Journey during covid 19

[optig]

On this trip I went to Kafue National Park for 10 nights and stayed at Nanzhila Plains for three nights, Musekese for four, and Chisa Busanga for 4. I went to Grootbos Forest Lodge for 5 nights, and Mashatsu tented camp for 5. Due to all of the transfers and covid 19 I also had to stay for three nights in Lusaka, one in Livingstone, one in Cape Town, and two in Johannesburg.  After an evening spent in Johannesburg, I first went to Mashatsu Tented Camp. It did live up to it's reputation for being an outstanding place to see leopards and other predators. In one day I managed to see four different leopards!! I also enjoyed great sightings of lions and saw two cheetahs.

[Tom Kellie]

~ @optig:

 

What a pleasant surprise! Thank you so much for telling about your recent travels.

 

The selection of camps is delightful.

 

Thank you for posting the images above.

 

Seeing them is an especially nice way to end 2021.

 

Happy travels in 2022!

 

         Tom K.

[Kitsafari]

very jealous @optigbut so glad you still managed to do so many areas for safaris!

Edited November 21, 2021 by Kitsafari

[optig]

On the second day at Mashatsu Tented Camp I saw plenty of wildlife. I had heard that the guiding there was somewhat weak, but I found it to be just fine. I was particularly enthused to see two cheetahs as well as plenty of elephants. And yes the birding was good as well.

[optig]

On my 3rd day at Mashatsu, I wasn't bored at all even if I was seeing thing like wildebeest and impala which had seen many times before.I was still having the most enjoyable day.I really wish that more travel agents would offer their clients the three Mashatsu Camps,they can be combined with the rest of Botswana as well as the Kruger area.

[madaboutcheetah]

@optig- sounds like another wonderful trip!!!  Quick question - did you need to do a rapid test again at the border entry when you entered Botswana? or was the PCR test enough? 

 

 

[BRACQUENE]

Great start @optigand I can tell you that  your choice of camps in the Kafue was absolutely outstanding ; I have not been to  Green Safaris Chisa Busanga “The Nest” but discussed it in my Kafue topic and I am all ears to what you will tell us about it !

[Tom Kellie]

~ @optig: More delightful images!

 

Thank you so much for taking time to prepare and post this trip report.

 

Your sightings are a welcome tonic for the safari-starved soul.

 

      Tom K.

[optig]

@madaboutcheetahI remember that crossing  the border from South Africa to Botswana took far more time than crossing the border in the other direction.I must have had a pcr test when crossing the border from South Africa.

[optig]

These are photos from my fourth day at Mashatsu. I remember hearing that the guiding was weak and uninspired, but I thought that it was just fine. 

[optig]

These are my sightings from my fifth and final day at Mashatsu Tented Camp. I have to say that I really did enjoy my stay there. I had terrific sightings of lions, leopards, and elephants. The food was yummy and the South African wine was just superb. My tent was comfortable, but it got hot in the afternoon. It did had 2 fans but they were not really sufficient.

[optig]

After my stay at Mashatsu Tented Camp I went to stay at Grootbos Lodge for a safari of a different kind. I thought that the staff, food, and the variety of excursions were all exemplary. I particularly enjoyed my charming guide Alison. I took the cruise and saw plenty of whales and seals. I also took the boat excursion from Robertson. I saw no less than 8 new species of birds. I don't have photos because both trips made it difficult to take any photos.

[wilddog]

it all sounds and looks amazing @optig.How fortunate that you are able to travel extensively at this difficult time. thanks for sharing it with us.

[TonyQ]

@optigI am enjoying catching up with your trip

[optig]

I then stayed for one night at the Royal Livingstone before going to Nanzihla Plains.  I did have some good game viewing there, but I found the tsetse flies to be unbearable. Finally,  on the third day the owner Steve had to drive me in his own air conditioned vehicle. Steve and his wife Cindy don't want to eliminate the tsetse flies because they feel that it keeps the area wild. I don't feel that a guest should have to go on safari with such discomfort.  

 

I particularly enjoyed seeing the mother lion with her three cubs. The hartebeest were interesting as well.

[egilio]

20 minutes ago, optig said:

I found the tsetse flies to be unbearable. Finally,  on the third day the owner Steve had to drive me in his own air conditioned vehicle. Steve and his wife Cindy don't want to eliminate the tsetse flies because they feel that it keeps the area wild. I don't feel that a guest should have to go on safari with such discomfort. 

 

Odd statement, you don't have to be a guest. Many of the continent's wildlife areas still exist because of tsetse flies. Yes, some camps try to eliminate them in the areas they work in, and some areas even have been heavily sprayed with insecticides (Okavango), but when the tsetses are gone, there is big chance cattle moves in if that isn't properly controlled, and in many countries, it isn't properly controlled.

[optig]

These photos were all taken at my last 2 days at Nanzihla lodge.

[optig]

The latest photos were taken at Musekese Camp.I have to say that the camp is my very favorite camp.I especially enjoyed it this time because both Tyrone and Phil were in camp.The game viewing was noticeably better at this time of the year.The last time I came her was in July and it was a whole lot wetter.

[optig]

Obviously I was quite enthusiastic about seeing wild dogs since I did expect to see them at Musekese. The sighting of that leopard was also just phenomenal.

 

The following photos are from Chisa Busanga. It was a great camp as well. It is also a new concept with the four tents being designed as nests for it's guests to stay in.The food and service were excellent. I'll never forget when that rather large hippo confronted our vehicle.

Edited December 2, 2021 by optig

[optig]

On my last day at Chisa Busanga I got to see something that was nothing less than awe inspiring: two adult male hippos fighting. I know that when they fight it is often to the death.I have to say that without a doubt it was one of the most impressive things that I've ever seen on safari.

[AfricIan]

7 hours ago, optig said:

I have to say that without a doubt it was one of the most impressive things that I've ever seen on safari.

Exactly so @optig, even 6years after we witnessed "our" fight (also on the Busanga plains) the intensity of the confrontation hasn't left me, you feel it rather than just see it.

[Biko]

@optigDid you do the gamedrives in an electric car at Chisa Busanga? What is your opinion about that?

[optig]

@Biko I believe that the game drives at Chisa Busanga were in electric vehicles. I can't say that I noticed any difference.

[optig]

These are my last photos from Kafue. I enjoyed it so much that I can't wait to return a third time.

[optig]

Then I went to King Lewanika in Liuwa Plains National Park  for four nights. This is a safari destination only for those that have been to places such as Kafue, Katavi, Liwonde and have enjoyed them. It is truly often the beaten path. I was fortunate enough to meet Phillip Briggs who has written so many guide books for Bradt. In fact he has to be the foremost guidebook writer in all of Africa.

Edited December 3, 2021 by optig