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Second stop...Zambia, Shumba


marg

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We fly from the Lagoon airstrip to Kasane.  Then, a road transfer to Livingstone.  Fifteen years ago we crossed the river going the other direction in a small boat.  This time we drive over the new Kazungula bridge that was finished in May 2021.  We stay at the Waterberry Zambezi Lodge.  It is small and very nice.  Early afternoon the next day we are on our way to the airport seeing goats and charcoal being sold along the road.  We arrive at the Busanga Plains air strip late afternoon..   We were here four years ago and it looks so different.  There is much less water and the grass is more brown and less green.  The camp is open only June to November because of the water levels.  Our last visit we were told that June is a favorite month as the game drives are done by boat.  This season game drives could have started in April in a vehicle.  And, just like Botswana the nights are cold but mid-day is warm.

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A breakfast surprise...we watch three young male lions hunting.  Then we go across and follow them.  There are plenty of lechwe and puku but no luck  this morning.

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Interesting to see the Kazungula Bridge - it looks impressive. I've enjoyed a number of stays at Waterberry Lodge and hopefully will have another.

How was Shumba Camp @marg?

 

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@CaracalWe enjoyed our return to Shumba.  We love the Busanga Plains.  It is so vastly different than the other places we visit in Africa.  The camp has a great setting and is nice.  We like the private dining.  It was fun as the staff was the same as four years ago.  So, one day I brought the I Pad to lunch and showed them photos taken on the prior trip.  They loved it...happy guys as you can see.

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~ @marg:

 

I gotta tell you that the group portrait above is really special.

 

It captures the enthusiasm of those who give their best in the finest safari lodges and camps.

 

Thank you very much for posting it!

 

Scenes like that have much to do with why safaris are so special.

 

      Tom K.

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@Tom KellieThanks Tom.  You know that I think as much as we like reconnecting with those from a prior visit to a camp, they also enjoy it.  Must say that we had fun.

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A few birds...

 

Wattled Lapwing

Juvenile Fish Eagle in flight training with parents

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Lions!  The Papyrus Pride in transition, once again.  Four years ago Scarface and Nervous had just taken over the pride.  We watched Scarface and Queen mating one morning.  Both Nervous and Princess walked away from them.  But,  there were more meetings among the four.  Nervous was killed three years ago.  The last sighting of Scarface was 1 1/2 months ago.  Back to this trip the three young males that we watched this morning are the sons of Scarface and Princess.   And, two nomadic males have arrived on the scene. 

 

We leave the young males and find four females.  The collared one is Princess, the mother of the young males.

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With it so cold we especially enjoy our morning coffee.  Powell is in charge.

 

A few puku.

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It is smokey in all directions.  At least there are no visible flames.  But, when the sun drops down it simply disappears.  We arrived in camp too late yesterday for a game drive so this is our first day.  It's great to be back!

 

Starting a game drive....

African Stone Chat

Princess again

The sun before it drops too low

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The next day and a new adventure......

 

Young bushbuck close to camp

Goliath Heron

Great White Pelicans and friends

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Lions!  Powell gets a call that two males are spotted closer to Busanga Bush Camp.  Nomadic males.  We first see the older one with a larger and darker mane.

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Twenty minutes later the other one taking advantage of a lechwe that apparently died of natural causes.

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And, birds in the grass...

 

Rosy-throated Longclaw

Coppery-tailed Coucal

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You certainly saw some lion action @marg

I think the trio of males and the 2 nomads are those we came across whilst at Ntemwa.

 

Busanga is seems to be delivering plenty of lions.

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@wilddogLions throughout the trip with the exception of Zimbabwe.  And, you had good sightings.  I always wonder with the plentiful prey why there are not more lions.  But, they would not be allowed to stay.  Another male coming up soon.

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Lechwe and puku are in abundance....near the water and puku at a termite mound enjoying new grasses.

 

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And lions!  Two of the females napping.  Then, the nomadic males.  First, the one with a full stomach and later the other one.  When they get together, they do not rush to each other.

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Our last full day and we hear a lion roar very early in the morning.  It is windy and cold.  Early on we find a female lion.  And, a handsome male.  He was last seen 1 1/2 months ago disappearing at the same time as Scarface.  He follows her and sniffs each place where she sits along the way.

Not only here but earlier in the trip we have discussions about plehmen.  I did not know that lions had a Jacobson's organ, thought it was only snakes and such.  We have nice displays.  Not only are we learning about the local people but the local animals!

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Our last game drive here and no lions!  It is still windy and sky is finally blue. 

 

A few more birds...

   Red-billed Spurfowl

   Crowned Cranes

   Blacksmith Lapwing

   Hoopoe

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A young puku, more hippos and the beautiful sunset.  We will leave in the morning and the bags are packed.  A nice surprise is dinner in our tent.  It has been a great return visit!

 

It will be interesting to follow the dynamics of the lions with the arrival of the two nomads and the return of the other male.

 

The next segment will be Last Stop...Zimbabwe, Pamushana.

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your Busanga segment was just dripping with lions. we saw zilch when we were there. 

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@Kitsafariyes, both times we have been at Shumba we have had good lion activity.  We never know what we will find or where.  On our first trip to Africa and on the last day we saw a kill at Duba Plains.  So, of course we had to return.  Twice!  Not to be.

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