A2A Safaris - Selinda Reservehttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserveenAugust News – Explorers Camp, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/august-news-%E2%80%93-explorers-camp-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>On the newsletter front, Explorers has been somewhat quiet, we’ve been the sleepy sloths of newsletter writers, but really, it’s been quite the contrary here at our beautiful little camp on the Selinda Spillway. So, in essence, this is not so much of an “August Newsletter”, but rather a “Peak Season Newsletter” where I will try, despite my unrelenting urge to ramble on for hours with camp stories, to give a (somewhat) brief account of the wonderful highlights we’ve had so far.</p>
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<p>We’ve been busy, in the best kind of way, and that’s an understatement. I suppose the hi-light of our last newsletter was a recount of 13 beautiful painted dogs chasing and killing an impala in camp just meters from where we stood, and, without sounding too flippant or blasé about what I know some people will wait their whole lives to see, it’s become such a regular occurrence in camp I hardly bat an eyelid anymore. No, not really, that’s a lie… of epic proportions. There is SO much batting of eyelids and excitement each time it happens I can sometimes hardly contain myself, nor fumble fast or furiously enough to get my camera on the right settings as I dash out my little tented office to capture the action. Had I been just a few seconds faster, in this very picture would be a beautiful, enormous male kudu that had just run through the spillway from a pack of five wild dogs at sunset. After almost a half hour of running through camp, crashing into guests tents, being cornered in the kitchen and chased over the canoes, the kudu was lucky enough to escape, but not so lucky, I fear, was the impala that went dashing past the dinner table past some flabbergasted guests later that night from the same pack. Safe to say, we have certainly not been short of any wild dog action at Explorers.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9580" alt="PIC-1" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-1.jpg" width="599" height="383" /></a></p>
<p>I seem to be slightly predisposed to a slight sunset obsession, I just love the light and the colours and the beauty of them, and really try always to make the most of every single one. Come to Explorers and there WILL, without doubt, be a sunset celebration of sorts.</p>
<p>A sunset bath on the Spillway…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9581" alt="PIC-2" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-2.jpg" width="600" height="330" /></a></p>
<p>A sunset dinner…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9582" alt="PIC-3" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-3.jpg" width="600" height="372" /></a></p>
<p>A sunset lion sighting on the spillway as you canoe past… not such a regular occurrence, but amazing luck for those guests who saw these two beautiful males come right to the waters edge for a drink as they made their way to our “sunset spot” for sundowners.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-4-.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9578" alt="PIC 4-" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-4-.jpg" width="600" height="376" /></a></p>
<p>Lionesses love a good sunset too…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-5.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9583" alt="PIC-5" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-5.jpg" width="267" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>The good thing about these sunsets, is there’s one EVERY single day. How lucky is that?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-6.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9584" alt="PIC-6" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-6.jpg" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>The months of June and July were filled with fort-building, tree-climbing, chocolate-cake-devouring, bow-and-arrow-making two legged little delights who learnt all about our beautiful animals, conservation and how to make an abominable mess, I mean “fort” out of every single piece of furniture and cushion in sight. Beautiful work, boys.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-7.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9585" alt="PIC-7" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-7.jpg" width="600" height="384" /></a></p>
<p>They were really quite sweet and passed their little quiz on their last night in camp with flying colours and a “Conservation Ambassador” certificate to show for it.They learnt very fast that keeping quiet on game drives and listening to instructions had all sorts of fun rewards: fishing, canoeing, playing soccer with the staff and helping in the kitchen. As a caveat to this invitation for all children to come and have fun at Explorers, be warned that they WILL fall in love with our guide Kane and leaving for the next camp might cause a bit of a scene.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-8.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9586" alt="PIC-8" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-8.jpg" width="600" height="371" /></a></p>
<p>Paddling down the spillway past a herd of elephant with your new bushman friend in Botswana, as you do when you’re a little boy…</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The sightings at Explorers have been mind-blowing and recently, not a day goes by when guests aren’t coming back with stories of playful lion cubs, beautiful wild dog puppies, leopards up trees, lions on the move, cheetahs resting in the shade, kills, chases, you name it.. it’s been incredible. We’ve had leopard in camp, lions roaring through the night, hippos grunting, regular visits and loud whoops from hyenas, honey badgers causing havoc, buffalo grazing outside our tents, wild dog puppies chirping and playing with the hammock, a cacophony of beautiful sounds… we really are deep in the bush here at Explorers and I may be slightly biased but SERIOUSLY, are we not the coolest camp in the whole of Botswana?</p>
