On Safari With Karen 9 November 2015

9 November 2015

On our last morning we had just a couple of hours before we had to head to the airport as the guests were heading out to Cape Town.

On this occasion though, it was short but sweet. Our first highlight was shortly after we left as we encountered this zebra with an itch. It was rubbing its chin on a branch and seemed quite content to get rid of the itch. But once you start scratching everything else starts itching. So after the chin it was the side of the head, the neck, the front legs, the flank and in the end it was the bum. Well, that made us giggle!

Then on route we noticed a couple of cars and upon getting closer we saw them watching a cheetah. It had just killed a kudu, quite a large one actually. And it was now engorging on its spoils. Occasionally looking up to see if danger was lurking nearby he ate his fill. After a while it turned out he was full and he lay aside catching its breath. Still bloody in the face it made some good pictures. 

Unfortunately it was then time to leave him alone as a plane was calling. At the airport I said goodbye to Tavi and Rebecca. I hope they will enjoy Cape Town as much as the safari! Thank you for joining us!!

No rest for the guide as after dropping off Tavi and Rebecca and a carwash, we picked up new guests. Barry, Adam and Malia joined me for another safari and upon arrival at the park we went straight on a game drive. Within 10 meters of entering the park we saw our fist animal of this safari: waterbucks. They were joined at a short distance by impalas and zebras, so it was a very good start!

Our highlight was seeing a giraffe, favorite of one of the guests. To top it off, he decided to do a good pose for us in the middle of the road. It looked like he had done a modeling course as he went to the middle of the "catwalk", put one foot forward, hips a little skew and then look sideways at the camera! The perfect pose! Then he continued crossing and posed again in the sunlight as a model and as a statue sideways. Plenty of pictures of this regal animal!

Other interesting sightings: hyena mother licking her cub, elephant bulls, plenty impalas, waterbucks, kudus, a warthog, zebras crossing, a blue wildebeest, klipspringer, a hippo and two sable bulls.

Birds included helmeted guineafowl, tawny eagle, cape turtle dove, three banded plover and crested francolin. 

Full Moon Success for Kruger Rangers and the #SANDF

South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced a successful operations deployment during the full moon this weekend against rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park (KNP). 

There were six incidents in which members of the Rangers Corps and the SANDF managed to arrest six suspects, recover three high calibre hunting rifles, poaching equipment and a set of rhino horns. Two of the suspects were injured by Rangers . Follow up operations are currently underway.

For Media Enquiries:

Ike Phaahla: SANParks Media Specialist
Tel: 012 426 5315
Cell: 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org.

Reynold "Rey" Thakhuli: SANParks Acting Head of Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170
Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

Poachers Update

Poachers Update: 29/07, Tshokwane - Rangers with helicopter support made contact with 3 suspected rhino poachers - during the incident, all three suspects were arrested, 1 suspect was however wounded in the incident. A firearm, ammo and poaching equipment were recovered at the scene.

On Safari With Karen from 24 July 2014

24 July 2014

Today was another daytrip with Care for Wild volunteers. We started at Numbi Gate and were lucky to see two elephants quite quickly. The young bulls were in the distance but stepped first on a termite mount to show themselves (1 by 1) and then kept walking towards us. They crossed the road just behind our vehicle. A little further on we found some zebras hiding behind the bushes.

We took a loop around Shabeni where we found a klipspringer posing on top of a rock and a large troop of baboons. They baboons weren't properly awake yet, as they sat huddled together is small groups warming up in the sun.

Back on the tar road we were stared at a lone buffalo bull and spotted a duiker that didn't run away.

We took a slow drive to Shithave Dam where the crocodile was already up and sunning himself. The hippos were nowhere to be seen, but we did get a good look at a grey heron.

We saw warthogs, kudus, giraffes and our first impalas. Then we encountered two elephants bulls in the prime of their lives. One was clearly trying to establish dominancy. Challenging the one that was a teensy bit smaller and at one point even laying its head and trunk on top of the head of the other as much as he could. However, the smallest one was apparently ok with it as he was more keen on the grass and kept chewing away even with the other one's head on top of him. No scuffle broke out, so we continued our journey.

