Safari and Guides Services Blog

I picked our clients up from the Savute Air strip after that had come from Moremi Crossing. It is very nice to guide small numbers as I feel that I can give them all my attention all the time. My clients were very keen photographers and were looking for the very best photo that they could submit to their photography club back home in Canada. The weather was very hot, but overcast at times which allowed us to escape the full rays of the sun.

Our first sighting was one of a warthog that came bolting out of the bushes, tail up snorting, grunting and running in circles like it was on drugs. I decided to wait and see what was actually causing the obvious stress to this Warthog, I then noticed a leopard still in its stalking stance. This was my client’s first leopard sighting and I was very happy to be the one to share it with them. They enjoyed taking photos and watching him in his natural habitat. We left him as he slowly walked away into the bushes, filling my client’s faces with smiles.

We drove on and saw over 100 zebras with a group of maybe 15 giraffes together. Also we saw two lionesses deep in the woods, unfortunately it was difficult for my clients to take a good picture, but nice none the less to see. To finish of the day we came across lots of breeding herds of elephants.

Shakka did a wonderful job with the food that night and every night to be perfectly honest, which was enjoyed by all. We even had honey badgers, trying to steal all our food to no avail as we keep all our non perishables in metal trunks.

The next morning after a strong filtered coffee and choice of herbal tea next to the fire we headed out. We came across a Klipspringer high up on bushman hill, I also spotted lion tracks and we followed and found them towards the end of the drive. That afternoon after a siesta we headed out and found more lions after some serious tracking, the tracking and understanding of the signs of the bush really made my guest excited. We went down to the waterhole and found a big bull elephant that was refused a drink at the waterhole by all the others which was surprising. My last trip it was the male lion that was refused and now a big bull elephant.

We returned back to camp and had some lovely food and sat around the camp fire telling stories. That night lion walked through camp approximately 4 metres away from the tent, we saw the tracks in the morning. I enjoy doing mobile safaris due to the low impact on the environment and that fact that despite our presence animals still feel comfortable to walk through camp. It also allows for a truly wild experience that I am proud to share with other people.

The next day we were off to Chobe we saw Leopard at pump pan, which allowed for more photo opportunities. We also saw a few bull elephants drinking at the pan. There was a chameleon crossing the road that made my guests day.

We arrived in Chobe to find that there had obviously been a bit of a down poor of rain. We had an afternoon game drive and we saw a large herd of buffalo which was nice. That night we heard the lions calling less than 4 km away from camp, which is such an amazing noise.

Chobe was quiet in areas compared to what it normally is mainly due to the rains that had come through the area. With the rain it cools things down a bit and we were lucky enough to see some brand new baby impalas that had dropped. There were plenty of impalas and some of them looked heavily pregnant. Some warthogs had also dropped, so with the early down poor of rain came new life. There wasn’t a lot of rain so I hope that these little ones can survive until the real rains come. It is very nice to experience this time of year in Chobe.

We also saw a couple of Hyaenas as well which was really nice to see. We watched a herd of elephants from over 20 metres away, they started coming closer and closer, and they ended up standing 10 metres away. The elephants felt comfortable with our presence which is a nice feeling. This was a mind blowing experience for the guests.

The cloud cover that evening meant the sunset would be lovely and it was. It was amazing and my guests were very happy to sit and watch it. A very nice way to end a safari.

The next morning we had a short game drive and then headed out of the park to Kasane where they would stay a night.

I really enjoyed the trip and felt that my clients enjoyed every moment of the safari. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your travels and have a safe trip back home. I also hope that during your Safari with SGS that you got the photos that you wanted to impress your photography club members. Take care and once again it was a pleasure taking you out on Safari and hope to see you in this part of the world some time soon.

Written by Frank Chikosi

Clients Gibson x 2 Morula Safari

Guide  Frank Chikosi

Staff Joe Mosheti Camp Manager , Shakka camp chef and Jerry camp assitant