<p>Going into the dry period now, the natural pans are drying up, bringing the elephants, as well as the herds of buffalo, closer to camp and along the spillway for better grazing, creating wonderful opportunities for guests to see them from their tents, around the lunch table, peeping over showers, whilst on the canoes and out on walks. Sightings on foot have been excellent too and long, hard walks have been rewarded with surprise picnics in the bush…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-9.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9587" alt="PIC-9" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-9.jpg" width="600" height="400" /></a> <a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-10.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9588" alt="PIC-10" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-10.jpg" width="600" height="340" /></a></p>
<p>For those of you who haven’t yet met our beautiful Explorers chef… this is Tshidi, lamb-shank-cooking, carrot-cake-baking guru.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-11.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9577];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9589" alt="PIC-11" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PIC-11.jpg" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>Tshidi and I have big plans to play our small part in the “Rhinos Without Borders” Project (moving 100 rhinos to safety from South Africa to Botswana) and are working on a secret project called “Recipes for Rhinos”, so stay tuned for updates on that one. Kane, our Explorers guide, has been known to be fairly competitive and equally as dedicated to the project, agreeing to donate $5 of every tip he makes towards the Rhino Project. Team Explorers is on it.</p>
<p>So, when i’m next not busy planning picnics, setting sundowners, filling bubble baths, lighting candles, dancing with my housekeepers to old Dolly Parton tracks, chasing hornbills from the muesli bowl and fluffing cushions, I’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the weird and wonderful happenings at Explorers. Until next month…</p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-explorers-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Explorers Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/leopard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">leopard</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/the-last-lions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">The Last Lions</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wild-dog" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wild Dog</a></div></div>Tue, 23 Sep 2014 07:33:28 +0000Anonymous1096 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/august-news-%E2%80%93-explorers-camp-botswana#commentsAugust news – Zarafa Camp, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/august-news-%E2%80%93-zarafa-camp-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>August</p>
<p>Zarafa and its Dhow Suites would like to thank the many American citizens who made the long trip to Africa for their safari!</p>
<p>For our camp, August is traditionally an ‘American month’ with around 60% of our guests coming from overseas and this year was no exception. We wish you all safe travels back home and we hope to see you next winter. Oh! And for those of you who enjoy flexible work arrangements or are retired, please do not be a stranger and visit us even earlier. In November for example, it is a completely different ball game out here!</p>
<p>Weather-wise, August has ‘played’ us. Pretending to give us an exceptionally warm winter in the beginning of the month, but a few very cold and windy days right at the very end. We say; “do not worry about things you cannot control!” – as you understand, we (luckily) have very little problems in our little safari bubble.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/EskayCristofina1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9540];player=img;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-9544" alt="Eskay&Cristofina" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/EskayCristofina1-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p>One of the greater thing about August though are the stunning sunsets. As some of you might know, we get to see these typical red and orange colors this time of year as our neighbor country Namibia has ‘controlled burns’ to fertilize their land. The smoke and dust particles that remain in the air create these beautiful colors we enjoy every day. In the morning you can witness what we call, ‘the shadow of the earth’, which is a blue edge upon the horizon after which the sky colors soft pink. In one word: gorgeous.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Sunset.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9540];player=img;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-9542" alt="Sunset" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Sunset-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p>But, enough about the beauty of the Botswana horizon. You want to know what the game has been like! August was the month of the cats and the cubs. Ask yourself, is there anything cuter than 6 lion cubs tumbling over each other, chasing their moms tail? Well, maybe (just maybe), it could be the leopard cub our guides have been spotting near our home!</p>
<p>Other great news is that the guides have located a wild dog den with puppies (hurray!). More information on these little ones will hopefully follow soon, as the den is still closed for sightings until the pups are at least 6 till 8 weeks of age. These protocols are important to ensure a healthy and relaxed relationship between the dogs and the cars coming to visit them. Also, as any parent will understand, raising these little fur balls is not always easy. Especially not when you consider the possible dangers of their environment. Too many car tracks towards the den might attract predators like lions and in this way humans might influence the ‘circle of life’ before the pups and their guardians even have a chance out here.</p>
<p>On a different note, those who follow our Social Media channels might have noticed that our very own Dereck & Beverly Joubert, have visited us this month. This always goes hand-in-hand with some new furniture and Zarafa has gained new pictures out of Beverly’s collection on its walls. It becomes harder and harder to pick your personal favorite in the main area…</p>
