Newsletter December 2005

It is with joy that I survey the bush this month. After a drought year, as 2005 has been until now, the rains finally arrived and transformed the countryside. Everywhere now there is green grass, pans of water and life in all its myriad forms.

Our last safari of the season ended on 3rd November. The clients, old regulars, insisted on Savute. It was hot and dry as a bone with little shade but the spectacular viewing of Savute’s elephant-killing Setlare Pride more than compensated. Like neighbourhood toughs, these killers are supremely confident and stand their ground when trying to squeeze in for a drink among elephant-bulls. We heard their unsuccessful attempt on a breeding herd one night when some determined cows managed to route them. Size dose matter sometimes, as does the courage and leadership of the matriarch.

After Savute we stayed near the North gate. With the hot conditions almost everything was drinking around the Khwai River. Sightings included views of a very large leopard that we mistook for a lioness at first. We were also afforded hours of watching a large herd of buffalo close up, moving slowly with them from time to time.

The highlight of the season was the large pack of wild dogs (9 adults and 10 half grown pups) that displayed the whole range of wild dog social behaviour. It was fascinating to watch them regroup after a long siesta, reaffirm their pack-bonding with squeals, play submissive behaviour and sheer joi de vivre. After trotting some distance for a drink, they began to play and run around as the sun began to set. Then, by some invisible signal the pups remained in a group while the adults went off to begin the hunt. After trotting down the road, they fanned out and soon the hunt was on. We followed where we could, guessed where they would emerge and were rewarded with finding them with an impala foetus - all that was left beside the skeleton of a freshly killed impala female. By now darkness had fallen and we had to return to camp.

As Christmas looms, staff are getting ready to go on well-deserved leave. Bookings have already begun to come in for what we hope will be an excellent 2006 season. The rains auger well.

To those who have been with us and those to come, we extend our best wishes for Xmas and a peaceful New Year.

Lloyd Wilmot

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