December in the Selous
by: Steve & Lynn on 18/01/2010 (sand rivers selous)
Dear all
The contrast between the first half and second half of December 2009 could not be any different. After the short rains failing in November for the second year in a row December started hot and dry scorching everything and
bringing us all to the brink with the heat. Trees and animals and sadly camp staff as well found the temperature and lack of rain draining and we all struggled to get through the day. However, our guest at Sand Rivers got what they came to see game game game.
Lake Segesi all but dried up and lake Tagalala has receded to a level not a lot of our staff can remember ever seeing that low before, this has provided us with lots of action around the water holes with Hippos having to fight for position constantly.
As has been the case this year our lions have not strayed far from Lake Segesi and we have been able to find them constantly as a pride of 16 leaves a lot of signals to its whereabouts. All cubs where successfully raised this year and we have 9 young and sub adults running on the hunts now which is a fantastic sight.
With Christmas about to be upon us a grey cloud appeared on the horizon and it grew and grew and grew and rain beautiful rain all day and all night and immediately the Selous took a breath and relaxed. The break in the weather brought relief and new life and just in time for many of our young impala
who where not doing so well. Then we had 4 days of nice soft rain to consolidate and the Selous has sprung up again with every plant taking advantage of the rain, so our once dusty landscape is awash in green.
The game situation remained fantastic for the entire month and crocodile hatchings on the river in their hundreds, have provided us with exciting moments. One significant safari occasion did occur just before the new year with a large group staying and on there last day and having not seen a
leopard during there safari only four of the group could get up on the last day and it could not be scripted better, they got to see a female leopard run, climb a tree and then commence a hunt, you have to get out there to see
it.
We have a wonderful new member of the Sand Rivers crew he is a very experienced bushman and used to the isolation, yes we have our very own Colobus monkey working with the groundsmen taking care everything is done just right.
From all the staff here at Sandrivers we wish you a very happy new year and we look forward to welcoming you in 2010
Sand Rivers Diary October 2009
by: Steve & Lynn on 21/10/2009 (sand rivers selous)
Mother nature has been ever so subtle in giving us signs that she is about to give us some relief from heat and the dry by sending us messages through the animals and the trees.
Our first exciting moment has been the early flowering of our famous Baobab by the mess which has been blooming every night the most beautiful of white flowers giving us hope of rains to come. Our resident bush babies have been taking advantage of this early treat and have been seen nightly running from flower to flower for a delicious sample
of the sweet nectar. Coinciding with the signs the Impala have been begun to give birth and the sight of hundreds of baby Impala staying close to their mothers whilst they try to figure out what legs are for and how important it
is to run.
To our great relief we have had one very soft but continuous rain fall last week triggering the birdlife into action, with nest building being the priority followed by magnificent displays of strength and colour to capture the heart of a mate. The coloured sunbirds are busy nesting in our thatched roof and we can not wait to see if they are successful. The weavers are also attending all things to ensure love and a happy home and they are providing the songs around the camp that enchant us all.
The Dry season has been hard on all the animals this season with supplies of edible plants being depleted forcing them to try alternate ways to get nourishment. Most notably our Elephants have taken to eating dry branches of Terminalia to sustain them, however it seems our thatching on our rooms has also been worth a try and with a delicate swipe of their trunks we have seen some holes appear in out rooms roofs, lucky we don't have the heavy rains yet.
With all this new life and promise of rain the predators are also on the move. Our Lions have had a most successful breading year with 14 cubs raised between 3 local prides which is an amazing result. Hunting has been good this year with the concentration around the water of the prey, it has been the perfect conditions for a lion to raise the cubs.
Wild dogs have also been successful and after a 2 month denning period and then disappearing for another month they are back to show us the young pups, who can now run with the pack and take their position at the dinner table.
Much to the delight of our lucky guests the Dogs have been seen hunting and the sight of them running through the bush is a experience shared again and again at night time over a drink in the mess for all of us here.
