Savuti Camp newsletter
Climate and Landscape
December was a very interesting month at Savuti, weather-wise. Temperatures reached a high of 44° Celsius and a low of 17°, quite normal for December. The surprise lay in the almost 200 mm of rain we received during the month, with a few huge storms unleashing up to 34 mm of rain in a couple of hours!
The rain is a blessed change though, welcomed by everyone in the bush. The area is at its greenest at this time of the year and needless to say it looks beautiful. With the presence of recently refilled waterholes everywhere the animals seem much more relaxed and approachable, especially the elephants.
Savuti Camp December 2014
Wildlife
Despite the thick, lush Linyanti vegetation, we had some amazing sightings this month, starting with one of the largest painted dog packs the Linyanti has seen in a long time. The Zib Pack (which has 12 adults and 13 juveniles) was seen taking down numerous impala during the course of one day!
We also enjoyed some marvellous sightings of hyaena, including a single hyaena fatally injured by what looked like a swipe from a lion, as well as a pack of some seven or more hyaena following a breeding herd of elephant, harassing them and trying to separate a small baby from the herd.
This was a rather unsuccessful month for warthog piglets as all the predators seemed to be on a pork diet. We saw everything from lion to leopard and wild dog take down piglets on various occasions. There are times when the ways of nature do seem cruel, do they not?
On a brighter note, we had some great sightings of roan antelope on our airstrip road. They are such magnificent creatures… until you notice their donkey ears!
After all that, the sighting of the month was of an aardvark! One very lucky family decided to do a night drive – and found themselves at the perfectly right place at the right time. Only much later upon their arrival back in camp did they realise what a rare and thrilling sighting they’d had!
Savuti Camp wildlife December 2014
Birds and Birding
We say it all the time, but summer time – the ‘wet season’, the ‘green season’ – truly is the best time for birding. December offers amazing opportunities for photographing our beautiful and amazing migrants against the most dramatic backdrops of the greenest green trees and the bluest blue skies!
Birds like the African fish-eagle and osprey always captivate our guests’ attention while other birds like the various kingfishers and carmine bee-eaters simply leave our guests mesmerised. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are interested in birds when you arrive at Savuti, we guarantee that by the time you leave they will be among the top highlights of your awesome African safari.
Camp News
On 22nd of December we held a Christmas party for the staff in camp. There were volley ball matches and tug-of-war and later in the evening the staff got decked out in their pretty dresses and suits to enjoy a musical night with the choir singing and, after dinner, dancing, as DJ Oscar took the stage.
Camp Activities
On Christmas day, we set up a beautiful tree, African style, (dry bush with lovely decorations), set up the main dining area and entertained our guests with a recital by the ‘famous’ Savuti choir. We had placed Christmas crackers on the table and with a loud bang all our guests pulled them simultaneously. The guests thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas celebrations!
Upholding the tradition of the past few years, it rained on New Year’s Eve, washing away our wonderful plans for a sundowner bush dinner. However, the resourceful people of Savuti made a plan to ensure guests had a truly memorable time seeing out 2014 and welcoming 2015!
Climate and Landscape
December was a very interesting month at Savuti, weather-wise. Temperatures reached a high of 44° Celsius and a low of 17°, quite normal for December. The surprise lay in the almost 200 mm of rain we received during the month, with a few huge storms unleashing up to 34 mm of rain in a couple of hours!
The rain is a blessed change though, welcomed by everyone in the bush. The area is at its greenest at this time of the year and needless to say it looks beautiful. With the presence of recently refilled waterholes everywhere the animals seem much more relaxed and approachable, especially the elephants.
Savuti Camp December 2014
Wildlife
Despite the thick, lush Linyanti vegetation, we had some amazing sightings this month, starting with one of the largest painted dog packs the Linyanti has seen in a long time. The Zib Pack (which has 12 adults and 13 juveniles) was seen taking down numerous impala during the course of one day!
We also noticed that new lions have moved into the area around camp – they were happily caught on camera, drinking water and lazing around.
We also enjoyed some marvellous sightings of hyaena, including a single hyaena fatally injured by what looked like a swipe from a lion, as well as a pack of some seven or more hyaena following a breeding herd of elephant, harassing them and trying to separate a small baby from the herd.
This was a rather unsuccessful month for warthog piglets as all the predators seemed to be on a pork diet. We saw everything from lion to leopard and wild dog take down piglets on various occasions. There are times when the ways of nature do seem cruel, do they not?
On a brighter note, we had some great sightings of roan antelope on our airstrip road. They are such magnificent creatures… until you notice their donkey ears!
After all that, the sighting of the month was of an aardvark! One very lucky family decided to do a night drive – and found themselves at the perfectly right place at the right time. Only much later upon their arrival back in camp did they realise what a rare and thrilling sighting they’d had!
Savuti Camp wildlife December 2014
Birds and Birding
We say it all the time, but summer time – the ‘wet season’, the ‘green season’ – truly is the best time for birding. December offers amazing opportunities for photographing our beautiful and amazing migrants against the most dramatic backdrops of the greenest green trees and the bluest blue skies!
Birds like the African fish-eagle and osprey always captivate our guests’ attention while other birds like the various kingfishers and carmine bee-eaters simply leave our guests mesmerised. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are interested in birds when you arrive at Savuti, we guarantee that by the time you leave they will be among the top highlights of your awesome African safari.
Camp News
On 22nd of December we held a Christmas party for the staff in camp. There were volley ball matches and tug-of-war and later in the evening the staff got decked out in their pretty dresses and suits to enjoy a musical night with the choir singing and, after dinner, dancing, as DJ Oscar took the stage.
Camp Activities
On Christmas day, we set up a beautiful tree, African style, (dry bush with lovely decorations), set up the main dining area and entertained our guests with a recital by the ‘famous’ Savuti choir. We had placed Christmas crackers on the table and with a loud bang all our guests pulled them simultaneously. The guests thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas celebrations!
Upholding the tradition of the past few years, it rained on New Year’s Eve, washing away our wonderful plans for a sundowner bush dinner. However, the resourceful people of Savuti made a plan to ensure guests had a truly memorable time seeing out 2014 and welcoming 2015!
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