<p>Now, attention to all wine lovers! Next to some fabulous(-ly comfortable) leather chairs in the library, our camp is also enjoying a brand new wine list (hurray #2!). We are so excited to present to you a selection of excellent wines ranging from different vineyards that share our passion for quality, as well as a sense of responsibility to our environment and the communities we serve. We cannot wait to start spoiling our coming guests with vineyard tasting evenings (or lunches, brunches? – it is always 5 ‘o clock somewhere in the world!).<br />
News from the kitchen includes our Chef Mhange who has joined Katherine and her team to delight us with his wonderful personality and cooking skills at Zarafa and the Dhow Suites.<br />
One of their new delights includes a cracker that is made from a variation of seeds, such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Tastes great, no gluten! The kitchen team has also cooked repeatedly in the bush this month, surprising our guests with lunches and dinners in the wild and even a dinner on the boat.</p>
<p>And on that happy note, we wish you all a fabulous start of September. We will keep you posted and we promise that we will not let you wait for next months’ newsletter to hear from Zarafa and its Dhow Suites.</p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/headlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Headlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/zarafa-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zarafa Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-luxury-safari" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Luxury Safari</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/leopard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">leopard</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/leopards" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Leopards</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lion" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Lion</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">lions</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wild-dog" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wild Dog</a></div></div>Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:56:04 +0000Anonymous1080 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/august-news-%E2%80%93-zarafa-camp-botswana#commentsWild Dogs are Denning – Selinda Reserve, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/wild-dogs-are-denning-%E2%80%93-selinda-reserve-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>Excitement is all over Botswana with the official announcement that one of our three Wild Dog packs are denning.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9372" alt="AG7K5602" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/AG7K5602-300x215.jpg" width="300" height="215" /></p>
<p>The Selinda Camp guides have found the den, a stones throw from the camp with a now thin and lactating Alpha Female. They have instantly put in place a strict protocol of no visits for the next few weeks to ensure no disturbance, and then limited visits after that.</p>
<p>These highly endangered mammals, the rarest in southern Africa have successfully denned on the reserve for the past several years. We had a record three dens in 2013 and with the Alpha female from the Mophane pack, having not been see for a few days, it would appear that she may also be denning also.</p>
<p>We will keep you updated with the news as it happens and hopefully we will have the first puppy photos of 2014 soon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/AG7K5311.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9370];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9371 aligncenter" alt="AG7K5311" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/AG7K5311-300x179.jpg" width="300" height="179" /></a></p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-canoe-trails" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Canoe Trails</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-explorers-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Explorers Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/zarafa-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zarafa Camp</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div></div>Thu, 22 May 2014 06:47:53 +0000Anonymous952 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/wild-dogs-are-denning-%E2%80%93-selinda-reserve-botswana#commentsMarch News – Selinda Camp, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/march-news-%E2%80%93-selinda-camp-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>It never ceases to amaze us how time passes in the bush. It feels like just yesterday we were bidding farewell to February, yet we’ve crammed so much excitement and activity into the past few weeks since.</p>
<p>March has been a month of ‘dumelas’ here at Selinda. We recently welcomed new guide OB to the team. We’re delighted he’s chosen to join us and share his impressive guiding experience with our staff and guests alike. Learning our vast network of winding sandy roads is a feat in itself, but when there’s so much to see out there, it will hardly feel like work.</p>
<p>Regular readers of Bush Buzz will also have noticed our newest, furriest hello of late: a spotty little ball of fluff with an already sharp set of claws. Yes, our resident leopardess, Lesego, gave birth to a character-filled cub a couple of months ago.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Lesogo.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9282];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9252 aligncenter" alt="Lesogo" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Lesogo-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p>It’s always exciting to have babies in the concession, especially when they’re cats, but finding them so close to our camp has made this particular arrival extra special. While we don’t have a name for the little guy yet, we did manage to capture its cuteness on camera.</p>
<p>Another great welcome is a feathered one – and a wholly unexpected one at that! While many a bird book and fundi may tell you otherwise, collared palm thrushes do in fact occur in our part of the country. We made the discovery the other morning amidst the towering mokolwane palms in camp, where we spotted a pair casually hanging out together. An unexpected birder’s delight.</p>
