Another Day of Great Sightings in the Kruger National Park, while on Safari

Leoperd in a Tree

Leopard in a Tree 2 

                                                                   Leopard in a Tree 3

Yellow Billed Hornbills on a Tree

                                                                     Hooded Vulture

             
                                                                    Honey Badger

                                                       
                                                               Elephant having a dust bath


Another great day in the Kruger National Park...... for more info on our safaris visit https://www.nhongosafaris.com/wildlifes…/kruger-park-safaris #krugernationalpark #africansafaris #OurJourneysChangeLives#atta_tourism #KrugerLowveld #Tourism_Updates #SATravelPeople

On Safari With Amanda From 9 July 2016

9 July 2016

Today I collect Mother and Daughter, Kaitlyn and Robyn for their 4 day safari.

After checking in at camp we head off on a short drive around the koppies. Always a beautiful drive, as the sun is setting casting an orange glow on the koppies. Zebras are our first mammal we encountered followed by a solitary klipspringer. 

Elephants in the distance by shitlave dam, but the cutest sighting had to be the baby hyenas by the den playing and running around.

An early night after a filling supper.

10 July 2016

We left camp for our morning drive after breakfast. A glorious sunrise along the way bringing another day full of excitement in the park.

Not far along the way and we came across a family of elephants crossing the road.

Zebras and plenty of impalas and then a very lovely herd of the rare Sable antelope, such a handsome creature. 

After coffee we headed back and found on a termite mound, a family of dwarf mongoose totally adorable! 

Back in camp we relax before my guests experience the bush at night on a sunset drive.

On safari With Curtis from 8 December 2014

8 December 2014

The start of a new tour and after meeting my two new guests in Nelspruit we headed down along the 40 to Numbi gate,  after sorting out permits it wasn't long before we found our first animal, a nice bull elephant all on his own just about ten meters from the road. We followed him for a while before he got bored with us and moved out of sight. Next up was impala, just a single lady with no sight of her herd but I reassured my guests that it wouldn't be the last one we saw. Down at mestal dam the hippo's were getting fairly vocal and active all in preparation for a nights grazing. We also had a group of waterbuck around the waters edge. We then found a bateleur which had just landed in a tree. Turning on to Shabeni link we found a nice family of dwarf mongoose scurrying around by the side of the road and then just a little further down zebra and impala, then as we looked around we noticed a lone warthog and three wildebeest also at the sighting. Plenty more zebra and impala followed. As we headed into Pk, our rest camp for this tour, we spotted a common duiker who quickly ran off and a herd of kudu as well.

A lively start to this tour so far!!!

9 December 2014

So today we started off nice and early straight down the Napi, to begin it was quiet although we did see buffalo and elephant, all the sightings were either from a distance or obscured by trees and grass.

As we moved on we did find a large bull elephant further up the road which was walking towards us. It didn't take too long for us to notice the strong odour of an elephant in musth and as he got closer we could see the constant dribbling of urine on his back legs. We stood our ground as he moved closer, first as he moved to the front of the vehicle and then he moved round to the side, ears right out making himself as big as possible.

As he edged closer I decided he was close enough and let him know that that was enough and he should back down which he did. We watched him as he tried to exert his dominance for about ten minutes before he moved a bit further away and we could drive off safely. Only for him to take this as a sign of weakness and we saw him chasing after us for a few meters before he had decided enough was enough.

We had sightings of zebra and Warthog before we got to Transport dam which was quiet with the resident hippos being the only mammals. But if you can't find mammals look at the birds and there is plenty at the waters edge. African fish eagle, African jacanas, blacksmith lapwings, egyptian geese and white faced ducks just to name a few.

We drove into skukuza for a spot of breakfast and a little bit of souvenir shopping before heading down to lower sabie, the river was also quiet today for the first section although we found plenty of impala down here. We also saw plenty of hippos, a few buffalo, Bushbuck as well as vervet Monkeys and baboons. Just as we were approaching our lunch stop we came to a gathering of cars. This usually indicates something and it did this time. Two lionesses and a lion sat just a couple of meters from the road in the shade of the trees. We also saw a second male cross the road behind but he disappeared quickly. After a while the other three also moved off into the bush.

