On Safari With Mark From 11 June 2014

11 June 2014

Route: Albaseni – Shabeni loop - Fiaya loop - Napi - Napi boulders - Nkambeni

General animals seen: impala, warthog, kudu, waterbuck, hippos, giraffe, steenbok, elephant, rhino and buffalo

Highlights: on our morning run we were very fortunate to find a serval cat walking in the road as we approached the shabeni koppies. We couldn't get great photos though due to it moving off into the bush before cameras were ready.

On our afternoon ride we found 2 honey badgers digging in a rhino midden. We got great photos of these two and guests loved the activity of both.

We hope to find some lions and leopards tomorrow.

 

12 June 2014

Route: most of the travels on safari have covered the roads south of skukuza

Camps visited were: Skukuza, Lower sabi, Bergendal and Afsaal

General animals seen: impala, kudu, zebra, warthog, common Rheedbuck, bushbuck, waterbuck, steenbok, common duiker, klipspringer, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, rhino, chackma baboons, vervet monkeys, slender, dwarf and banded mongoose

Highlights: on our return to camp along Napi, we spotted a young male leopards on the side of the road. We got great photos as he moved towards us and then crossed over the road very casually.

Seems like he was in a fight as he had two wounds on either side of his rump. All healing though.

 

13 June 2014

Camps visited were: Skukuza, Lower sabi, Bergendal and Afsaal

General animals seen: impala, zebra, warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck, steenbok, common duiker, klipspringer, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, rhino, chackma baboons, vervet monkeys, slender, dwarf mongoose.

Highlights: In the afternoon, we had a mating couple of lions on Doispan. Although guests could see them, they weren't good photo opportunities as they were hidden from the long grass on the shoulder of the road.

 

14 June 2014

Camps visited were: Skukuza, Lower sabi, Bergendal and Afsaal

General animals seen: impala, kudu, zebra, warthog, common Rheedbuck, bushbuck, waterbuck, steenbok, common duiker, klipspringer, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, rhino, chackma baboons, vervet monkeys, dwarf mongoose

Highlights: A early morning surprise as we drove along the Albaseni, we found 7 lions walking towards us on the road. As we pulled off the guests had ample time for photos. Two of the males walked up a termite mound and lay down staring directly at us. Guests were happy.

 

15 June 2014

Camps visited were: Skukuza, Lower sabi, Bergendal and Afsaal

General animals seen: impala, kudu, zebra, warthog, waterbuck, steenbok, common duiker, klipspringer, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, rhino, chackma baboons, vervet monkeys.

Highlights: On 2 different occasions we found solitary saddle billed stalks spending g time on the side of running water. Great to see them as they are so scarce.

In general, the sightings have been acceptable as the increase in tragic due to a public holiday on Monday has sure had an impact.

We leave tomorrow looking for a leopard for the last 2 people that joined me.

 

Keep watching for more!