On Safari With Curtis 25 June 2015

25 June 2015

Our final day on tour and we left camp for one final drive.

This morning was a much quieter affair than the previous days but we still managed to get a few last great sightings.

The highlight of this morning was the buffalo herd we found right next to the road, the herd then preceded to cross over the road in front in a long continuous stream for about five minutes. I didn't try to count but estimate about 300 animals in this herd.

We also had sightings of white rhino, elephants, kudu, waterbuck, giraffe, Impala, hippo, zebra and wildebeest.

Then it was time to head back to nelspruit and say our farewells. Been great having Mairead and Kevin on tour, have fun in the rest of South Africa and safe travels home.

On Safari With Robbie and the Film Crew 24 June 2015

24 June 2015

Today was focused around drone filming of different habitats on the reserve which was fascinating!

Some species reaction were funny and especially birds thought there was a new bird on the block!!!

Then there were the Giraffe that didn't give a hoot whilst the Hippo were not welcoming at all!

After tomorrows early morning drive we drop off Juanne Antonio who heads back to Northern Madrid!

The rest of team Nhongo heads for the south where hopefully some Cats are waiting for us!

On Safari With Curtis 24 June 2015

24 June 2015

This morning had a very quiet start, in fact we had gone about 20km only seeing a few kudu.

Then we found our first highlight, 3 male cheetahs standing right next to the road. They had obviously had a good night as their bellies were bulging. Being the only vehicle we were able to follow them as they walked along keeping track of them as they edged further into the bush. We followed for about two kilometers before they settled down on top of a termite mound to digest whatever they had eaten.

Our second highlight happened at a nearby dam. Cats again!!! But this time lions. Four lionesses enjoying the warmth of the early morning sun.

What made this sighting more interesting was there sudden change of behavior.

Gone was the relaxed felines replaced by four crouching felines. The reason was a small herd of waterbuck who appeared and walked up to the dam. We thought the lions had been spotted as the waterbuck stood and stared at the exact spot where the lions were crouching.

Then an explosion of speed and the waterbuck fled followed by one of the lionesses.

The chase only lasted about fifty meters, 2-3 secs before the lioness gave up but it still was an incredible sight watching prey and predator at top speed. After their failed hunt it was time to climb back up on the dam wall and relax again.

Also seen today white rhino, elephants, bushbuck, tree squirrel, dwarf mongoose, impala, buffalo, slender mongoose.

On safari With Curtis 22/23 June 2015

22 June 2015

Today was the start of a new tour and the guests went straight out on their sunset drive. Although the drive was quiet at times they did manage to find elephants, buffalo, scrub bare, hippos, zebras and Impala. They also enjoyed the magnificent sunset.

23 June 2015

This morning we hit the road running with our first highlight just a couple of kilometers through the gate.

We found a small family herd of elephants close to the road and a pack of wild dog running down the road towards us. We stopped to watch the elephants keeping a close eye  on the dogs.  After a while we moved away from the elephants to have a closer look at the dogs and spent a bit of time with them.

The dogs then decided to run towards the elephants, not a good idea as one of the elephants went berserk. Loud trumpeting and a shaking of the head didn't convince the dogs so the elephants ran after them for fifty meters. Protecting the youngest elephant the other three surrounded it and stood in the middle of the road watching as the dogs moved away to a safer distance.

Our second highlight again involved a family of elephants, about fifteen. We found them just on the side of the road but instead of crossing over as I expected they decided to walk down the middle of the road.

Big on the outside and small on my he inside we followed this solid block of elephants for over two kilometers.

Over animals of interest seen included hyena, giraffes, warthog,kudu, zebra, baboons, vervet monkey, hippo, Impala, klipspringer, common duiker, bushbuck, nyala, white rhino, Cape buffalo, slender mongoose, crocodiles and five separate sightings of lion ( including male, females and Cubs)

Birds include a juvenile battler, black stork, burchells coucal, African jacana, fish eagle, grey heron, southern ground hornbill, arrow marked babblers and more.

On Safari With Robbie and the Film Crew 23 June 2015

23 June 2015

Today we headed for Letaba with the intention of continuing the Mopani forests filming but as happens in the bush one can get very side tracked!

A herd of Impala in perfect morning light in amongst the colours green, yellow and red Mopani leaves was a bonus for the film crew!

Later on a visitor told us She had seen a leopard on a rocky outcrop which we didn't see but got brilliant audio of it's bark echoing through the valley!

A sighting which we filmed for 2 hours was a pair of Spotted Hyena which had brought down a young Impala female and we're each trying to get the royal share!

Finally after Mopani filming we started journeying in the direction of Phalaborwa gate on route to Naledi private game reserve which adjoins the Timbivati reserve which borders Kruger.

We left the sea of Mopani behind us and said goodbye to a fascinating ecosystem and hello to the new mixed savannah woodland area which occurs within 30 minutes of exiting Phalaborwa gate!

On safari at Naledi we tracked and found the very rare Black Rhino with her calf which sent the crew into total excitement mode!!!

The female and calf were the rarest species this documentary crew had filmed since beginning this world series (for Jungle Planet) nearly 3 years ago!!!!!

To film a Black Rhino for 55 minutes with superb visual is a rarity on its own!

For me personally it was my best Black Rhino sighting ever so far!

Today we are hopefully going to track some Cats!

We will be grateful for whatever comes our way!