REVIEW ON PLANET EARTH DVD

Experience Earth as never before with groundbreaking footage of our planet and its wildlife…….. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to watch this series, it is definitely well recommended!
Planet Earth is a BBC nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough and produced by Alastair Fothergill. It was also the first of its kind to be filmed almost entirely in high-definition format. Some sequences, particularly in episodes 6–11, are notable for their potentially disturbing content. Examples include a lone elephant being brought down by lions. This was filmed in Savuti, Botswana.

Episode 7 – The Great Plains
This specific episode deals with savanna, steppe and tundra and looks at the importance of grasses in such treeless ecosystems. These vast expanses contain the largest concentration of animal life. The final sequence depicts the African savannah and elephants that are forced to share a waterhole with a pride of thirty lions. The insufficient water makes it an uneasy alliance and the lions gain the upper hand during the night when their hunger drives them to hunt and eventually kill one of the pachyderms. Planet Earth Diaries explains how the lion hunt was filmed in darkness using infrared lights.Leigh and I had the wonderful and unique opportunity to be staying at Savuti Safari Lodge while the Planet Earth crew were filming this segment (Oct 2005). The nights were electric as the tension between the Savuti pride of lions and elephants intensified. Standing on our balcony we could see the infrared lights of the filming crew -across the dry riverbed – the entire night was filled with trumpeting of the elephants and deep growls from the lions….. The lions did not kill an elephant that night.We heard later that the kill had taken place in the evening of the day we left.I was in two minds about not seeing the kill – part of me was relieved and grateful but another part of me was curious to see this epic struggle that has caught the attention of film-makers around the world!


Leigh and Sharon in Savuti

IMPORTANT INFO ON ZAMBIAN VISAS

Please be advised that with immediate effect the Visa Waiver Scheme has been scrapped by the ZAMBIAN Immigration Department.
This was effective on the 26th January 2008 and as can be imagined the airport and borders were very busy and choatic today.

You can apply for visa before travel or, come and pay at the port of entry.
See attached Price list from Immigration.

Please click on this document to view the information

Unfortunately, this is beyond our control, and Tourists have to pay or will not be allowed to enter the Country.

All Tour Operators will be lobbying to the Government, but until any further notice all clients that come into Zambia will have to pay VISAS upon arrival into Zambia .

