OLD MONDORO NEWSLETTER

Old Mondoro Newsletter: July/August  2008:                                     by John Pereira

“Time Flies” but at Mondoro it moves at lighting speed; another two months has gone by and it feels like just yesterday that camp opened.  Heaps has happened in two months, too much to mention, guests have taken home moments that will remain with them forever and we had wildlife sightings galore.

In June Mondoro was visited by a very passionate German couple who have traveled Africa for eighteen years, their African travels inspired by a famous African film “The Gods Must Be Crazy”. The film with its wild and wacky Africa moments captivated the couple and since their first visit they have fallen in love with the continent.

 One of the little creatures in the film is a honey badger that attaches itself to a character’s shoe and this generated great curiosity with the couple and throughout their travels of 18 years they never managed to see the renowned Honey Badger.  The couple stayed at Old Mondoro for four nights and had wonderful sightings of absolutely everything but still no sighting of a honey badger. 

On the very last night drive the group headed back to camp with no Honey badger in sight, the couple simply shrugged and said they’ll return next year for the 19^th time to try and find a honey badger.

As the vehicle turned into some of the last bends before camp, all hopes of finding a honey badger faded. Unexpectedly something appeared in the headlights on the vehicle and there they were; emerging out of nowhere and slowly trotting in the middle of the road; two fine-looking honey badger specimens, the couple and everyone on the vehicle instantly emitted a bellow of utter joy shouting in chorus “HONEY BADGER”

With the sudden noise from behind the badgers bolted into the bush out of sight and the sighting was over and even though it was so brief, all the couple could do were grin from ear to ear. For them, 18 years of honey badger hunting was over.

The “holy grail” of animals is almost always leopard. This elusive but majestic cat always seems to spellbind people, and many a game drive is spent chasing and searching for them.  On more than one occasion the Mondoro team went looking for Leopard on night drives and found them on the very last minutes of the drive, just outside camp. 

It’s been extremely productive regarding leopard sightings especially around the camp. Two leopards have been successfully identified moving around camp on a regular basis and the camp had 5 consecutive leopard sighting nights.  One morning the staff even discovered tracks leading past the campfire to the waters edge obviously to drink water. The resident female Kinky also made a couple of appearances. 

A new kid on the block is a very young male who doesn’t seem to mind the vehicles at all, and on one sighting simply walked up to vehicle and came within 1 meter of the vehicle looking at the guests with amused curiosity. Levy also discovered a young male leopard cub on two different occasions, its mother leaving it behind to go hunt, he also displayed no concern for the vehicle and provided the guests with amazing sightings.  Old Mondoro is truly a leopard Mecca.

Lions did not disappoint either even though it sometimes seems easier to find leopards than lions at Old Mondoro.  Seven different Lions have been regularly spotted around Old Mondoro.   Three of these lions are the Zimbabwean males, the trio is still together yet they are often seen prowling around alone especially if one of the boys is in the presence of a female.

Three lone females are also seen on a regular basis and one of them has a 15 month old male; this male is turning into a handsome figure, and is going to be a powerful male in the future - that is if he survives the 3 Zim males.

Elephants have become a daily occurrence, and sometimes even prove rather problematic as the big beasts make it difficult to get the guests from their rooms to the dining area and visa versa, yet no guests ever complain about the delays.  Every now and then the staff have to transport visitors with a vehicle less than 50 meters just to get them into the room;

fortunately the elephants are not aggressive and some seem to even enjoy human company, you can’t ask for a better photo opportunity.

Mondoro has also been visited by other creatures of all sorts and sizes, it seems that a “Dagga boy” (Old Buffalo Bull) has annexed camp for its home, the old timer roams through camp at night and can usually be seen on the outskirts of camp in the mornings.

One morning the waiter staff discovered a Honey Badger in the kitchen, no one was sure who was more surprised the staff or the Badger.  Fortunately he quickly made himself scarce he hasn’t returned…. yet and none of the staff are willing to test the creature’s fearsome reputation for blind bravery.

One night John and Lana woke up with a jump, outside their chalet was a huge commotion something was out there tearing something apart. Old Mondoro’s Garbage bags are normally stored on a high platform out of reach of most creatures, but this night it was obvious that something has penetrated the garbage defenses.  John went into the night to inspect thinking that it was the honey badger that has returned, instead of a small honey badger John found himself staring into the eyes of two very large hyena females. One or two very unsure moments followed with the beasts not to sure what to make of the situation, in the end both parties quickly scurried off in opposite directions John back to the safety of his chalet and the Hyenas into the night.

Every day produces moments that neither the guest nor us will quickly forget. It is these moments that make visits to Africa and Zambia so special. Everyday, everything and anything is possible and one just never knows what you might see at any given moment, even on the last bend before camp, early in the morning before an activity, out on a activity or even during lunch. During the past few months it was proven over and over never to think that’s its over in the African Bush!!

OM Guest Book: Safari Season 2007

This has become our favorite camp! 20 plus elephants in camp for lunch! And the hippos – and the calm, and the wonderfull staff! Perfect! We hate to leave… Susi & Jean Walrand, Nassau, Bahamas, July 2007

This place is magical! We could stay in tent 4 for the next several years and love every minute. Helen and her staff made us so welcome, the food is superb, the guides knowledgeable and entertaining. It was a fabulous 4 days. We will be back! Charlie & Cynthia Robinson , San Antonio, Texas, USA, August 2007

One of our best experiences in this camp while traveling to Africa for many, many years!!! Irene & Rolf Pluess. Oberneunforn, Switzerland, September 2007

A fabulous place: refreshingly simple in structure and approach, yet uncompromising in service and safari experience. Thanks to an extremely hospitable team – we will doubtless return! Chris & Susie McIntyre, Expert Africa, UK, September 2007

In a world of over used hyperbole Old Mondoro is truly exceptional. It has been a privilege to get some sense of Africa in the raw at a camp that is run with an easy (apparently effortless) style that is totally in keeping with its surroundings…thank you. Nigel, Kim, Daisy & William Binks, Barnes, London, August 2007

Outstanding! The highlight of our trip! Spectacular camp and setting, brilliant hosts. Fantastic guiding…thank you. Ian & Jane Greves, Dulwich, London, October 2007

 

May 2008

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