A day in the life - Pafuri Camp

We want to share this 'day in the life' from Sean Carter and our friends at Wilderness Safaris. Sounds like a great (and not atypical) day at Pafuri Camp in the Makuleke Concession in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

I was hosting six great guests who are all birders and therefore I knew the pressure was off about searching only for big game or the "Big Five." Our second evening together proved to be quite incredible.

We headed out on our afternoon drive along Luvuvhu West. Our plan was to drive to a recent elephant carcass which has been fascinating to view, as well as being a hive of activity. On the way there we bumped into a lone elephant bull, the first of what would turn out to be a very rewarding few hours. When we arrived at the carcass, as expected, there was an entourage of vultures (Lappet-faced, White-backed, White-headed and Hooded) and a number of hyaena picking the bones dry. The smell was quite unbearable and it wasn't long before everyone in the vehicle was ready to head off.

As we drove back towards camp we were called with the news that we had just driven past a leopard. Needless to say we turned around and headed back finding the camouflaged leopard lying flat in an appleleaf tree. She was extremely relaxed and we watched her from 30 metres away for about 45 minutes. She eventually stretched and gracefully climbed down the tree. She had been watching impalas in the distance and we followed her towards them. The impalas were quick to spot her and started panicking at the same time as a huge herd of buffalo appeared. All of this was taking place at the same time as the sun was setting over the Hutwini Mountains ahead.

We had just lost sight of the leopard when we heard a faint mumble behind us. Lo and behold there were two rhino making their way towards us. This was by far the best sighting I have had of rhino at Pafuri as they were in the open instead of making off into the distance which has been my usual experience.

At this point we chose to head back to camp, having had a fabulous evening, but on the way decided to pass the airstrip to see if could catch a glimpse of the male lion which had been spotted in the area that morning.

We did hear the lion calling, but unfortunately our luck had run out as our search proved hopeless. However, we did see a baby chameleon, a greater bushbaby, an African wild cat, two Barn Owls, an African Owl and two Pel's Fishing-Owls before getting into camp.

After a celebratory dinner I was heading to the staff village only to come across a lioness 20 metres from the boardwalk. Another incredible day in Africa!

Pafuri Camp Update - Male Lion Conflict

We wanted to share a very exciting sighting from our partners at Wilderness Safaris and Pafuri Camp in South Africa with you.

Pafuri Camp guests enjoyed an amazing experience recently. It was a battle on a grand scale between two male lions. One of the males is the six-year-old adult, a territorial male who has dominated the area for the past three years. He is also the father of the younger male (about three years old) who is his oldest offspring and the first cub sired during his 'reign'.

The dispute was over one of the females that was on heat, and ended with the sub-adult male inflicting some intensive blows and ultimately getting the prize of the female - this time. If these two males stay together they could become an impressive coalition and very good for the lion dynamics of the area as a whole.

It is not unknown for fathers and sons to form coalitions although it by no means the norm and we anticipate that this will not be the last conflict of this nature that we observe between the two.

Some other good news on the lion side is that the sister of this younger male had her first litter in August 2010 and has two cubs of her own. The cubs are alive and healthy, both doing very well. This female and her cubs are seen quite often now - these lions and the sub-adult male already mentioned are frequently seen quite close to Pafuri Camp itself, this point forming the centre of the range given that the cubs do not range as widely as the adults are able to.

There was also another pride of females seen two weeks ago with two very small cubs, so that's three more lions on the concession at the moment! Overall, some incredible lion viewing opportunities at Pafuri Camp right now.

Want to visit Pafuri? Call us and we will customize a Southern Africa safari for you!

Photos and sighting courtesy Sean Carter and Wilderness Safaris

Pangolin!

Everyone that has been on safari knows that the most elusive animal isn't one of the big five, or even one of the 'little five'. It's the pangolin. That's why this game report from Kapinga Camp in the Busanga Plains of Zambia is so special!

As part of my continued lion research here on the Busanga Plains, it means that I spend many hours in the field. Although it can get tiring, and conditions are sometimes quite tough, it is also very rewarding...

Sitting with the Papyrus Pride of lions a few evenings ago, I noticed that one of the lions was staring intently in one direction. I had a look with my binoculars and nearly fell out of the vehicle! To my utter amazement, there was a pangolin moving through the grass! First one I've ever seen, and that in daylight!

I drove closer to about 15m away, and the pangolin proceeded to walk straight towards the vehicle until he was behind the front wheel. He was very relaxed so I got out of the vehicle to take more pictures. The pangolin suddenly realised that he had company, and perhaps feeling threatened rolled into a ball and really displayed his spiny scales. I quickly retreated, and then he snuck off into the longer grass again. Absolutely awesome experience and one of my best since being here!

Pangolins are found in Asia and Africa, but there is only one species to be found in south-central Africa - the Temminck's or ground pangolin. It is covered with hard scales of the nail protein keratin, feeds on termites, and is secretive, nocturnal, small and endangered.

Sightings are therefore rare and when they do occur, there is much excitement - the Busanga Plains seems to be producing infrequent sightings of these special mammals and a better chance than most in seeing them.

