Verity and Dean Cherry had an African dream in 1999 and started Nhongo Safaris® to eliminate the logistical challenges of international visitors on safari. We provide a once in a lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiast that demand quality overnight safaris in South Africa and most particularly the Kruger National Park. We want to enrich our visitors’ experience by providing Luxury Safari Packages or African Safari Holidays and maintain our position as leader in Kruger Park Safaris.
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Some of Nhongo Safaris Fleet of Open Safari Vehicles
The photo shows some of our fleet of Open Safari Vehicles used while on safari in the Kruger National and Hwange National Parks. These ve...
Friday, 23 May 2014
Certificate Of Excellence 2014 Winner
Nhongo Safaris is the Certificate of Excellence 2014 Winner. We would like to thank everyone for their support in our family run business. We love what we do and it wouldn't be possible without all of your support. Thank you!!!
PoachersUpdate - SAPS APPREHENDS SUSPECTED POACHERS.
22 May 2014: SANParks today congratulated the SAPS who intercepted a group of suspected poachers who were on their way to the iconic Kruger National Park, possibly to illegally hunt rhino.
The suspect’s vehicle was spotted by the SAPS on the N4 who followed the car to the Malelane main gate and managed to stop it.
Four male suspects who were ...in the car were arrested, a .303 hunting rifle, nine rounds of ammunition and poaching equipment was seized. The car in which they were driving in was also confiscated as it could help in further investigations. There is a strong suspicion that the group might be responsible for other poaching incidents in the KNP, including the rhino at Phabeni that was left alive after its horns were hacked off.
The four suspects are in custody while the police continue with their investigations.
In a separate incident, Crocodile Bridge Rangers made contact with a group of three suspected poachers earlier this morning. Two of the suspects were fatally wounded in the ensuing shootout and one managed to escape. A hunting rifle, a pair of horns and poaching equipment was seized.
The arrests bring to 57 the number of people arrested in connection with poaching this year, with the KNP having lost 266 animals
Enquiries: Ike Phaahla: Media Specialist, Tel:012 426 5315 Cell :083 673 6974 or Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org
The suspect’s vehicle was spotted by the SAPS on the N4 who followed the car to the Malelane main gate and managed to stop it.
Four male suspects who were ...in the car were arrested, a .303 hunting rifle, nine rounds of ammunition and poaching equipment was seized. The car in which they were driving in was also confiscated as it could help in further investigations. There is a strong suspicion that the group might be responsible for other poaching incidents in the KNP, including the rhino at Phabeni that was left alive after its horns were hacked off.
The four suspects are in custody while the police continue with their investigations.
In a separate incident, Crocodile Bridge Rangers made contact with a group of three suspected poachers earlier this morning. Two of the suspects were fatally wounded in the ensuing shootout and one managed to escape. A hunting rifle, a pair of horns and poaching equipment was seized.
The arrests bring to 57 the number of people arrested in connection with poaching this year, with the KNP having lost 266 animals
Enquiries: Ike Phaahla: Media Specialist, Tel:012 426 5315 Cell :083 673 6974 or Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Poachers Update
Renewed call on Non-Profit Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and individuals involved in Rhino Projects and fundraising to provide details to Department of Environmental Affairs.
All Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), Non-Governm...ent Organisations (NGOs), businesses and individuals involved in fighting rhino poaching are requested to submit information about their work to the Department of Environmental Affairs by 30 June 2014.
The renewed call to organisations and individuals to provide details about their initiatives to the Department follows a registration drive launched in September 2013 during which 156 NGOs and NPOs registered their projects.
The initiative is one of numerous steps being taken to rid the sector of illegitimate and ill-intended operations in an effort to ensure that monies collected in the name of rhino poaching are utilised correctly.
The continuous concern by government and members of the public about the increase in rhino poaching has resulted in an increase in the number of private individuals and organisations becoming involved in the fight against rhino poaching. This has included raising public awareness; the collection of funds to fight the scourge of poaching within national, provincial and private game reserves in South Africa; and the development and implementation of projects relating to rhino conservation and safety and security.
