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Some of Nhongo Safaris Fleet of Open Safari Vehicles

The photo shows some of our fleet of Open Safari Vehicles used while on safari in the Kruger National and Hwange National Parks. These ve...

Monday 20 June 2011

Some Photos Taken On The Last Safari To The Kruger National Park.



Kruger Park Open Vehicle Safari with Dottie and Jane from the 16th - 18th June 2011

Dottie and Jane were picked up from the Aero Guesthouse in Kempton Park and transfered to the Numbi Gate were they were met, and after check in procedures were taken down to the camp of Pretoriuskop were they checked in and were given some time to have lunch before leaving on there first game drive. We left camp at 15h00 and made our way in an easterly direction on the napi road. The afternoons game drive was a bit quite with a large herd of buffalo and elephant being seen. We made our way back to camp, arriving at 17h30. Guests got to enjoy a good dinner before making there way back to there bungalow for a good nights rest before leaving early in the morning again.


Guests got up at 05h00, and after enjoying tea and coffee it was out of the camp to see what we could find. After a short distance from the camp we came across some rhino, elephant anfd buffalo and it was not long before we got a female lion walking on the fire break next to our vehicle. We were also concentrating on a lot of the bird species as Jane was an avid birder. 
We made our way down to Nkulu picnic spot to enjoy some breakfast before continuing on to see what we could find. We made our way to the Numbi Gate in order to allow other guests Connie and Theo to get there transport back to Johannesburg before we continued on. We took a break in the middle of the day to have a rest, before going out again from 14h00 as Dottie and Jane were booked on a sunset safari that left the camp at 17h00. After a slow afternoon we got b ack to camp just in time for a toilet break and then it was time for Dottie and Jane to be out on the Sunset Safari. While out on the Sunset Safari, they got to see a good sighting of leopard, rhino, elephant, civet cat and numerous other animal and bird species. Upon the return of the guests, it was off to the restaurant for some good dinner and then off to bed after a long day.


The following morning, it was up early and again after enjoying tea and coffee it was back on the road to find some hippo and crocodile as well as some ground hornbills that Jane wanted to see. We made our way in the direction of Nkulu and managed to find all of what we were looking for. We enjoyed a good breakfast, before making our way back in the direction of the Numbi Gate and the city of Nelspruit, were we changed over from our open safari vehicle and made our way back to Johannesburg and the Aero guesthouse.


The feedback from Dottie and Jane was that they had a wonderful time, got to see all the animals they wanted to see and more as well as got some wonderful photos while on safari. We at Nhongo Safaris would love to see them return to us on  another safari sometime.

Kruger Park Open Vehicle Safari with Carolina, Thierry, Connie and Theo from the 14 - 17 June 2011

We picked up Carolina and Thierry from the Rosebank Hotel and made our way through to Kempton Park and picked up Connie and theo at the Sunrock Guesthouse, before making our way through to Nelspruit were we changed over our vehicle to one of our open safari vehicles. It was then off to the Kruger National Park. We entered the Numbi Gate and after checking in procedures, we made our way down to the camp of Pretoriuskop. After checking in to the accommodation, we gave the guests a chance to have a rest and get some lunch before leaving at 15h00 on there first game drive.


At 15h00 we left the camp after getting to know that there had been a sighting of some lions about thirty kilometers from the camp. We decided to make our way in that direction, and it was not long before we got our first sighting of rhino. We carried on getting other sightings of elephant, impala and kudu before we came around the corner and saw a large number of vehicles in front of us. We approached cautiously and were met with a good sighting of two male lions lions not more than five meters off the road busy sleeping. Visitors kept coming and going, and after being there for almost an hour we took our leave in order to start making our way back in the direction of the camp before the gates closed at 17h30. upon our return journey we came across more impala and kudu as well as some buffalo, this giving the guests good sighting of four of the big 5 on the first afternoons game drive. Upon reaching camp, guests took a well deserved break before making there way to the restaurant for some well deserved dinner. It was then off to bed in order to get up early for the next day. 


The following morning it was up at 05h00 and after enjoying some tea and coffee, it was off out of the camp and onto the road to see what we could find. We made our way down Napi Road and got good sightings of rhino, elephant, and a large number of plains game. We also got to find some hippo and crocodile, before making our way down to Nkulu picnic spot for breakfast. After enjoying a good breakfast it was back onto the open safari vehicle and out to see what we could find. We took a drive up to Jones dam about thirty kilometers away and were greeted by a huge number (about 200) zebra making there way down to the dam to drink, they were also joined by three buffalo bulls. This was really a lovely sight to see. After guests had taken some good photos, it was off back in the direction of Skukuza were the guests could have a good lunch break before continuing. On the return journey we came across some good bird species as well as a large number of vultures have a drink in the Sand River. After lunch we made our way back in the direction of Pretoriuskop, but decided to make a turn in the srea of were there had been lions spotted in the morning. We took a drive the Shebeni link road and instead of finding lions in the area, we came across a cheetah lying on the fire break. This was truly a good find. After the guests had a good sighting and got some pictures, we made our way in the direction of the camp, arriving back at 17h30.
Guests got to enjoy a good dinner and then it was off to bed after a long day on the vehicle.


