10 November 2014
Route: After
collecting the clients at phalaborwa airport we drove towards mopani rest camp.
General
sightings: Impala, kudu, waterbuck, warthog, steenbok, zebra, common diuker and
giraffe was spotted
Highlights: on
our drive up we came across 3 different herds of Cape buffalo. Great to see
them resting in the heat of the day. 2 large elephant Bulls were busy at a
drainage line throwing water and mud on themselves trying to escape the 42deg
heat.
11 November 2014
Route: decided
to do the shongololo loop, returning to camp for a late breakfast.
The morning
drive was far cooler with mist rain and General game was out enjoying the
cooler weather. We came across our first Impala lamb sighting for the
season and this was really special as it couldn't have been born longer than a
couple of hours (still unstable on its feet).
Further to
this, we just had some great buffalo crossing over the road giving us the
"stare".
Afternoon
drive: the highlight was the 4 adult and 1 calf eland we found. The first in
many years.
12 November 2014 – 13 November 2014
Route: mopani
- S55 - kannidood - shigtwetzi - Punda Tar - crooks corner - Punda Maria -
shingwetzi
General
animals seen: Impala, waterbuck, kudu, tsessebe, zebra, giraffe, hippos,
crocodiles, vervet monkeys, Chackma baboons, bushbuck, Nyala, elephants and
buffalo's.
Highlights: we
found 10 lions feeding on a buffalo they just killed and spent time with this
pride watching the interaction as they all fed. On our return to camp we found
them all lying in the middle of the road Bellies full and panting.
We also found
both the side stripped and black backed jackal and although the side striped
moved off quickly the guest got good photos.
Multiple sighting
of the sharps greysbok was spotted today on our way up to crooks corner.
It was also
great to catch some crested giuneefowl in the Punda Mari camp.
On our return
we also spotted a mating couple of steenbok right next to our car. Great photos
of these.
With so many
unique sightings so far the guest are exited about the rest of the safari as we
still have many days to go.
14 November 2014
Route:
shingwedzi - S56 loop - shingwedzi - S52 - shingwedzi
General
animals seen: Impala, kudu, steenbok, common duiker, zebra, waterbuck, hippos,
crocodiles, buffalo and elephants
Highlights: An
early surprise at the Gora waterhole (3kms from shingwedzi) as we drove in we
found a male cheetah busy drinking water. His belly full after a early morning
kill and fantastic photos could be taken of this brilliant cat as we were the
only one with him for the entire sighting until he moved off into the
mopani thickets. What a start to the day!!
For the
afternoon run it was rather quiet and general game was spotted through the
afternoon. Large herds of elephants enjoy the water as it was a hot afternoon.
On our way to
mopani tomorrow.
15 November 2014 – 19 November 2014
Routes
travelled: Shingwedzi - Mopani - Letaba - Olifants - Satara
General game:
Impala, warthog, steenbok, common diuker, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, blue
wildebeest, kudu, sharps greysbok, klipspringer, Chackma baboons, vervet
monkeys, crocodiles, hippos, dwarf,slender,banded mongoose, reedbok, nyala,
ostrich, tsessebe, bushbuck, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
Highlights:
During our drive down south, we have had some fantastic sightings of massive
herds of buffalo and elephant. Cats have been few and far between however we
found a large pride of Lions at the dam just outside Satara. This brings the
total of lions for the trip to 20 so far.
Another first
for our guests was the honey badger that crossed the road and jumped through
his hole he made in the fence of Satara and as we had just arrived, we decided
to follow him and get some photos of this busy little guy in camp. This was
quiet unusual as we took a "game drive and walk" in camp following
him closely as he inspected every possible crack,corner,bush and building for
something to eat.
Another first
for the guests, while enjoying a afternoon drink was the visit from a female
African wild cat and this turned out to be a photo opportunity of note. We to
followed her and later found her with a cub. Power sighting.
Both Hugh and
Cathy are very happy with the sightings so far as many are very unique and in
no way do they only want to chase the big 5.
I'm sure you
won't believe it cause I can't - we still looking for the illusive leopard.
Maybe more
luck down south!
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