A Weekend at Savuti Safari Lodge

A travel report by Derek Flatt - Managing Director of The Booking Company

We arrived at Savuti at 4 p.m. on Friday 4th January. The veld was gloriously green with all the recent rain that is still falling regularly. In fact it rained everyday of our stay there, including two substantial storms on Saturday and Sunday.
We checked in to the lodge, and decided against a game drive, there was lots of elephant activity going on at the waterhole in front to keep us interested. Our friends who had been there for 2 days already told us of sightings of a wild dog pack that morning, and a leopard the day before that they had watched stalking (unsuccessfully) an ostrich on wild dog vlei. They had also had a wonderful time birdwatching, all the migrants are in, and the pans, being full of water are alive with all the waders and ducks and geese. They had some wonderful pictures of knob-billed ducks “grazing” – stripping grass stalks of their seeds, and a great series of a Kori Bustard in full display and “booming” while carrying two freeloading carmine bee-eaters on his back.
The next day was overcast and cool. The morning drive on the marsh yielded tsessebe, wildebeest, herds of zebra, ostrich, elephants and a small herd of buffalo near Marabout pan, all busy feeding on the lush grass growth the rain has brought. Also out and about were numerous bat eared foxes and myriad birds. Other guests had a very special sighting of two juvenile aardwolves taking the sun outside their den in the marsh. Energy, their guide, had spotted the mother there about 2 weeks before, and, making a shrewd assumption by her behaviour that she had cubs, had been keeping an eye on the area. The reward was these two cubs which the guests got great pictures of. Very unusual and exciting. We dodged rain showers all the way back to the lodge at midday, and took some time out after brunch. The rain had cleared by about 4 p.m. so we spent the evening drive around Harvey’s pan. For the first time in three years there is a hippo in Harvey’s. A big bull, quite scarred, who gave us some great threat displays, yawning widely and showing off his formidable tusks. We found the wild dog pack at Harvey’s, getting ready to hunt. We followed them a short while until they disappeared off into the Phyllonoptera scrub, intent on food. They are in wonderful condition; this time of year is so good for all the wildlife.
There was a lot of rain that night, but the morning was clear so it was back to the marsh. All the animals were out again – we were never out of sight of something as we made our way down to the southern end. There we ran into three lions – two beautiful big maned males and an adult lioness. The lioness and one male were mating, so staying close together and looking rather tired! The other male was lying by himself about two hundred metres away and looking rather distant and aloof. We drove closer to him and he gave us a rather grumpy growl and stalked off in a huff, so he was obviously not happy about the love match nearby!
At brunch we heard that Energy’s guests had seen leopard that morning, the same one from Friday, Energy has been watching for his tracks, and also a pair of cheetah on the eastern side of the marsh. That makes all three big cats in one day – and this in the “off” season! Other guests had also seen the lions.
The evening drive took us off in the direction of Harvey’s again. Before we got there we saw what looked like a branch in the track. On closer inspection this tuned out to be a snouted cobra in banded phase – about 1.8 metres long. And right beside it was a largish puff adder, which the cobra seemed to be nudging with its nose. We stopped to watch what turned out to be a sighting of a lifetime. The cobra had obviously bitten the puff adder at least once already. The nudging was to see if the poison had taken effect. It had not, as the puff adder coiled back in a classic strike pose and bit the cobra just behind the head. The cobra moved back and then bit the puff adder again, holding on and pumping venom into it. It still held on even as the puff adder struck again. The cobra then stayed close, nudging the other snake now and again, waiting for the venom to take effect. Obviously it got the reaction (or lack of) that it was waiting for because after a couple of minutes it moved round to the adder’s head, opened its mouth wide, unhinging its jaws, and started to engulf the adder head first. The adder was very puffed up, and obviously not dead yet, so the cobra had some difficulty getting the process started. As it “walked” its jaws forward taking in more of the adder, so it slid backwards into the short grass on the side of the track, obviously needing purchase for its body to help getting the other snake down. We watched the process until the cobra had ingested its meal, re-hinged his jaws, and moved on – at speed and with purpose, and looking as slim as if he had nothing inside him. The whole action took about 45 minutes.
We went on to Harvey’s and saw elephants, zebra, an insouciant looking hyena and lots of birds, but I must say, after witnessing the snakes enact their bit of “bush life in the raw” – we were not, I am ashamed to say, quite as excited as we could have been.
The other guests, who had missed our drama, had nevertheless again seen cheetah, and the wild dog pack.
This is Savuti in January, in the middle of a good rainy season, when the game viewing is supposed to be at its worst! What an amazing place.
I have to add that, for my son, our resident reptile expert, this was an outstanding experience, and to have him there to clarify matters, such as snakes, particularly puff adders, being a favourite prey of snouted cobras, and that the cobras are immune to other snakes’ venom, added to the experience”

Sighting at Savute Camp

Excerpt from SAVUTI CAMP Newsletter:

Imagine a pair of cheetah making a kill four days in succession, then another after a day's break. First an ostrich, followed by warthog, kudu, warthog and lastly another warthog. Yip, the warthog community took a knock this month. The most spectacular sighting right outside the camp watched by all our guests was of the DumaTau male leopard who was seen taking it easy up in the shade of the beautiful Bird Plum tree within sight of camp. A family of warthogs en route to the pan passed beneath the tree attracting the attention of the leopard who came down, put in a spectacular charge and successfully caught the mother. One of the babies kept coming back within metres of the leopard with its mother seemingly trying to urge her to get away. One of the guests who had been taking copious amounts of pictures did not take any of this event - he was in a state of despair over the warthog. The following days saw the complete cycle of the kill ending with the vultures, eagles and not to forget, the ants.

