"Dunlop" the Tyre Biting Leopard in the Kruger National Park

Dunlop the Tyre eating Leopard from a clients point of view

Hi Everybody,

on the 4th December 2017, we had guests with one of our guides Robbie Williams, and this is what they encountered while out on game drive. This is the account as written by the guest, as well as a short video of what transpired. We hope you will enjoy and be enthralled by the encounter that these guests had. It is when you as a company have feedback such as this, that one can truly say, that we have some of the best guides in the industry, and for this, we will be forever grateful to them.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (South Africa)

02 DECEMBER – 05 DECEMBER 2017

This is an entry that I wrote for our fabulous tour guide in Kruger,  Robbie Williams of Nhongo Safaris.

In his near 20 years as a guide in the park he rates this incident as one of the 'crazier' events/sightings that took place. 

So here you are Robbie, this one is for you, here's to what will inevitably be a great book.

Ever since I was a child I had known it was my mothers’ eternal dream to go on safari in Africa. It would often come up in our family conversations when discussing our top of our list destinations. However dreams can have the propensity of remaining just that, aimless thoughts that lie sedately in your mind, uncomplicated and uncommitted to ever finding a way to realisation. It had seemed, in my mind at least, knowing the financial situation of our family growing up, that my mothers’ dream would always be just that, a fantastic dream without the means to be realised.

We were a lower middle income migrant family that lived in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Not that we ever struggled in life, my father worked tirelessly as a storeman for our national carrier, Qantas for nearly 30 years. But making plans for what felt like an adventure for the rich and famous was somewhat contrary to our standard , and somewhat mundane, biennial visits to Belgrade, Serbia where our relatives lived. I,(we), were fortunate enough however to have substantially discounted airfares, (which we could afford), through Qantas, due to my fathers’ tenure with the company.

In recent years our family circumstances changed. My father passed away five years ago and I, now older and earning a reasonable salary, was now in the fortunate  position to be able to make my mothers’ dream come true, which is something that I had personally always wanted to do for her.

Thus this brings me to a story that took place in Kruger National Park, on a Nhongo Safaris tour,  guided  by the wonderful Robbie Williams, who I now consider to be a life-long friend.

For me personally I had always thought that in going on safari you needed to have a particular kind of passion or yearning for a specific style of experience. As I said, this was a dream that my mother always had, it was never mine. Truth be told, at the start of this adventure I anticipated that the only real amount of excitement that I would have would be the joy and happiness I received from knowing that my mother would be fulfilling her eternal dream. But hey, life is never short of surprises and you know the quote that goes, ‘Africa changes you forever…once you have been there, you will never be the same’. Let me tell you, not a truer word has been spoken. Africa, in particular Kruger NP, had a wonderful impact on me.

This story however is not about my own minor epiphany but rather about an encounter our safari group had with a somewhat curious and cheeky leopard that earned the nickname ‘Dunlop’.

Sighting location: S112, Southern Kruger

Date: 04 December 2017

Time: 09:30

During our second morning in Kruger our guide Robbie had wanted to follow up on the sighting of a pride of lions. I don’t recall exactly where it was but somewhere during the drive to the last known locatio of the pride, Robbie received a call of a dual leopard sighting on a road nearby that was occurring at that moment and thus made the decision to go and investigate.

It was probably a 5-10 min drive later that we sighted two safari vehicles stopped on the road, and right in front of them were two amazing looking leopards, with beautifully dark rosettes, light to dark golden coloured fur, a shortish ringed tail and beautiful white bellies. These cats were simply majestic.

Robbie stoped about 15-20 mtrs away from the other vehicles and it took about 10 seconds for us really to really comprehend what was going on. On closer viewing it appeared that one of the leopards had taken an interest to the tyre and mudguard of the front right wheel of one of the safari vehicles in front of us, and there we sat in our vehicle just watching as this cat pawed away and then licked both the tyre and mudguard for what seemed like an extraordinarily long period of time.

A question from a guest in our own vehicle to Robbie was, ‘Is this a common thing for them to do?’, to which is responded, and I’m paraphrasing, ‘No, this is highly, highly unusual’.

For me personally I didn’t care whether it was unusual or not, the sighting was absolutely mind boggling and magical. It felt like there was a big playful cat just roaming around the streets of downtown Kruger NP looking to be mischievous and alleviate a bit of boredom from being out in the wild all day, taking a break from having to utilise its natural instincts to survive. This schism, the clear break that we tourists have from the reality of being in the natural habitat of wild animals is really a danger as our awareness of what is real becomes blinded by a false sense of security.

Now, I’m not sure what the trigger for Dunlop was but after a few minutes he got up and started to move, tracking directly toward our vehicle.

