XAKANAXA NEWS
- June 2011
Sable, baboons, Pels and leopard
Where is the camera when needed…
Our new pool, apart from being enjoyed by guests has become a meeting area and seemingly good place to relax for our local baboon population! So much so, that last week Metsi, one of our guides whilst chasing the baboons out from the main area discovered a large male baboon stretched out on one of the pool loungers, taking an afternoon nap! Metsi, snuck up to it and grabbed him by the ear! The poor chap must have gotten the fright of his life and with a loud screech was last seen heading for the trees! Needless to say, it has been extremely quiet around the pool lately!
Sightings Report from the Camp.
The annual flood from Angola has arrived in full force this season, with water levels still rising. This bodes well for good game viewing as it tends to keep the game in concentrated areas.
Breeding herds of elephants are moving back into the area and sightings are regular. Still not much to see of the large buffalo herds, but they are not normally far behind the elephants. Giraffe, impala, kudus and zebras are regular features on the daily game drives and great excitement was caused when Ngande, one of our guides reported a sighting of a sable bull in the Mopane Woodlands. Unfortunately due to disease, predators and human interference, the Sable’s lifespan has shortened considerably, making sightings few and far between!
Predator sightings are on the increase with guests seeing 5 lions feasting on an elephant carcass, 5 females, 2 young males & a 3 month old cub eating a young giraffe and much more! Leopard and cheetah are in the area and wild dogs where spotted at the airstrip chasing a young impala!
A big python was also seen, approximately 3m long, which is rather impressive. Snakes are rarely seen especially a python this size, as they are shy by nature and try to keep out of our way. One generally only sees them when they don’t have an escape route or are crossing one of the dirt roads.
All migratory birds have left, but this doesn’t detract from the varied bird life one sees at this time of year. A special mention for all our ‘birders’ - 15 Grey Headed Gulls seen this month at Xakanaxa Lagoon!
Cheers from us all at an Original African Camp.
Photograph by Frederick Abels (Photographic competition)
Newsletter Archive
January/ February 2012 :: February 2012 :: view
Veronica Roodt in Moremi Game Reserve :: December 2011 :: view
CAUSE AN UPROAR! :: November 2011 :: view
New Xakanaxa representation :: October 2011 :: view
A near 'deadly experience' :: September 2011 :: view
Returning migrant birds and hippos in camp :: August 2011 :: view
Rising water, stargazing and aborted landings! :: July 2011 :: view
Sable, baboons, Pels and leopard :: June 2011 :: view
Lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah :: May 2011 :: view
A new pool, sitatungas and cheetah :: April 2011 :: view