The following morning it was up early again, and after loading Carolina and thierry's baggage it was out of the camp to see what we could find before taking them to the gate to get there transfer back to Johannesburg. As we turned back onto the Napi Road at 06h05, we came across some lions killing buffalo in front of us on the road. we watched all the action, and as the lions had killed in long grass we listened to them for a long time. We also got to see other lions coming to join in the eating that had been on the opposite side of the road as well as hyena that had smelt what had been going down. After a great sighting, we got to hear of two cheetah walking in the middle of thwe road, so we decided to make our way in that direction. We managed to find the cheetah, but only got a short five minute sighting as there were numerous numbers of vehicles around them and they made there way into the bush. 
We were pushed to make our way back to the camp of Pretoriuskop in order to enjoy breakfast as we had not been able to get to far with all the action going on around us.
After breakfast we took another short drive back to the area of the kill to see if we could see anything, before making our way to the Numbi Gate so that Carolina and Thierry could get there transfer.


After the transfer had left with Carolina and Thierry and dropped off Dottie and Jane we made our way back to the camp of Pretoriuskop for a break before leaving on the afternoon game drive. The afternoon game drive was a bit on the quite side as we only managed to find a large herd of buffalo and some elephant, impala and kudu. It was then back to the camp in order to have dinner before Connie and Theo left on there night safari. At 19h00 Connie and Theo left on there night safari, returning at 21h00 and having seen two good lion sightings, lots of owls as well as other numerous sightings of different species of animals.


The following morning it was up early and after loading the baggage of Connie and Theo it was off to see what there was out there. We got to see good sightings of Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and lion, before making our way to Nkulu picnic spot for breakfast. After having enjoyed breakfast, it was off in the direction of the Numbi Gate to meet there transfer back to Sunrock Guesthouse in Kempton Park.


Feedback was great fromn the guests as they had a wonderful time and got to see and experience a large number of animals. All guests on the safari want to return some time and will be telling a huge number of people about there experience to the Kruger National Park.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Kruger Park Safari with Dennis Wu and Joseph Yeow from the 26th - 29th May 2011

After picking up Dennis and Joseph from their guest house Nhongo Safaris transfer vehicle made it's way in the direction of Nelspruit and the onto the Numbi Gate of the Kruger National Park were Silvano and Laura were waiting to be transfered back to Johannesburg.
After check inn procedure at the Numbi gate it was off to the camp of Pretoriuskop so guests could check inn to there accommodation and have some lunch before departing on the afternoon's game drive.


Guests left on there first game drive at 15h30 and after just a short distance we came across a white rhino walking on the road. We managed to get quite close to him before he realized that we were there he did not seem to worried and quickly went back to eating his grass not two meters away from our vehicle. We carried on with our game drive with good sightings of elephant impala and kudu. We decided to take a drive up to klipspringer kopies were we manged to find the Klipspringer antelope standing on the rocks. It was getting late already and we had to start making our way to camp in order to be back at 17h30. A short distance down the road we came across a national parks vehicle who had found some lions lying close to the road. We decided to join them for a while and enjoy the sighting. We spent quite a time there before deciding that it was time to move out and make our way for the camp, otherwise we would be late for the closing of the gates.


Upon arrival back at camp, guests were quite overwhelmed with what they had seen so far in such a short space of time. Guests enjoyed a good dinner at the camp restaurant, before making there way back to there accommodation for a good nights rest.


Next morning, after packing all the luggage and enjoying some early morning tea and coffee, it was back on the road to find more animals. We drove down the Napi Road on route in the direction of the main camp of Skukuza, and then made our way down to the Nkhulu Picnic spot to enjoy some breakfast. We had had a good morning with good sightings of rhino, elephants, and buffalo. After breakfast, we carried on with our game drives for the day, getting good sightings of Baboon, Ground Hornbills and many other species. We decided to go into the camp of Skukuza at about 14h00, in order to check inn to the guests accommodation and have a bit of a rest, before leaving on a later afternoon game drive as we were looking for a leopard. We left the camp at about 16h00, and immediately got a radio message that a leopard had been spotted on the road to the "Paul Kruger Gate".
We decided to make our way in that direction and see what we could find. When arriving in the area of the sighting, everything had disappeared. We decided to stay in the area for a while as leopards will always come back onto the road, especially late in the afternoon. After a while of driving up and down the area, we managed to find the leopard walking next to the road in the direction of the camp of Skukuza. We followed him for a while until he crossed the road in front of us and made his way into the thick bush were we no longer had anymore sighting of him. We decided to make our way back in the direction of the camp, only to come across a huge hippo standing in the road in front of our vehicle. Another good sighting experienced by all. We made our way back to camp, arriving with just minutes to spare.
After a good dinner guests went to have a good nights rest, before having to leave early in the morning again.