Close to Transport Dam a hyena pup was sunning himself. At Delaporte waterhole we saw a massive male giraffe and a troop of baboons that was feeding and as if it was the themes of the morning, here too two males were establishing the hierarchy. One of the kings mounted the other as if trying to mate it. We also saw impala and two duikers roaming around.

On the way to Skukuza we saw many more giraffes and a large group of buffalo bulls were crossing the road, at their own pace, just before Skukuza entrance.

After a break at Skukuza we turned towards the river. We stopped at a spot where people said there were lions, but through the bushes. We scouted and looked and maybe saw an ear, but that was it. No luck this time. We did however see multiple white-backed and hooded vultures sitting in trees nearby waiting to eat the leftovers of the buffalo the lions had killed. After we continued we spotted lots of herds of impalas, bateleurs fly over and a fish eagle.

At high level bridge we spotted an island full of hippos and a crocodile. We then took the road Marula loop where we saw lots of giraffes, zebras and two buffalos close to the road. At Sand river bridge a family of tawny eagles was sitting on their nest. Then we had to drive slowly as a family of ground hornbills was walking in the road. While we were crossing slowly, baboons came up from behind us and played on the bridge.

Back at Skukuza we stopped for lunch. Then we continued our drive on Kruger road where a steenbok decided we weren't worth running away from in the heat and plopped back down to rest. Down River road there were lots of kudus going to the water. We saw some nice fully grown males and large groups of females. Back on Doispane it was rather quiet. The day had turned hot and all the animals had gone into hiding. We did get word about a sleeping male lion under a bush. This time we were in luck and made it to the sighting in time. The lion was having a dream as he rolled on his back and made movements with his legs in the air. It made it look funny for us! On the way to Phabeni Gate we only stopped for zebras, before the drive was over.

Poachers Update

Poachers Update: 25/07 Lower Sabie rangers made contact with a group of three suspected rhino poachers close to the Mozambique border. During contact, one suspect was wounded and arrested. A rifle, ammo and equipment were recovered at the scene. The remaining two suspects managed to escape arrest.

In another successful counter poaching operation (25/07), Shangoni rangers made contact with a group of three suspected poachers deep in the section. During contact, one suspect was fatally wounded and the remaining two suspects escaped arrest and are currently being followed up. A rifle, ammo and equipment were recovered at the scene

New Update On Wyntir!!

Wyntir is doing very well. Her wounds are healing very well and she is a happy little rhino...


Over the weekend we brought Tana over and introduced the 2 of them! They took to each other very quickly and Wyntir was following Tana around.

So happy for them...

Media Release: SANParks Congratulates Magistrate Msibi For Sentencing

South African National Parks (SANParks) today, 22 July 2014, welcomed the heavy sentencing of a rhino poacher to a total of 77 years in prison for rhino poaching and related offences. He was sentenced in the Nelspruit Magistrates Court today.

Mandla Chauke was arrested in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in 2011 after he had killed three rhino calves.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of SANParks, Abe Sibiya commended the courts in particular Magistrate Msibi, for imposing such a lengthy jail term. This is a huge triumph for the rhino and we warmly welcome this reward as it will provide the much needed boost to the anti poaching teams who endure harsh conditions for the protection of our parks.

The KNP has lost 370 animals to poaching since January this year and 62 people were arrested in connection with some of the cases.

“Our wish is to see a significant increase in such convictions and for the law enforcement authorities in affected countries to cooperate and work with us to end this scourge”, concluded Sibiya.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Kruger National Park Communications
Tel: 013 735 4262

Enquiries:
William Mabasa
GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919
Email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

Ike Phaahla
Media Specialist, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5315; Cell: 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

Day Trip with Dean

Today we picked up the predator course guests from the NumbiGate. We made our way down to Mestel Dam getting good sightings of impala and hippo, we moved on down the Albasini road and then up the Shabeni junction road, getting sightings of more impala as well as some elephant. We moved on going around a quite Shabeni Koppies with only a sighting of baboons in the area. We carried on with our game drive around Manungu Kopies getting a large herd of elephants with a good number of calves. After this it was off to the camp of Pretoriuskop for some breakfast.

