Elephant Plains Safari: The Big 5 Starts our Safari

Brendon Cremer Reports:  

The new group of guests arrived and after refreshments and a quick briefing we were ready to set out. Once again, the guests had heard/read about the leopards, lions and other animals that guests have seen on a daily basis, and everyone was ultra keen to get started.
As we drove out of the gates of the Lodge we immediately saw Salayexe. It was as though she was waiting for us right there on the road, in full view of the Lodge. What a wonderful way to start our safari – understandably, everyone was delighted, and cameras got busy immediately! Salayexe got up, started to walk around and headed into the bush. We followed her until she eventually disappeared into the thick undergrowth.
We headed towards the east to catch up with the lions there, where we found two of the males – fast asleep, so we thought that we would leave them to rest and return later.
As we drove around we encountered some very nice herds of elephants, especially one herd that arrived to drink at one of the waterholes.  We stopped frequently to photograph the prolific bird life.
A very cooperative hippo in one of the small pans gave us a really good display, opening his mouth, yawning widely, and generally being very photogenic.
After sundowners that we enjoyed while watching a fabulous sunset display in the sky we headed back to the lions. On the way we passed a rhino, and shortly after we spotted a buffalo bull, so completing our sighting of the Big 5 for the drive.
The lions were waking up, giving us great shots as they yawned widely and then groomed each other. The two then wandered down to a nearby pan where they had a long drink before they returned to their original spot to flop down and fall asleep. 
This evening we enjoying our dinner in the boma under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush all around and an unbelievable number of brightly twinkling stars above.
We are all set to check on Salayexe again in the morning …

Elephant Plains Safari: Ooops – a Lion Thuds to the Ground
(All images from Back of Brendon Cremer’s Camera)
 
Fanus Weldhagen Reports: 
 
Before daybreak we headed straight to the hyenas with the wildebeest kill. During the night they had polished off most of the remains, but the twenty or so members of the clan were still bickering over the meagre scraps. They created a lot of dust and with backlighting illuminating the almost eerie scene everyone captured some fabulous images. The youngsters were especially entertaining as they dodged the adults in their persistent attempts to grab a snack.
As the sun was rising we received a call about lions that had been spotted passing through the reserve. We arrived to discover three young lions – two females accompanied by a male – patrolling the eastern boundary. They are about three years old, and have clearly split from their pride recently to form a new coalition. They looked very thin and hungry and were hunting with determination as they hastened along.
Suddenly all they leaped into a tree, and started to climb higher and higher. As we drew closer we could see the reason for their ascent … a duiker kill way up there in the highest branches of the lofty tree. The three clambered higher and higher into the tree, swiping at the carcass.
Then down came the male. He tumbled heavily through the branches to land with a whoof and a heavy thud on the ground below. He staggered up, and as we watched with mixed concern and amusement, we saw that all he suffered was a bruised ego.
Meanwhile the lionesses reached the duiker carcass together and spent the next hour alternately scrapping and eating while we photographed every movement and action.
This was how we spent the remainder of a very productive and entertaining morning before heading to the Lodge for breakfast and out photo and Lightroom workshops.
This afternoon found us on our way to the hyena den where we found two youngsters aged about 4 months. They lounged around but didn’t do very much, so after a number of photos we left.
We photographed plentiful general game including zebras, hippo, impala and then …
… who should we bump into but Salayexe, the mother leopard, although her daughter was nowhere to be seen. She was relaxed as always, rolled around and posed for us as we filled our memory cards with image after image. We found her far from her usual territory and surmised that maybe she has relinquished part of her usual territory to her cub, and is also possibly about to be on heat again. Either way, it was wonderful to meet up with her again.
Now we are back at the lodge and enjoying our drinks before the gong summons us to another delicious dinner under the glittering African Sky.
Tomorrow we plan to check for any sign or track of Salayexe’s Cub …

There are few things as awe inspiring as watching a big dominant male lion. Walking by our open vehicle just a few feet away always remains a thrill no matter how many times I've seen it.

You've got to love Africa..!

The tree climbing lions of Savuti.

Watched these guys have loads of fun while moving from the Marsh open plain (at sunrise) to the old runway pans. The youngsters were having loads of fun climbing every tree and jumping on top of each other - great morning..!

One of my personal favorites of the series - might not be everybody's cup of tea but for me its pretty cool.

And so the sun sets on a great week. Hope everyone enjoyed the pics. Enjoy the weekend everyone - cheers Wim.

The sunset King.

Well the Duba lions were putting up a show for us. After spending the day with them mating they moved out onto this open plain. There was a glorious sunset and the lions started posing - the cameras were ready..!

Shake it Baby...!
With huge rain storms comes huge opportunities as well.
When the heavens opened up I headed straight to the 2 mating male lions. We spent the entire day drenched to the bone but with a bag full of lion manes shaking like only the best sprinkler system can attempt emulate.

I know we had a Botswana week last week but due to popular demand we'll do another continuation of last weeks theme and call it Botswana Lion Week.

This male was hot on the trail of a female lioness whom who was very vocal with her calling. It seems it's mating season at Duba Plains with all the females in estrous (or pseudo estrous). I saw the small water crossing and waited for the male - he did not disappoint..!

Our male from yesterdays post was a busy man. With 2 pride take-overs in a very short period it seems the females are all in a pseudo estrous and the lions have been mating non-stop for a few months now already. Hopefully the pride will recover and life will return to normal at Duba Plains when the new generation of youngsters arrive.

The Duba Plains lions were putting up a show for us last week.
We found this female lioness in the dark on the opposite side of a deep and wide channel and although we tried to cross it proved just too deep. Just as the sun rose she decided to cross straight towards us.
With the background still in shadow she suddenly emerged in the beautiful warm glow of a sun just sticking its head above the horizon.
One of the best moments in a long time for me...!

Our female lioness from yesterdays 'Day 4' post swam through the wide channel straight towards us, albeit with several crocs moving in.

Looking very determent and ever so slightly worried she managed to push through. She did however break into an almost panicked bound for the safety of the opposite bank while still chest deep in the calm Okavango waters - just what we expected her to do.... the cameras were ready!