Lake Masek in January ‘better than the Great Migration’

By Terry Brownbill

Cheetahs seen at Lake Masek

It is where wildebeest, hartebeest, zebra and lions congregate in vast numbers to give birth in anticipation of the Great Migration, which begins sometime in April/May depending on the weather.

The exclusive eco Lake Masek Tented Camp has been open for just a year and the 20 tents overlooking the soda lake are stunningly luxurious. The wonderful food and cheerful staff at this secluded camp were exceptional.

In January and February the camp is surrounded by millions of animals. It is truly awe-inspiring to see lines of wildebeest stretching across the horizon in every direction.

A cheetah teaching its young to hunt

With such concentrations of animals, the opportunity to see predators in action on our doorstep was a daily spectacle. On our first game drive we saw seven cheetahs, which included a mother and three adolescent cubs being given a lesson in hunting. This consisted of mum catching, but not killing, a Thompson’s gazelle and then letting it go for her cubs to chase and dispatch, which they did within 10 metres of our vehicle after a prolonged chase (see pictures).

Lions learning to climb trees

We spent a marvellous few hours watching a group of more than 10 bat-eared foxes playing and sunning themselves. A rare treat indeed as they are normally nocturnal. We were also lucky to be able to watch two rare and secretive honey badgers.

We were spectators to a running battle over three days between a pack of 13 hyenas and a pride of three female lions and three adolescents. We were privileged to witness lions learning to climb trees – the first time they had been seen doing so in the area. Initially, they fled up trees with hyenas snapping at their heels, but over a five-day period we photographed them becoming increasingly accomplished tree-climbers (see pictures).

Hyenas spotted at Lake Masek

The Lake Masek area is the ideal place to see millions of animals gathering for the Great Migration. The wildlife spectacle is every bit as impressive as the migration itself, perhaps even more so because we had it pretty much to ourselves. Lake Masek in January is also a wonderful place to escape the winter in North America and Europe.

Terry will be joining forces with artist Martin Aveling to guide our Painting Safari which runs from June 23rd – July 5th 2011. There are still places left on this special safari, so if you'd like to develop your artistic talents in some of Africa's most inspiring settings, please get in touch. For more details, click here.