Ngoko Safaris

Devil Tease

Benson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:01:51 +0000

Rains encourage young crocodiles to disperse, often into small pans inland, away from all the competition in the major rivers and dams. These wet periods are a test of vigilance and resilience in young reptiles. They have to learn all their competitive skills. If they survive this ordeal they will be normally be successful as adults.

This was the scenario we came across in the Linyanti area of Botswana. A pack of Cape Hunting dogs spent time charging and teasing a Nile crocodile only to give up after two hours.

Click on the images then scroll through to see as a slideshow.

“Behind the Scenes” Safari – offered by Wilderness Safaris

Fiona — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 11:56:39 +0000

Wilderness Safaris has recently launched a new Behind The Scenes Safari which is worthy of mention as it offers something a bit different from the normal safari experience. The key points are:

This is a 14 day ‘4 Cs’ (Commerce, Conservation, Community, Culture) behind the scenes safari to: Namibia, Botswana, Zambia visiting…
Rhino Camp, Damaraland Camp, Dumatau, Vumbura Plains, Kalahari Plains, Toka Leya
Focus on sustainable ecotourism with in depth study opportunities at each property
Led by: Brett Wallington
Deps: 24 Apr – 7 May & 20 Nov – 3 Dec. Starts Windhoek, ends Livingstone
Price US$11,700 per person

For further information please get in touch with Fiona.

The Kingfisher in a Prince’s Royal Attire

Benson — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:05:10 +0000

A few weeks ago the Ngoko bug took us on the Chobe river boat cruise with friends from USA. Apart from seeing the impressive large herds of game on Sidudu Island we developed a great interest in birding. We were rewarded with black crowned night herons, giant kingfishers, fish eagles etc but the ultimate was malachite kingfishers. We saw an adult with a small tilapia, she immediately flew away without stopping to devour the fish. We were in hot pursuit only to be rewarded by finding the rest of her family who took over the spoils, the final tally was four kingfishers in exquisite turquoise (Roman Empire soldier head armour, navy blue robes, red swords in adults and black ones in juveniles).

Click on the images then scroll through to see as a slideshow.

When Baboons turn White

Benson — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:59:05 +0000

On a recent trip to South Luangwa while taking a siesta break at Mwamba camp I was lured outside my room by a noisy troop of Yellow Baboons. Taking a closer look I found one of the babies was all white apparently a common phenomenon in this part of the world according to local guides. The little guy seemed to get a lot of extra attention from fellow mates and troop females in particular. Research seems to indicate these baboon have picked up genes from a smaller northern baboon subspecies called Kinda and are not necessarily an albino. They tend to lose white within the first year. I later found traces of white patches in Puku in the same area. I have also witnessed another white Yellow Baboon baby in North Kafue National Park.

Click on the images then scroll through to see as a slideshow.

Zambia Airport Tax Update

Fiona — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:52:12 +0000

The introduction of the new Infrastructure & Development Charge which was due to be charged from 1st October 2012 has been delayed until further notice. This means that only the departure and security taxes are payable at Lusaka, Livingstone, Mfuwe & Ndola airports at ZMK 58,080 (£9 or US$14) per person on domestic flights and ZMK 156,000 (£20 or US$30) on international flights . The charge for international flights is normally already included in the ticket price, with the exception of tickets purchased locally in Zambia or charter flights.

A Desperate Act of Survival

Benson — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:03:31 +0000

On a safari in August 2012, we almost watched the movie ‘Jaws’ this time the setting was in Luangwa Valley at Shenton Safaris’ Kaingo Camp. We watched two adolescent lions take the risk of crossing the crocodile and hippo-infested river. That morning the dawn silence had been broken by the deep roars of two mature male lions. We concluded the boys would need to cross the river to safety.

First they lay on the sandy beach but kept looking over their shoulders. A little patience helped as within a quarter of an hour of waiting, the drama unfolded. The boys rubbed heads, a sign of bonding, and they headed for the shallow water. The first guy plunged in within metres of nile crocodiles lining the bank. When the second lion reached the edge he got cold feet and doubled back.

Halfway into his crossing the first guy looked back only to realize he was all alone and the crocs were closing in from all angles. It was a moment of truth. Desperate situations need desperate measures, he launched forward and roared, the croc in front gave way and the desperate lion took off running and diving at the same time. The commotion caused the hippos to charge after the lion but he managed to skim through. When he got to the bank we all roared cheering our hero on, we were all relieved he had made it. The other male took a while pacing up and down and finally walked a kilometre down river and crossed without trouble.

To see the action unfold click on the first image below and then scroll through the slideshow.