<p>And then of course, there’s been a hearty dumela to a few new tastes coming out of our kitchen recently, too. Our lovely head chef, Siya, and her fabulous team have been refreshing our menu here and there. From bright new salads to artisan ice creams, there’s something for every palate. Of course we can’t give away too many secrets – you’ll have to come and taste the delights for yourself.</p>
<p>So as we bid farewell to another magical month in the bush, it’s a great big hello to April and all it holds in store for us. See you there?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/photo-1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9282];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9283 aligncenter" alt="photo 1" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/photo-1-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We have had some outstanding Leopard sightings this month, the numbers in Selinda just keep growing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/photo-2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9282];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9284 aligncenter" alt="photo 2" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/photo-2-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Wild dogs remain a favourite on the reserve with three packs often seen in the region, even hunting through the camp itself.</p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-branding" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Branding</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/headlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Headlines</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-luxury-safari" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Luxury Safari</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/leopard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">leopard</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">lions</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div></div>Wed, 02 Apr 2014 09:20:32 +0000Anonymous898 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/march-news-%E2%80%93-selinda-camp-botswana#commentsZarafa spring images from Lets, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/zarafa-spring-images-lets-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>We present some unique and stunning images from Lets, one of our expert photographic guides at the Selinda Reserve. Lets is well published photographer including Africa Geographic and a finalist in the Botswana Photographer of the Year awards. Thank you Lets</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140314-001.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9273];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9274 aligncenter" alt="Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda Reserve -20140314-001" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140314-001-249x300.jpg" width="249" height="300" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<div>Hippo – this magnificent aquatic creatures are commonly seen in the Zibidianja Lagoon and here one of them is seen giving a nice jaw gap therefore presenting the guest with a fantastic opportunity to take amazing pictures. Our raft boat provides the perfect platform for viewing and capturing these unique images.</div>
<div></div>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140322-001.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9273];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9275 aligncenter" alt="Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda Reserve -20140322-001" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140322-001-300x198.jpg" width="300" height="198" /></a></p>
<p>Lions – It is said that good things come to those who wait and this was one of those instances where this is demonstrated as it took hours and hours of relentless attempts which in the end paid off as they finally made a kill and this really gave our guests great satisfaction as their patience paid off at the end.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140324-001.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9273];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9276 aligncenter" alt="Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda Reserve -20140324-001" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140324-001-300x177.jpg" width="300" height="177" /></a></p>
<div style="text-align: left;">Little Bee Eaters – portraying a typical winter behavior, cuddling together to keep warm in the early hours of the day…a great indicator that winter is slowly but surely creeping in.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140328-001.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9273];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9277 aligncenter" alt="Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda Reserve -20140328-001" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lets-Kamogelo-Selinda-Reserve-20140328-001-300x198.jpg" width="300" height="198" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sunset – typical dry season special(spectacular sunset) from the most beautiful Zibidianja lagoon in the Selinda reserve. You can sit on your room deck and sip a G&T whilst the sun goes down, enjoying this regular site.</p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/zarafa-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zarafa Camp</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-luxury-safari" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Luxury Safari</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/hippo" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hippo</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lion" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Lion</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/the-last-lions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">The Last Lions</a></div></div>Wed, 02 Apr 2014 05:57:57 +0000Anonymous899 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/zarafa-spring-images-lets-botswana#commentsMarch News – Zarafa Camp, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/march-news-%E2%80%93-zarafa-camp-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p style="text-align: left;" align="center">Thunderstorms and stormy weather dominated the first few days of this month in our gorgeous concession, adding to the lush beauty that summer has created. The occasional showers did, however, provide an all too welcome reprieve from the heat and as the month has worn on, these have become few and far between. As we head toward April, one can definitely feel the morning coolness of spring approaching and the days becoming milder, a very pleasant time of year for comfortable evenings.