Savuti Camp September Newletter

LUXURIOUS GETAWAY TO ZAMBIA AND CHOBE

2 nights at Islands of Siankaba
And
2 nights at Muchenje Safari Lodge

DAYS 1 & 2: Islands of Siankaba
You will be welcomed off your flight at Livingstone Airport and transferred to the tranquil beauty of the Islands of Siankaba…

Siankaba evokes images of style and elegance in a truly African way. Subtle architecture blends with a backdrop of stately natural forest creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Visitors may spend quiet moments around the shaded pool or relax in the comfort of the open lounge and bar. The Islands of Siankaba Lodge is the most classic of romantic forested retreats. Siankaba's six secluded chalets, each with its unique and individually different view of the mighty Zambezi River, are linked by a foot bridge to a haute cuisine restaurant. All of this is located on two untouched islands in the middle of the mighty Zambezi River situated between the 'Seventh Wonder of the Natural World', the magnificent Victoria Falls, and the world famous Chobe National Park.

DAY 4 & 5: Muchenje Safari Lodge
Road Transfer from Islands of Siankaba to Muchenje Safari Lodge.

Muchenje Safari Lodge borders the Chobe National Park. Set on an escarpment edge the lodge has been designed to take full advantage of the breathtaking views over the Caprivi Strip. Muchenje accommodates only 20 guests in intimate exclusivity. The ten twin-bedded thatched chalets, all with en-suite facilities, are sited on the escarpment edge all with their own balcony and unique view. Each chalet is exquisitely furnished and great care has been taken to create a true African 'ambience'. The thatched main lodge includes a dining area, lounge, bar, reception, shop and game viewing platform overlooking the waterhole. The lodge's swimming pool, built amongst natural rock formations, takes full advantage of the African vista and provides a tranquil setting for you to relax during the heat of the day. Muchenje Safari Lodge offers the most diverse Safari activities in the entire Chobe region. Qualified and experienced professional guides will give you a glimpse into Africa's very soul….

Day 6
A tour representative will collect you from the lodge and drive you to Livingstone Airport for your onward journey.


Costs:
The total cost is USD1 459 .00 per person sharing

Included:
-Road transfer from Livingstone Airport to Islands of Siankaba
-2 Nights Islands of Siankaba
-Accommodation, all meals, local brand beverages, 1 trip to the Zambian side of the Falls, laundry, sundown cruise, mokoro trips, nature trail and village/school walk whilst staying at Island of Siankaba
-Road transfer from Islands of Siankaba to Muchenje Safari Lodge
-2 Nights Muchenje
-Accommodation, all meals, local brand beverages, national park fees, game drives, walking, river cruise, night drives and a village trip
-Road transfer from Muchenje to Livingstone Airport

Excluded:
-Visa Fees
-Premium brand beverages
-Curio purchases
-Additional activities and transfers
-Items of personal nature
-Tips / Gratuities

Booking notes:
The costs are valid from 01 November 2007 until 31 March 2008
*Should there be any single traveller, please contact us for the single supplement costs
Flights are not included in this package


For more information please contact us on reservations@booking.co.bw.

Visit our Website

The Booking Company is a well established independent tour operator, and together with our sister air charter company, Safari Air, we have been in business since 1992, providing a personal & un-biased service to the local & international visitor.

Our main office is located in the New Mall area near Maun Airport. The Booking Company has been a long standing member of the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) which is an umbrella association for the Botswana tourist industry. We are also members of the Travel Agents Association of Botswana (TAABOT).

http://www.experience-botswana.co.za/

Focus on the Leopard

Name: Leopard

Scientific name: (Panthera pardus)

Description: Powerful, graceful and arguably one of the most beautiful of all the large cats, the elusive leopard is a master of stealth and survival. By far the strongest climber, it can haul prey twice its own body weight up into a tree where it can feast without disturbance from other predators.

