On Safari With Mark and Karen 16 April 2015

16 April 2015 (Mark and Karens Vehicle)

We decided at supper last night, that we would give it one final shot at sighting the illusive leopard. This on the way down to Numbi gate, where we would say our goodbyes to our guests.

Karen and I split up and she drove in one direction and we in another. After circling shabeni koppies we got back on the tar and as we turned, I spotted something walking down the road in an opposite direction. Turned the car around and headed for the animal in the road. We first only got fresh footprints but after calling Karen and working together with her, the illusive cat showed itself to both groups.

What a way to end a 3 day safari as this was literally the last animal the guests spotted before exiting.

On Safari With Karen and Mark 15 April 2015

15 April 2015 (Karen’s vehicle)

Another day on this safari and it was another good day. We have seen plenty of elephants today, including lone bulls crossing the road in front or behind us, as well as a lovely herd standing in the shade where the little baby elephants were lying in the middle protected by their big mothers and aunties. But the best elephant sighting came at the end of the day. As we came close we saw two elephants quickly crossing the road and while following their movements through the bush we soon found out why. The female was in heat and the young male around her saw his chances with no big bull around. She wasn't really intending to give it to him that easy, so she kept on trotting away from him. However, in the time while we were watching he got lucky 2 times. Maneuvering her in such a position she couldn't really walk away, he mounted her and did his job. So maybe in 22 months she can welcome a baby elephant into this world. Judging by her size and therefor age, it will probably be her first one.

Our second highlight was a troop of baboons. They kept us entertained for quite some time with their behavior. There were kings that just sat on the side of the road posing for pictures, youngsters playing in the road, other youngster playing up and down the trees, mothers with babies on their backs walking by. At one stage there was a conundrum of sound as by the sounds of it a youngster had done something it shouldn't have and was punished by an elderly. We also heard an alarm calling baboon, but it was out of site. None of the baboons close to us seem worried, but as we hadn't seen a leopard yet, we fantasized one was chasing the baboons...

Other interesting sightings: lions, buffalos, steenboks, waterbucks, bateleurs, two lots of circling white-backed vultures, waterbucks, plenty of hippos, zebras, crocodiles, woolly-necked storks, multiple white rhinos, including one crossing the road in front of us, guineafowls, tawny eagles mating, brown snake eagles, vervet monkeys, warthogs, pretty kudu bulls and females, giraffes, impalas, marabou storks, a hooded vulture, common grey duiker running away, klipspringers and a spotted hyena.

At Mathekanyan we enjoyed the view, while our guests as geology students and lecturers were analyzing all the rocks and their cracks and weathering patterns. It was a very enjoyable day!

On Safari With Karen and Mark 14 April 2015

14 April 2015 (Mark’s Vehicle)

Left camp at 06:00am and headed down towards skukuza. As we were driving a group, Karen said she would go down to shitlhave dam and we stayed on the main road. Yes we got a call from Karen and were in luck to find 3 male lions lying on the dam wall. This was fantastic as we watched them get up walk across the wall where they met up with 3 lioness. All of them ended up drinking and then moving off into the bush.

Although there were many great sightings through the day, the guests enjoyed the first herd of elephants right next to the road. This herd had all ages, with young ones that looked like they were falling over their own feet as the guests laughed and took photos, so Karen called us for the Lions.

General animals include: Impala, kudu, common diuker, steenbok, klipspringer, waterbuck, zebra, giraffe, warthog, spotted hyena, Chackma baboon, crocodile, hippos, vervet monkeys, rhino and buffalo

Guests are on the camps sundown drive so let's hope they get a leopard completing 

On Safari With Curtis 14 April 2015

14 April 2015

The final morning of this tour and we had yet another great drive. We had been spoilt over the last three days and today was no different.

Our first highlight was a pride of lions lying on the other side of a dam. Found by a colleague we were able to stay at the sighting for twenty minutes as they relaxed by the water. At times interacting with one another.

After leaving the lions we headed back to Pk for some breakfast but before we had got there we found a spotted hyena running down the road. We followed it for about two kilometers taking care not to get too close as when we did it would dart into the bush and out of sight forcing us to sit and wait until it reappeared onto the road further down. Eventually one car did get to close and the hyena disappeared for good, but by this time we had loads of photos.

Other animals seen on our final drive were buffalo, elephant, banded mongoose, waterbuck, kudu, giraffe and impala.

Rounding off a fantastic and highly enjoyed tour. Time for Richard and Felix to leave us and head home. But not without taking home some great photos and even better memories.

Cheers for your company on this tour!!!

On Safari With Karen and Mark 13 April 2015

13 April 2015 (Karen's Vehicle)

 Another safari started today and this time it is a larger group so we needed two safari vehicles to go on a game drive. As animals tend to walk around we didn't all see the exact same things, but this is the story of our vehicle.

After short introductions at Numbi Gate we set off straight on game drive, where we saw our first animals on the way to Mestel Dam: impalas. At Mestel Dam we were surprised by elephants that were just about to leave and the hippos that were sunning themselves outside the water. We also had waterbucks visiting as well as great white egrets on the opposite side.

A highlight on this afternoon was a surprised close encounter with an elephant herd we had. As the sun was low in our faces we didn't see very well. Then we suddenly noticed the gentle giants that were about to cross and are not too happy with our arrival. We stop a little further on the road to give them space and the elephants settle down again. They continue feeding and some even took a walk down the road behind us. On our first safari it was a great experience for all.

Our second highlight were seeing two giraffes quite close to the road. Even though they were still quite obscured by bushes and trees we had a good look while they were walking from bush to bush. As these animals are iconic for Africa, it is always good to see them on safari.

Other animals seen: plenty of waterbucks, dwarf mongoose, kudus, white rhinos, grey hornbills, a shy tree squirrel, fighting forktailed drongos and guineafowls.