Well, hello there. I hope that you are doing well after a restful and enjoyable weekend. Here in the Luangwa we have been spoilt with great game viewing, warm temperatures and now anticipation of the first rains! But today we will hear from Mark at John’s Camp, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe:
“At John’s Camp, the wildlife action has been so remarkable that our guests rarely need to go far for unforgettable experiences. In fact, many have been waking up to incredible wildlife encounters right in camp… sometimes even before breakfast!
One morning, a pride of lions set the tone for the day when they appeared just as guests were making their way to breakfast. The pride of lions enjoyed a drink in front of the camp while we watched on in delight (video here). Later that afternoon, they attempted to hunt a buffalo on our floodplain. Though they failed, they casually strolled through camp afterward, unfazed. A few days later, they tried again – this time successfully taking down a buffalo, right next to camp!
The wild dogs weren’t about to be left out. On another morning, our guests were treated to a joyful sight as the dogs, fresh from a successful hunt, played together near the breakfast area. Mana Pools is known for its wild dogs, or painted wolves as some like to call them and this season, we have enjoyed them thoroughly (video here).
Not to be outdone, the elephants have also been regular visitors. A particularly polite bull wandered through camp a few days ago, going about his business as our guests looked on in awe.
Then came an extraordinary morning when a hippo died in the channel right in front of John’s Camp. By the time we arrived, hyenas were already feasting on it (watch the video here).
Soon after, two young male lions appeared, chasing the hyenas away and claiming the carcass. A battle-scarred old lion showed up shortly afterward but was kept at a distance by the younger males. The scene was mesmerizing, with the younger lions pausing to drink from the channel and pose for our cameras. Eventually, they allowed the old lion to join in on the feast (video here).
Just when we thought the drama was over, disaster struck the next morning. The Nyamatusi Pride (males and females) moved in and took over the carcass, displacing the original three lions. But claiming the hippo came with its own challenges. Crocodiles lurking in the Zambezi River saw their opportunity and a fierce tug-of-war ensued between the crocs and the lions. Two male lions, Scar and Blonde, faced off against the reptiles, with Blonde anchoring the hippo carcass while the crocs tried to pull it into the river. It was a raw, powerful scene of nature in action. For the lions and hyena, a sad ending to their hippo feast – the river came up and the crocs won the tug of war for what was left of the carcass.
It’s not just the big game that makes John’s Camp so special. While out on a walk, we had the rare chance to see a slender mongoose hunting and eating a Meves’s starling. Another occasion we witnessed a grey mongoose feeding off of an impala carcass. Small animals but equally fascinating moments in the wild.
During September we had a week of cooler weather than usual, offering some relief from the typical heat. During one of our drives, we came across an adorable “cuddle” of warthogs huddling together to keep warm – a cute and heartwarming sight!
As we move into the final stretch of the season, we can only imagine what new wonders Mana Pools will bring. Here at John’s Camp, the magic of the wild unfolds right in front of you, making it a truly unforgettable experience.”
Wow! Thank you Mark for sharing with us. Seems you have been spoilt with some really fantastic sightings.
On that note, I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your Monday. Have an incredible week ahead with plenty of smiles and laughter and don’t forget to look after one another.