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Zibadianja lagoon is full from all the rain and is home to our resident pod of hippos, who deem it necessary to traverse through our camp every evening to graze. There are two in particular who have become fond of the area behind our Executive Chef, Katherine’s house and have kept her company outside her room quite a few times of late! They are, however, very relaxed now as they are so used to the comings and goings within the camp. We still do not advise any nocturnal wanderings of our guests.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This month, we hosted a family of five who could not get enough of spending time out in the bush – so much so, that our Manager, Frank and our dedicated chef, Katherine , on two occasions packed up their dinner and drove out into the night to find them and feed them their dinner in the wilds – long after midnight! Mr Satchu was delighted with this service and was blown away about eating his ‘five star’ meal while observing a pride of lions nearby! Flexibility and the anytime anywhere philosophy is very much Zarafa.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We are forging ahead at getting our new family unit, ‘The Dhow Suite’, up and running – progress has been amazing – especially now that the rain has held off for a while; and things are looking fantastic. Many of our guests have requested a peek at the building site and are excited about telling friends and family about this new option being offered at Zarafa Camp. The bookings are already flowing in and it is not even finished.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In keeping with our wholesome and healthy philosophy when we prepare our food , our kitchen has come up with a fabulous new vegetarian option for our guests – a butternut and mozzarella gnocci. This has become a very popular main course and Katherine has generously been handing out this recipe to our visitors. On a very naughty but nice note, our ginger cookies have become so popular with our guests that we have had to bake countless batches just to keep them satisfied on their morning game drives.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">One of our most exciting morning game drives produced a pride of 8 lions resting in the shade. Guests were busily taking great photos of them when a pack of 15 wild dog raced right by our vehicles and proceeded to kill a red lechwe right in front of our guests. After all this excitement and on their way back into camp, they then came across a leopard walking casually down the road in front of the vehicles – an amazing morning to say the least!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Our sunset cruises are beautiful and have been made even more special recently with the African Skimmers sweeping past the boat. Guests, especially those interested in birding, have been blown away by them.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/skimmerprint-1-of-1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9254];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9255 aligncenter" alt="skimmerprint (1 of 1)" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/skimmerprint-1-of-1-300x165.jpg" width="300" height="165" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Our area has been busy this month, with a myriad of general game sightings – from baby giraffe and adult giraffe seen lying down; to breeding herds of elephant, wildebeest, hippo, kudu, impala, red lechwe, steenbok, zebra and many many more. As lush and green as our area is, it never fails to produce amazing bird life and animal sightings.</p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/headlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Headlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/zarafa-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zarafa Camp</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-luxury-safari" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Luxury Safari</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/hippo" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hippo</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/hippos" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hippos</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/the-last-lions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">The Last Lions</a></div></div>Mon, 31 Mar 2014 06:42:29 +0000Anonymous892 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/march-news-%E2%80%93-zarafa-camp-botswana#commentsLesego the Leopard reveals a new cub – Selinda Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/lesego-the-leopard-reveals-a-new-cub-%E2%80%93-selinda-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>The guides on the Selinda Reserve have announced the resident female Leopard, Lesego, has been found with a 2 to 3 month old cub. This is believed to be her second cub that she has reared in the region so we will follow this story closely, the benefit being is her territory is so close to the Selinda Camp itself.</p>
<p>Thank you for the updates Selinda, we will be waiting on a new name for this young one soon.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Lesogo.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9251];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9252 aligncenter" alt="Lesogo" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Lesogo-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-explorers-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Explorers Camp</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/zarafa-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zarafa Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-luxury-safari" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Luxury Safari</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/leopard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">leopard</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div></div>Mon, 31 Mar 2014 05:42:29 +0000Anonymous893 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/lesego-the-leopard-reveals-a-new-cub-%E2%80%93-selinda-botswana#commentsFebruary News – Selinda Camp, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/february-news-%E2%80%93-selinda-camp-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><b>News from Selinda</b></p>