Social structure: A life of seclusion is the way of the leopard and they tend to avoid one another. Highly territorial, their range overlaps that of their neighbours and they only tolerate a trespasser into its home turf to mate. Leopards mark their territory with urine and leave claw marks on trees. They are constantly on the move within their range and know each others location from these markings and their low, rasping calls.
During the day they sleep in caves, rock shelters, draped over tree branches or hidden in dense vegetation. Leopards are solitary and highly territorial, living alone except in the case of a female with cubs. Constantly on the move within their own territory, they never spend more than a few days in one spot.

Habitat: Leopards occur in a wide variet of habitats, ranging from subtropical forests to deserts. They prefer riverine forests and fairly dense veld, occuring mainly in game reserves and mountainous areas of southern Africa.

Feeding: Leopards prey on a wide variety of creatures ranging from insects, rodents, birds, fish, dassies, monkeys and baboons to large antelope more than double their own body weight. Efficient and stealthy hunters, they may kill more than their immediate needs and ‘store’ their quarry in trees for several days. Only hyaenas rival the leopard in their readiness to gorge on rotten meat.

Breeding: Females have litters of two or three cubs after a gestation of about 100 days. Leopard cubs are kept hidden for the first 2 months and are suckled for at least 3 months. The mother takes them hunting when they are 4 months old and they may stay together as a family group for up to two years. As cubs are weaned they learn to hunt small animals.

Recent sightings at Duba Plains, Botswana

Excerpt from DUBA PLAINS CAMP Newsletter: (Oct)
As we mentioned last month the elephants have come into the area in large numbers and this continued over September/October with some notably large breeding herds and of course the regular bulls that always come into the camp at this time of the year. They have been seen most of the month sleeping around the camp perimeter; they lie up against the low lying termite mounds as it is easier for them to heave their large bulks up off the side of the mound when they are suddenly disturbed from their slumber! An amazing scene to watch! Not only were they in camp to feed and sleep - they have been pretty destructive as well. Several times this month we did not have water in mornings as overnight they pulled up water pipes to gain access to the fresh clean water and then left the water tanks to drain. There have even been few incidents where they pushed the water heaters down in a very gentle manner so as not to break the solar panels. It was very interesting one morning to watch a bull elephant walking from the water channel towards camp. He walked all the way through the water on the floodplain just to get to the swimming pool where he broke the rails in an attempt to drink water out of the pool!!

Of the larger species the buffalo herd spent the whole of this month in the area that we can access easily, which is great for viewing of course. They are still in excellent condition despite the relentless activity between the buffalos and lions. This month the interaction between the two has again been fantastic to witness as the two groups fight against each other. It is interesting to note that the interaction only resulted in eight kills this month. While this is a lower number than normal it is not just about the kill but the interface between lion and buffalo, and the endless game of the hunt that plays itself out on the Duba floodplains, is enough to keep everyone absolutely riveted.

Feedback from recent travellers

Magical Moments in Botswana……………..

The whole trip was a dream-come-true. The Delta was just as I had dreamt it to be ... a paradise on earth, a Garden of Eden. I was also very lucky : the weather was superb throughout with the most fantastic sunsets....there was enough water for all the mokoro and boat activities and although the flowers would have been better earlier on, there were still quite a lot and ... you can't have everything! the animals were fantastic..I saw leopard four times in five days ... must be almost a record especially as they were three different animals. In fact only the rhino was missing in the "Big Five" count .. but you know that wasn't my priority anyway, and I revelled in the scenery - so different to Kenya and Tanzania. I think the mokoro rides were the highlight for me....the silence and gentle movement through the rushes and the water-lilies makes one feel as though one is indeed alone in a very special paradise (Mrs P.Deubel)