On Safari With Curtis From 16 March 2014

16 March 2014

The start of a new tour and after picking up my guests from Nelspruit we headed down to Numbi and Nkambeni Lodge, after checking in we started our first safari, Leaving the lodge we came across the resident Impala and Kudu before we even got through Numbi gate, we then headed down Numbi tar and around Shabeni loop. We found more Impala and then a lone White Rhino, just a few metres from the road and in the clear for everyone to have a good look. Carrying on we also found a small group of Cape Buffalo sitting, on the rocks, enjoying the afternoon sun.

We carried on down Shabeni link which was very quiet and then as we got to the junction I was about to turn right when I noticed a car had stopped and was looking at something on the left. We took a quick detour and found a beautiful Cheetah sitting out in the open on the rocks. We stayed with him for quite a while and then decided to move on. We had a brief glimpse of a family of Dwarf Mongoose, as they scurried across the road and out of sight, as well as a pod of Hippo in the water and then a family group of Zebra along with more Impala.

A short drive this afternoon but a very good start to the tour.

 

17 March 2014

An early start for two of my guests as they had a bushwalk in Kruger this morning. Although a fairly quiet walk in respect of mammals, with just Impala, Zebra and Warthog seen, both Melanie and Will enjoyed the experience of being on feet in the bush.

The rest of group went out on a drive and we headed down Albasini and Doispane spotting Zebra, Impala, Kudu, Elephant, Warthog and a large herd of Buffalo. As we headed down we found more Impala as well as Hippo, Wildebeest, Rhino, a couple of Tree Squirrel, Waterbuck and a Crocodile at the dam.

In the afternoon 6 of the guests went on their Sundowner drive (more details about that tomorrow) and I went to meet two new guests who are joining us. After settling in at the camp we went for a short drive and found Impala, Kudu, Waterbuck and Vervet Monkeys.

 

18 March 2014

This morning we took a turn around Shabeni loop before taking a drive down Napi, during this time we spotted Cape Buffalo, Klipspringer, Impala, Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeest, Warthog and Waterbuck. As we neared Transport dam we came to a group of cars, we had apparently just missed a Leopard sighting by a couple of minutes. We hung around in the hope that it would reappear, but it didn't. This was to be the first of three missed sighting of Leopard today. We did however spot a family of Elephants in the bush and we waited while they slowly progressed towards the road. They eventually crossed over in front of us, several females and three very young calves. We also found a Hyena pup just sitting outside it's den before we returned to camp. Then it was time to say goodbye to four of my guests as they headed down to Cape Town to carry on their holidays.

In the afternoon the remaining guests and I went on a short drive where we found some very vocal and active Hippos at Mestel Dam and then Warthog, Impala, Kudu and Cape Buffalo around Shabeni. We then had our first sighting of Giraffe, for this tour, quite far in the bush. We then carried on and found a Journey of Giraffe, further along the road, about 10 in total all close to the road and out in the open which made for a lovely viewing. We then made our way back to camp where the ever present Impalas were happily blocking the road to the lodge.

 

More coming soon!