<p>What a rollicking good time we’ve had at Selinda this month. It’s a visually stunning time of year, with lush green vegetation and billowing indigo thunderclouds making for some incredible photographic backdrops.</p>
<p>Our birdlife hasn’t failed to disappoint the avid birders who have visited us recently. A single afternoon’s game drive has yielded more than 60 different species in the space of just a couple of hours. And it’s exciting spotting too.</p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-9204 aligncenter" alt="AG7K9063" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AG7K9063-300x192.jpg" width="300" height="192" /></p>
<p>Three ospreys have made themselves at home along the spillway, we have several pretty swamp hens nesting in the reeds and there’s even a big old pelican doing the rounds.</p>
<p>Away from the water’s edge, a couple of secretary birds have befriended three ostriches and between them have raised a few heart rates on our airstrip of late. The ground hornbills are also out in force at the moment and a lucky few birders have managed to spot a few wattled cranes too.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9202" alt="AG7K6393" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AG7K6393-300x235.jpg" width="300" height="235" /></p>
<p>Predator action has been pretty spectacular recently too. We were delighted to find the 15-strong Zarafa pack of wild dogs over in Selinda territory, where they’ve been for several days now, hanging around Star Pan and taking advantage of our juicy, well-fed impala.</p>
<p>We were lucky enough to join them on an adrenalin-filled midday hunt a couple of days ago, guided by two intrepid Selinda guides, Mokopi and Joseph. As we sat admiring the pack sleeping soundly in a thicket of wild sage, a terrified female impala broke the treeline and unwittingly shot straight through the middle of them. Faster than our eyes could believe, the dogs awoke and took chase – from dead asleep to dead impala in less than 30 seconds. Bad luck for one, but extraordinarily good luck for the rest of us.</p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-9203 aligncenter" alt="AG7K7565" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AG7K7565-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></p>
<p>A couple of weeks ago, we also witnessed the power of forty hungry hyena jaws as they polished off a dead hippo carcass just outside camp in just 36 cacophonous hours. Their lingering whoops and cackles could be heard all through the night, and our nearby bush dinner drew the shining eyes of several latecomers, hoping to snatch a chunk of fillet off the braai as a consolation prize.</p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-9205 aligncenter" style="text-align: center;" alt="AG7K9545" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AG7K9545-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" /></p>
<p>Back in camp, our new swimming pool is filled to the brim, sparkling and ready for action! We toasted its completion with a bottle of bubbly and christened it with a rather unrefined bomb splash – which was caught on camera, of course.</p>
<p>So with a shiny new pool and 320,000 beautiful acres of bird-filled excitement across the reserve, this coming month promises to be a great one. Here’s hoping we get to share it with you soon. Pula!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/GPC26916-AH.jpeg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9195];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9209 aligncenter" alt="GPC26916-AH" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/GPC26916-AH-300x203.jpeg" width="300" height="203" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/headlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Headlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-luxury-safari" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Luxury Safari</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/hippo" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hippo</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div></div>Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:03:17 +0000Anonymous852 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/february-news-%E2%80%93-selinda-camp-botswana#commentsMother Nature – 1 vs Great Plains Botswana football squad – 0https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/mother-nature-%E2%80%93-1-vs-great-plains-botswana-football-squad-%E2%80%93-0<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>It came over the radio to much disappointment to the team.</p>
<p>“play has been suspended due to irrevocable interference on the field”.</p>
<p>We were on a game drive vehicle over spilling with Selinda Reserve’s 1<sup>st</sup> 12, well only 12, finest footballers. Some had football boots, some one boot one shoe, one with one boot no shoes and the proud goalie Dollar in his no shoes. It would be the game of champions, sponsored by the local contractors and to feature in the Ngami times that weekend (Northern Botswana’s local rag).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/soccer.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9126];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9128 aligncenter" alt="soccer" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/soccer-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p>That day the infamous Duba Plains were to take on Selinda Reserve on their own turf. Well turf would not be the best description, more like cleared bush scrub with two Mopane logs dug in at either end to represent goals. But despite this, for any good match day it is by traditional quite important to have a pitch inspection on the day, and that where we were headed.</p>
