14 November 2014
The start of a
new tour and after picking up the first new guests from Kmia we headed down to
Nkambeni lodge close to Numbi gate. Everyone got settled in and spent a while
watching the hippos down at the dam before it was time for the first game
drive. This was the sundowner evening drive which gives the guests the
opportunity to experience Kruger in the quiet of the evening and use the
spotlight as night falls. However before this happens they have the chance for
a short drive before stopping for a little Amarula and maybe a beautiful
African sunset before using the spotlight. Tonight was enjoyed by the guests
and they managed to view impala, zebra, kudu, buffalo and rhino on the drive. A
good start to their safari.
15 November 2014
This morning a
different experience as the guests went on a bush walk. Starting from camp they
walked into the bush exploring all the sounds and sights of Kruger from a much
different perspective than in the car. Learning about the scat of the animals
and learning some basic tracking skills as well as a few trees, flowers and
insects a bushwalk is a wonderfully enjoyable experience.
While my guests
were on their walk I went and collected six more guests who are joining us and
let them get settled into the lodge.
With everyone
settled in and my first two guests back from the walk we went for our first
proper game drive this afternoon.
As we set off
along camp road our first animal was the tiny little common duiker who quickly
vanished into the bush. We then drove along Numbi tar seeing kudu and then
impala before we turned onto Napi. Here we found a herd of elephants some way
off in the distance before finding two males standing next to the road. We were
able to sit and watch for sometime before moving off. We then had a couple of
rhino sightings which were unfortunately not great as the rhinos were well
hidden by the scrub. Further along we came to the hyena den but with no luck as
it seemed all the hyenas were tucked up safely in their den. Moving on we came
across more impala, kudu and elephant before we found our first giraffe, a lone
bull initially who was then joined by a female companion. We then took a turn
up to matekanyane view point giving everyone a great chance to really
appreciate the size of the Kruger and also get some great scenic photos. It was
then time to head back to camp and if the first half of the drive had been
quiet the second certainly wasn't. First two rhino standing at the side of the
road, we were as startled as they to begin with and then even more so as four
more rhino ran from the bushes to join them before all of them scampered off
back into cover. Next up a herd of zebra, maybe as many as thirty, all together
before finding a couple of steenbok along with a warthog. We then got back to
the hyena den and this time were in luck as we spotted a youngster along with
its babysitter further back lying in the grass. Further along a little family
of elephants close to the road, along with a teenage male who looked like he
was in the mood for some love but the females, most of them with youngsters,
were not in the mood and soon put him in his place. Two more sightings of rhino
along the way and also giraffe before we came to the sighting everyone was
hoping for. A leopard up in a tree with a dead impala it had caught. To start
it was just chilling out but then decided to eat some more and then we heard it
snarl and hiss as it ate. Probably a little warning to the cars that this was
his meal. Time was running out fast and we hurried on our way coming across
more giraffe, zebra, elephant, kudu and Waterbuck before getting back to
the lodge.
16 November 2014
This morning we
headed out early and found three cape buffalo sleeping in the grass along the
camp road. Once on the tar we found another small group of buffalo crossing the
road in front as well as a couple of male elephants and a common reedbuck.
Further along we found the first of three buffalo herds, all three close to the
road. We also found our first impala of the day, now, not particularly unusual
but this is the start of the birthing season for impalas and today we saw our
first impala babies. Probably only a few days old but already steady on their
feet and able to keep up with mum. This is definitely needed as the young are
prey for many a predator and will need a lot of good fortune to survive in the
coming months. As we approached Napi boulders entrance we came upon a
couple of cars, as we arrived we spotted a leopard which was walking away from
us into the bush. The sighting only lasted about twenty seconds but still nice
to see. Further along we found three adult hyena just lying outside their den.
We then took a drive down where the resident hippo were on the other side of
the dam and Waterbuck chilling near the water. We also had a brief sighting of
a rhino who had obviously been enjoying a mud bath earlier. We also noticed a
dark chanting goshawk who seemed to be interested in the movements of a slender
mongoose. Other birds around the waters edge included geese, lapwings, egrets
and jacanas with hornbills perched up in the tree always watching the events
going on. We took a drive along watergat which was fairly quiet although we had
a very nice giraffe sighting. Seven giraffe, male and female, close to the road
having a bite to eat while keeping a firm eye on us. As we turned onto Doispane
we found more impala and kudu before we found our first group of vervet monkeys
by the road. This delighted all our guests as several of the females had young
babies tucked up safely on their belly. One female in particular came very
close to the car as she enjoyed picking off some flower heads to eat. Further
along more elephants, zebra in the distance and a couple of buffalo before we
got to Phabeni gate where sadly it was time to say goodbye to Saikat, Rodrigo
and Cynthia who are off on new adventures. Thanks for your company guys and
travel safe.
With four
guests left we took a drive along Albasini back to our lodge and immediately
found our first Babboons of the tour. Most were well hidden in the bush but we
did find one large male happily posing for us on a termite mound. As we sat
watching one guest commented they act a bit like humans with his yawning and
scratching, although when he started picking his nose maybe that was a bit too
close to the truth!!!
Further on a
warthog hidden in the bush, impala and kudu before we got to mestal dam. The
dam was fairly quiet today but it was fun just to watch the hippo action as
they popped their head up and down in the water. Concentration is a big
necessity when it comes to taking photos of hippos!!! We then found a little
bachelor group of elephants who were busy eating the fresh grass at the side of
the road and also had a second group nearby numbi gate. Perched just above them
was a returning woodlands kingfisher.
Back at the
lodge the guests had some spare time for a bit of a snooze before they went out
on their evening drive. Unfortunately the weather today has been cold and
cloudy so no sunset tonight. On the drive itself they saw plenty of rhino,
zebra, buffalo and impala and also saw a couple of scrub hares on the road.
More coming
soon!!