Approaching slowly, almost languidly, the mood in our vehicle started to change gears. Cameras ready, phones pointed and held high, poised to capture fantastic shots, the leopard made its way to the front left tyre of our car. Rubbing itself against the tyre at first and then climbing under the vehicle, again it started pawing and licking, and then biting first the wheel and then mud guard. Sprawled out on the dirt road, laying on its back and looking upwards, it was, I’m sure, an exhilarating site for all those other groups that had now surrounded us.

In many ways this was the unforgettable dream sighting that we all wanted. The perspective however, which I feel in a situation like this gets kind of lost, is that this is not a Safari Disneyland. These animals are wild, we’re inhabiting their environment and believing in the predictability of their actions is both as ignorant as it is possibly stupid.

Robbie, constantly calling for updates for the positioning of the leopard from both within the vehicle and by radio to those that were surrounding us then said something that snapped my brain into a state of hyper vigilance…’Guys, keep your hands inside the vehicle, be as still as you can’.

After what felt like an eternity Dunlop got up and slowly started walking down my side (the left hand side of the vehicle), I was seated on the highest bench on the back left hand side. All of a sudden I felt an overwhelming rush of anxiety and fear. This situation and this action pushed me into a sense of panic. But, to completely understand my blinding burst of fear I need to recount a situation, or rather an encounter some 7 years earlier to which I immediately regressed.

Years ago I had been travelling through South America and during my time dedicated some 4 weeks  to  undertaking volunteer work at a Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia.

Parque Ambue Ari was, and still is, a park that cares for many different types of animals, inclusive of such beautiful animals as jaguars, panthers and pumas. The work of the dedicated staff and myriads of volunteers that move through the camp involve, for a large part, taking these domesticated cats  (I say that facetiously), out for walks in the jungle environment of the Bolivian Amazon. Volunteers literally tie a rope onto the collar of a selected cat, wrap a harness around themselves and click themselves in via a carabiner. These volunteers, of which I was one, were tethered by a 3mtr length of rope to a power, unpredictable animal. That is all the protection that we were afforded.

Now, youthful exuberance aside, there is something fatally flawed in believing in the total safety that we implicitly placed in that process. I discovered quite quickly that the false faith that I trusted to my 10min training and induction was crudely misplaced when on the second walk that I did, with a fully grown female puma, she turned on me, pinned her ears back, snarling and with animalistic fervour grabbed my leg with both its paws, claws cutting through my trousers, and then wrapped its jaw around my right knee. Let me tell you, there is nothing quite like the dismay, complete fear and overwhelming disbelief of being attacked by what is effectively a wild animal.  In an attack that lasted a matter of seconds the hundreds of thoughts that populated my mind all ended the same way, this attack could potentially kill me, this shit is real!

For whatever reason the attack was only short and the puma backed off, but the fear that accompanied that attack has always lived with me. This moment was now just about to be revisited.

Back in Kruger, sitting in an open vehicle, exposed on the back seat, I was frozen stiff. There was a leopard not 30cms from my feet, hovering with all the wild ferocity and unpredictability that a cat of that nature should have. Anything could have triggered an adverse reaction, if it has been spooked or simply curious and had jumped into the vehicle, what then? What would be our reaction? What sort of panic and what some of carnage could have ensued in that sort of scenario?

I simply held my breath and willed it to walk away, anywhere else at the moment was good enough.

‘Dunlop’ passed around the back of our vehicle and walked around to the front right hand side near the driver's door.

Robbie had armed himself with a baton of some sort, I’m not sure exactly what it was, but he and I both knew that in a real attack, what it could be used for could be counted on zero fingers. At best it could have been a momentary stall.

For other passengers in our car I know that this experience was not fear driven but sheer excitement, I’m sure had they have placed their minds into the possible consequences then their thoughts may have been  different. Better for them I guess. Ignorance truly can be bliss.

Perhaps a minute later ‘Dunlop’ made his way off, tracking back passed us and along the dirt road we had driven in.

I literally breathed a sigh of relief.  A crazy, crazy encounter that in many ways we were both fortunate to experience and fortunate to get out of with just our photos and nothing else added.

What an experience! What a head spin!

To use a catch phrase from Robbie, TAB, That's Africa Baby!

For more information on our safaris, please visit www.nhongosafaris.co.za

Giraffes Fighting For Dominance

Please be careful as content shows death in the video

Hi Again Everybody,

What we have here in the video clip is two male giraffes fighting for dominance.

