Mana Pools October 2021 : Wild dogs, Lions,.....................Gymnogene

[Bush dog]

@Zim Girl

 

I'm glad you enjoy this report.  Thanks for following it.

[marg]

@Bush dogFirst, it is great that you were able to get to Africa!  Thanks so much for the wonderful trip report!  We saw our first ever wild dog in Mana Pools a long time ago.  Little did I know that they would become my favorite African animal.  Your photos are great!  Going to Busanga Plains again next year?

[Bush dog]

@marg

 

Thanks a lot for your comments!

I also saw my first wild dog a long time ago but it was in Selous.  Are you going to Busanga  next year or asking me if I will go?

 

  

[Bush dog]

Lions in the end of the afternoon, always at the same place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Toxic]

33 minutes ago, Bush dog said:

Lions in the end of the afternoon

Lovely light captured in that first picture!  

[Treepol]

Fabulous first shot in the sequence of the laid back lions, what an impressive group of males.

[marg]

@Bush doga couple of years ago we were both on the plainstaking some of the same photos but did not know it.  We are going to go back next year.

[madaboutcheetah]

@Bush dog- How was the terrain in the Sapi concession, Mike?  

 

 

[Bush dog]

@Treepol @Toxic

 

Many thanks for your appreciations!

[Bush dog]

@marg

 

I remember quite well, it was in September 2018.  Busanga is one of my favorite places.  You will certainly enjoy it again.  As far as I am concerned, I would love to go back.  Perhaps?  Tomorrow is another day....

[Bush dog]

@madaboutcheetah

 

Hi Hari,

 

The main roads are either gravel or Kalahari sands roads.  A bit of black cotton soil on minor roads. 

[Bush dog]

During the night, the elements were unleashed.  Indeed, the wind blew very violently.  By dawn, however, it had fallen and a number of trees and branches as well.

 

 

This fifth day saw us return to the place where we had left the lions.  They were no longer there, they must have, at least I think, found an ideal place to protect themselves from the strong gusts of wind of the night.  Some elephants were heading towards acacia island.

  

 

 

 

 

Along the road, a group of four of them were gathered around a tree broken by the wind.  At the end of the dry season, they had to make do with half-dry wood for all food, which they chewed and sucked with great pleasure.  In this case the wind had been their ally.

 

 

 

 

 

Some elands

 

 

 

Waterbucks

 

 

Impalas.  As we can see, some are invaded by parasites.  Is it maybe mange?

 

 

The afternoon drive was a “no photos at all game drive”.  This drive took us east to a beautiful place along the river where there were only impalas and where we took our sundowners. 

[Toxic]

6 hours ago, Bush dog said:

 

@Bush dogI really love this picture (and all the others). Just to see this small gentle giant enjoying his greenery with his deer and bird friends is lovely. 

[Bush dog]

 @Toxic

 

Thanks a lot for your comments!

[Kitsafari]

On 11/9/2021 at 6:25 AM, Treepol said:

Fabulous first shot in the sequence of the laid back lions, what an impressive group of males.

 

x2

[Bush dog]

@Kitsafari

 

Thanks!!!

[Bush dog]

For this sixth day, we decided to devote it to our second visit to the park.  But before we did, we went first by the road along the river and particularly by the place where we had left the lions two days before.

 

Crocodile

 

 

African fish eagle

 

 

Elephants were still feeding on branches and debris of trees fallen during the stormy night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was only by scanning acacia island that we realized that the lions were there.  So, already there the day before and in this case had they killed something or had they ended up there during the night?

 

 

 

 

 

Tree squirrel

 

[offshorebirder]

@Bush dog - I am so happy for you and your wife to have had such an incredible closeup experience with the Wild Dogs 'rousing'.   

 

Thanks for spending the time preparing the photos and this excellent trip report.  

 

Seeing the Lower Zambezi landscape brings back fond memories.

[Bush dog]

9 hours ago, offshorebirder said:

@Bush dog 

Seeing the Lower Zambezi landscape brings back fond memories.

 

To me too.

 

Thanks a lot for following this report!

[Bush dog]

On the way to the park, still in the Sapi concession, a couple of double-banded sandgrouses.

 

 

 

Apart from elephants, elands, kudu, waterbucks and other impalas, nothing really spectacular to report.  Here is a first photo of landscapes on which we had more time to devote.

  

 

It was only when we arrived near Nyamatusi that we reached the place of our first sighting, well not exactly, in the park.  We were expecting this as the driver of an oncoming private vehicle warned us.  A BBC crew was filming our wild dogs.  Having no other pack available at this time, they had, during our wild dogs’ day, contacted Tembo Plains to stay there.  Subsequently, having access to the information provided by the collars, they canceled their reservation when they noticed that the dogs had left for the park. 

 

 

The small vehicle, on which a camera was mounted, seen during our first visit, was there and at work, remotely controlled by an operator seated in one of the 4x4s.  Another camera was mounted in front of a second vehicle.  More than twenty people were gathered around the dogs who did not seem to be overly disturbed.  Nick Murray, that some who know him will recognize on the photos, had come all the way from Vundu to show them to his guests.  After Richard had exchanged a few words with the ranger and his colleagues, we did not go on forever. 

 

 

 

 

 

I ask myself the following questions. 

So many people gathered around wild animals, for whatever reason, can it be treated as harassment?  Personally, I think we are not far from it!  On the other hand, is it correct that film crews, such as those of the BBC or National Geographic, have priority over tourists who have paid sums, for some very substantial, to be there and observe wildlife quietly?  I think this is unfair!

 

Some landscapes, including one with a crocodile skull (very heavy) and the breakfast table and chairs and another with a herd of buffaloes, to close this post.

 

 

 

 

[AKR1]

Some evocative landscapes Mike. 
Agree it’s unfair film crews get priority over paying safari goers, but the counter argument is they provide access to a large number of people and overall hopefully good for conservation. 
 

[wilddog]

It does seem unfair BUt I agree with @AKR1. in addition during this last 2 years, income from the BBC has provided income to cash strapped camps over the last 2 years . ot only in Mam but also Kafue and probay many other areas.

Nevertheless it is disappointing if legit tourists are unable to enjoy them too.

 

And now I know what that strange object is.

[Bush dog]

@wilddog @AKR1

 

Frankly, I was expecting this reaction and I am well aware that these two great organizations pay a lot of money which goes a long way towards funding nature conservation but I would say selfishly I am very happy not to have seen them arrive at Tembo Plains when the wild dogs were there.

[wilddog]

that a I can understand @Bush dog. It would not please me either .

[offshorebirder]

@Bush dog - I think the film crews should at a minimum have to reimburse safari clients whom the film crews block from seeing their intended targets.  And if enough of the trip is wasted. the film crews would seem to owe them airfare as well.   In a just world.

 

And that crowd on foot around the wild dogs does not seem good.   Were the humans at least quiet or not so much?