Under the present system, NGOs and NPOs are required to register with government through the Department of Social Development. The failure of organisations or individuals to submit annual audited reports results in the de-registration of such bodies from the Social Development database, but some continue operating despite deregistration. The Department and rhino industry stakeholders have also expressed concern about the increase in illegitimate operations.
The total number of rhinos poached in South Africa since January 2014 has increased to 402, while number of people arrested for rhino poaching-related offences has climbed to 115.
The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa with 266 rhinos killed for their horns so far this year. Of the total number of rhinos poached, 41 rhinos have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal, 39 in Limpopo and 26 in North West.
All NPOs, NGOs, organisations and individuals involved in raising awareness or funding to address rhino poaching are requested to email the name of the organisation, contact details and full details relating to the project / initiative / intervention to Ms Olga Kumalo via e-mail: okumalo@environment.gov.za
South Africans are encouraged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
All Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), Non-Governm...ent Organisations (NGOs), businesses and individuals involved in fighting rhino poaching are requested to submit information about their work to the Department of Environmental Affairs by 30 June 2014.
The renewed call to organisations and individuals to provide details about their initiatives to the Department follows a registration drive launched in September 2013 during which 156 NGOs and NPOs registered their projects.
The initiative is one of numerous steps being taken to rid the sector of illegitimate and ill-intended operations in an effort to ensure that monies collected in the name of rhino poaching are utilised correctly.
The continuous concern by government and members of the public about the increase in rhino poaching has resulted in an increase in the number of private individuals and organisations becoming involved in the fight against rhino poaching. This has included raising public awareness; the collection of funds to fight the scourge of poaching within national, provincial and private game reserves in South Africa; and the development and implementation of projects relating to rhino conservation and safety and security.
Under the present system, NGOs and NPOs are required to register with government through the Department of Social Development. The failure of organisations or individuals to submit annual audited reports results in the de-registration of such bodies from the Social Development database, but some continue operating despite deregistration. The Department and rhino industry stakeholders have also expressed concern about the increase in illegitimate operations.
The total number of rhinos poached in South Africa since January 2014 has increased to 402, while number of people arrested for rhino poaching-related offences has climbed to 115.
The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa with 266 rhinos killed for their horns so far this year. Of the total number of rhinos poached, 41 rhinos have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal, 39 in Limpopo and 26 in North West.
All NPOs, NGOs, organisations and individuals involved in raising awareness or funding to address rhino poaching are requested to email the name of the organisation, contact details and full details relating to the project / initiative / intervention to Ms Olga Kumalo via e-mail: okumalo@environment.gov.za
South Africans are encouraged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
On Safari With Mark From 16 May 2014
16 May 2014
Route: Napi - Doispan - Albaseni - Shabeni loop - Fiaya loop
- Nkambeni
General animals seen: impala, warthog, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, rhino, elephant, common Rheedbuck, hippos and waterbuck
Highlights:
General animals seen: impala, warthog, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, rhino, elephant, common Rheedbuck, hippos and waterbuck
Highlights:
On the morning drive we came across a serval cub 100m from
napi on the Voortrekker link road. Sad to say, but it seemed it wasn't doing
well and rejected by mom as it was all alone. We spent some time with it and
although it was alone, it seemed it had sufficient energy to come strolling
next to the car and investigate what we were all about. Guests got good photos
of this small and amazing cat and once everyone was happy to see it we moved on
with the game drive towards skukuza for a coffee break.
Further to this, the day’s game viewing was rather quiet and nothing else spectacular happened to report on.
We hope for a much better day tomorrow
Further to this, the day’s game viewing was rather quiet and nothing else spectacular happened to report on.
We hope for a much better day tomorrow
17 May 2014
Route: Napi - Watergat - River road - Albaseni - Nkambeni
General animals seen: impala, waterbuck, hippos, warthog, common duiker, vervet monkeys, chackma baboons, zebra, giraffe, elephant and rhinos
Highlights: Although the day was very quiet for us, we managed to find a male cheetah walking on the road approximately 1kms from Doispan on the Albaseni. It seemed that he was starting a hunt as all focus was on a herd of impala in the distance. As he moved off, we lost visual due to the tall grass, however guests were pleased to have spotted their first cat on safari and have some amazing photos of this wonderful animal.