After having enjoyed a good breakfast, we made our way down the Napi road getting sightings of elephant, impala, kudu, warthog, hippo and a hyena pup lying next to the road. We then made our way down the H3 and onto the S112. After this we made our way up the Stevenson Hamilton road and up the S114 in the direction of Skukuza.

Upon arrival at Skukuza, everyone needed a toilet break and wanted to do some shopping at the camp shop. Once everyone was ready we made our way to the Skukuza Golf club for lunch.

At 14h00, after everyone had enjoyed a good lunch, it was out again, which turned out to be quite other than a rhino and a herd of elephants. We made our way back up to Doispane road in the direction of Phaneni Gate getting more elephant, large herd of buffalo, African fish eagles and some hippos.

We proceeded onto the gate as it was time to say goodbye to the group.

Everybody enjoyed the day although it was a quite experience with regards to the cat species in the Kruger National Park due to the amount of traffic this time of year.

Poaching Update

Invite to participate in the process of Panel of Expert investigating the feasibility of legalising rhino horn trade

Panel of Experts invites stakeholder participation as it explores rhino horn trade feasbility as part of South Africa's co...mprehensive integrated approach to reduce rhino poaching.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, invites stakeholders to register to participate in the process of the Panel of Experts investigating the feasibility of legalising rhino horn trade.

The Department of Environmental Affairs was authorised by Cabinet in July 2013 to explore the feasibility of South Africa tabling a proposal for the legalization of commercial international trade in rhino horn at the 17th Conference of Parties (CoP17) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2016.

The Panel of Experts was established to assist the Inter-Ministerial Committee appointed by Cabinet to deliberate on the matters relating to a possible trade in rhino horn and commenced its work in April 2014. The 10 member Panel is chaired by Mr Fundisile Mketeni, the Deputy Director-General: Biodiversity and Conservation and will report to the Inter-Ministerial Committee before the end of the year.

The Cabinet-approved Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) comprises the Ministers of Environmental Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, Trade and Industry, Finance, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Rural Development and Land Reform, Economic Development and Tourism, Safety and Security and Justice and Correctional Services. The Committee will provide guidance relating to preparations in respect of a trade proposal to be considered at CITES COP17. The IMC will meet as soon as the Panel of Experts (PoE) has finalised a report for its consideration.

The PoE has met twice since its appointment to initiate its work and discuss the scope of work to be done.

Key areas of work to be undertaken by the Panel include:

- Analysis of the current rhino situation and interventions to address illegal killing of rhino and illegal trade in rhino horn, with a focus on government initiatives;

- Identification of new or additional interventions required to create an enabling environment for the sustainable utilization of natural resources and to strengthen the integrated approach of the government in addressing illegal killing and illegal trade;

- The socio-economic impact of wildlife trafficking (illegal killing and illegal trade) for communities, game farms and private game reserves, conservation authorities and species conservation, and options relating to the establishment of alternative economies;

- Special focus on community involvement and participation, especially the communities neighbouring protected areas with rhinos

- The potential impact of various interventions and management scenarios on the conservation of the species, including range expansion;

- Improve understanding of demand and supply; the anticipated changes if trade is introduced; and the mechanisms to respond to that change;

- Potential models/mechanisms for trade (strictly controlled trade, i.e. once-off sale of stockpiles; government to government trade or more open regulated trade; sources of specimens and specimens to be traded; the benefits and risks associated with the different options; regulatory and control mechanisms; traceability; enforcement measures and financial mechanisms to be considered);

- The implications and risks for enforcement and security matters and mechanisms to mitigate (dynamics of wildlife crime and the key issues to be considered in terms of addressing current enforcement challenges and anticipated enforcement challenges);

- Implications of the decisions relating to trade for other rhino range States as well as implications for consumer States; and

The work of the Panel has intensified as the number of rhino poached in South Africa since the start of 2014, now stands at 496. The number of alleged poachers arrested since January 2014 is 141.

The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa. Since January 2014, 321 rhino have been poached in the Park.

The number of rhino poached in Limpopo this year has risen to 51, while 47 rhino have been poached in KwaZulu-Natal, 35 in North West and 24 in Mpumalanga.

