8 November 2014
Today we set out in cold weather heading for Kruger on
arrival the weather warmed up and soon my two guests were on a sunset drive
where they saw some excellent buffalo, elephant and a honey badger.
9 November 2014
Today we set out in literally sweltering conditions however
we just missed leopard but managed to spot two lion pride sightings where both
prides were good visuals and on the move. General game has also been great.
10 November 2014
Today by 8am it was already 30 degrees! Sightings were
scarce until we got to the H3 where we saw elephant, buffalo and lion all
within 5km of each other. The elephants were busy chasing a large herd of
giraffe who were in their browsing path. On the way back to camp we saw various
elephant herds with numerous calves playing and sticking close to mom.
This afternoon was quiet until we had a stampede from a herd
of buffalo coming at us from nowhere on faya loop. Elephants sightings were
prolific on camp road as well. Tomorrow we set out looking for the elusive
cats. Hope the rain ceases.
11 November 2014
Today we set out in a temperature drop of 22 degrees. It was
rather quiet until a call came through on the radio that there were mating
lions near the causeway in watergat. Our luck was in as when we got there they
moved to an open area a couple of meters from our vehicle and they mated 3
times for us. The male lion was a prize
specimen with long black mane… truly fantastic!! On this closing morning drive we also saw
buffalo, elephant, giraffe, Zebra, dwarf mongoose and 3 raptor species. The guests left in good spirits and new
people arrive this afternoon.
Setting out with my
new guests we had a cracker of an afternoon with incredible sightings of rhino,
buffalo and elephant close up. We took a chance with the mating pair of lions
again and were in luck there again with the couple mating 3 times close to us.
We also came across 2 newly born impala calves as well as a hyena den with 5
newly born pups. It seems like my
Californian couple have brought a lot of luck with them!
12 November 2014
Today we spent quality time with rhino, buffalo and
elephant.. taking 6 hours to do 65km. the interaction and feeding behavior we
observed was unbelievable. We watched young male elephants digging for bulbs,
only to be surprised by a larger bull who stole his prize feast. This time
spent with animals is priceless as most vehicles leave the location too early.
Tonight my guests are on a sunset drive so holding thumbs
for them!!
13 November 2014
Today turned out to be in my opinion one of the best safaris
ever.. We were first at tourism control, entering Numbi gate at 5:39am.. Our
first sighting was a herd of 24 sable antelope (not seen often). On shabeni loop
we got a beautiful herd of breeding elephants mobile with the great morning sun
as a backdrop. On fayi loop we picked up a lovely herd of southern reedbuck as
well as a buffalo herd of 100 plus strong. Later whilst watching a dung –beetle
perform a call came in on the radio that a male cheetah was nearby on
albasini.. Our luck wasn’t with us as we missed the spectacular cat, but we had
no idea of what was install for us later in the day!
Setting out on a long game drive at 11:00am as we headed
along napi where we got excellent
sightings of elephant and buffalo. We picked up a male lion lying down in some
cool damp river sand but was a excellent visual. Later around Skukuza we had
some brilliant sightings of nyala, bushbuck, vervet monkeys and baboons. I had
told my guests there were two cats I was holding thumbs for (Leopard and
cheetah), as soon as the words left my mouth we were the only vehicle to spot a
majestic male leopard who crossed the road attempting to stalk some female
kudu. After a missed attempt and visual began to fade we proceeded to lake
panic in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees!
Lake panic was full of action with my guests getting a superb shot of a
Malachite kingfisher going deep at a yellow tailed fish for the kill!
We then proceeded down river road where buffalo and elephant
were in abundance as well as zebra and giraffe. Going up river link we came
across a incredible sighting of two cheetah who were walking parallel to the
road and on the hunt! They also scent marked and were exactly 5m from us on
many occasions. Our wish had come true!! We had the two elusive cats!
On doispan we came across 4 of 5 of the big 5 in 10km.. The
day was simple beyond belief but as they say its never over till the fat lady
sings and incredibly we picked up another male cheetah which performed for us
for over 3km, scent marking, climbing trees, calling and stretching.
My two guests summed up the day by saying.. “this has been
our greatest vacation ever!!”
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