This is what happens when you get one old giraffe, and one younger giraffe where the younger of the two giraffes feels he needs to fight the older to get control of the females and then he is able to sow his seeds thereby been able to advance his bloodline. The video above shows you just how vicious it can become, with the actual noice of the horns hitting bones, and actually braking some of them. everybody visualises a giraffe to be a placid animal, that just forages on trees, and mates with females. It is not until you see something a viscous as the above that you get to know that giraffes can be come so violent in the defence of their females. Unfortunately the younger of the two giraffes dies in this video, as the blows to his body are all on target, and hurt hime immensely, that he just cannot continue, and falls to the ground dead. Nature is sometimes a ver brutal thing, but this is one of the ways, where the saying that the "Strongest Shall Survive". It is not uncommon the see giraffes fighting while on one of our Kruger Park Safaris, however seen them fight to the death is not a very common sight. 

For more information on our safaris, please visit www.nhongosafaris.co.za  

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 vehicles are purpose built, for carrying nine passengers and are open to  give the guest the best viewing experience while also been able to take some great photos while traveling around the parks. The vehicles are safe, been purposely built for the job of game viewing, and most operators keep them in very good condition.

For me, there is nothing better than having a client get on their open safari vehicle for the first time, and compliment the guide on the condition and neatness of the vehicle. The first impression always sticks in the guests mind, and this part of the business i must admit a huge number of operators miss by miles. If you want to be one of thew go to operators, then your operation needs to not only look the part, but the looks need to turn into action very quickly.

We hope that other operators wanting to be part of uplifting the image of their businesses and the greater tourism offering on the whole in South Africa, maybe need to take heed. A bit of a thought provoking post for the day.

For more info on our safaris, please visit www.nhongosafaris.co.za

Pride of lions in vicinity of Phalaborwa is not a known pride from KNP

As many have no doubt heard over the last couple of days the story regarding the breaking out of a pride of 14 lions from the Phalaborwa region in the north of the Kruger National Park.
It has been well known for quite a time that the Foskor Mine road has lions on it, just like many other animals such as leopard, elephant and kudus are seen regularly. A lot of people voiced their opinion on the fate of these lions, but over the last couple of days, the "Kruger National Park Management", went ahead and verified that these lions are not theirs, and that they come from somewhere else.

Nobody can really say, just where they have come from, but when one goes down to "Olifants River Safaris", and you spend a bit of time there doing some of their activities, one can hear the roar of lions in the area, and yes we know the Balule Game Reserve is on the opposite side, however this occurs in a completely different direction. The lodge is visited frequently by elephant, and has resident hippo in the area as well as leopard.

I think that a time has come to just leave these lions to live their life, as they have not worried anybody for years. It does not help the situation to now go and euthanise or move the pride, as the road and surrounding area falls into their "Home Range". People need to understand, that if we can live with elephant and other animals walking down the main road in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, then having Lions, Elephant, Leopard and whatever other animals roam onto the Foskor Mine Road, need to be left alone. There is now an operation afoot to capture these lions, and to move them somewhere outside the KNP and are to be monitored. For piets sake, can nobody leave their dirty hands off the wildlife in the area, and let them be. It makes one quite sick and tired, when man makes a decision and it is 99% wrong in the first place. Just sickening stuff.

Below is the "Press release", by SAN Parks on the "Phalaborwa Pride Of Lions".

South African National Parks stated this morning that the widely reported pride of lions seen recently in the mining area outside Phalaborwa is not a known pride from the Kruger National Park (KNP) or the adjacent private nature reserves. It has been reported that this pride has been residing for more than a year within the Foskor, Phalaborwa Mining Company and direct adjacent areas, moving along the Selati river system. This area outside but adjacent to the KNP also contains elephant, buffalo and other wildlife.

The pride might have established in this area, due to the current availability of prey in these areas, and due to a lack of competition from other lion prides. The lion population within the Greater Kruger is very healthy, growing, and suitable habitats occupied. It would, therefore, be unwise to relocate a lion pride in the territory of an existing pride. The disease status of animals is also a consideration when looking at possible release areas.

KNP GM: Conservation Dr Marisa Coetzee said in a meeting between various parties it was agreed that a capture operation to be coordinated by Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) will be carried out as per the approved protocols. LEDET is the responsible authority on this matter. “The plan is to capture the pride and move them to a suitable area outside of the KNP and private reserves, where after they will be closely monitored by LEDET.”

Issued by:

South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications

For more info on our safaris, please visit www.nhongosafaris.co.za

Photos By Amanda

Hi There Everybody,

Thought for today, i would just share what i think to be some excellent photos taken by one of our guides Amanda, while on safari in the Kruger National Park. The safari took her for the first night at the camp of Pretoriuskop, a camp known  for is great sighting of leopard. after a successful day, it was off to the camp of Nkambeni. A tented private camp that we have used for nearly ten years with great food for the clients to enjoy. The following night, Amanda was scheduled to stay at the southern most camp of Berg En Dal. Known as one of the more modern camps in the Kruger Park.
When choosing a safari, one needs to take into account, the density of animals in the park, this is where the "Kruger National Park" has the highest densities of animals found in any National Park, thereby making it a lot easier for the visitor to either find or see the animal looked for, as there are good numbers of each species found in the park.

