from Savuti Camp in Botswana.

The first three weeks of February were unseasonably dry and hardly any rain fell at all during this period. Some rains and cooler weather returned toward the end of February, however due to the results of the first three weeks the roads becoming quite dry, and many of the seasonal pans becoming quite shallow and muddy. Elephant viewing was good through the month as a consequence, and at times elephant densities were similar to what we see in the dry season. Some herds were close to camp, but most were seen along the Linyanti River.

We enjoyed some good sightings of all the major carnivores, with the single male cheetah that frequents the area showing up twice, once on the airfield and once near Dish Pan. He appears to be doing well despite the loss of his coalition partner some time ago.

There were a few lion sightings that took place. Most were of the lioness known as the Savuti Female and her two sub-adult male offspring. For February they seemed to be spending most of their time to the west of Savuti, and we found them eating a kudu quite close to Zibadianja Lagoon. We are hoping they will cross the river and move a little closer to their old haunts around Savuti in the months ahead. The Linyanti Pride was also seen on a few occasions, usually to the north of camp.

The Linyanti wild dog pack put in some good showings for us too. All four pups are still alive, and the pack is maintaining its size of 11 animals in total. They were finding it a little harder to hunt than in the earlier months of the summer, when baby impala were easy pickings. They caught a baby kudu close to the Linyanti early in the month that we were able to see. Late in the month they moved east and out of our game drive area.


Spotted hyaena sightings remain quite consistent, especially in the area along the Linyanti.

Undoubtedly the star of our month in terms of the carnivores was the DumaTau male leopard. He was seen a number of times, two of these occasions found him mating with females. In another incident we watched him attack an adult female warthog. As he was trying to subdue the warthog, her two adult companions attacked the leopard, one from each side, butting him with their tusks in his side. He let go of his victim, but after they had all fled, managed to follow the wounded warthog and finish her off. Aside from a bit of a limp, he appears to have come through the warthog attack in one piece and was seen again a few days later again hunting warthogs. He obviously has a taste for them despite their dangerous defences.

The Savute Channel itself is maintaining quite a high level. On some days there are hippo in front of camp, and waterlilies are growing along the channel in profusion. Carmine Bee-eaters added colour to the grassy edges of the channel.

Photographs courtesy Anna Butterfield and Grant Atkinson

Botswana game report

Today we have some recent game reports from Wilderness Safaris, one of our partners in Botswana.

On a recent game drive from DumaTau Camp in northern Botswana we came across the Savuti Pride of lions, which consists of two sub-adult males, both approximately two years old, and an adult female which is their mother. While watching the pride, one of the young males started chewing on an acacia thorn tree branch.

Young lions are inquisitive by nature and have been observed playing with and chewing many things such as fallen branches, twigs, tortoise shells and even elephant dung. Lions of all ages have also on occasion seen eating grass thought to be ingested as an aid to help settle upset stomachs.

What made this sighting particularly unusual is that it is uncommon to see a lion chewing on a branch covered in thorns. As the photograph clearly shows, the youngster was clearly finding a mouth full of thorns distinctly unappetising!

And from Tubu Hide we have this report:

The hide on Hunda Island is proving to be alluring to our resident leopards. At the beginning of this year there was a special sighting of a big male leopard relaxing on the hide. Several months later it has happened again!

As guests were driving up to the hide they stopped to look at a Hamerkop bird nest when a guest spotted one of Tubu's young leopards up on the hide. He was strutting his stuff, claiming to be the prince of the hide.

It was quite special; however it was only the start of the sighting. The young leopard watched the safari vehicle pull up a little closer and then decided to investigate the vehicle. The guide stopped and as they watched, the leopard came down from the hide and slowly walked towards the game viewer checking out one side before coming in front and to the driver's tire. He rubbed up against it and posed for a nice picture before heading off.

It was quite ironic as this hide was constructed to observe wildlife from it, not in or on it! The guests were left sitting with their mouths wide open, but this special sighting didn't stop there. As they followed the young leopard, he lead them to his mother and sister. The mother was out of breath from taking down an impala, and our youngster proceeded to feed with the family.

To visit Duma Tau or Tubu Tree, call us to start planning your Botswana safari!

Great New Deals in Africa!

We've come across some great deals in the last few days - some really unique offerings at excellent prices. Read on...

If you are looking for a private, luxury adventure safari for just two people, we've got the trip for you! Private mobile camping in Botswana's Moremi Reserve, Okavango Delta, Tsodilo Hills and more. Experience the Kalahari San culture and visit the rock art of Tsodilo Hills. Safaris can be customized, a minimum stay of 5 nights is required. Prices start at $1530 per person, per night based on 5 nights.

Book 2 nights at Porini Rhino Camp or Porini Mara Camp in Kenya and get the 3rd night free (conservancy fees apply). Book now for travel between September 15- December 15, 2010. Porini Camps offer great value and varied activities in private concessions. See our Kenya Value Safari for more details.

Stay 4 nights at any combination of Elephant Pepper Camp, Ol Pejeta, Sabuk, Joy's Camp (pictured above, right) or Saruni Camp in Kenya and pay for 3 nights! Book now for travel through December 19, 2010. Combine these camps for an unforgettable luxury safari in Kenya.