Tomorrow we try for Lions and Leopards.
General animals seen: impala, waterbuck, hippos, warthog, common duiker, vervet monkeys, chackma baboons, zebra, giraffe, elephant and rhinos
Highlights: Although the day was very quiet for us, we managed to find a male cheetah walking on the road approximately 1kms from Doispan on the Albaseni. It seemed that he was starting a hunt as all focus was on a herd of impala in the distance. As he moved off, we lost visual due to the tall grass, however guests were pleased to have spotted their first cat on safari and have some amazing photos of this wonderful animal.
Tomorrow we try for Lions and Leopards.
18 May 2014
Route: Napi - H3 - Afsaal - H3 - Doispan - Albaseni -
Nkambeni
General animals seen: impala, waterbuck, kudu, warthog, common duiker, giraffe, zebra, hippos, Nile crocodile, buffalo, elephant, rhino, vervet monkeys and chackma baboons.
Highlights: a large breeding herd of elephant was spotted on the H3 7kms from afsaal. Guests love watching this herd edge closer to the road, eventually being led by the bull in full musth across, where guests could get great photos of this herd together.
No cats spotted for us today.
General animals seen: impala, waterbuck, kudu, warthog, common duiker, giraffe, zebra, hippos, Nile crocodile, buffalo, elephant, rhino, vervet monkeys and chackma baboons.
Highlights: a large breeding herd of elephant was spotted on the H3 7kms from afsaal. Guests love watching this herd edge closer to the road, eventually being led by the bull in full musth across, where guests could get great photos of this herd together.
No cats spotted for us today.
19 May 2014
Route: Napi - Doispan - Albaseni - Fiay loop - Nkambeni
General animals seen: the same as above with the exception of steenbok and common Rheedbuck
Highlights: on Napi we found a sable bull and spent time with him as he contemplated the cross over the road. After a while he walked out in full view of all guests and we all got excellent photos.
Down the road we found a single male wild dog running down the road calling for the rest of the pack. We turned the car around and followed him as he searched. After a couple of minutes he turned off into thick bush and we lost sight of him.
Still down napi we found 3 male cheetah walking next to the road scent marking their territory. We also spent time with them enjoying the view and taking many different photos of these beautiful cats. Although still no lions all the guests enjoyed the sightings we had today.
General animals seen: the same as above with the exception of steenbok and common Rheedbuck
Highlights: on Napi we found a sable bull and spent time with him as he contemplated the cross over the road. After a while he walked out in full view of all guests and we all got excellent photos.
Down the road we found a single male wild dog running down the road calling for the rest of the pack. We turned the car around and followed him as he searched. After a couple of minutes he turned off into thick bush and we lost sight of him.
Still down napi we found 3 male cheetah walking next to the road scent marking their territory. We also spent time with them enjoying the view and taking many different photos of these beautiful cats. Although still no lions all the guests enjoyed the sightings we had today.
More coming soon!!
Monday, 19 May 2014
On Safari With Karen From 14 May 2014
14 May 2014
Last night after dinner we did some stargazing, slightly
hindered by the bright full moon. Amongst other we saw Mars and the Southern
Cross before bedtime, to be woken up the next morning by a concert of howling
hyenas, roaring lions and the climax of a pearl spotted owlet.
We drove out of Satara at daybreak, spotting a group of wildebeest right outside the gate. Trying to locate the lions we heard, but then suddenly were silent for a while already, we turned onto the S100. We didn't spot any lions however, but a hyena was walking in the road until it spotted the cars. It turned into the grass and when we got to the spot three seconds later it had completely disappeared. It was a rather quiet start with some more wildebeest, a small herd of buffalos, baboons, impalas and a couple of zebras far away.
We turned onto the S41 and arrived at a giraffe training centre. Or that is what it looked like. There were about thirteen giraffes, all practising their fighting moves in four different spots. While we watch for more than half an hour more giraffes kept on coming into the open spot, joining in those training fights. When we left most of them had a break and were feeding of the acacias.