<p>We take you back to the previous evening as we watched the Sun come down at Selinda Camp. We listened to the unmistakable roaring of a large male Lion, marking his territory, this could be heard maybe 4 or 5 miles away in a southerly direction. It would just happen that Stade de Selinda can also be found by the compass in that direction and distance. To the back of our minds we put that nagging thought “what if”.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0031.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9126];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9129 aligncenter" alt="IMG_0031" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0031-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>So to the big day, match day, Sharon our concession manager passed us to that there were an awful lot of vultures flying around CSU, or concession headquarters. She joked, maybe the big game will have some spectators this year, laughs. This was no joking matter to the football squad though, we pushed the revs and got closer to the towering column of circling vultures. It was the stench that hits us first and then the shock of seeing a Lion kill, a young giraffe – shame, on the sideline of the pitch. Two of the big Selinda Pride males and 3 females had front seat tickets, and snacks, ready for the game. We tried to tell them that they had the wrong tickets but funnily enough, they weren’t going to budge. Panic! We mused at dragging the kill away but we had no volunteers up and coming, despite the boasts of KT being the fastest runner. We had to admit defeat:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> Mother Nature - 1 vs Great Plains football squad - 0</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Lions-stop-play.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9126];player=img;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9127" alt="Lions stop play" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Lions-stop-play-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p align="center">
</p><p>Postponed until February 2014.</p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/duba-plains-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Duba Plains Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-explorers-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Explorers Camp</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/zarafa-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zarafa Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">lions</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div></div>Wed, 29 Jan 2014 13:57:39 +0000Anonymous793 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/mother-nature-%E2%80%93-1-vs-great-plains-botswana-football-squad-%E2%80%93-0#commentsBattle of the reptiles – Selinda Reserve, Botswanahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/battle-the-reptiles-%E2%80%93-selinda-reserve-botswana<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p> </p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-9118 aligncenter" alt="w4 (1 of 1)" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/w4-1-of-11-300x189.jpg" width="300" height="189" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The water monitor looked like it was sitting on a log. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>But we knew of no logs in that lagoon!</em></p>
<p>It was a peculiar site noted Alastair as we headed out for a sundowner on the Selinda Reserve for a quiet sundowner g&t. As we passed a bend on the Zibidianja Lagoon he spotted what seemed to be an upstanding log in the water. Our guides eyes become attuned to the unusual, sites that are not meant to be there – well within their subconscious awareness of the surroundings – this looked odd.</p>
<p>We soon realised the log was not a log but a 1 mtr long nile crocodile battling with a tiring water monitor.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9119" alt="w5 (1 of 1)" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/w5-1-of-1-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9116 aligncenter" alt="w2 (1 of 1)" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/w2-1-of-11-300x202.jpg" width="300" height="202" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>For over 30 minutes the croc tried to pull the monitor down but the water was not quite deep enough and the croc too small.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dubapic-1-of-12.jpg" rel="shadowbox[sbpost-9110];player=img;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9115 aligncenter" alt="dubapic (1 of 1)" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dubapic-1-of-12-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>We realised that the croc had already taken the front right arm off of the monitor. At that point we knew the game was up.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-9117 aligncenter" alt="w3 (1 of 1)" src="http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/bushbuzz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/w3-1-of-11-300x210.jpg" width="300" height="210" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Finally the croc gave one last thrust and ended the inevitable outcome</em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i>It reminded us that in the stunning beauty and balance of the wilderness a constant struggle also pans out. Sad to watch as much as unique for all of us. Water monitors are responsible for eating thousands of crocodile eggs each year so might we had monitor v croc to the famous adversary battles of Lion and Hyaena?</p>
<p> </p>
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</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/bushbuzz" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">BushBuzz</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recently-spotted" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recently Spotted</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/safari-experiences-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Safari Experiences News</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-explorers-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Explorers Camp</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/zarafa-camp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zarafa Camp</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/dereck-and-beverly-joubert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dereck and Beverly Joubert</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/great-plains-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Great Plains Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/selinda-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Selinda Reserve</a></div></div>Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:15:28 +0000Anonymous768 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/battle-the-reptiles-%E2%80%93-selinda-reserve-botswana#comments