Mo(e) cheetah tracking tales; Winter's last Hurrah in drought struck Northern Botswana; From Kwena Lagoon to Twin Pools and everywhere in between - A Kwando Safari: August, 2019

[madaboutcheetah]

2 hours ago, SSF556 said:

@madaboutcheetah thanks for the update....we will be at Kwara and Lebala in December....is Kwara ready for opening?

 

Not yet - but soon I think .... good choice with kwara over splash!!!! I loved my time at lebala now - superb game area as always and was very well looked after by OP / teddy and Barcos .....you will love it!

Edited August 27, 2019 by madaboutcheetah

[SSF556]

15 minutes ago, madaboutcheetah said:

 

Not yet - but soon I think .... good choice with kwara over splash!!!! I loved my time at lebala now - superb game area as always and was very well looked after by OP / teddy and Barcos .....you will love it!

 

Thanks for the update...we were at Lagoon and LK in 2011 so will be interesting to see the changes!

[madaboutcheetah]

In this episode ......... Lions really have a stranglehold up and down the Kwando Concession at the moment!!!

[AKR1]

Wonderful images as usual Hari. Glad the delta & Kwando delivered again for you. I heard water levels were mixed in the delta this year with some areas getting much less than normal and others in abundance. How was it at the Kwando camps you stayed at?

[madaboutcheetah]

Hi there @AKR1 - how you been???

 

yes Northern Botswana in general has endured severe drought. I was only at Lagoon and lebala in the Kwando concession. There is still water in the channels arising from the Kwando River. No problem there and that isn’t going to go dry - but the eastern side of the concession is getting drier and Drier as in days gone by as there hasn’t been flood waters this year and that’s the reason why those areas are dry ....

 

 

Edited September 6, 2019 by madaboutcheetah

[SSF556]

@madaboutcheetah   Are people predicting a wet Summer?   

[madaboutcheetah]

@SSF556 - hard to tell ..... even though last summer was Particularly dry; they had a couple of really heavy downpours in March I’m told .... it rained late and heavy.... 

 

I think even if it does rain this summer - I think the early summer should be fantastic with a little rain as most of the areas are super dry and fresh grass should bring back all the game.

[SSF556]

@madaboutcheetah we will be there Dec 12-22 so fingers crossed

[madaboutcheetah]

12 hours ago, SSF556 said:

@madaboutcheetah we will be there Dec 12-22 so fingers crossed

 

Should be amazing then ...... A lot of areas have had fires so when the rains start the fresh grass should attract the animals!!! It will definitely rain a couple of times prior to your trip!  

Will be back to editing photos soon - sorry, have been away for work!

[madaboutcheetah]

Next batch of images......

 

The last two photos is my favourite male Lion in the concession (EVER) - He's a fighter and has been regularly seen since at least 2015 .......... Old Gunn !!!! 

[madaboutcheetah]

Back to the boys!!!! 

[Sangeeta]

Lovely images, Hari. As always, your lions are rivaling your cheetah

[Atravelynn]

Sundowner cheetahs are uncommon.

[Kitsafari]

Old Gunn still hard at work for the next generation! he's a real handsome dude, so golden and clean of face!

 

your lion and cheetah images are brilliant, as always, can't say enough of that. 

[madaboutcheetah]

On 27 August 2019 at 7:19 PM, SSF556 said:

@madaboutcheetah thanks for the update....we will be at Kwara and Lebala in December....is Kwara ready for opening?

 

I've seen some photos online ....... Looks ready to me!  

 

Thanks @Sangeeta @Atravelynn and @Kitsafari

 

Lynn - that cheetah sundowner took loads of patience....... I think sitting with sleeping cheetahs for most of the day, to get that shot just at the end!!!

[madaboutcheetah]

next batch of images...

[madaboutcheetah]

Let's take a break from the cats in this batch ........ 

[Ritsgaai]

Brilliant photos! 

 

I am in need of a Botswana fix. 

[marg]

@madaboutcheetah   Thanks for the great photos.....can hardly wait to see these cats and dogs next year!  

[SSF556]

@madaboutcheetah great pics and thanks for posting them!

[Amylovescritters]

5 months before my mom and I arrive... Your photos are ever so inspiring =)

[Kitsafari]

i just ADORE the first cheetah photo in post 42!

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks a lot @Ritsgaai @Amylovescritters @Kitsafari @marg @SSF556

 

I will get back to the editing soon - been swamped with work! 

[Amylovescritters]

@madaboutcheetah totally understand... I still haven't tackled the Serengeti portion of my TR. Same thing.

[Kathy von Foerster]

Gorgeous photos! We are planning our first safari for August 2020 with our adult children. Can you please share your thoughts about Splash Camp? I noticed your comment that Kwara is a good choice over Splash. One of our proposals is for Splash. We also have Pom Pom, Lebala, Linyanti Expeditions, and Jackal and Hide as part of our suggested itineraries. Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated. Thank you.