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Atravelynn

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@@Atravelynn you were extremely lucky not only with your dog and lion sightings,but you even got to see 5 leopards. I've been to Mana Pools twice and spent 10 days there,but wasn't fortunate enough to see leopards.

I now see the wisdom of going with a mobile camp, not only to Mana Pools but to Botswana as well.

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@@michael-ibk Elijah was the head of the Natureways staff and a guide in his own right. He came along with us on most, if not all, of our walks!

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Jane and Lynn, thanks so much for this report, you had fantastic sightings and it was so easy to imagine what it would be like thanks your vivid narration and the great photos. Felt like a return to Mana Pools, thoroughly enjoyed it. Really would have to be liked part of this gang, you must have had lots of fun!

 

And Hari, very glad you have joined the report now, looking forward very much to seeing more of your photos! Love the jumping Impala with the hunting dog in the background, a fabulous shot! We were all focused on some resting dogs when Doug alerted us to quickly shift that focus to the chase scene.

 

Sorry if I missed that - who is Elijah? He managed the Natureways Mana Pools camp. He was able to join us to carry the big camera equipment, acting as a porter. But he was much more than a porter, as he also guides walking safaries, carries a firearm, etc. We had the benefit of 4 trained pair of eyes between Doug and Elijah. He spotted a low lying lion while we were waiting for buffalo in Chitake. At times we sent Elijah off in one direction to look for signs of buffalo (or whatever we were tracking) while Doug took the rest of us in another direction. One afternoon Elijah took one member of our group canoeing--he is trained for that as well.

 

 

@@Atravelynn you were extremely lucky not only with your dog and lion sightings,but you even got to see 5 leopards. I've been to Mana Pools twice and spent 10 days there,but wasn't fortunate enough to see leopards.

I now see the wisdom of going with a mobile camp, not only to Mana Pools but to Botswana as well. Four of the leopards were at the Kanga pan at night, so no photos possible. Agreed, the mobile camp model has always worked well.

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@@michael-ibk Elijah was the head of the Natureways staff and a guide in his own right. He came along with us on most, if not all, of our walks!

We had simultaneous posts there!

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Peter Connan

What a twist in the tail!

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Very very enjoyable report @@SafariChick and Atravelynn. It looks like an enjoyable time was had by all and Mana really delivered for you. If it wasn't for that heat I would have had a matching trip report. Hopefully we see some more of these tag team reports! If your wife would like to add some impressions, you could have a do-it-yourself tag time report.

 

 

Very nice Bee-Eater photos! Doug tried the log with us also, and it did not really work back then neither. I don't know what those carmines expect; it was a lovely log in subdued tones with an abundance of perches.

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What a twist in the tail!

Suspense is our game!

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@@Atravelynn and @@SafariChick What-the-what!!!!

 

Here I am reading this awesome report, feeling a bit sad it's drawing to a close and then BOOM @@madaboutcheetah starts throwing in extra fabulousness. You guys are are fly, as the youngsters say. Can't wait to hear and see Hari's thoughts and images.

 

I am beyond excited to be going back on a Dougtastic trip this year and you guys are reminding me to stop worrying about the sliding GBP rate and flight prices, because ain't no pockets in coffins ?

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madaboutcheetah

Today's segment ...shall kickstart it with the man himself!!!! ;)

 

What I loved about walking with Doug ..... not just his wealth of knowledge and experience - but, the fact that he isn't into those dramatic encounters of pushing the animals to the edge ........ Awesome!!!

 

Will have a photo of Elijah in the next segment - either tonight or tomorrow :) He was amazing - tracking the dogs or watching out for Lions while we were waiting for the buffalo herds ......... or just chatting all afternoon long to keep us entertained!

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madaboutcheetah

Indeed ..... you were right, @@Atravelynn ........... Whilst immediately after the sighting Lynn was looking at her photos and wanted me to confirm if it was a baboon carcass they were carrying - but, for some reason I wasn't sure until i edited the photos....... photo 5 from the last post, has the baboon skull!

Edited by madaboutcheetah
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That hand was unexpected! The skull confirms the baboon's fate.

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madaboutcheetah

Please watch "predator's Playground" filmed at the Chitake Springs ......... It's a well made documentary with excellent narration.

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@@madaboutcheetah I love all of your photos of Mana Pools. The photos of the wild dogs pursuing an impala are my favorites. :rolleyes::D

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@Atravelynn I never realized before there was such gigantic herds of buffalo in Mana Pools before. I thought that only in Kidepo National Park in Uganda were there herds of that size.

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@Atravelynn I never realized before there was such gigantic herds of buffalo in Mana Pools before. I thought that only in Kidepo National Park in Uganda were there herds of that size.

They are around, the trick is to be in a good place to see them, especially in Chitake. What was so surprising (whether Chitake or elsewhere) is how a herd of hundreds can vanish from the landscape. We even had the advantage of an elevated lookout when we were at the baobab cathedral in Chitake and we saw no sign of them, not even their signature dust.

 

The spectacles of Chitake set a very high standard for any other buffalo encounters in the future. I suppose I could hold out for that shot that the Pop-Tart muncher in our group was waiting for: buffalo and red billed oxpecker on said buffalo, drinking water in unison.

 

Fortunately every sighting is made unique by the environment, the lighting, interactions within the herd, and any other creatures that creep into view.

Edited by Atravelynn
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madaboutcheetah

Note - if you watch "predator's playground" - there is a clip of Lions watching the buffalo herds that were down in the spring. That's the exact spot, we were seated for hours together!!!!

 

Thanks @@optig and @@Atravelynn .......

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madaboutcheetah

 

 

Next batch of photos....... The only Lion encounter we had on foot was the "mating Lions" ...... You keep a respectable distance and the cats aren't bothered with your presence! The other cats were photographed from the vehicle- including the famous Mucheni Leopard who was comfortable with one vehicle, but, bolted when the next car approached!

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madaboutcheetah

Everyone's favourite - Boswell!!!!

 

There was a recent campaign on Facebook where a photographer raised funds to collar another well known Mana Elephant in order to save him from hunters ..... let's hope it works out well!

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What the... has everyone on Safaritalk been on this trip :)

 

So great photos as usually Hari!

 

Not yet.

 

But I'm saving...

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What the... has everyone on Safaritalk been on this trip :) ha ha ha :D :D :D

 

So great photos as usually Hari!

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@@Atravelynn @@SafariChick and now @@madaboutcheetah Thank-you again for such a comprehensive report and images. It has really whetted my appetite for the trip with Doug in November - it sounds and looks like a special place and a unique experience.

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madaboutcheetah

Next segment - Elijah as promised ........

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madaboutcheetah

Final batch of images ............ Thank You all for the kind comments!!!

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