Luck was with us now as just a couple of kilometers further down the road we found a leopard up in a tree. Our timing was perfect as just minutes later he jumped down and vanished.

We moved on spotting more hippos and buffaloes before finding loads of crocodiles at sunset dam as well as impala and a mud bathing warthog.

After lunch I decided to go a different route home so we crossed the sabie river. As we did we found more crocs, big and small and very small, Marsh terrapins, a Bushbuck and a large hippo out of the water. Looking at the scars on him he had been in quite a violent fight.

We took a drive down salitje which although quiet gave us a few very nice sighting including a nice herd of zebra along with young foals, a solitary giraffe right next to the car, a family herd of elephants, a couple of bateleur and also southern ground hornbills.

Back on the tar along the river we had two very nice sightings, the first our second leopard of the day, we noticed him as he popped out of the tree line and he crossed in front of the car before moving out of sight on the other side only to reappear briefly giving us a second look at him.

The second nice sighting was a family of elephants with a very small calf, probably less than a year old. They were happy to keep eating by the side of the road for ten minutes allowing for lots of photos.

We turned back onto Napi and found giraffe and impala, we also found leopard tortoise and a chameleon making his way over the road. He certainly took his time but he was also considerably quicker than the giant land snails we found later. We also found a couple of hyenas close to their den taking an afternoon siesta before we got back to Pk.

More coming soon!!

SANParks Rangers Neutralise More Suspected Poachers

The South African National Parks (SANParks) Rangers emerged on top this week in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The year-end spike in poaching activities kept the rangers SAPS and their Mozambican counterparts busy from Sunday the 17 November 2013.

The activities both inside the KNP and within the adjacent areas to the west of the park and alon...g the eastern boundary within Mozambique this week led to seventeen suspected poachers arrested and a further four fatally wounded in the Park. The incidents occurred in various parts of the Park including Kingfisherspruit, Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie, Letaba, Mooiplaas and in adjacent areas along the boundary.

Commenting on this week’s activities, Officer Commanding, Major General (RET) Johan Jooste said this is a typical year end spike and his men were prepared for it. He further explained that the suspects are more relentless “they don’t only resist arrest but adopt an offensive and aggressive attitude when confronted by Rangers who then have to defend themselves”. He congratulated his troops for their bravery and praised his SAPS and Mozambican partners for the successes obtained this week.

The arrests this week bring the total for 2013 to 117 individuals in the KNP. The KNP has lost 521 animals this year.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

Seized Money To Fight Rhino Poaching

The Asset Forfeiture Unit has handed R8.1 million to SANParks's environmental crime investigation unit (ECIU), the National Prosecuting Authority said on Friday.

“The money will be solely directed by SANparks to enhance and support their ranger corps capabilities with much needed equipment, training and advanced technology for their counter-poaching operations,” said spokesman Nathi Mncube.

The High Court in Pretoria found that the money came from the proceeds of illegal rhino poaching by an alleged syndicate leader, Joseph Nyalunga, Mncube said.

Nyalunga was also a former police official stationed at the Hazyview police station.

The cash was seized in December 2011 when Nyalunga and another alleged poacher, Conrad Nkuna ,were arrested while returning from Mpumalanga to Gauteng.

The money was found in their Range Rover when they were stopped and searched by police near Middelburg.

Exhibits from the Range Rover were also seized and were sent for DNA analysis.

“The DNA profile of one male white rhinoceros found in the Range Rover matched the DNA profile of a male white rhinoceros poached in the Kruger National Park in December 2011 in the Stolsnek area,” said Mncube.

Apart from the R8.1 million, the 2009 Range Rover and a 2009 Toyota Fortuner were also seized.