Lake Segesse has really turned it on for us this month with the receding water levels all our expert fishing birds have arrived, led by the Pelicans who for three weeks a year arrive in large numbers to take advantage of the lower levels and the easy pickings. This sight of thousands of birds at one time in one place is a marvel of nature and everybody eats. Crocs can been seen herding large schools of fish in a coordinated attacks which fascinates but also send a little shiver down your spine as you watch the methodical methods employed to get a meal.
Fishing has been a frustrating experience for some but the Rufij River never sends you home without a glimpse of something amazing to fill the lens of a of a guest who captures a moment in time to remember. Elephants have been
seen swimming the narrows to pass from south to north. Kudu and Eland have also been seen drinking and ignoring the dangers of coming out to be exposed during the day, to quench the thirst of our long hot days.
In this time of renewal and change we look forward to sharing this transformation of landscape and the delight of all the inhabitants of the Selous with our guests. We hope you can be inspired in your arrival to appreciate the delicate change before your eyes pointed out by our marvelous guiding team. All of our team at Sand Rivers look forward to sharing this experience with you and the common bond that is Safari. New life comes to Selous with the first drops of rain for the Selous this season.
Cheers Steve & Lynn
Sand Rivers August Diary
by: Steve, Lynn and all at SRS on 06/08/2009 (sand rivers selous)
WOW not only did the weather provide dry cool days with lots of cloud cover to reduce the heat but the game has turned it on. There has been the most prolific sightings of Panthera Leo, Lion to the rest of us in great numbers with up to 29 lion stalking areas most loved by our guest. Inevitably a guest would have seen lions on a kill and then back to the lodge for ribs for lunch.
Wild dogs are still at their den and we have managed to see the pups on a few occasions,otherwise more wild dogs have been sighted in Beho Beho river waiting for the elephants to dig a hole and leave so they can get a drink. It is going to be tough for many plains herds this year with the Selous drying up and all the water being concentrated in the lakes and has reduced areas for feeding.
However the game viewing is fantastic and you can see right through the bush that 2 months ago was thick and impenetrable. Weavers of all types are busy at this time building nest and getting ready to start little families, our resident water monitors are also breeding under the lodge and mum can been seen daily walking in the bar to get to the hole in the stump. Our cheeky Black faced Vervet monkeys, known to all our guest continue to delight with their acrobatic attempts to steal lunch, but our ever watchful waiters know all there tricks frustrating them in their attempts to steal a muffin.
The tiger fish continue to frustrate the most patient fisherman, tackle flys in all directions when they strike and it’s a fine line in landing the big one or lamenting the fight. Of course there are always enough landed to impress everyone with the fearsome appearance and strength, those who did land tiger fish this month well done.
We have had some wonderful families stay recently and it has been wonderful to watch and listen as stories of safari are retold at night through the eyes of the young and young at heart, the common bond of safari allows everyone the chance to contribute and share the day.
As we move into August please remember the sunscreen and hats we look forward to your safari.
Cheers all and hope to see you soon,
Steve and Lynn
Sand Rivers Diary - July 2009
by: Steve & Lynn on 09/07/2009 (sand rivers selous)
Dear all
Sandrivers has enjoyed a sterling start to the season with game in abundance in all areas. Wild dog have been seen denning and many guests have taken advantage of this special event to take an all day drive and visit the new pups. They should be on the move again very soon so we will again have to look very hard to find these amazing mammals.
Fishing has also been fantastic with 4kg and 5 kg tiger fish giving our guests a great run on our light gear, some catfish of note have also been caught and we have enjoyed them for bitings in the evening.
Its always special when a new birth happens out here and we have seen 4 baby hippos appear in front of the lodge in recent days. 3 hour old giraffe have been spotted in the garden area and many more 1 and 2 week olds popping up to fill the lens of many cameras. Our old friend Kinky the 25 yr old bull elephant has been welcomed back to camp and his antics around the lodge give us all plenty to think about, he is currently working as part of the grounds man team working on fertilizing our gardens and remodeling all the surrounding bushes. He has been visiting at night as he also like to keep an eye on what's happening, I think he wants a job change to be an askari.
