Jump to content

South Luangwa Sept' 2016


Geoff

Recommended Posts

Wow! Not safe for work LOL! :) What a sighting!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome hyena encounter. One to remember!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@monalisa @Marks @janzin Thanks for your comments. That hyaena mating sighting was fascinating to watch. The female instigated the couplings but she did not seem to enjoy it. I took approx' 250 images at that sighting. I must admit with the exception of size (the female being bigger) I'm still none the wiser telling the difference between spotted hyaena genders. So if anyone can enlighten me please do. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

During an afternoon drive we spent a considerable amount of time watching a Hollywood Pride lioness with her 3 very young cubs at their den. It was difficult to get an unobstructed view from a photography perspective so I only took a few images for record purposes. About sunset this idyllic scene changed when a male lion started roaring close by. The lioness's reaction was dramatic, she jumped up, picked up a cub then dropped it and kept looking in the direction from where the roars came from.Mwamba-Lioness-with-cubs_G8A8235-2.thumb.jpg.b89cd9d9db7e3b6e4c1db40e74028ccd.jpg594ceb224e133_Mwamba-lioness--cubs_G8A8279.thumb.jpg.e83ef9eac9a817f97945812f589994bf.jpg594ceb621507e_Mwamba-lioness--cubs_G8A8331.thumb.jpg.b91905414525f89aa54d5d24a42c0397.jpg

 

In fading light we left the den site for a late sundowner and found one of the Numbu males.

Mwamba-lion_G8A8383.thumb.jpg.4a392a289b7ccd36092295f14ae513c7.jpg

The next morning about 500 metres from the den we found the lioness lying on the road looking in the direction of the den. The cubs were not seen again, their fate unknown but I think I can take a fairly good guess.

Mwamba-Lioness_G8A8421-2.thumb.jpg.199fc15c07c7f1525efa55034e9a29b7.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

~ @Geoff

 

Your first shot, above, shows me something I didn't realize.

 

All lion cubs I ever encountered were months older than those you photographed.

 

Even as a child I knew that lion cubs were spotted. However, until seeing your shot above, I never realized that the youngest lion cubs are so heavily spotted.

 

The second shot also brings out the intensity of the spotting.

 

Very glad that you were able to observe them, and share the ‘record shots’ here.

 

These are worth mentioning to a pair of students who have high interest in newborn felines.

 

Thank you!

 

Tom K.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Tom Kellie Yes Tom many lion cubs are heavily spotted but I've seen cubs with few spots. In fact when I get to the Kenya part of my TR I will post an image of a very young cub (its eyes are still blue) that is extremely lightly coloured and it is only when you look closely at it that you realise it has spots.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

camo.png.f62205242418bf2aff7c287c17a5e447.png

 

~ @Geoff

 

This evening, just prior to dinner, several students stopped by.

 

They were impressed by the cryptic coloration of the spotted cub shown in the clip above.

 

One young lady commented that if she was walking in a forest, she might not notice such a cub against the dry fallen leaf background.

 

The high degree of effective camouflage shown by such intense spotting is striking.

 

Thanks for explaining that not all lion cubs are like this. I'll pass along that detail next week, which happens to be the final week of instruction here.

 

Tom K.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Geoff said:

The next morning about 500 metres from the den we found the lioness lying on the road looking in the direction of the den. The cubs were not seen again, their fate unknown but I think I can take a fairly good guess.

Mwamba-Lioness_G8A8421-2.thumb.jpg.199fc15c07c7f1525efa55034e9a29b7.jpg

 

 

@Geoff  Noooo. were the cubs not the Numba's? one of the hollywood males was hunted early last year as I recall. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Tom Kellie The young lady student is very perceptive.

 

@Kitsafari Those cubs were Hollywood male's offspring. Just before I arrived there was a territorial dispute between the Hollywood males & the Numbu boys. The Hollywood males were out numbered 2 versus 3 and crossed the river into the Nsefu sector leaving the Hollywood pride unprotected. The Numbu boys had already been accepted by the Mwamba females and were now trying to takeover the Hollywood pride.

 

The Mwamba pride had older cubs (possibly sired by the Hollywood males). The Numbu boys didn't seem to care about those female cubs. For some reason 2 of the Numbu males accepted the Mwamba male cubs but one did not and he was trying to catch and kill the male cubs. I remember a perverse situation when the Mwamba pride was on a kill. Two yearling male cubs were being stalked and chased by a Numbu Boy whilst their mother mated with another Numbu male. 

 

As an aside I hear that Ringo's brother has recently been seen in the area again with a new coalition partner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Geoff thanks for the explanations. Fascinating that the 2 numba accepted the hollywood males' cubs. 

 

I had heard about ringo's brother and that he had teamed up with another male and was very  happy to hear that!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 6/22/2017 at 11:45 PM, Geoff said:

I must admit with the exception of size (the female being bigger) I'm still none the wiser telling the difference between spotted hyaena genders. So if anyone can enlighten me please do. 

 

I certainly have never been able to tell, but Hans Kruuk says:

 



Sexually mature males and females are distinguished in the field by the presence or absence of large nipples, size, and the slightly different appearances of the scrotum and "sham scrotum." I still cannot distinguish the sex of immature hyenas without anatomical inspection.