“These vehicles will be sold and the proceeds thereof will also be paid to the ECIU,” he said.

Nyalunga was arrested again in early 2012.

Following his arrest, a further R5 069 800 was found in a metal coffer in the garage at his Mkhuhlu's residence.

The case against Nyalunga and Nkuna has been postponed for trial until March 24 next year in the Middelburg regional court.

By:
South African Press Association

50 Years of Conservation Acknowledged

The South African National Parks Honorary Rangers was recently awarded a prestigious national conservation award by WESSA for its contribution to conservation in our National Parks.
The award was motivated as follows: “For their amazing voluntary contribution towards the conservation of all of our National Parks. For over 50 years these men and women have given freely of their time, expertise and resources to ensure the integrity and endurance of our Parks system.”

Accepting the award National Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Janssen Davies said; “I was delighted to receive this award on behalf of the 1 300 volunteer SANParks Honorary Rangers. Our members have worked with great dedication and commitment to conservation and SANParks and the National Parks system over the last 50 years.”

The Honorary Rangers has 33 regions all over South Africa from Cape Agulhas in the South to Thohoyandou in the North. They work in all 21 of our National Parks to assist the parks and promote nature conservation and public education. They provide ordinary South Africans from all walks of life the opportunity to help promote and conserve our natural heritage.
Members of the public are encouraged to join the organisation and can get more information on their website at http://www.sanparksvolunteers.org/

Issued by:
SANParks Honorary Rangers

Safari Starting 21 September 2013

On Marks open Vehicle:

21 September 2013

What a busy month it has been!!!

Route : Napi - Boulders - Napi - Nkambeni camp

General animal sightings were poor this afternoon due to the bad weather we experienced. (Cold very very cold.)

Highlights of this afternoons drive was a herd of tsesabee just before shitlhave dam.

Just before napi boulder entrance we got 3 female and 1 male sable antelope.

On our return towards camp a female leopard walked out in front of us and crossed over the road.

Guest got good photos of her.

22 September 2013

Route: Napi - Eloff - Doispan - Albaseni – Nkambeni Camp

General animals seen:

Kudu, common duiker, impala, zebra, chackma baboon, vervet monkey, warthog, rhino and elephant.

Great sightings of buffalo bulls right next to the open vehicle as we left skakuza golf course.

After turning around at 3 different lion sightings because of heavy traffic and long queues of cars we found 2 lioness lying in the river bed approximate 300m from alpha exit.

Not much else to report as the weather is extremely cold and has had an impact on the animal sightings throughout the day.

23 September 2013

Dean enters the park today!

On Deans open vehicle:

We left Nkambeni safari camp at 15h30, and almost immediately got the call about Lions on Napi Boulders, we made our way in that direction getting only some kudu on Napi Road.

After spending about an hour on the lion sighting and also getting a chance to see rhino and elephant crossing the road while on the same sighting, we made our way back along Napi Road getting more kudu, giraffe and vervet monkeys together with two large herds of buffalo on the camp road.

24 September 2013

Today we left Nkambeni at 06h00 and made our way up the Numbi Gate tar getting good sightings of buffalo, we turned onto Napi Road and got more good sightings of buffalo, elephant, kudu, impala, giraffe and wildebeest before going down the H3 and back again to Skukuza for a break.

Rhino sightings were also enjoyed through the day.

After the break, it was back to the H3 down to Voortrekker road getting more sightings of impala, buffalo and elephant. We turned onto the Voortrekker road and got nine lions lying about 10.6 km's up the road. After spending about half an hour with them, we decided to
move on, getting more sightings of elephant and a martial Eagle before stopping at the camp of Pretoriuskop for lunch.

After lunch we drove around Faye Loop getting two buffalo Daga Boys, before moving onto camp for guests to have a rest as it was in the region of 37 degrees.

Marks Open Vehicle:

Route: Napi - Tshokwane tar - Satara - S100 - Satara

General animals seen today include:

Giraffe, waterbuck, zebra, kudu, warthog, impala, elephant herds, crocodile, hippos, vervet monkeys, chackma baboons, blue wildebeest and nyala's.

