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 Rumbles
in the Jungle
Chiawa
Camp Newsletter
September 2004
September is
approaching its end and it is
already blisteringly hot, although
thankfully there is a persistent and
cool breeze coming off the Zambezi
which is keeping the nights
comfortable.
Summer
is definitely here and I think
September should be called the Red
Month - the huge colonies of Carmine
bee eaters are already
re-established in full, explosive
activity, and many of the large
trees are covered in spectacular red
mantles of Flame Creeper.
2004
continues to be as busy as ever and
we have been blessed with many more
great sightings.
The rumbles I
refer to in the title of this
newsletter are that three resident
hyena every week or so have a huge
fight with each other in the
vicinity of camp.
 Earlier
this month our dinner was
interrupted by all sorts of screams
and wails so I jumped up and with
some of my
staff ran to investigate what was
going on. We came across a ball of
hyenas, literally, rolling about all
biting each other and making the
most horrendous racket. The ball
untangled itself after a few moments
and the three bolted through the
kitchen and off into the bush. Then,
just a few evenings ago as some of
our guests were enjoying a
leisurely cocktail before dinner,
the same thing happened. Except this
time the hyenas came to us instead
and ended up in a ball almost inside
the bar before again, dashing off
into the bush leaving a trail of
saliva and urine behind them –
fortunately no blood.
We are not sure
whether this is a territorial
matter, a breeding matter, or simply
a scrap over a scrap, but in each
case a few drinks were nearly
spilled in the excitement!
 Then,
last night the same wails and growls
emanated from the dry river bed at
the end of the camp just as we were
making our way to dinner. I grabbed my torch
and went with Joe to investigate –
no sign of the hyenas but en route
we found a Giant Eagle Owl in the
tree in front of Tent no.6, and then
a lioness, two hippos and a
crocodile relaxing under the viewing
hide.
We have no idea
what happened but I can only guess
the hyenas took off at the sight of
the lioness, who we think has cubs
nearby.
The
leopards continue to outperform all
previous years’ records. A couple of
weeks ago we were watching an
elephant bull about to pick up a
fallen branch for a snack when a
female leopard leapt up from behind it. The elephant took no notice
and set about devouring the branch
whilst the leopard sat on a termite
mound to watch the proceedings, and
our very excited guests.
And just
two mornings ago we came across a
huge male leopard up a tree with his
kill, and our two resident, dominant
male lions (fondly referred to by
Chiawa guides as Doug the Thug and
Dan the Man) hoping the leopard
would drop its kill or at least a
morsel. (See pic on the left)
After a while it
all got a bit much for “Doug” who
very ineptly climbed half way up the
tree to then only fall out in front
of his pal and a lioness. This got
our leopard very excited who made
some impressive snarls and growls
towards the by now very bored lions,
but who then lost interest and
ambled down to the Zambezi for a
drink
The leopard
took the opportunity to do the same
before returning that night to
finish off his kill. Spectacular, and
all before breakfast.
 Oh
yes, the wild dogs are back! Our
first sighting since they left for
the hills, and their den, in June
was on September 4th of 4
adults and 7 very bouncy pups,
including one very white pup less
than 1km from Chiawa Camp. Cute
beyond words and lucky guests
absolutely over the moon! They were
then spotted by Andy down at Old
Mondoro September 24th
and who was fortunate enough to see
the pack bring down an impala that
morning. Brilliant – except for the
impala.
 The
game viewing at Old Mondoro
continues to be excellent – leopards
galore, elephants everywhere, honey
badgers, wild cats with kittens,
servals, kudus and zebra. Speaking
of Old Mondoro we are pleased to
welcome Roeloff and Helen Schutte
from South Africa who are based at
Old Mondoro full time.
Both have degrees
in Nature Conservation and are more
than qualified for the task at hand.
They have settled in well and Old
Mondoro is an even more vital and
enjoyable part of any visit to
Chiawa Camp and the Lower Zambezi
than ever.
 Well,
it is tea time and I see there are 8
elephants and 3 buffalos between
Tents 5 & 6. A bull elephant has
just stabbed his tusk into the rear
end of a now even more disgruntled
Kakuli buffalo, and I suspect now
will be the time our guests will
appear on the path … best I move on
and keep the peace – enough Rumbles
in the Jungle for today!
Oops – Roeloff
and Boaz have just radioed in saying
they have found the wild dogs again
on the big plain behind Old Mondoro…
Until next time,
Grant, Lynsey, Jenny, and the
Chiawa team
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