For more info on our safaris, please visit www.nhongosafaris.co.za

 

"Lux Magazine" "Global Excellence Award"

While we are on the subject of "Awards", we got a shock last week, as we were told that we had won an award from "Lux Magazine"and their "Global Excellence Awards". Nhongo Safaris was crowned the "Best Traditional Safari Tour Operator - South Africa" for the 2018. We see at the same time, we have been selected under in the same competition, just under a different category which is the "Family and Visitor Attraction Award Category", where we have been crowned as the "Best Open Safari Vehicle Operator - South Africa". We have never been a company that has placed a large enfaces on awards, but as the company gets older, and the industry gets larger, with more players, it is a good thing to be recognised for your contribution towards tourism, and the impact the the company has had on so many visiting tourists lives. As I posted in the post yesterday, We now truly know that "Our Journeys Do Change Lives".

For more info on our safaris, please visit www.nhongosafaris.co.za

Black and White, a bit of a change

Today we have a bit of a change. Some nice photos taken on Shannon and Kara's last safari with a group from the UK. The girls and guests had a smashing time, with all of the big five been seen, and more. It is the first time, we have tried black and white, and i must say, it makes for a pleasant change.

Just remember to book your safari early, as it gets pretty booked up. Now that South Africa has been named the best safari destination in the world.

Wild animals electrocuted in freak accident

South African National Parks (SANParks) today confirmed that an elephant, giraffe and a vulture were electrocuted in the Kruger National Park (KNP).  The incident took place at Shingwedzi Section in the north of the KNP. The animals were electrocuted after an Eskom Power line collapsed on Tuesday night and the Section Ranger was notified on Wednesday morning 8 May 2019 and immediately notified Eskom who have despatched a team to attend to the scene.

Power has been switched off to enable Rangers to remove tusks for safe keeping and the generator will supply power to the camp until the area has been attended to by both SANParks and Eskom technicians. Voting in the area will not be affected as power is available and visitors and staff are exercising their democratic right.    

An investigation will be established to find the cause of the collapse and an update will be issued in due course. 

Selective Dehorning of Rhino by SANParks

Below is part of the media release by the South African National Parks Board in relation to the steps that are now going to be taken in order to curb poaching of female rhino's that have calves with them or are preparing for birth of a calf. Sometimes drastic measures need to be taken, in order to try and save these animals that are edging ever closer to instinction if nothing is done to curb this practice now. We are currently in a war situation as it is , with all the incursions taking place into the Kruger National Park by poaching groups. So we have to be even more vigilant, and have no mercy on these people when they are caught poaching or even making their way to a poaching area. 

South African National Parks (SANParks) and conservation partners in the Greater Kruger Region are collaboratively implementing a range of interventions as part of an integrated wildlife management approach to counter the effects of rhino poaching. As part of several initiatives, certain entities have embarked on strategic dehorning of selected rhinos in the Greater Kruger Protected Area landscape.

KNP will implement a range of integrated management actions to minimise the impact of rhino poaching on the population numbers, including the selective dehorning of rhino cows in certain areas in the southern part. This management tool goes hand-in-hand with strengthening security measures, information sharing on incursions and intelligence as well as continuous collaboration with law enforcement agencies. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is being briefed extensively on the current situation in order to deliver stiff sentences to those found in possession of ammunition, high calibre rifles and trespassing in a protected area with the intention to commit a crime.

It has been established that the loss of a cow has multiple effects since it also includes the loss of a dependent calf and future calves. The multiple effects are part of various factors that affect population growth of white rhinos apart from the immediate disruptive effect of poaching. The cows are extremely important for the overall population performance and need to be protected by introducing stiffer sentences in incidents where they have been poached for their horn and a calf is left destitute.

Victoria Falls Hwange National Park Game Drives

The safari guides are the elite and have worked for many years in the Hwange National Park. Their unfaltering friendly enthusiasm to share the National Park with you will bowl you over and is likely to be one of the many highlights of your African holiday. This is about having a vacation of a lifetime in the great African wilderness and making your trip not just a holiday but the best experience you have had in your life. Visit www.nhongosafaris.com #gamedrive #Hwangenationalpark#Africangamedrives #Safaris #satsa_sa #WeDoTourism#OurJourneysChangeLives #atta_tourism #KrugerLowveld#Tourism_Updates #SATravelPeople