The weather just now has been cool nights and very nice days with a bit of cloud cover giving us all relief from the heat. One small shower of rain in the middle of the month gave us hope of more but we wont hold our breath. The river has fallen 1.5 mtrs since we came back into camp and is steadily dropping making our river cruising interesting with the shifting channel. However the game on the river makes it all so very worth while. For all those interested in birding here the arrival of the Skimmers launches the season and with two fantastic sighting of pearls fishing owl the challenge is out there so bring your binoculars.
Exciting news from back of house is we are building our first game cars here at the lodge. Our mechanics are very excited to be doing such a project and we are looking forward to present our new game viewers by the end of July.
As usual we are staying with the best cars for the Selous the Landrover.
We look forward to all our coming guest in July and ensuring you to have a wonderful safari in this stunning beautiful natural wonder .
Steve and Lynn
Sand Rivers Selous diary - June 2009
by: Steve, Lynn and all at SRS on 18/06/2009 (sand rivers selous)
Dear all
Guests have been delighted and enthralled by our playful
elephant babies this month. We have a couple of herds, each with some tiny babies, that are been seen daily. They are drinking daily at the point just upstream from the lodge and are regularly seen at the garden.
There are large groups of giraffe, sometimes in excess of twenty and they too have some elegant babies.
The Selous did not get much rain this rainy season, so it is
already starting to get dry. The river level is lower that at this time last year and there are many sand islands in front of the lodge. The hippo pods are tucked in around the islands and there are frequently hippo out of the water,
wandering around or sleeping on the islands. Again, it is the babies that provide the entertainment, with their brief bursts of energy and games of chase. With so many hippo in front of the lodge, the morning and afternoon Hippo Chorus can be quite raucous.
Around the lodge, the aloe are in full flower and the sunbirds are feasting, oblivious to passers by. The wild dogs are denning and guests on full day drives have managed to find them.
As the taller grass dies down, the lions are getting easier
to find. There are impressive herds of eland and buffalo nearby and many small wildebeest and zebra groups. The mornings have often been overcast and cool, just perfect for walking and being on the river. The midday is warm to hot and a refreshing dip in the pool has been appreciated. The sky clears at night with Scorpio and The Southern Cross providing the perfect decoration to a candle lit dinner.
Lynn and Steve and all the team at Sand Rivers are looking
forward to sharing our piece of paradise with our guests this season.
Sand Rivers Diary - February 2009
by: Steve & Lynn on 03/03/2009 (sand rivers selous)
Hello everyone,
2009 started out hot and dry. Some of the smaller lakes have dried up and their crocodiles and hippos have moved in to Lake Segesse. This has made for a spectacular game viewing experience. Hundreds of crocodiles, hippos and birds are concentrated in the one area.
The pods of hippo are lying in the middle of the lake with egrets using their backs as stepping stones. As space is limited, there are frequent, noisy squabbles between the hippos.
There is a carpet of crocodiles around the edge of the lake while others lurk in the deeper water in between the paddling pelicans. Egyptian geese, tiny waders and marabou storks wander around the crocs on the bank, seemingly oblivious to the potential dangers. With Northern Carmines overhead and locks of feeding yellow billed stork sending their reflections across the waters, this is our favorite picnic breakfast site.
In February we started getting spectacular afternoon storms. The mornings are clear and cool and by mid day it has heated up. Then dark clouds rumble overhead and the heavens open. But, not for too long. By the time we have had our afternoon tea, the sky has usually cleared, the air has cooled, the birds are singing. The sky is full of bright butterflies, dodging the migratory bee-eaters.
A short green lawn is covering the Selous and the trees are luxuriously leafy again. Guests are still finding lion regularly, however the tiger fish are more elusive due to the muddier water in the Rufiji.
The bush babies still regularly join us for dinner – crouching politely on the railing, waiting to catch bugs attracted to the lanterns.
Look forward to seeing you out here soon
Cheers,
Steve & Lynn
Sand Rivers Diary - January 2008
by: Rob & Storm on 19/01/2008 (sand rivers selous)
Dear all
7 months have passed and “Tis the season to be Jolly”!!!
