Kruger National Park Day Safari with Mr and Mrs Burgoyne on the 28th January 2010

Total Open Safari Vehicles in the  park – 06
Total Rubber Ducks in the park – 01

Take it you all know by now that the rubber duck was driven by me.

We entered Numbi gate at 13h40, and as it was an afternoon drive exiting again at Numbi gate, my route planned was Albasini – Doispan – Waterhole – Napi and back out. Depending on animal sightings we would expect to exit at approximately 17h30.

The first 30min on our journey, felt like a rain cloud followed us as we drove along. We were like “die hard Lion hunters” as I had raised the sides of the vehicle. After all, my guests had paid for an OPEN SAFARI VEHICLE experience in the Kruger.

Although the rain was falling, we had some very good sightings of general game (Giraffe, Impala, Waterbuck and Kudu).
As we approached the 6.2kms mark past Mestel dam, lying in a mud bath, 3 white rhino (2 adults and a young calf). Brilliant visual as they were approximately 30m off the road in the open. You won’t believe it but 5m from them on the trunk of a dead Marula tree stood the fastest land mammal with 4 legs. “Cheetah” and everyone changed their focus from horned beasts to a very special cat.  She allowed us to take a couple of photo’s and then gracefully climbed down and was lost among the tall yellow thatch grass.

Further in (App 100m) we saw the Cape Buffalo standing there just doing what they do well (Chewing the cud). After spending some time providing my guests with info on all the animals, I turned on the vehicle and pulled away slowly.

My wheels had completed a full revolution, when once again I had to stop as an old Elephant Bull politely walked out in front of the vehicle. Greeted us with the usual sniff and head shake and continued on his merry way past us.

I wondered if we, were going to get to drive the entire route, or should we just sit in one place and wait for the animals to come to us.

Most of my route had regular sightings of general game. However not much luck with any other Cats today. Time caught us unfortunately and we had to move along swiftly.

We got to exit the park just after 18h00 and while packing the goggles and snorkels away, all of us agreed that a rainy day in Kruger, beats the best day in the office.
 
Until Sunday my animal friends, It definitely

Good night, God bless, good-by

Mark
Senior Nhongo Safaris Guide