We drove to the Guzman waterhole on the way spotting African hawk eagles, wooly necked storks, more wildebeest, waterbucks, plenty of Swainson's spurfowl, crested francolins and guineafowls. As we started to get a bit hungry we decided to go the same way back, which was shorter and we'd been driving quite slow.
On the way back though, there was a lot more activity. Shortly after being back on the road we spotted a black-backed jackal that had been lying in the shade and spooked by us got up and crossed the road in front of us. From a distance he kept on watching us, so we could snap some pictures. Then he walked to a different shady spot, turned on the spot and flopped down instantly hidden out of sight.
We saw plenty of zebra harems, a bull elephant, a daggaboy and a steenbok startled us by running away out of a bush right next to the road. At Nsasane causeway we spotted two youngish crocodiles going into the water and a third one, which was very little, was lying on the sandbank. On the other side of the causeway two hippos were resting with their heads above the water. Then we spend over an hour watching a large herd of elephants playing in the water until the matriarch let them to the opposite side to start feeding again. It looked like they were having so much fun we almost wanted to join in.
With stomachs grumbling we continued, but still stopped for 4 male ostrich, multiple zebra sightings and more wildebeest. Then we finally had our long overdue breakfast while the outdoor tables of the restaurant were burglarised by vervet monkeys, stealing the sugar sachets. All in all a very good morning, well worth a late breakfast!
In the afternoon we took it slow again down Satara road with a loop going past Girivana Dam and Nsemani Dam. We spotted lots of giraffes again, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, but also kudus and watebuck. At Girivana Dam two Burchell's starlings gave a load concert while watching zebras drink and a crocodile sunning himself.
We spotted our first white rhino! As it looked like it wanted to cross the road we waited patiently and silently behind a bush till all the other cars cleared off. Once silence had returned the rhino came closer and indeed crossed the road at ease right in front of our car, brilliant sighting! A little further on we stopped four giraffes feeding on the side of the road. While looking at the giraffes at the same spot more giraffes, zebras and warthog showed up and all crossed the road behind us too.
At Nsemani Dam we sat for a while watching the hippos wake up and play and a crocodile floated by. We returned to Satara very satisfied with today's sightings and there will be more to come!
We drove out of Satara at daybreak, spotting a group of wildebeest right outside the gate. Trying to locate the lions we heard, but then suddenly were silent for a while already, we turned onto the S100. We didn't spot any lions however, but a hyena was walking in the road until it spotted the cars. It turned into the grass and when we got to the spot three seconds later it had completely disappeared. It was a rather quiet start with some more wildebeest, a small herd of buffalos, baboons, impalas and a couple of zebras far away.
We turned onto the S41 and arrived at a giraffe training centre. Or that is what it looked like. There were about thirteen giraffes, all practising their fighting moves in four different spots. While we watch for more than half an hour more giraffes kept on coming into the open spot, joining in those training fights. When we left most of them had a break and were feeding of the acacias.
We drove to the Guzman waterhole on the way spotting African hawk eagles, wooly necked storks, more wildebeest, waterbucks, plenty of Swainson's spurfowl, crested francolins and guineafowls. As we started to get a bit hungry we decided to go the same way back, which was shorter and we'd been driving quite slow.
On the way back though, there was a lot more activity. Shortly after being back on the road we spotted a black-backed jackal that had been lying in the shade and spooked by us got up and crossed the road in front of us. From a distance he kept on watching us, so we could snap some pictures. Then he walked to a different shady spot, turned on the spot and flopped down instantly hidden out of sight.
We saw plenty of zebra harems, a bull elephant, a daggaboy and a steenbok startled us by running away out of a bush right next to the road. At Nsasane causeway we spotted two youngish crocodiles going into the water and a third one, which was very little, was lying on the sandbank. On the other side of the causeway two hippos were resting with their heads above the water. Then we spend over an hour watching a large herd of elephants playing in the water until the matriarch let them to the opposite side to start feeding again. It looked like they were having so much fun we almost wanted to join in.
With stomachs grumbling we continued, but still stopped for 4 male ostrich, multiple zebra sightings and more wildebeest. Then we finally had our long overdue breakfast while the outdoor tables of the restaurant were burglarised by vervet monkeys, stealing the sugar sachets. All in all a very good morning, well worth a late breakfast!
