Wilderness Safaris Update

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - October 19th, 2012 -

Malawi's Mvuu Campand Mvuu Lodge

Elephants have visited the camp almost every night and sometimes not just to feed on the various acacias. One elephant took down the swimming pool fence and another uprooted the water taps. It is the breeding season for bushbucks, and they can be seen during most of the drives. However, one dead baby bushbuck was spotted being scavenged by some warthogs. There have been multiple evening sightings of genets, civets, various species of mongoose, porcupines and even Pel’s fishing Owls. Over 100 buffalos were seen on a night drive,and a herd of elephants were found swimming (and playing) in the Shire on a boat safari.

A female crocodile was seen on land during a game drive , a mid-morning fight resulted in two male hippos chasing each other around the southern end of the camp. The loser sulked around Chalet 8 for a while and the winner returned to the Shire triumphantly.

After dusk, several guides sat in the hide above Water Hole 2 in the Rhino Sanctuary. They had planned on waiting for the smaller nocturnal animals of Liwonde to come down for a drink, but were instead visited by none other than the lone male lion, Titus. He remained at the water hole for several minutes and drank calmly. After a several moments, he walked slowly around the length of the water’s edge before disappearing into the bush.

A Giant Eagle Owl was spotted during a game drive, and staff found a Pel’s Fishing Owl in the Southern flood plains. A pair of Brown Breasted Barbets was seen just outside camp on a nature walk. A Palm Nut Vulture wandered around the floodplains just 10 meters away from the staff landrover and three more Palm Nut vultures were seen flying overhead. Flocks of Lillian’s Love Birds followed a game drive land rover for almost the duration of the morning game drive.

Malawi's Chelinda Camp and Chelinda Lodge

On the plateau, there have been an increased number of sightings of Elands and Roans along with their calves. A herd of 80 Eland were seen accompanied by an astounding number of young. Towards the end of the September, a herd of over 250 was seen! Servals have been spotted multiple times this month, dashing in and out of the ferns to avoid the strong gusts of wind. A side striped jackal was also found running around the ferns, and three bush pigs were found foraging around Chosi loop and also a chameleon!

Spotted hyenas have been active on the plateau and found playing with young ones. Two hyenas were seen chasing after a dazzle of zebra. Later on in the month, a couple of hyena meandered in front of a vehicle and lay down for a rest, blocking the road. A leopard was spotted squatting just five meters from the road during a night drive and later another leopard was seen lounging near the dam. A serval was spotted in the bracken ferns as well as two porcupines running on the road. A Honey Badger was found wandering around the grass near the airstrip. The Spotted Eagle Owl has returned with onset of the warming weather. Birding in the forest also has proved quite successful - the Bar-Tailed Trogon, Malawi Batis, Fullebome Boubou as well as many others were spotted last month. Closer to camp, one often spots Black Kites throughout the day. The Black Headed Heron continues to remain around Dam 1 and has been seen catching trout. 

Malawi's Chintheche Inn

This month the following birds were spotted at the Inn: African Fish Eagle, Purple Banded Sunbird, Red-eyed Dove, Blue Spotted Dove, White Breasted Commorants, Woodland Kingfisher, Bronze Manikins, Great Reed Warbler, Blue Grey Flycatcher, Mozambique Batis, Paradise Flycatcher, Red Backed Shrike, Puff Back, Tropical Bulbul, Bard Owl and Wood Owl.

Tree Nursery Update:

Approximately 15000 seedlings have germinated so far. The nursery had a visit from a group from Polar Quest. Polar Quest guests contribute a fee to offset the carbon footprint created by their trip. Each guest "buys" 250 trees in our nursery, which is enough to compensate for their trip. The guests had a great time with Master Banda in the nursery followed by a walk to one of our tree sites at the Bandawe School For The Hearing Impaired.

Other News 
Thanksgiving with Wilderness Safaris: If you’re planning your thanksgiving in the wilderness, then e-mail marketing2@wilderness.mw to find out more about camp programs and special activities.Help Sarah fundraise for CITW: Wilderness Safaris Office Manager, Sarah Glyde is doing a sky-diving jump for Children in the Wilderness (an environmental education program under the patronage of Wilderness Safaris and various other sponsors). The funds raised from the jump will go to help cover the costs of the annual CITW camp. To support Sarah with a donation (every little bit helps), please e-mail her onsarah@wilderness.mw

Wilderness Safaris wins national award in recognition of sustainable energy use: On the 27th of September 2012, Wilderness Safaris Malawi was awarded a certificate of recognition in appreciation of the valuable contribution to the use of sustainable energy in the tourism industry. Out of 100,000 tourism and hospitality ventures in Malawi, the top four were presented an award by the Minister of Tourism and Culture. The reception was held at the new Presidential Hotel where tourism operators from across the country came to enjoy traditional dances and speeches given by various dignitaries.

The guest speakers addressed concerns of sustainable energy and noted the importance of eco tourism in Malawi’s growing hospitality industry. Even the Malawi National Dance Troupe incorporated the importance of using renewable resources into their performances. Wilderness Safaris Malawi is delighted to have been recognized as a leader of eco tourism and sustainable energy use in Malawi.

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