On our trip we came across a lioness trying to catch a warthog 7km before the baobab access road.

A leopard lying in a Tree 5kms past the baobab access road.

A "flight" hehehe of ostriches 11kms from satara.

Guests are happy with what they have seen and tomorrow is a morning walk and then on our way to the rehab centre.

25 September 2013

Today was one of those days you would like to have every day.

We left camp at 06h00, It was not long before we got a sighting of a female rhino and calf, we turned onto Faye loop and immediately ran into about five hundred buffalo stretched out over the next two kilometres.

After enjoying a great sighting, and busy contemplating which road to take to the next stop, we received a call of four leopards on Napi Road about 2.2 kilometres from the Voortrekker junction, we made our way in that direction a little faster than normal and came upon the sighting. Many open vehicles were there, but after a while all started to leave.

Some rhino's had also come into the picture and for the next hour and a half we enjoyed a wonderful sighting that is not enjoyed every day.

We carried on getting more rhino, buffalo and elephant.

We got a call of a female lion on Napi Road as we got to her location she was near a tree watching a leopard eating a warthog. She was nursing a wound on the mouth and paw, which had possibly come from the fight with the leopard.

After another good sighting, we made our way on getting numerous good sightings along the way.

We made our way into Skukuza only at about 10h00, and after enjoying a well deserved break made our way out onto the Tshokwane tar, over the high water bridge and back on Elloff street to Skukuza.

Animals seen were giraffe, impala, baboon, bushbuck, lion, hippo, crocodile, elephant and buffalo.

We made our way back to Nkambeni Tented Camp along Napi Road getting more sightings of elephant, buffalo and another sighting of our leopard from the morning.

Guests had a break this afternoon, and left at 16h30 for their sunset / night drive.

26 September 2013

We left Nkambeni Tented camp and drove up the Numbi gate tar, getting elephant and buffalo.

We then turned onto Napi Road and came across the two leopard cubs from the day before playing under the tree with an impala carcass. No photos could be taken as it was in the long grass.

We continued on getting good sightings of rhino.

We then made our way to Napi Boulders and got elephant and wildebeest before going to the camp of Pretoriuskop for a break, after which we made our way out of the park and onto Nelspruit were we changed over vehicles and made our way back to Johannesburg.

Guests feedback was that they had a good time, got loads of photos and saw a lot of animals.

Joint Operations Between SANParks And SANDF Making A Difference Against Rhino Poaching

Rhino has cost South Africa a financial loss of about R228 million with the 333 rhinos poached last year alone. These are the statistics according to the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA); it is for this reason and the need to protect rhinos that the country is going all out to counter poachers.

The deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members at the Kruger National Park has brought confidence that rhino poaching can be extinguished. The SANDF deployed 265 soldiers at Kruger National Park and the borders around the park in March this year, following a plea for help by the South African National Parks (SANParks).
In an interview with Defence magazine, Colonel Nceba Bobelo, Officer Commanding for Joint Operations Tactical Headquaters in Mpumalanga, said “Operation Corona” was making a huge difference in the fight against poachers. The Army brought in its expertise to beef up a team of Park Rangers, which was overwhelmed by the by increasing killing of rhinos for their horns.

"We've got one Intelligence Tactical Regiment from Potchefstroom, which specialises in intelligence gathering. Special Forces and 21 Batallion, both in the park and on the borders," says Colonel Bobelo. The ground troops are supported by helicopters for a speedy chase of poachers. "The helicopters contribute a lot in terms of identifying areas where poachers are operating," he adds. Colonel Says that it became increasingly important to rope in the army when syndicates began using helicopters, night vision equipment and high-powered rifles in their expedition. The army is part of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which has role players that include the South African Police Service (SAPS) and SANParks, assisted by the intelligence arms of both the SANDF and the Police. The team also includes the National Prosecuting Authority and magistrates. “We established the joint command centre where we could all meet and share information for planning purposes. The magistrates attend our meetings so that they can understand the important role they need to play in giving rhino poaching cases speedy attention” says Colonel Bobelo.