In the afternoon we took it slow again down Satara road with a loop going past Girivana Dam and Nsemani Dam. We spotted lots of giraffes again, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, but also kudus and watebuck. At Girivana Dam two Burchell's starlings gave a load concert while watching zebras drink and a crocodile sunning himself.
We spotted our first white rhino! As it looked like it wanted to cross the road we waited patiently and silently behind a bush till all the other cars cleared off. Once silence had returned the rhino came closer and indeed crossed the road at ease right in front of our car, brilliant sighting! A little further on we stopped four giraffes feeding on the side of the road. While looking at the giraffes at the same spot more giraffes, zebras and warthog showed up and all crossed the road behind us too.
At Nsemani Dam we sat for a while watching the hippos wake up and play and a crocodile floated by. We returned to Satara very satisfied with today's sightings and there will be more to come!
15 May 2014
Today we moved from camp again and we started the drive from
Satara to Nkambeni really well. Outside the gate we encountered a journey of 7
giraffes, some of which were looking very surprised to see us already. We then
also saw two separate troops of baboons waking up, zebras, wildebeests, brown
snake eagles, waterbucks, white-backed vulture, warthogs and a buffalo bull
before we got to a sighting of three sub-adult male elephants play-fighting.
The biggest one made sure the others knew he was the strongest by putting his
head on theirs. While watching them play, deep in the bush, we heard an
elephant having one hell of a tantrum. We didn't see anything as the bush was
too thick, but judging by the amount and volume of the tantrum it was one very
unhappy elephant!
Then a little further on we were surprised in by a big bull elephant in musth, walking in the road towards us while we were rounding the corner. We were getting out of his way while he stopped to check us out. And then decided to come straight for us. But a little persuasion by voice made him veer back into the bush, and he started feeding right next to the car. The people who had been standing on the opposite side of the road stopped next to us and informed us that instead of looking at the elephant in the road they were actually looking at four lions in the riverbed. We moved onto their spot and indeed: three females and a youngster were lying there watching us.
At Mazithi Dam we saw the hippos playing and before we got to Tshokwane for breakfast we also spotted a nice kudu bull, a hovering black-shouldered kite, two purple rollers and a tawny eagle.
After breakfast at Tshokwane it became more and more quiet, as our luck had run out. We stopped for lunch at Skukuza after a long stretch seeing just impalas, vervet monkeys and a small herd of elephants crossing the road.
A stop at Lake Panic bird hide added a crocodile, more hippos, a goliath heron and other water birds to the list. Then we continued on Napi to Nkambeni seeing nothing until the Napi Boulders where an elephant bull stood drinking from a puddle. Just at the end we spotted a family of kudus.
Then a little further on we were surprised in by a big bull elephant in musth, walking in the road towards us while we were rounding the corner. We were getting out of his way while he stopped to check us out. And then decided to come straight for us. But a little persuasion by voice made him veer back into the bush, and he started feeding right next to the car. The people who had been standing on the opposite side of the road stopped next to us and informed us that instead of looking at the elephant in the road they were actually looking at four lions in the riverbed. We moved onto their spot and indeed: three females and a youngster were lying there watching us.
At Mazithi Dam we saw the hippos playing and before we got to Tshokwane for breakfast we also spotted a nice kudu bull, a hovering black-shouldered kite, two purple rollers and a tawny eagle.
After breakfast at Tshokwane it became more and more quiet, as our luck had run out. We stopped for lunch at Skukuza after a long stretch seeing just impalas, vervet monkeys and a small herd of elephants crossing the road.
A stop at Lake Panic bird hide added a crocodile, more hippos, a goliath heron and other water birds to the list. Then we continued on Napi to Nkambeni seeing nothing until the Napi Boulders where an elephant bull stood drinking from a puddle. Just at the end we spotted a family of kudus.
16 May 2014
This morning we started after breakfast and we encountered a
large herd of impalas. Slowly manoeuvring around them we continued our journey
and spotted a white rhino in the drainage line just before the end of the dirt road.
He was nice and relaxed so good photo opportunity even with the low sun.
