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News > Toka Leya Camp News, August 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Toka Leya Camp News, August 2008
Toka Leya Camp Team
During August, elephant have made regular visits to Toka Leya Camp. They seem to be particularly interested in the young date palm trees that were planted as part of an effort to rehabilitate the area after the camp was constructed; the elephants just love their tender shoots. One elephant in particular, was so eager to get to them that it actually squeezed between the poles supporting the elevated wooden walkways. Another elephant found its way to the Spa and tried uprooting a palm in a pot. When this failed it went for a cushion on one of the sofas perhaps to vent his/her frustration.
While elephants roamed by day, the night air was filled with the strong scent of buffalo - their favourite time to visit was during dinner time. Buffalo herds are often seen grazing in front of the camp tents. Drives within Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park have been very productive. It seems August was baby month with many animals giving birth at this time of year: baby giraffe (with their umbilical cords still attached), impala and elephant were all a joy to see.
The river levels have dropped quite considerably; where there were rushing rapids there are now rocks and sandbanks, which are great sunbathing spots for hippo and crocodiles. From the deck area in the bar you can see hippos playing on the sandbanks in front of camp. River cruises have also delivered some interesting sightings: hippo, crocodiles, waterbirds galore - Black Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, Collared Pratincole, Purple Heron, Water Thick-knee, splashing African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher, African Skimmer, African Fish Eagle and White-fronted Bee-eater amongst others. Migratory species like Yellow-billed Kite are also returning as we head into our Southern African springtime! *White-fronted bee-eater photo courtesy of Caroline Culbert