The next morning, it was up early and after enjoying tea and coffee, it was back on the road.
Just outside the camp we came across a leadwood tree with Marabou Stolks standing on the top of it, this made for quite a good photo. We left the sighting and made our way to the Tshokwane road, only to find that lions had killed a buffalo calf not one meter off the road. This was a major sighting, so we decided to sit and see what was going to happen. The traffic started to build around us. we stayed at the sighting for about an hour, and then decided to make our way northwards to the picnic spot of Tshokwane for breakfast. After a good breakfast, we decided to make our way down the H10, this proved to be a quite road and before long we were at the camp of lower sabie. After a rest and toilet stop, we made our way back in the direction of skukuza were the guests had a lunch break, before continuing on to the camp of Pretoriuskop for there final evening. Guests had a good day and after a good dinner and feeling a bit tired they went to bed.


The following morning it was up early for the guests final game drive, very little was seen on the drive as it turned out to be rather cold. We got back to camp at about 09h00 were the guests enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, before departing the park in order to change our vehicle in Nelspruit and then transfer back to Johannesburg.


The guests had a wonderful time, were so happy to have seen the big 5 while on safari in the Kruger National Park. All want to return, and bring more of the family to experience these safaris. 

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Kruger Park Safari with Silvano and Laura Lorenzato from the 22 - 26th May 2011

We picked up the guests from the airport and made our way in an easterly direction from Johannesburg to the city of Nelspruit were we changed our vehicle from a closed mini bus to one of our open safari vehicles.


We made our way from Nelspruit through the little town of "White River" and on the the Numbi Gate of the Kruger National Park. After check inn procedures we made our way down the road to the camp that would be home for the next four nights. After checking in to the camp of Pretoriuskop we had a break in order to get some lunch before departing on the guests first game drive.


We left the camp at 15h00 and made our way down the Napi road as there was a good sighting of leopard that had been seen on the road earlier in the day. Our first sighting that we came across was a good sighting of rhino walking along the road this guy allowed us to get quite  close to him. We traveled on and after seeing some good kudu and impala with a distant sighting of elephant we got into the srea were the leopard had been seen. We slowed down in order to see if he was not in the same tree as earlier but he had already left. we traveled a bit further down the road, and all of a sudden we spotted the leopard walking on the fire break busy marking his Territory. We followed him for a while and saw that he was coming closer to the road. We managed to watch this leopard for quite a time as he walked right next to our vehicle for about one kilometer. A truly wonderful sighting experienced by all.


It was then back to camp as the gates close at 17h30 during the months of winter. After guests had a good meal it was off to bed for another early start in the morning.


Guests got up early and after enjoying some tea and coffe it was off out of camp and onto the road to see what we could find. It was not long, before we ran into a good rhino sighting on the exit road to the boulder. We carried on and ran into some elephant impala kudu klipspringer and a good ground hornbill sighting.



We then made our way in the direction of Nkulu picnic spot for breakfast. After a good breakfast we got a message on the radio of some lions that had been spotted at the Mantimahle Dam, so we decided to take a ride in that direction. We manged to get to the dam still in time to get a good sighting of two lionesses and there cubs, although this was not for long as they were looking for a cooler place to rest a the day got hotter. It was not long before they made off under the trees and we decided to make our way to the camp of Skukuza for a break. Eralier I had heard of a double leopard sighting in the area of the Mutlumuvi bridge on route back to skukuza so decided to check this out only to arrive on the scene with two leopards lying under the tree in the grass. 
Although the sighting was a little difficult guests still got to enjoy the sighting. After a while there was quite a build up of traffic, so we decided to take our leave of the sighting and make our way to the camp. On route to the camp, we came across a nice sighting of "Ground Hornbills" in  the tree.


After a good break at the camp we made our way back to the camp for a good rest, before going out on another game drive later in the afternoon. Good sighting of elephant, rhino, impala and waterbuck were seen. Guests had a good dinner, and then were off to bed after a long day looking at all the animals.


The following day, it was up early and after again enjoying some early morning tea and coffee it was back on the road to see what we could find. On the morning drive on route to breakfast, we came across Elephant, Rhino, Watwerbuck, Serval Cat, Blackbacked Jackal, Klipspringer and many others. A we got closer to breakfast, we came across two lionesses and one male lion in the road in front of our vehicle on the tar road this was a very unexpected sighting, as nobody knew them to be there. After we had finished on the sighting and the lions had moved off we made our way back to camp in order for the guests to have a rest, before going out in the afternoon. the afternoon drive saw many good sightings of general game around the camp of Pretoriuskop. A good dinner was enjoyed by all, before going off to bed for a good nights rest.


The following day saw us still looking for the elusive buffalo, but taking a drive down by the Sabie river, it was not long before we had many good sightings of them. Guests also got to see three more sightings of leopard as well as good sightings of Elephant, rhino and lion.


The following day was the final early morning game drive, before guests would be picked up and transfered back to Johannesburg. Not much was seen on this drive, as it was a cold morning with only sightings of impala, kudu and waterbuck being enjoyed. After a good breakfast, it was off to the Numbi Gate to meet the  transfer vehicle with it's destination being Johannesburg.


Upon saying "Goodbye" to the guests, the feedback from them was that they really enjoyed themselves, they got to see good sightings of numerous animals and also although being on honeymoon also learnt a lot about our African Wildlife. The guests want to come back, but also have friends that will be joining us in August for a safari to the Kruger National Park