December, as always, is the countdown to Christmas!! The lodge has been extremely full, and Kiba Point has been full steam ahead. We’ve had lots of honeymooners, lots of families, and lots of people recovering from a hard year worked in the city of London!!
Ishmail, one of our waiters, injured his hand this month. He somehow dropped a glass and cut his hand open pretty badly. With me almost fainting at the sight, Rob and Ross very calmly got the trauma kit out and proceeded to sew him up, sans any anesthetic! The patient never flinched once. The hand healed beautifully and he is back at work and raring to go.
On the game front we managed to sneak out once to see an amazing lion kill. The way they had taken the giraffe down was incredible. In the chase, her legs must have given way beneath her and she must have collapsed belly down. We think she had suffocated and as a result was left in the seated position. The only way the lions could get to her underbelly was to dig a hole around her and therefore slide down to lie and feast. A crazy thing to witness, as from a distance all you could see was a sitting giraffe and on closer inspection you could see her head bobbing up and down, only to then notice that a pride of lions were feeding on her.
Coming back from leave in November we stopped in Dar es Salaam and bought my favourite game….30 SECONDS!! And it has been a hit!! We have had a lot of very festive evenings resulting in guests feeling very relaxed and pulling a few games out of their hats as well.
All too soon it was Christmas. The day was a lot of work, preparing for 27
people at Sand Rivers, as well as 9 over at Kiba. For Christmas Eve celebrations at Sand Rivers, we enjoyed a lovely bush dinner. We had a
traditional barbeque/braai with lots of local flavours. It was a huge hit.
Christmas Dinner was celebrated under the stars on the sandbank next to the
lodge. It was a lot of work to setup, only for the rains to come at the very
moment we took guests down to the beach. After lots of wishing and hoping and very, very fortunately after only two short drizzles, the rain moved on. It was spectacular though because the lightening was still very active and an amazing experience to watch while having dinner. We had a traditional English Christmas, including hams, turkeys, and mince pies made by Rob himself!!!
Before the New Year was upon us we, we decided to venture on a game drive one last time to bid 2007 in the Selous “Farewell”. We saw absolutely nothing for the first hour, and were about to give up when we came across a dead stump habituated by a family of dwarf mongoose. The light was already poor so our photos did not come out that well, but to sit and watch the incredible energy and social interaction of these tiny little creatures was simply a privilege. It was in that brief moment that we were reminded why we have chosen the path we have and why we have embarked on this journey in the first place. The African wilderness is a true wonder and we are so honoured to be a part of it.
But home sick we still were over Christmas and we thought of you all. We trust you had a wonderful time with your families and friends. Happy, Happy
New Year to you all and may 2008 be filled with endless moments of happiness and memories that will last you a lifetime.
All our love
Rob and Stormy
Sand Rivers Diary - December 07
by: Rob & Storm on 15/12/2007 (sand rivers selous)
Dear all
And finally our 6th month has passed. Rob's birthday on the 28th of October was celebrated a little late!! We had a house full of guests who fulfilled the role of our family and friends far away. It rained and we had to have dinner under covers, but what fun!! Happy Birthday Rob!!
The rains contributed to the main lodge deck collapsing somewhat, and us being forced to close it off and mend it!! A long process and very unsightly but essential! Amazingly our guests were all very understanding,despite the fact that the mess looked a bit worse for wear.
We had some wonderful guests this month who really touched our hearts!! Such warm and really special people and it was such a pleasure hosting them!! We look forward to visiting them in chilly England as soon as we can!!! Then there was a lovely English gentleman, a repeat guest and a most fascinating one! He has already booked his visit for next year and we look forward to his return.