While continuing on the tar road, I got a call about a serval cub not far away so we decided to go that way. We spotted the cub which was not looking too good. It was too young to be on its own. Unfortunately we didn't spot its mother and we learned later that it is probably abandoned or the mother had died as another guide had spotted the same cub around the same spot two days prior. So it was a lucky, cute and sad sighting all at the same time.
We continued on a very quiet Napi to visit Transport Dam. We heard from Mark he had seen hyenas there so we were on the lookout. Just before the dam we indeed spotted two young hyenas and their babysitter soaking some sun close to the road. When another car arrived they got up, whined a bit and moved off into the bush. Great sighting nonetheless! At Transport Dam the resident hippos were lounging in the water, we saw a waterbuck, a water monitor and various water birds.
Further on we spotted a large journey of giraffes with some nice young ones. The mothers were good in hiding them though, so it was sometimes a bit difficult to see them.
On the way we saw two more white rhinos walking on the road towards us. They turned off into the bush before coming too close and walked off. We also saw the serval cub again that was now stretched out in the sun to warm up.
After a break at Pretoriuskop we drove around circle road, where we could add more impalas and a hunting black-shouldered kite to our sightings list. We then drove back to Nkambeni to have a bit if free time.
In the afternoon the guests went on a sundowner drive. More on that tomorrow!
While continuing on the tar road, I got a call about a serval cub not far away so we decided to go that way. We spotted the cub which was not looking too good. It was too young to be on its own. Unfortunately we didn't spot its mother and we learned later that it is probably abandoned or the mother had died as another guide had spotted the same cub around the same spot two days prior. So it was a lucky, cute and sad sighting all at the same time.
We continued on a very quiet Napi to visit Transport Dam. We heard from Mark he had seen hyenas there so we were on the lookout. Just before the dam we indeed spotted two young hyenas and their babysitter soaking some sun close to the road. When another car arrived they got up, whined a bit and moved off into the bush. Great sighting nonetheless! At Transport Dam the resident hippos were lounging in the water, we saw a waterbuck, a water monitor and various water birds.
Further on we spotted a large journey of giraffes with some nice young ones. The mothers were good in hiding them though, so it was sometimes a bit difficult to see them.
On the way we saw two more white rhinos walking on the road towards us. They turned off into the bush before coming too close and walked off. We also saw the serval cub again that was now stretched out in the sun to warm up.
After a break at Pretoriuskop we drove around circle road, where we could add more impalas and a hunting black-shouldered kite to our sightings list. We then drove back to Nkambeni to have a bit if free time.
In the afternoon the guests went on a sundowner drive. More on that tomorrow!
17 May 2014
The sundowner last night was another one with lots of luck.
They had almost missed the sunset, but only because a leopard had slowed them
down. So no complaints there. They had also multiple sightings of spotted eagle
owl, a white rhino, a scrub hare and a buffalo.
This morning was the earliest start as all guests went on a bushwalk. They spotted a warthog and two white rhinos while on foot and six buffalo on the drive back to the lodge. They were tracked by a leopard while on foot as well. They had heard a kudu bark the alarm and didn't spot it but on their way back were shown the fresh tracks of the leopard coming toward the group, probably notice them and turn around.
To complete the day we went on a long afternoon drive. We drove down Napi to Skukuza spotting impalas, kudus, dwarf mongoose, a red crested korhaan, warthogs, nice male waterbuck and a striped kingfisher before we got to Transport Dam. There the zebras were grazing merely. Then a little further a big bull elephant was feeding close to the road and then later the gentle giant crossed the road in front of us close to the car. He wasn't bothered by us but a persistent forktailed drongo that came too close to his head got a headshake and swat with his trunk. And all good things come in threes, as a little further we had three adult giraffes, a youngster and a baby crossing in front of the car as well.
After a short lunch break at Skukuza we drove down Doispane and Albassini back to the lodge. We saw a nice bull elephant on the crossroads of Paul Kruger Road and Doispane. Then once again we were lucky in spotting giraffes, a young hyena washing himself outside his den and a small group of male buffalos shortly after each other. The impalas, cape glossy starlings, yellow-billed hornbills and all the grasses and trees kept us busy till we spotted an elephant passing by on the opposite side. We then had to wait a little for a leopard tortoise to cross the road, but his short legs could still carry him with quite some speed.
