LOWER ZAMBEZI JUNE 2021

[Toxic]

Lovely photos @marirangwe- particularly loving the croc, sunset and baby hippo! 

[marirangwe]

Thanks @Toxic I appreciate it.

Thanks to all the member 'likes' - great to have you guys following the report.

[Bush dog]

I was in Lower Zambezi 2 years ago.  I wonder if your male lion is not one of the coalition of three that I saw twice between Chiawa and Ol Mondoro :

 

- along the Zambezi between Sausage Tree and Chiawa 

- in the forest between Jeki and Ol Mondoro

 

They indeed covered a vast territory.

 

They were known by the names of Blackie, Blondie and Roadie.  Yours must be Blackie.

[Athene]

@marirangwelovely photos, my favourites are the lion portraits and the landscapes. Fingers crossed, we will also be in the Lower Zambezi (Chiawa and Old Mondoro) at the beginning of September without having to quarantine afterwards. Quarantine rules after returning from Zambia have been lifted.

[marirangwe]

@Bush dogI remember reading your trip report in detail and enjoying your images. Interesting observation you make regarding the coalition. Mine may well be Blackie. John, my guide, did not divulge names or much history.

@AtheneThank you. Wish I was going again in September!

[marirangwe]

Following photo's all taken from within camp, from the public decks, the deck of my tent and along the walk ways. I apologise for the fact I have failed to dial in proper camera settings before shooting some of the landscape scenes, resulting in shallow depth of field and poor focus. I post them here nevertheless since they are the best I have.

 

[marirangwe]

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[marirangwe]

I am not sure to what extent the Lower Zambezi rivals South Luangwa for their leopard populations, but we spotted leopard on most drives through the park.

 

[marirangwe]

[marirangwe]

On a drive one day we came across a leopard in the open on one of the flood plains. She was very relaxed and soon after we stopped she was joined by a cub who had been hiding behind a termite mound next to her. The cub would periodically notice us again and return to a position behind the termite mound from where it would peer out at us, before returning to it's mother, since she remain relaxed and ignored us for the most part. This sighting I think was the highlight of all the game drives. We spent about 30 minutes watching mother and cub. There was in fact a second cub a little way behind and to the side of us, in a tree. This cub cried/called constantly while we were there but mum and sibling appeared to ignore it. At the end of the sighting a troop of baboon began barking some distance off and Mum suddenly got up, crouched low and moved off in the opposite direction. The little one mimicking her every move from just behind her. As I listened the cub in the tree fell silent and John and I agreed Mum would return for it after she had hidden the little one with her, and it was safe to do so.

 

[marirangwe]

[marirangwe]

 

 

 

[marirangwe]