Exciting elephant encounters and mesmerising moments of murmurations.
Office Africa - August 2019
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As sandbanks emerge, once covered by the flowing waters, another month passes us by on the Luangwa River. The floods of the rainy season have left their mark on the drying valley, with exposing silt deposits and new lagoons. We can happily say that the animals around us are still enjoying abundant water for this time of year. After many seasons of drought, it is with glee that we look on these extended "dry season" lagoons in our northern landscapes that the wildlife can still enjoy.
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Every month gifts us plentiful sightings, and August has been no exception to this rule. With incredible wildlife moments that have left us all in awe of the corner of paradise that we call home. One of the less celebrated, but most astounding, of which is the little red-billed quelea. These small birds are often an afterthought on safari when big game surrounds you, but they're stealing the show here at Shenton Safaris. It's not a usual occurrence when a flock of thousands of red-billed quelea pulls your gaze away from lions to watch them flutter across an African sunrise. It's made us gasp in awe of the pure beauty of the wildlife around us, and marvelling these mesmerising moments of murmurations. A gift to our guests, who have let their hearts soar to the sounds of fluttering wings. It boils down to Derek & Juliet Shenton's unique way of safari-ing, to get close to pure wildlife moments such as these.
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Mesmerising moments of murmurations.
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I know you're itching to read about our big cats, and there's a lot of carnivore action to discuss! But let's take a moment to talk about our friendly neighbours in camp and all the exciting elephant encounters we've been having! You will remember the lovely trio of "E's" that take up residence at Kaingo every year; Eleanor, Edwina and Ed. This year has been no exception and as the Ebony Trees have gone into fruit - so have the elephants tempestively arrived into camp to enjoy them! Kaingo has had many a brunch and afternoon tea populated with these wonderfully wise animals. A new development this year is that Ed seems to be reaching his teens! It's led to him being a little more assertive and curious in camp, heading off on his own instead of staying with his mother and sister. Ed has been testing out his newfound courage, and Patrick has been teaching him boundaries and camp etiquette when required! Do you know those testy teenage years for adolescent boys? Well, imagine them in an adolescent elephant!
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Kaingo hasn't been the only one getting a lot of elephant action. Mwamba has had more than its fair share! The Last Waterhole Hide is coming into its own, and we've been having more and more elephants enjoy staying at our little bush camp. They've been an excellent addition to early morning tea, brunch time and even afternoon tea at Mwamba. When down at Mwamba's photographic hide; guests have enjoyed watching them drink, bathe in water, dust and mud, and play with one another. Elephants are always a pleasure to host in our slice of paradise; their rumbling sounds calls our guests to the hide to see what's happening. Speaking of which, have you logged on to Mwamba's Last Waterhole Hide Live Webcam! It's LIVE! There's nothing better than reliving your safari by logging in, maybe with a gin and tonic in the afternoon after work, and enjoying the sights and sounds of Shenton Safaris. Get Close from afar!
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Mwamba's Last Waterhole Hide is LIVE.
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Well now, let's get to our namesakes, our lovely kaingo, the leopards. We've been immersed in leopard sightings this last month, and there's been one particular little personality that has stolen the show! Thank you for helping us out in choosing Chiphadzuwa's cub's name; we're delighted to introduce Chidwi ~ the curious one! He's been stealing all of our hearts and has been one of the most captivating leopard cubs, taking after his mother in her relaxed nature. We've been enjoying endless hours of play and discovery; from play fights with Chiphadzuwa to learning how his tail twitches. Chidwi has been a ball of playful curiosity that we all have fallen for, whiskers, spots, tail and all. Though Chidwi has been a big focus of our leopard action, he's not been the only leopard around! We've spent hours with Mchenja Boy, Mamma Kaingo, her son Tangu and Shy Boy: as well as some unknown leopards in the northern territories of both Mwamba and Kaingo. These beautiful felines keep us endlessly engaged; undeniably one of the most entertaining of the big cats.
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Now, apart from our regulars – the leopards – our other big cats have truly been performing! We've had one rogue male arrive into our area, suspected to be the long lost Tangu from the Nsefu sector, but still to be 100% confirmed. He's had disputes with the Nomads, and we're still waiting to see the outcome – will they let him live in their territories? The Numbu Boys seem to be all but lost, with one intensely battled scarred and bruised of this trio seen tending to his wounds. The Nomads have definitively taken over the area across Mwamba and Kaingo; they have been seen mating with the Hollywoods, the Kapanda and the Mwamba/Kaingo Prides. There have been fruits to these mating sessions, with five cubs that we have been observing. Who even came in to check out breakfast at Mwamba one morning! Have you read our blog on this?
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The Painted Wolves in our areas are suspected to be denning; there were good signs that the alpha females were pregnant. We're crossing fingers and toes that we'll be able to watch the pack with their pups soon! We've had these stunning creatures den close to our camps for the last four years, and hope that we'll be lucky enough to have puppy sightings again.