At Nyamundwa Dam we saw two impalas fight while the female impalas and wildebeests were grazing uninterested in the outcome. Down Albassini it started to get really quiet, but once again we were lucky in seeing four giraffes crossing the road in front of us. Then at Mestel Dam a small herd of buffalo just walked away and the hippos were starting to wake up. After that the animals went into hiding until we got to Nkambeni Lodge. All in all a good day!
This morning was the earliest start as all guests went on a bushwalk. They spotted a warthog and two white rhinos while on foot and six buffalo on the drive back to the lodge. They were tracked by a leopard while on foot as well. They had heard a kudu bark the alarm and didn't spot it but on their way back were shown the fresh tracks of the leopard coming toward the group, probably notice them and turn around.
To complete the day we went on a long afternoon drive. We drove down Napi to Skukuza spotting impalas, kudus, dwarf mongoose, a red crested korhaan, warthogs, nice male waterbuck and a striped kingfisher before we got to Transport Dam. There the zebras were grazing merely. Then a little further a big bull elephant was feeding close to the road and then later the gentle giant crossed the road in front of us close to the car. He wasn't bothered by us but a persistent forktailed drongo that came too close to his head got a headshake and swat with his trunk. And all good things come in threes, as a little further we had three adult giraffes, a youngster and a baby crossing in front of the car as well.
After a short lunch break at Skukuza we drove down Doispane and Albassini back to the lodge. We saw a nice bull elephant on the crossroads of Paul Kruger Road and Doispane. Then once again we were lucky in spotting giraffes, a young hyena washing himself outside his den and a small group of male buffalos shortly after each other. The impalas, cape glossy starlings, yellow-billed hornbills and all the grasses and trees kept us busy till we spotted an elephant passing by on the opposite side. We then had to wait a little for a leopard tortoise to cross the road, but his short legs could still carry him with quite some speed.
At Nyamundwa Dam we saw two impalas fight while the female impalas and wildebeests were grazing uninterested in the outcome. Down Albassini it started to get really quiet, but once again we were lucky in seeing four giraffes crossing the road in front of us. Then at Mestel Dam a small herd of buffalo just walked away and the hippos were starting to wake up. After that the animals went into hiding until we got to Nkambeni Lodge. All in all a good day!
18 May 2014
This morning was the coldest one of this week. Unfortunately
it was also our last drive of this tour. We set out full of hopes of having
some nice sightings before we would leave the park, but our luck had ended. We
drove around Shabeni and Albassini, even visiting Shithave Dam before exiting.
We spotted two kudus and a buffalo. It was a very nice kudu bull chasing a
female kudu through the high grass while the buffalo looked on from his vantage
point on Shabeni rock.
Then it was time to depart for the return journey to Nelspruit and then Johannesburg. Janneke and Dick het was een topweek! Dank jullie wel voor je gezelschap. And Dritta, Byrum, Lilly and Frank it was short but sweet. Thanks for all the laughs and the hugs, and hopefully you'll return to us!
Then it was time to depart for the return journey to Nelspruit and then Johannesburg. Janneke and Dick het was een topweek! Dank jullie wel voor je gezelschap. And Dritta, Byrum, Lilly and Frank it was short but sweet. Thanks for all the laughs and the hugs, and hopefully you'll return to us!
Keep watching for more!
On Safari With Curtis from 12 May 2014
12 May 2014
The first day of a new tour and after having lunch in Nelspruit we
entered Kruger through Phabeni gate. Immediately we found a 'Dagga' boy lying
in the river bed and plenty of impala, zebra and wildebeest near to Nyamundwa
dam. We carried on and found a solitary male giraffe as well as a male
elephant near the side of the road. We also found warthog before turning onto
Watergat. That road was fairly quiet with impala and zebra seen but we did stop
and have a look at the numerous cape glossy starlings and the Red-billed
hornbill at the side of the road. When we turned onto Napi we found a small
herd of elephant crossing the road ranging in size from the large matriarch to
a tiny baby probably no more than a year old. As we stopped to look at some
hamerkop by the road I spotted a male waterbuck standing in the bush staring
straight at us. We also found plenty more impala before we arrived at Nkambeni
safari camp, our lodge for the next couple of nights.