Report and photos courtesy Neil Midlane & Wilderness Safaris

Kent's first report from Kenya

To be certain we can plan the best trip for each of our clients, we at AAC travel to Africa several times each year to visit a variety of accommodations and to get the latest information. Kent is presently in Kenya visiting the top wildlife areas and various lodges. He's had an interesting start to his trip. Without further ado, here's the latest - straight from Kenya!

I have been on safari so many times. I can pack for safari in my sleep. I could practically fly there myself if I needed to. But things were very hectic before leaving this time. Work was hectic. My wife Kelly was out of town and I had our two small boys on my own. My dad had surgery...

Now it's 6:15 a.m. in Lewa Conservancy and the sky is turning shades of orange, pink, yellow and blue and my troubles have washed away. Emerald spotted wood doves are calling, "work har-der, work har-der, work har-der." It's another beautiful African dawn and I am enjoying the strong coffee with hot milk that was delivered to my tent a few minutes ago.

Yesterday was a good safari day. Lewa Downs, as many people still call it, is a 64,000-acre private conservancy just north of Mt Kenya in central Kenya. It is home to the largest concentration of black rhinos in the world and boasts more than 110 rhinos after also counting the white ones. It has three subspecies of giraffe and more than 20 percent of the world's endangered Grevy's zebra. The reserve also has abundant elephants, lion, leopard, plains zebra, buffaloes, and cheetah (our group saw three brothers on a eland kill).

Being a private reserve, guests can enjoy game drives, night drives, horse and camel-back rides and walks. This afternoon, we went on a great game walk through the rolling hills, plains, and valleys of Lewa. We saw elephants, bushbuck, impala, zebra and buffalo, but not too close. We hiked a tall hill for stunning views and a sundowner, then drove back to camp for a piping hot shower and a delicious steak dinner. All in all, it was a good day.

In addition to Lewa safari camp there are other more upscale accommodations - Lewa House, Sirikai, and Lewa Wilderness Trails. For more info on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, visit their website. You can find a sample Kenya safari itinerary including a Lewa visit here.

Pre-Safari Tips

1. Read your itinerary carefully, paying close attention to the dates before booking your flight! When you reserve your flights, have somebody else double check them, or have us book them for you.
2. Pack a week or so before your safari. That way you won't be rushed and forget anything important like your camera battery. It also gives you time to buy last-minute items.
3. Pack really light. Besides having to comply with baggage weight restrictions you really don't need all that stuff anyway.
4. Check that your passport is valid for six months after your arrival date and that there are several blank pages left.
5. Bring comfortable shoes. I have ditched my sturdy hikers for a pair of comfortable (and stylish!) cross trainers.
6. Bring Ambien or another sleep aid and take it right away if you wake in the middle of the night.
7. Read up on your destination before you go. It will enhance your experince.
8. When flying, ask about upgrades or the availability of better seats. I upgraded to 'enhanced economy' on British Airways from London to Nairobi for about $150 after asking at the transfer desk. It was a "last-minute special."
9. Bring an elastic exercise band. They are small and light, take up very little space in your bag, and enable you to work out in your tent.
10. Bring snacks. They are nice to have on long flights, espeially if the meal is particularly bad. Be sure to finish them before checking in to your first camp however; you don't want to keep food in your tent!

Top 5 Wildlife Encounters

Lioness stalking and strangling a lone wildebeest calf near Lake Masek, Serengeti, Tanzania, March 2007. Gorilla babies playing in the rain, Bwindi, Uganda, November 2006. The season's first Okavango River's floodwaters coming into Maun, Botswana, September 2001. Digging up a croc's nest, Lower Zambezi, Zambia, November, 2008 (see photo left). Baby zebra born and walking within minutes at Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, March 2000.

That I, with my black hole of a brain, can remember these wildlife sightings illustrates how powerful they were. We strive to help our clients have their own unforgettable wildlife experiences, and we know from all the feedback we get, that we almost always succeed. But where to start? Here are a few of our personal favorites...

#1) Ultimate Botswana Safari - Game viewing in the Mombo Concession on Chief's Island in the Okavango Delta is considered some of the best in Botswana, and possibly Africa. Game can be found near camp and guests can often see animals without leaving their tent. Game drives offer lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and buffalo.

#2) Zambia Walking Safari - Enjoy a walking safari in the South Luangwa National Park - the birthplace of walking safaris. Amazing wildlife viewing includes wild dog, leopard, buffalo, zebra and herds of elephant numbering up to 70.

#3) Sabi Sand & Cape Town Safari - Sabi Sand offers unsurpassed leopard sightings among other wildlife. This safari features Exeter River Lodge, which affords an ideal location overlooking the river in prime leopard-viewing territory.

#4) Ultimate Uganda Safari - Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can't be missed. Uganda offers more than 13 primate species, rare birds and tree climbing lions. On this adventure, explore remote Uganda - including Murchison Falls.

#5) Wildest Tanzania Safari - Trek chimpanzee in the Mahale Mountains National Park. Spend your days tracking these fascinating creatures, watching their daily routines and comic antics. Fish in the late or enjoy a dhow cruise at sunset! This trip is currently 15% off land cost if booked by October 31, 2010!

For more information on any of these top wildlife encounters, contact us by calling 1-866-778-1089 or email info@adventuresinafrica.com.


Photos by Kent Redding, Wilderness Safaris and Phil Ward.