 

Doesn't sound easy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks @Marks  I don't feel so stupid now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One morning Chiphazuwa the (now independent) daughter of the leopard in post #9 had been treed by lions. She was in for a long wait as there were 5 lioness in varying states of slumber at the base of the tree. Other vehicles wanted to see the sighting so we left.

594f023e713ea_MwambaLeopard_G8A9246-2.thumb.jpg.8d27c0d41d0cf38dbbab64375b2db0a0.jpg

In the afternoon we had heard that the lions were gone and she was not in the tree. Patrick thought he might know where she was and sure enough he found her. This is where a guide who knows the game viewing area well and has an intimate knowledge of individual animals can increase the success of your safari. The way a leopard can blend into the surroundings is astonishing.

She seemed tired and did not move far in the hour or so that we spent with her.

 

594f0460ca341_MwambaLeopard_G8A9514-2.thumb.jpg.ddeb3c49e958b54bc0dee60080db4214.jpg

  594f04f5383af_MwambaLeopard_G8A9517-2.thumb.jpg.5a83f75355e722b8c71a275d077e582a.jpg

The next morning dawned overcast and she was still in the general vicinity.

594f05ba72023_MwambaLeopard_G8A9612.thumb.jpg.8f43e616196e02c0c18d7685afba2cff.jpg594f05f69846b_MwambaLeopard_G8A9615.thumb.jpg.c78b7ab122a5c2d7b290a0b53b7468f3.jpg

Edited by Geoff
fixed text alignment
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've decided I better put more than 5 images in a post or I'll never finish this TR. Maybe I should do the Mara TR concurrently.

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Hides. The Mwamba camp hide is at the back of camp and is a short walk within the camp environs.  It is available all day when you're in camp. Where as the Hippo & Carmine bee-eater hides are used as an extension to a game drive and a visit is usually organised a day or so in advance.

Carmine Bee-eatersMwamba-Carmine-Bee-eater_G8A2101.thumb.jpg.55c78470e67c82ec654747b79e032ea0.jpgMwamba-Carmine-Bee-eater_G8A2200.thumb.jpg.a4482a7ecf76e3f6e20864c737ad7f56.jpgMwamba-Carmine-Bee-eater_G8A2037.thumb.jpg.01843c9d82d3f35241b1b48827713558.jpg

 

Zebra can be amazingly wary. These 3 stood looking at the waterhole for over 2 hours and then walked away without having a drink.

59503fb574103_MwambaZebras_G8A7927-1.thumb.jpg.f967d765403a537c700cac728908fd14.jpg

Another full frame buffalo shot. The only thing that separates you from them is a few metres of shallow water and a grass thatch panel

5950446f9ad9c_MwambaCapeBuffalo_G8A1406-2.thumb.jpg.bc8c518b11f4e80f465b648b4eedf275.jpg

Yellow baboons are never far away from the Mwamba waterhole.

Mwamba-Baboon_G8A7981.thumb.jpg.32c30f77738ac94658240465e9b83963.jpg

Mwamba-baboon_G8A9334.thumb.jpg.752005f6a87b39e66a55700937655359.jpg

Impala

Mwamba-Impala_G8A8808.thumb.jpg.852eb3919eab37522e53ce7b64f9c34d.jpg

Bushbuck. Often visit the Mwamba waterhole during the heat of the day.

Mwamba-Bush-buck_G8A7885.thumb.jpg.889526b873e422b45d135ba2a16df046.jpg

Mwamba-Hippo_G8A1691.thumb.jpg.25be730ebe96522de7492eb7821daaea.jpgMwamba-Hippo_G8A1730.thumb.jpg.ff14b9bfabf0ec30c2ab542300d9029d.jpg

Edited by Geoff
Link to comment
Share on other sites

michael-ibk

Gorgeous Bee-Eaters, and what a cool Hippo yawn.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@michael-ibk Thanks for your interest Michael. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That Chiphazuwa is a beauty!! :) EXCELLENT crisp shots!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So far I've pretty much ignored the general game. A post of what you're likely to see and then a few birds before moving onto lots of lions and a leopard cameo.

 

The endemic Thornicroft's Giraffe is usually not hard to find.

Mwamba-Giraffe_G8A8533.thumb.jpg.eefcb92c8c16e99c64343452e15d652d.jpg

Mwamba-giraffe_G8A9252.thumb.jpg.cbff21aa18f7c54a165198eef7406617.jpg

 

A warthog enjoys a scratch after a mudbath.

Mwamba-warthog_G8A9324.thumb.jpg.3759adf886fa4b67a0c7cbbe146f7e3f.jpg

 

Impala at the waterhole

Mwamba-Impala_G8A8856.thumb.jpg.ef36dd0e346dcf8d1d5d21cf9e548f70.jpg

My favourite antelope the bushbuck. Such a beautiful graceful creature even in harsh midday light

Mwamba-Bushbuck_G8A8779.thumb.jpg.ff69b4ad57f2ab8462822afad7d49d1d.jpg

The stately kudu

Mwamba-Kudu3_G8A1827.thumb.jpg.872f1b57687a7e138237384f41300c44.jpg

Kafunta-Kudu_G8A7802.thumb.jpg.cd850ef4f311f0d56c880ecaea732a1a.jpg

Waterbuck

Kafunta-Waterbuck_G8A7818.thumb.jpg.6de994d09246d935251e193e5bac8c58.jpg

Plenty of zebra on the plains.

