This months environmental report was compiled by our General Manager, Malcolm Robinson , assisted by our camp Environmentalists, Leopard at Eagle Island Camp, Sello at Khwai River Lodge and Kgaga at Savute Elephant Camp.

Climate:
To date the winter weather has been relatively fair, reports have indicated that none of the camps have seen the temperature dip bellow 10°c. An interesting point to note is that the minimum temperatures at Eagle Island Camp are warmer. This can be attributed to the mass of water that usually surrounds Eagle Island Camp at this time of the year as well as the dense vegetation which the camp is situated in. 

                                                           Low                  High                 Rainfall

Eagle Island Camp                                13°c                 25°c                 2,5mm

Khwai River Lodge                               12,5°c               28,2°c               5,0mm

Savute Elephant Camp                          9,4°c                28,9°c               43mm

Water Levels
The water is higher this year than last year due to the good rains. The floods have been average but consistent which will allow for good water activities this year and for a longer period. 

Eagle Island Camp - masses of water continue to surround the camp. The water levels still stand at 125 cm, about 25cm higher than the same time in 2005. The water is already in Maun. We anticipate the water going through to Chanoga and hopefully will reach Motopi this year.

Khwai River Lodge - the water level in the Khwai River continues rise. The water from Sable alley has reached the main Khwai River, making the area an Island.

Mammals
Eagle Island Camp -Reports of the high water levels have caused the larger animals to move off to dryer ground and are not seen regularly, but the bird sightings have been amazing as always. Other animals that have been seen are elephant, zebra, impala, red lechwe, hyena and tsesebe. 

The elephants are starting to show interest in the palm fruits. The elephants have shown signs of their interest in the fruits by shaking the palms viciously. We can expect this behaviour to continue into August with elephant regularly coming into camp. 

Khwai River Lodge -It seems that the buffalo are moving out of the Mopane woodland to the north of Khwai, as the small pans of water in the area and the once full Sable Alley dry up. The herd consists of 700 plus animals and as buffalo are water dependent they must be able to drink twice a day. A herd this size therefore needs a stable source. In the past large herds of buffalo have not been a common sight in the area and so this herd has created quite a stir. Other sightings included lion, Leopard, impala, elephant and cheetah.

Savute Elephant Camp - Savuti has also enjoyed an amazing array of mammal sightings, some of these including cheetah, lion, impala, wildebeest, giraffe, black backed jackal and the ever present Elephant Bulls. 

Birds
Eagle Island Camp -Many of the Jackal berry trees are also starting to see fruit and this is another cause of the hub of activity especially around the camp. Very large flocks of wattle cranes of up to 97 birds have been sighted, Wattled starling are also present making for some spectacular viewing. A Giant Eagle owl has made its temporary home tent 8. There have been sightings of Ground Hornbill of 6 six birds at a time, which is not uncommon for these birds as they are normally a breeding pare with a sub adult by their sides.

Khwai River Lodge - Birds sightings at Khwai are good but it seems the water birds are especially making an impression. 

Savute Elephant Camp - The water birds that come to Savute every year to breed have started to move on as the natural water holes dry up, even though the pans are still full for this time of year the area will gradually dry up altogether before the next rains.

Animal of the Month
The Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

I feel the presence of large herds of these animals makes for some spectacular sights and having seen them must surly be an unforgettable experience. It is because of this that I have chosen the Cape buffalo as Orient-Express Safari animal of the month.

Size: Standing around 1,4 meters at the shoulder and with a bull weighing in at around 850 kg, buffalo are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Breeding Behaviour: The gestation period of the buffalo is around 11 months, females usually give birth to one calf in summer. Calves are weaned at around 150 - 200 days after birth.

Feeding Behaviour:  As grass forms the major part of a buffalo's diet these animals enjoy areas were this food source is plentiful. More important to the buffalo however is water, these animals are what is termed water dependant and need to drink at least once if not twice a day.

Difference between Males & Females: Although both animals carry large curved horns, females lack what is called a boss. The boss constitutes a large horn mass on the top of the male's head. Females are also smaller and are not often seen alone or in small groups.