13 May 2014
After leaving the lodge, this morning, we immediately came upon the
resident impalas on camp road. We then made our way down Napi which to start
with was fairly quiet until just past Shithave dam we found a male sable
standing in the middle of the road, we made our way to the spot he had crossed
and found him, just in the bush getting the opportunity to have a good look
before he disappeared into the bush. Further along we spotted plenty of impala
and kudu before we came to a small traffic jam where there were four hyenas by
the side of the road, two females and two youngsters. The youngsters
disappeared into the bush quickly but the adults were happy to relax and soak
up the early morning sun and as we moved closer we got some great photos. After
a quick detour for a possible lion sighting, which we missed, we headed to
Skukuza for coffee, before we got there we saw warthogs, cape buffalo and a troupe
of baboons.
After coffee we headed around the river finding more impala, baboons as well as vervet monkeys and hippos. We made our way to a second lion sighting we had heard about stopping at a lovely elephant sighting as a large family herd crossed the road both in front and behind our car. I then got a whiff of the not so nice aromatic smell of an elephant in musth and sure enough a minute or so later a large male crossed the road in front of us following the ladies down to the river. When we got to the lions they were unfortunately hidden very well in the tall grass, the male did pop his head up occasionally but the sighting was not very good. We waited for around 30 minutes at the sighting but with no luck so I decided we would go for lunch and then try our luck afterwards.
After our lunch break we found a journey of giraffe close to the road as well as zebra and impala before we came to the lion sighting again. This time they had moved closer to the road and we were able to get a very nice look at the female who also obliged us by popping her head up and staring at us. The male, however, stayed hidden, in the grass with only the top of his mane showing. As we made our way back along the river we came across more elephants as well as a flock of vultures who had been busy bathing and then dust bathing before holding their wings out to dry in the midday sun. We also found Southern ground hornbills and Pied kingfishers. We came across 4 separate sightings of white rhino, all very close to the road with two crossing the road in front of us as well as elephant, impala, kudu, warthog and waterbuck sightings.
After coffee we headed around the river finding more impala, baboons as well as vervet monkeys and hippos. We made our way to a second lion sighting we had heard about stopping at a lovely elephant sighting as a large family herd crossed the road both in front and behind our car. I then got a whiff of the not so nice aromatic smell of an elephant in musth and sure enough a minute or so later a large male crossed the road in front of us following the ladies down to the river. When we got to the lions they were unfortunately hidden very well in the tall grass, the male did pop his head up occasionally but the sighting was not very good. We waited for around 30 minutes at the sighting but with no luck so I decided we would go for lunch and then try our luck afterwards.
After our lunch break we found a journey of giraffe close to the road as well as zebra and impala before we came to the lion sighting again. This time they had moved closer to the road and we were able to get a very nice look at the female who also obliged us by popping her head up and staring at us. The male, however, stayed hidden, in the grass with only the top of his mane showing. As we made our way back along the river we came across more elephants as well as a flock of vultures who had been busy bathing and then dust bathing before holding their wings out to dry in the midday sun. We also found Southern ground hornbills and Pied kingfishers. We came across 4 separate sightings of white rhino, all very close to the road with two crossing the road in front of us as well as elephant, impala, kudu, warthog and waterbuck sightings.
14 May 2014
Today was the final day of this tour but we still had time to go for a
short drive before we had to head back to Nelspruit. We took a drive around
circle road as well as shabeni loop, unfortunately the morning started off very
quiet as all we saw to start with was kudu and impala. We then spotted tree
squirrel up on the rocks before finding a family group of klipspringers all
watching out from their advantage point up on the top of the rocks. As we drove
along Albasini we found more impala and a family group of warthogs who made
sure they kept their distance from us.
Unfortunately it was then time to leave the Kruger and head back to Nelspruit where I said farewell to my three guests who are heading back home to the USA.
Unfortunately it was then time to leave the Kruger and head back to Nelspruit where I said farewell to my three guests who are heading back home to the USA.
Keep watching for more!!
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