Chada Katavi Diary - Feb 2008
by: Peter, Anita and all at Chada Katavi on 01/03/2008 (chada katavi)
Dear All,
Sorry about being a little late with our news from the wonderful world of Katavi. What with the closing of camp for the season we have been running around a little.
Well, it seems that with the rain falling regularly and the grass getting taller the lions of Katavi seem to have taken to the trees!! During January and the beginning of February, our game drives had regular sightings of lioness, cubs(not always very elegantly) and even males up in the trees. Not just above the ground but high up in the canopy. It appears at one point a lioness was coming into season and her beau followed her up into a Sausage tree (Kigelia Africana) where he looked very uncomfortable, but managed to keep his balance and close tabs on her. One of our guides, Phillip managed to take some excellent pics, of which one is seen above. Well done Phillip!
We had one sighting only of the 5 wild dogs during this period as they headed out along the edge of the Katisunga plain. All seemed in good health and intent on filling their stomachs as soon as the opportunity arose.
With all the rank vegetation it has been a great time to study the small things such as insects and spiders. The variety of Dragon Flies is absolutely amazing as they fly around in their hundreds hawking for mosquitoes etc. The variety of web weaving spiders in the tall grass is astounding with all shapes and sizes seen.
We will be at Chada until the middle of March, then off for a bit of a break and will return in time to open camp in May. We look forward to being back in the bush to greet all in the new season.
All the very best
Peter, Anita and the Chada Team
Chada Katavi Diary - January 08
by: Peter, Anita and all at Chada Katavi on 09/01/2008 (chada katavi)
Dear All,
December has come and gone and so we think it time to wish everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and all the best for a peaceful and prosperous 2008.
The good rains have continued in Katavi so everything is green and lush. The front of camp is like an emerald sea with large numbers of Zebra, Impala, Eland, Giraffe, Buffalo and Elephant dotted around the Chada Plain. We have very happy Hippos as the Katuma River has continued to rise and so provides even more area for the large population to spread out. With many overcast days, seeing Hippo out of the water grazing during the day has been very special. We have started seeing quite a few new born Hippos, with a very special sighting on the morning of the 26th of a mother taking her very new calf (estimated 2 - 3 days old) for a very wobbly walk along the river bank.
We had great excitement on the 23rd when 5 Wild Dog were seen patrolling the Katuma river heading north towards the Katisunga Plain. On the 31st more excitement followed the sighting of another group of 10 Wild Dog (5 adults and 5 pups) along Koli road in the woodland not far from camp. They were seen 3 times that day as they used the road to hunt. They were pretty comfortable around the vehicles, which was good to see.
Christmas day also produced an amazing experience when while driving along the Katisunga plain heading north towards Chem Chem we came across an unforgettable sight of over 400 elephant moving out of the woodland onto the plains, and they seemed to keep on coming! We sat in awe as we watched and listened to the interaction of the bulls as they moved from one family group to the other checking out the ladies. Our friend Rob Wissing, who lives in Oman was with us and in his words said "that was one of the most unforgettable and moving experiences that I have been fortunate to witness
in my many safaris to Africa."
The Chada pride have taken up permanent residence along the edge of the Chada plains and have been serenading us with their vocalizing most nights, sometimes from very close! The 4 cubs are looking good and are very entertaining with their antics. The Katisunga pride of 5 lionesses has been seen near the airstrip on quite a few occasions and in their special style treat the vehicles and aircraft with the usual calm nonchalance.
It certainly has been a great month in Katavi with lots of new life happening in this beautiful green paradise.
Hope to see you soon,
Karibu
Chada Katavi Diary - December 07
by: Peter & Anita on 10/12/2007 (chada katavi)
Dear all,
We have been in Chada for a month now and are really enjoying this wonderful piece of paradise. We have seen an amazing transformation from a very dry Katavi since the short rains have arrived, we now live in a beautiful green garden. When the rains first arrived the animals dispersed quite noticeably,but as the rains continued the sightings improved considerably. The overcastconditions have resulted in great leopard sightings (3 in 3 days WOW).
The Katuma River has water flowing so the Hippo population can now spread out a little and not live on top of each other in the springs. This has resulted in plenty of conflict situations between bulls as they now establish their territories along the ever increasing pools. It is amazing how this has changed the tolerance levels.
It is a time for the renewal of life in the bush so the days are full of bird song (especially Woodland Kingfisher) as the males entice their mates to brood and territories are established. It is a wonderful time for excellent birding
with many different Cuckoos being seen and heard with the Red Chested Cuckoo's song "it will rain" living up to its promise.
With the rains the Chada Pride have moved from the Katuma river back towards the Chada plains and are being heard most nights from camp as the males advertise their territory.
All in all we have had a wonderful and exciting first month at Chada what with getting to know our staff and exploring the area, time has flown. We already feel at home and look forward to many, many more months and years in this wonderful unique area.
Hope to see you soon.
All the very best,
Peter and Anita
Chada Katavi Diary - October 07
by: Peter, and everyone at Chada Katavi on 25/10/2007 (chada katavi)
Last night, after sipping their chilled Amarula liquors under the Tamarind tree, our two safari 'newbies' retired to their tent after dinner. Slowly falling asleep listening to the soothing sounds of the African night, they anticipated a soothing and restful slumber. However, three big male Chada elephants had something different in mind. The most delicious Tamarind tree of all in Katavi National Park (and there are many), is obviously situated right next to the veranda of their tent. The elephants strolled up, and proceeded to feast on the lower branches.
Waking up, and slightly worried at first, they then lay back and enjoyed having these magnificent animals with them, as they 'rumbled' away in elephant speak. What unique experiences Chada has to offer.
The game viewing has been brilliant in the last few weeks at Chada Katavi. With the drying out of the Karuma River there are not many spots left where the animals are able to quench their thirst. That means we have seen huge concentrations of game around the places holding the last water, with amazing interactions between the different species.
Recently, some guests were lucky to witness lions killing a young buffalo not far from camp, and every day the game sightings seem to be getting better. We've had 5ml of rain so far, and there is more on the way. The heat and humidity is high at the moment and the occasional drizzle is very
welcomed by everybody, especially by the hippos.
We look forward to seeing you at Chada Katavi.