Kafunta-Zebra_G8A7713.thumb.jpg.c3bf56463b93bbfe03250f51c4eae542.jpg

Cape Buffalo

Kafunta-Buffalo_G8A7541.thumb.jpg.ffbe23fbc548f86810020e13c2112801.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a shame about the Hollywood pride cubs.

I am really enjoying your report @Geoff  - great work.

I love your daggaboy photo in post 40, actually all your photo's are top class.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some birds. All species that you are likely to see in SLNP. 

White-fronted Bee-eater. Watching this species bathing in the midday heat I noticed that there was a reflection as well as a shadow.

Trying to capture all three was not easy.

Mwamba-White-fronted-Bee-eater_G8A9293.thumb.jpg.d6adf76aa9b5d548a9717e7896ee13f2.jpg

 

The obligatory Lilac-breasted Roller image (nothing special about this shot IMO).

Mwamba-Lilac-Breasted-Roller_G8A9224.thumb.jpg.4fdab129d8d1662bdb536acb5beed106.jpg

 

The beautiful Lillian's Lovebird a regular visitor to the Mwamba waterhole

59523a8461898_Mwamba-Lillians-Lovebird_G8A8520.thumb.jpg.ecedef2757a19f8aa2b903fffd30c312.jpg

Giant Eagle Owl

Mwamba-Giant-Eagle-Owl_G8A9714-2.thumb.jpg.7c21d0c5f6637c604f60b710ea4b997d.jpg

Southern Ground Hornbill (I love watching them foraging for prey)

Kafunta-Southern-Ground-Hornbill_G8A7241-2.thumb.jpg.8ebedd4fe60c42550693f39c4ad06835.jpg

Marabou Stork ~ cooling itself in the 40 degree heat

Mwamba-Marabou-Stork_G8A1452.thumb.jpg.6e2f6d958c0b8795f1434feeca54fe4b.jpg

Yellow-billed Oxpeckers riding a buffalos back

Mwamba-Yellow-billed-oxpeckers_G8A1627.thumb.jpg.cdb8d8035f8c3b9c67a1b389ed9f1577.jpg

Hooded vultures always seemed to be the first to arrive at a kill.

Mwamba-Hooded-Vulture_G8A8745.thumb.jpg.b3cf5f855a4d2baf57f9e34dfb0221df.jpg

Mwamba-Hooded-Vulture_G8A0455.thumb.jpg.828fa1d5fb8da57bc1ab7b7929f266c4.jpg

White-backed vulture on buffalo carcass

Mwamba-White-backed-Vulture_G8A1020.thumb.jpg.e3f6c1d175b2ca5fbb7f69a381add31e.jpg

 

 

Edited by Geoff
Removed text
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Towlersonsafari

That's right, @Geoff just casually throw in that stunning be eater photo! And the vulture on the buffalo skull is rather splendid too

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That bee-eater photo is a stunner. Very unique!

 

Interesting anecdote about the cautious zebra, too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 6/21/2017 at 11:39 AM, Geoff said:

@amybatt I'll add some detail on these camps into your thread requesting info on SLNP. Yep, very hot, 35+ degrees celcius everyday (95+ Fahrenheit). 

@monalisa It's in the title this report is for the late September 2016.  I'm returning to SLNP again this October.

@janzin This October after staying at Mwamba & Kaingo i'm trying out Nsefu as well. We can compare notes after our trips.

Thanks Geoff for your great report!  We are looking at spending 10-14 days in SLNP & LZ  Sept 2018 & so far have shortlisted our many camps to either:

  • Robin Pope with 3 nights Nkwali, 2 nights Tena Tena, 2 nights Nsefu, 3 nights Lion Camp, 4 nights Chongwe River camp 
  • Shenton Safaris with 5 nights Kaingo Camp, 5 nights Mwamba Camp, 4 nights Baines River Camp 

Would love to hear any advice you may have, especially after you have been to Nsefu

 

Cheers,

G&G

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Towlersonsafari said:

That's right, @Geoff just casually throw in that stunning be eater photo! And the vulture on the buffalo skull is rather splendid too

 

Ha! @Towlersonsafari, always enjoyed your sense of humour. That 'Broad appeal' comment on the Aussie cricket team's batting collapse left me chuckling for hours afterwards.

Edited by Geoff
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Safaritalk uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using Safaritalk you agree to our use of cookies. If you wish to refuse the setting of cookies you can change settings on your browser to clear and block cookies. However, by doing so, Safaritalk may not work properly and you may not be able to access all areas. If you are happy to accept cookies and haven't adjusted browser settings to refuse cookies, Safaritalk will issue cookies when you log on to our site. Please also take a moment to read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy: Terms of Use l Privacy Policy