Stay 4 nights at Mateya Safari Lodge in South Africa's Madikwe Reserve and pay for 3 nights. Book now for travel from October 1 - December 15, 2010. The reserve is one of South Africa's largest and is known for it's population of wild dog.

Contact us for more details on any of these specials, how to book or how to plan your custom safari.

Photo courtesy Cheli & Peacock, Zach Lipp.

Botswana Beef - Make this Safari Favorite at Home!

Botswana Beef

This recipe is often served on mobile safaris in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, such as our Botswana Explorer. You can easily make this bush favorite at home!

Serves 4

Conversion calculator (courtesy of www.globalgourmet.com)

250ml beer

125ml olive oil

60ml soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 thumb fresh root ginger, peeled and crushed

2 red chillies, seeded and chopped

5ml paprika

10ml ground peppercorns

10ml coriander seeds, crushed

4 x 225g fillet steaks

45ml olive oil for cooking

8 large cloves whole garlic, peeled

Salt and ground pepper

To Serve:

4 banana leaves

Fresh chillies

In a deep ceramic dish combine the beer, olive oil, soy sauce, crushed garlic, ginger, chillies, paprika, ground peppercorns and coriander.

Add the steaks and coat well with marinade. Leave for at least 6 hours.

Heat a large cast-iron pan. Add the olive oil for cooking, steaks and whole garlic.

Seal steaks for 3 minutes on each side, then cook until ready.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Serve:

Wrap each fillet in a strip of banana leaf and garnish with fresh chillies as per photograph.

recipe from:

A Kitchen Safari

Stories & Recipes from the African Wilderness

by Dumi Ndlovu and Yvonne Short

Struik Publishers 2007

Images courtesy &Beyond

The Double Comfort Safari Club

Alexander McCall Smith recently released The Double Comfort Safari Club; the latest installment in his charming No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series'.

A quick and pleasant read, this story follows Mma Ramotswe's adventures in dealing with a case of mistaken identity and good fortune, and has her venturing all the way to the Okavango Delta to solve her case!

Always fun to read, McCall Smith's books bring the reader closer to Africa and give an intimate view of daily life in Botswana. If you haven't yet read any books in the series you can start nearly anywhere, but why not with book one - then take time to savor each heartwarming story.

Plan your own trip to the Okavango Delta with us - just give us a ring to start planning!

Beef Stew from Kalahari Plains Camp

Kent just returned from a fantastic visit to Botswana and Zambia and brought back a terrific recipe for Beef Stew from Kalahari Plains Camp. You can visit this camp on our Botswana Wild Kalahari itinerary, or add it on to a custom itinerary to Botswana. Take a gander at this recipe before the warmer weather has you back in front of the braai.

Beef Stew
Serves 4-6

210 ml sunflower oil
2 onions peeled and sliced
1 kg stewing beef
salt and pepper to taste
500 ml beef stock
2 potatoes peeled and quartered
15 ml freshly grated ginger
1 chili, deseeded and chopped (careful what you touch afterward!)
5-10 ml curry powder
65 g tomato paste
1/2 can tomato puree
30 ml smooth apricot jam
30 ml mango chutney
10 ml brown vinegar
200 g vegetables (yellow, green & red peppers in large dice)

Method
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute the onions and garlic until soft. Remove from the pot and set aside. Brown the meat in the same pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add the onions back along with the beef stock. Simmer for 40 minutes and add the potatoes. Simmer for a further 20 minutes. Add the ginger, chili, curry powder, apricot jam, chutney and vinegar. Stir thoroughly. Add vegetables and simmer until just soft.

Kent is off to Vic Falls and Botswana!

Duma Tau Camp

Tomorrow Kent is headed back to Africa to visit some of our most exciting properties. After flying into Johannesburg Kent is off to Victoria Falls and the beautiful Toka Leya Camp. Toka Leya consists of 12 spacious luxury tents which overlook the mighty Zambezi River some 12 km above the Falls. In addition to Falls tours and adrenaline sports such as white water rafting, you can also do game drives and river cruises. This property is included in our Botswana Great Wilderness Journey or is a great option for any Victoria Falls trip.

From there Kent heads to two great camps in Botswana, Duma Tau Camp in the Linyanti Private Reserve (adjacent to Chobe National Park), and Xigera Camp (pronouced Keejera), a luxury tented camp in the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Both of these properties feature 10 luxury tents and offer spectacular game viewing opportunities. Duma Tau is featured in our Botswana Deluxe Safari, and Xigera Camp is also an option.

Next on the itinerary is Kalahari Plains Camp set in a remote part of the diverse and productive Central Kalahari Game Reserve. This camp is beautifully situated on an immense pan and has 10 en suite canvas tents with a sleep-out above each one from which to enjoy the night stars. The game viewing here is excellent, and you can also do a "Bushman Walk" where guests gain life-changing insights into the unique culture of this fascinating people. This property is featured on our Botswana Wild Kalahari trip, and is easily combined with trips to the Okavango Delta and other game viewing areas.

Look for a full trip report a few weeks after his return so that you can hear about the camps, the animals and all that Africa had to offer on this visit!