16 September 2014
Today we set out with a magnificent sunrise coating the
African bush! There is a road nearby called napi which is known for either
brilliant sightings or nothing at all. When we had sighted elephant and buffalo
by 6:30am I had a feeling Napi was going to cook! Sure as nuts we came across a
pride of lions near the flat rocks and a male leopard 5m from the road. On route
we also came across a herd of 30 sable antelope. The napi for today was
absolutely brilliant!
On the tonight’s sunset drive my group became one step
closer to seeing the magnificent 7 with a fantastic sighting of wild dogs! They
also got magnificent lions, elephant, rhino, buffalo and honey badger.
It was a spectacular day to say the least!
17 September 2014
Today we set out with positive attitudes all around. My
guests have had excellent luck so far. We picked up rhino, one herd of
elephants and two big herds of buffalo. Just before transport dam turn off we
caught a glimpse of a male leopard disappearing behind a rocky outcrop. Close
by a female was spotted on a termite mound. After a brief stop for panoramic
photos from matikinyani hill we set down towards waterhole road. Lone behold a
young male leopard was spotted deep in some thick bush but good visuals! At the
waterhole a friend of mind told me about a leopard lying on the dam wall. This
was our best leopard sighting of the day as he was a majestic male and
extremely relaxed! He spent so much time licking and cleaning himself and
watching hornbills up above. To top it all a herd of elephant approached him
and he didn’t even budge! Instead he got up and sneaked up towards the back end
of the elephant herd. We watched this magnificent cat for over two hours and
only got back to camp at 14:30.
18 September 2014
The past two days we again picked up the big 5 and then had
some excitement dodging wild flames from out of control fires on the way back
to camp in the evening. A total of 65 birds were spotted on this trip and some
superb flight patterns observed of Tawny, Bateleur and Martial eagles flying
above us.
19 September 2014
Today we saw excellent lion on the move and brilliant
buffalo and elephant. However the sighting of the day was a pigmy kingfisher
catching a fish in front of us! I said goodbye to my three guests today and
they will no doubt be back soon!!
I met new guests this afternoon and we set out on a
afternoon drive. We picked up some zebra, buffalo and giraffe before making our
way back to camp.
20 September 2014
Today we set off in cooler weather however the first hour
was very quiet. Then it started to pick up we spotted 4 of the big 5 including
a herd of elephant with youngsters drinking for ages. Later we were lucky with
two more sightings of leopard and a magnificent sable bull in a open area.
Travelling back along albasini road we came across three huge elephant bulls
stationed on the road.
We were happy with what we had achieved for the day.
21 September 2014
This morning we set
out in freezing weather and saw the resident buffalo herd sleeping close
together only 5m off the road. We proceeded on where we had an incredible
encounter with 6 rhino surrounding our vehicle! A radio call came in directing
us to a male leopard stretching out on a open
sand bank. Traversing to Skukuza for lunch another leopard crossed the
road in front of us! After an early lunch we took the sabie river road which
was pumping with elephant everywhere. Another radio call came through and we
arrived just in time to see a male impala being taken down by a male leopard.
The views we got of the sighting were truly phenomenal. Close to lower sabie we
picked up three male lions on the hunt in the river bed. After lunch on route
back to camp the elephant and buffalo sightings continued to be epic! At the
end we had a great sighting of our local ‘White buffalo”.
At the end one client said to me “Robbie this cant get
better” my reply was “we will see what tomorrow brings”.
22 September 2014
Setting out today my two honeymooner guests asked me if
things could get better than yesterday? My reply was “I really don’t know” but
inside I knew it would be a tough act to follow.
Things were good in the morning with great sightings of
elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and kudu.
Leaving after lunch the action picked up with a rhino
territory marking right in front of us. Once on river road our luck kicked in
with a rare sighting of a male leopard and a female lion within 200m of each
other having a face off! The lioness on closer observation was seen to be
heavily pregnant. Leaving the face off we encountered a herd of about 40
elephant crossing the road as well as four brilliant rhino sightings and two
huge pods of sunbathing hippos.
We stopped at Matikanyani hill for some honeymoon shots
which were classic with perfect lighting.
Kruger had touched my two guest like nothing else could!
Their cherry on top was a pride of lions rising up from the days sleep and
becoming mobile next to our vehicle but all was not done when out of the blue
two parent rhinos and their tiny baby crossed the road in front of us.
My guests were very pleased and said “I think this beats
yesterday!!” I smiled and replied “I think you are right!”
More coming soon!!
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