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Apart from all the above, August has had unique sightings! From eland to a herd of 24 roans that allowed guests to get close to observe them. To several stunning Pel's fishing owls on the hunt, to honey badgers doing what they do best. Our most surprising sighting was of a serval cat, not a regular in our area, so incredibly beautiful that we can't wait to get the footage we have of it loaded online! With all of this abundance of game, of every genre, we can't wait for what the next month will bring us! Numbu Star Beds and Elephant Hide Star Beds have been enjoyed on many nights: with lions, hyenas and owls – starry night skies and the endless relaxation of the Zambian night that surrounds you.
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Thank you all for staying tuned, if you were with us this season and would like to share some of your images with us – we'd love to post them on our next newsletter! If you're due to come out to us soon, be sure to stay up to date with our blog sightings and live webcams. Mwamba's Last Waterhole Hide is ever popular, and the Hippo Hide has been producing astounding action shots!
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Safe travels until we meet again where the heavens meet the earth...
Salani Bwino
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Introducing...
The Lightbox Gallery
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Derek & Jules Shenton have launched a photographic gallery in Lusaka, showcasing Zambian photographers, and bringing the incredible artistic platform that is photography to Zambians and the globe. The pieces on display in the Lightbox Gallery can be printed on canvas or photographic paper, and can easily be shipped internationally. Here below are a selection of images of Jules Shenton and Saphire Shenton; for any interest in their photographic work, please get in touch.
Read more about the Lightbox Gallery down below.
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Fingerprints - Juliet Shenton
This image was taken at Mwamba's Last Waterhole Hide, as a group of Zebras came to drink. There was a pride of lions by the waterhole and they were cautious as they came to drink.
Size Framed- 150.63cmX70.42cm
Format- Stretched canvas with gallery (mirrored borders) wrap on 40mmX40mm frame.
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In The Wake - Juliet Shenton
Shot at dawn from Kaingo's Hippo Hide. The hippos were returning to the river after a night out feeding. This hippo paused at the bank for a long period opening his mouth in display at those in the pod who had already returned. He remained agitated on the the river bank for a good 10 minutes before rushing into the river creating a wake around him. Far from creating the havoc expected, he settled into the normal daily repose (like the hippo behind him in this image) within seconds of his powerful entry.
Size Framed- 140cmX70.42cm
Format- Stretched canvas with gallery (mirrored borders) wrap on 40mmX40mm frame.
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Tyson Tetraptych - Juliet Shenton
Tyson is one of the stunning resident leopards whose territory overlaps both Kaingo and Mwamba. He has a beautiful relaxed nature, that Juliet has beautifully captured in the ease of his pose and the light in his eyes.
Size Framed- 44cmX71cm
Format- Photographic paper, white mount, black frame.
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Hanging Garden - Saphire Shenton
Following in her parent's footsteps, Saphire's love and passion for the bush and it's creatures grows as she does. Her photographic eye at age 11 years is something to behold. She captured this stunning image whilst at Kaingo.
Size Framed- 44cmX71cm
Format- Photographic paper, white mount, black frame.
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Shenton Safaris' Blogs
We hope you've been following our blogs, from our Kaingo Kitchen recipes to our Big Cat Roundup, and all the incredible sightings in between. These past few weeks have had several astonishing wildlife moments that are unmissable, so give a quick scan below to make sure you're up to speed!
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Lion Cubs at Breakfast
Could Mwamba get any more heavenly? Breakfast time with a twist, with some young cubs joining!
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A close call for Mama Kaingo
A beautiful leopard and a mother to a 20-month-old male and potentially a mother to a new cub, Mama Kaingo is a special lady.
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Kaingo Kitchen: Turkish Flatbreads
These Turkish flat-breads with spinach topped with a dollop of tzatziki are delightfully refreshing and will satisfy the mid-morning hunger after a drive.
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Hungry but dirty lions
The death of a hippo will feed many mouths, from vultures and hyenas to members of the Hollywood pride.
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Stretching into the weekend
Witnessing an elephant extend his fantastic trunk into the low branches of an ana tree is a sight in itself.
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Office Drinkers
The office girls are extremely lucky to be able to simply look up from their computers to the sight of either a river full of hippos and crocodiles or elephants.
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The Shenton family introduces to Lusaka : The Lightbox Gallery, showcasing Zambian photographers, in celebration of photography as an art form.
This collection looks broadly at the fragility and dialogue of development versus our wilderness spaces on a local and global level. It discusses the encroachment of development into our unique natural wilderness. It serves to create awareness of our responsibility as custodians of our diminishing natural landscapes and habitats, including influence of other cultures on Zambian culture and the implications thereof.
The collection also includes a series of still life works that are just that - still - encouraging the viewer to us the visual space / serenity to contemplate the fragility of our world in a global context.
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Coming out to us soon? Learn more about our community and conservation efforts.
Give a Helping Hand
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Project Luangwa
Follow them on social media here below.
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Conservation South Luangwa
Follow them on social media here below.
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Safari News
It may come as a surprise, but it seems the financial world may be assisting in aiding conservation. With a Rhino Impact Bond aimed at the gorwth in population of these endagered animals. Read more about this amazing story here:
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