FORUM IN ZAMBIA OCTOBER 2012:
DAY 23: THURSDAY 18/10/2012.
BUSANGA PLAINS CAMP.
Today we bid farewell to Dave and Judy Pretorious. They had been part of the group of 4 vehicles that had done the full trip. If it is any consolation to them, nothing startling happened on our final day. It was sad to part ways. Both had been full value.
We came upon the papyrus group of 3 lions only 8min out of camp. They were moving north to their more usual territory around the papyrus swamps. They regularly call on the camp and in fact their spoor was seen in camp the following morning, although we experienced neither hide or hair from them. In the background, coming across the plain towards them was another large herd of elephants making for a marvellous photographic opportunity. We stayed to watch for any interaction but the lions quietly moved out of the elephant’s path. Seeing another large breeding elephant herd likes this was confirmation of all the good anti-poaching work achieved over the years. Apparently the local human population living on the northern boundary have entrenched rights to fish in the swamps and the LufupaRiver. They were unfortunately still regularly being locked up for setting snares for bush meat.
The elephant herd were very relaxed in our presence, feeding as they slowly worked their way to the water. However the huge old matriarch pushed the pulse rate up a bit with an impressive mock charge as she passed. The herd were joined by more elephants coming out of the bush and eventually there may have been up to a hundred drinking together, real food for the soul! Then back to camp for a refreshing cold shower, the days were becoming progressively more hot and humid. A lunch of beautifully prepared fried bream was enjoyed.
The rain clouds were building up each day and there had been some showers. The big rains were not far off. Although hot during the day the weather had seldom been overly oppressive and the nights in Kafue had been remarkably cool, needing to pull up the duvet during the night. I had needlessly been concerned about hot and sweaty sleepless nights. It must be the relatively high altitude.
I spent the rest of the morning quietly watching the surrounding flood plains. The activity of the lechwe herds on our doorstep never failed to entertain. Large flocks of a few hundred openbills were dotted around and squadrons of pelicans were wheeling in the sky. Fish eagles and coucals were constantly in ones awareness, both visual and audible. A solitary secretary bird stalking the flats also entertained. The constant coming and going of birds for the fruit of the central sycamore fig and the insects attracted by the ripe fruit, also kept me busy for some time. Featured were green pigeons, spectacled weavers, dark-capped greenbulls, Hartlaub’s babblers and tropical bou-bous.
With our game viewing appetites sated it was a very laid back game drive that afternoon. Ferrison decided to show us the eastern section near the camp. This had recently been opened to game drives due to a dryer season that year and the addition of a few temporary wooden pole bridges over the many streams that constitute the Lufupa in this area. We headed for a large hippo pool about 800m due east of the camp, but having to drive quite a circuitous route to get there because of the intervening swamps. A number of the photographs show the camp and our tent in the background. It was good to see where our evening chorus hung out during the day. The large pod of perhaps 30 hippos were restless and the constant dominance displays provided good entertainment and photographs.
The 2 dominant male lions were located on this area of the plains. They were magnificent mature males of about 10 years old, one of which was collared. They had really full stomachs and even though evening was approaching they hardly budged. We were all lioned out by now and it was not long before we were back in camp.
It was with more than a tinge of sadness that I realised that we were soon to leave this truly unique area of KNP. I suspect the others felt much the same as we were a relatively subdued group at dinner that night. The 3 days we spent here were absolutely unforgettable. Do not miss out on a visit here if at all possible!
CONTACT: As for Mukambi.
COST: 310 US$ pppn at the special forum discount. All inclusive.
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