The Kruger National Park is the country's worst affected by rhino poaching. The annual statistics are always the highest in this internationally' acclaimed tourist destination, with the 2010 figures standing at 146. This environment also makes the park a dangerous place to operate a counter-poaching project from. Colonel Bobelo knows that ail too well: The game is different here at Kruger National Park because the poachers that come from other countries, particularly Mozambique, are armed with AK47s, grenades and axes. They don't play, these poachers mean business" he adds.

Colonel Bobelo confirms that more than 10 suspected poachers had been killed with more than 56 arrested since the SANDF's deployment in this region. The killing of poachers was a result of a shoot-out when the rhino killers attacked SANDF members patrolling the park. Fortunately for the SANDF, the military did not lose a single member in the shoot-out with poachers. Colonel Bobelo says many of the poachers are former Mozambican soldiers and are well trained to fight. Within three months of the SANDF's arrival at the Kruger National Park, rhino poaching cases dropped from 40 in March to just two in June. But poachers always device new strategies and return for more horns.

Rhino poaching is a lucrative business for poachers as one rhino horn translates to around R1 million incomes for poachers. Colonel Bobelo explains: "They move in groups of three. The sniper who's going to shoot the rhino gets R500 000, the one with an axe and the third one get R250 000 each". But is that worth the risk of being killed in a confrontation with the soldiers? Colonel Bobelo says it's because the promise to come back with the rhino horn has got to be fulfilled at all costs. "These people are desperate because we are told they get a deposit from leaders of the syndicates before they carry out the job. Some of the poachers are young unemployed South African men driven by poverty and lured by foreign syndicates to do the dirty job in exchange for attractive amounts of money" adds a concerned Colonel Bobelo.

The biggest focus was on rhino poaching but Colonel Bobelo says, as a result of the military's presence in this area, there has been visible reduction in the crime rate. "We have brought in a big change, not only with poaching, but we have also reduced the illegal trading of goods and illegal crossing at the border," he tells Defence magazine. The South African Constitution stipulates that the SANDF shall protect the territorial integrity and safeguard the sovereignty of the republic. This task was combined with rhino poaching as it also involves illegal activities across the borders. Colonel Bobelo says other crimes such as the smuggling of vehicles and livestock have also decreased.

For operations such as Operation CORONA to be successful, all stakeholders need to buy into the plan and this is what happened with communities that live around the Kruger National Park. “The community is very helpful, we arrested some or the poachers on information we received from members of the community,” says Colonel Bobelo. According to Colonel Bobelo, once soldiers have arrested suspected poachers, they hand them over to the police at Skukuza Police Station based at the Kruger National Park for processes of prosecution to be followed. But before suspects are handed over, members of the SANDF follow procedures of their own. “We take photos of the suspects; photos of their weapons and the rhino horn and then we interrogate them” he adds. The interrogation is led by Park Rangers and members of the SAPS who form part or patrolling teams.

While the SANDF has worked hard to apprehend rhino poachers, the prosecution is often hampered by irregularities in the justice system. “It seems these syndicates have infiltrated our forces” says Colonel Babelo. “Within two months we had over 56 arrests but the dockets got lost. Once the dockets have gone missing the case is over and the suspects are released” he adds in frustration. But Colonel Bolelo says the army will not be discouraged and will continue to use its intelligence arm to counter syndicates and everyone who helps the rhino poachers.

By:
 Department of Defence

Alzu Petroport

Alzu Petroport a stop we like to take all our guests to.. It has 6 rhino's that have had their horns removed and are watched 24/7, 50 Buffalo, Zebra, Ostrich, Emu, Springbuck and other antelope.

Rhino's, Ostrich, Eland

Rhino's

Baffalo & Rhinos