One morning I told Rob to be ready by 06h00, and off we headed to the airstrip!! His belated birthday present was to fly with Dr. Fraser Smith, of the Selous Rhino Trust, on an anti-poaching flight!!!! He was so excited. It was a beautiful morning, we spotted 9 wild dogs en route to the airstrip, and with that kind of luck it could only mean that he would have the most amazing time!!! The plane however is rather small, one side is completely open, and Rob suffers from airsickness. He was very happy to finally land and enjoy breakfast and a cup of coffee on the banks of the Ruaha River
Fortunately no poached animals were seen which was great. On landing we had to bid Fraser farewell, he is off to Nairobi for Christmas and he is not too sure what the future holds for the rhino project. The ever-present financial worries of keeping the project running still beset them. He was feeling terribly beaten and de-motivated when we said goodbye, we are hoping somehow the situation will be rectified.
Other than that we lwent off on our leave on the 10th November, and returned on the 26th. It was a short month for us within the lodge but never a dull moment!! It was great to get away and re-group and we returned with some fresh new ideas ready to face the next 3 months and start gearing up for the festive season!!! And so until then, thinking of you all, get those Christmas hats out because "Tis the season to be jolly!!!!!!"
Lots of love to you all
Rob and Storm, and all at Sand Rivers Selous
Sand Rivers Selous Diary - November 07
by: Storm, Rob, Ross & everyone at Sand Rivers Selous on 21/11/2007 (sand rivers selous)
Dear all,
And so our 4th month of the season has passed…..
KibaPoint, the new private camp just down from Sand Rivers Selous finally opened! We hosted our first guests there on the 8th of Sept and needless to say, the build up to this grand opening was pretty busy! With a full camp here at Sand Rivers, Rob and I were busy looking after everything here, and so our relief managers Peter & Nicola were called in to lend a helping hand. A seriously hard push got the job done and guests arrived to a brand new highly sophisticated and very beautiful lodge! It's probably the smartest lodge within East Africa; it is very very lovely incorporating huge Leadwood pillars and cream screeded floors. Plunge pools in all the rooms add to the WOW factor and it is built incorporating huge trees within the main lodge area to create a shady and cool piece of paradise.
It’s been a busy month here at Sand Rivers, with much going on and lots of activities at the lodge, and out in the park. One thing we did attempt this month was a dinner on the sandbank island in the middle of the Rufiji opposite the lodge. A lot of work and preparation all by boat and at night but completely worth the effort!! We also decided to do a full moon beach dinner on the sand bank just next to the lodge! Absolutely spectacular, and very happy guests.
A hippo died opposite the lodge this month and was a hive of activity.Vultures in droves and hyena and lion. Pretty amazing. We visited the skeleton a few days later and turned the lower jaw over to hide the teeth to keep it safe from the hands of any poachers.
Spring has sprung here in the Selous and the trees, and flora has been incredible! It really is Rob’s dream come true. For him it's been photo, photos and more photos. The most incredible thing this month for me, was my first ever sighting of wild dog! Three dogs that have broken away from the larger pack, two males and one female. Two have been mating and have been based at one specific spot under a low lying Tagalala tree for days on end. We are hoping they will ultimately build a den here and have pups.They have killed plenty of impala lambs and seem very comfortable. It is incredible to see these endangered animals, and it’s something I have waited a long time for. It was so worth the wait!
Rob’s food and menu planning has improved in leaps and bounds. The food is simply delicious. And so beautifully presented. We have had wonderful feedback from guests and needless to say we are both becoming the size of two fat and happy warthogs.
The little shop we have here at the lodge is really doing very very well. All the profits go the Selous Rhino Trust (www.selousrhinotrust.org for more details) and after receiving all the items I bought in Arusha for the shop it has taken on a seriously new and improved façade. It’s our way of contributing to a very worthwhile cause here in the Selous.
All in all it has been busy, but rewarding few months here at the lodge. The days go by very quickly and the nights for sleeping even quicker. Our little resident water monitor continues to be a vigilant bouncer over her nest and the Goshawk… who has definitely now been identified as a Little Sparrow Hawk continues to visit us and in fact killed a little squirrel by drowning it in the pond next to the main lodge area. An incredible thing to witness!
We hope life outside of this beautiful reserve is treating everyone well and hope you think of your time here with is often. Take care, look after yourselves and we hope you look back on your time here with us with the fondest of memories!
Storm,Rob,Ross,and the Sand Rivers Team