The Safari Plan
on Sep 26, 2023Before heading out on safari, often guests ask us Rangers what the plan is for the day or if we had heard what was seen earlier. Some ask if there are scouts looking for animals and they tell us where the animals may be. Many think finding animals within the time bracket we have out in the bush, be it a morning safari or afternoon, is very easy. Sometimes the plan works out but sometimes it does not. It takes a great amount of planning to find animals and deliver to the expectations of your guests.
Setting out early morning with my guests often turns out great and rewarding, as my guests always say, “The early bird catches the fattest worm”. As per the norm, we set out early to the extent of not having morning coffee at camp, but rather drive and find a nice place to have our coffee in the bush before sunrise.
We packed our coffee and set out, waiting for the sun to rise while preparing our hot morning drinks. The number of different sounds of animals calling was incredible – from lion calls to leopards calling; hyenas and many other animals responding to each other. The sounds of birds waking up getting louder and louder, filling in the quiet spaces as the sun comes up is hard to ignore.
Besides being able to find a lot of animals, the birds were also actively feeding and giving an opportunity to our photographic guests to explore the morning light before the light became harsh. Early starts allow you time to explore the bush and explore unspoiled nature.
We watched and identified a lot of birds. Often, when you stop to look for birds it gives an opportunity to listen to signs of passing wildlife and making it easier to track them. Once we had finished our coffee, we followed up on some impalas we had heard alarm calling and we found a female cheetah hunting. Watching a cheetah sprint after prey in the early morning is very lucky and we were in the right place at the right time to witness it.
This was an incredible moment to witness her in full sprint and even though she did not manage to make a kill, the sighting and experience was just phenomenal.
Our safari plan to head out earlier than everyone and stop the vehicle to listen to the clues the bush would give, paid off. We found a pride of lions as they were yawning and vocalising before they started moving. Lions usually take advantage of the quietness in the early morning and the late evening to vocalise so that their voices travel as far as possible.
After a brilliant safari, it was time to make our way back to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Talking about the sightings from the morning, we were taken by surprise at spotting a female leopard in a bare Marula tree just off the road. She was feeding on the remains of a small impala kill which we assume she’d killed the night before. Soon after descending the tree to make her way to quench her thirst, two hyenas made their way into the area to look for any scraps that may have fallen. This was the icing on the cake which made the extra early start even sweeter.
Patience is one of the most important attributes in the bush. Sometimes it does not always go according to plan, but most of the time the experience is unbelievable. Just sitting quietly in the bush, appreciating Mother Nature, listening to the sounds; and taking it all that is magical.
Blog by Ronald Mutero (Selati Camp Ranger)
