Thursday, July 21, 2022
Puku
Lions - reality V stereotype
The majority of Lion sightings are like this.
Lion are most likely to be seen "flat" and spend the majority of their lives sleeping. This is not to say they are lazy. Their lifestyle is far from it. They are just supremely energy efficient.
The strange case of the missing boot
On a day long game drive from Flatdogs Camp we saw, obscured at first by scrub, a group of four young Lions. Stopping to take a look, it quickly became clear they were fighting over a "prize" of some sort, something one had and the others wanted.
It turned out to be a rubber welly boot.
As we had encountered the group just outside another Camp we guessed the Lions had found the boot and, fascinated by the small and texture, removed it as a trophy.
The Wild Dog kill
Whilst it can be shocking to see the instant a predator takes it's prey is always a special moment. Of all the large African predators perhaps the most spectacular are Wild Dogs.
Their communal approach to hunting is really special to watch and to be able to follow a hunt as we did for a long time and over a number of kilometres was a real privilege.
The culmination was swift and brutal, and in a way I am glad I wasn't quick enough to catch the moment the Dogs caught the Impala and was only able to film the aftermath, but if you were to choose a way to go this would be it. From start to finish a matter of minutes.
Having followed the pack of Dogs along the route of their hunt we finally saw an Impala flushed from cover. racing from the pack in a series of leaps the antelope almost escaped. But Wild dogs don't have an 80% + success rate for nothing.
As the Impala leapt, perhaps two metres off the ground one Dog tripped its rear leg and a second jumped and caught it by the belly. Down it went and within seconds it was engulfed by the rest of the Dogs. Three minutes later hardly anything was left.
Wild Dogs abound
Feeding frenzy
There were Wild Dog in the area and it is possible that this Impala died of natural causes having escaped from the pack.
Whatever the cause, it provided a feast for the Vultures without them having to wait for other, bigger, beasts to finish first.
Tracking Lion leads to Leopard
We had heard Lion mating the previous night (in itself a special experience). Knowing they were not far from camp Gavin led us the next morning on an expedition on foot to see if we could track them down.
With our trusty ranger Isiah out at the front with his rifle and the sharpest of eyes, we set out to follow the Lion tracks.
To see this elusive creature on foot is very special.
The first indication was the alarm calls of a troop of Baboons, then Monkeys heading for the trees and alarm calls of birds.
Quietly making our way along a narrow track we rounded a corner to see the Leopard calmly trot off just a few metres to our front. Another example of the fact you never know what to expect on safari, but behave well, respect and understand nature and your chances of seeing something special increase dramatically.
Hammerkop
The Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta), also known as hammerkopf, hammerhead, hammerhead stork, umbrette, umber bird, tufted umber, or anvilhead, is a medium-sized wading bird 56 centimetres in length with a weight of 470 grams. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name.
Puku portrait
Sometimes it is easy to overlook the antelope species. Puku and Impala are everywhere and because they are at the bottom of the food chain they are often outshore on safari by the more "sexy" predators. Yet these animals have a grace and beauty of their own and lives well worthy of study.
In fact, the tip for anyone new to safari holidays is take time to understand these species and you will better understand the Lion, leopard, Wild Dog and Hyena.
Every day is a school day on Safari
Gavin has a deep affinity with the bush and his enthusiasm and knowledge are infectious. Here we stop to discuss trees and the birds that build nests in their branches.
South Luangwa CSI
Here, the traces of a murder for the South Luangwa CSI investigators to piece together.
The remains of quills and bloodstains mark the scene of the crime. A Leopard attack on a Porcupine.
Simple comforts
Nkonzi offers the original simple safari experience. You really feel part of nature out at this remote camp, yet the service, food and welcome are of the highest standard.
It is one of our favourite bush camps and we'd say it is a must for anyone seeking a "real" African safari adventure.
The dining tent and bar area
Barred Owlet
The African Barred Owlet is one of the small owlets seen in Zambia. For Europeans used to seeing larger species of Owl, to see one like this, not that much bigger than a Blackbird is a surprise. Seeing one on a night drive was a real treat.
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