The Panel will co-opt experts as the need arises and will engage with various stakeholders during the process. Stakeholders are invited to indicate whether they would like to make representations to the panel, and on what subject matter. The inputs will be considered by the Panel in formulating recommendations to the South African government on an appropriate position on the legalisation of rhino horn trade.

The Panel will consider the requests received and invite organisations or individuals to present information to it for consideration. The schedule of engagements/workshops will be made available in due course.


Interested stakeholders and organisations can register their interest to participate with Mr Mpho Tjiane of the Department of Environmental Affairs through e-mail: mtjiane@environment.gov.za


Stakeholders requiring information about the work of the Panel may contact Mr Tjiane at mtjiane@environment.gov.za


All media requests must be directed in writing to either Albi Modise at amodise@environment.gov.za or Eleanor Momberg at emomberg@environment.gov.za

To access the template to be completed by organisations / individuals that would like to register, click on: http://bit.ly/1k5vvQB

South Africans and members of the international community are encouraged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs

On Safari With Curtis From 13 June 2014

13 June 2014

After meeting my guests in Nelspruit we headed down to Nkambeni tented safari camp and checked in before we went for a afternoon drive. We headed along coming across many impala, kudu, buffalo, giraffe and white rhino as well as hippos and waterbuck at mestel dam as well as having a brief glimpse of a family of steenbok before they scattered into the bush. We then took a drive around Faye loop where we found more kudu, vervet monkey and a family of dwarf mongoose.

 

14 June 2014

This morning was a late start as last night my guests being big football fans stayed up late to watch the Netherlands - Spain world cup match. Immediately we found a large male elephant and then a small herd of fiveelephants on Numbi tar. We headed down Napi which was fairly quiet until we saw a leopard cross our path, we watched as he moved into the bush and hung around a bit until he decided where he wanted to go and disappeared from view. We carried on and found a nice sighting of zebra before finding a young hyena cub lying outside his den, we were then told about a herd of elephants just down the road and made our way there. They were standing right next to the road and wanted to cross but due to the large number of cars blocking their path they didn't. We waited patiently and as the cars all moved on one of the larger females decided to cross the road, this was the signal for the rest of the herd to cross over and we were treated to a wonderful sighting as about 25 elephants crossed in front and behind us. We turned back around and headed to PK for a short break before heading down Shabeni and Albasini where we found vervets, impala, zebra and a very nervous common duiker. On Doispane we came across a pair of mating lions. Hidden in the bush while they were resting we waited and finally the male stood up and went to the female.

Unfortunately it was time to leave Kruger and head to KMIA where my guests are catching a flight to head over to Brazil and follow their team Australia. Thank you for your company the last couple of days and fingers crossed for your team.

 

On Safari With Mark From 2 June 2014

2 June 2014

Route: Doispan - Napi - Nkambeni

General animals seen: impala, kudu, warthog, giraffe, elephant, rhino, waterbuck

Highlights: On our way to camp, we came across a massive herd of buffalo, all blocking the road. This was a fantastic sighting as there was males, females and calf’s all in the road. Guests got great photos

 

3 June 2014

Route: Napi - Elloff - Lower sabi - Elloff - Napi - Nkambeni

General animals seen: impala, waterbuck, kudu, common duiker, warthog, bushbuck, chackma baboon, vervet monkeys, hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffalo, elephants and rhino

Highlights: On Elloff we had 3 juvenile male lions come walking towards us. All 3 of them past our vehicle approximately 3m from us. Guests got photos and we decided to leave them as other cars were following them and this would disturb them if traffic builds up.

Approximately 2kms from lower sabie we found a journey of 17giraffe all spending time eating the acacia trees that lined the riverbed. Brilliant to see so many together.

We still looking for a great pride of lions and that allusive leopard.

 

4 June 2014

Route: Nkambeni - Albaseni - Doispan - Tshokwane tar – Satara

General animals seen: impala, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildbeest, giraffe, zebra, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, bushbuck, nyala, ostriches, baboons, vervet monkeys, steenbok, common duiker, Cape buffalo, rhinos and elephant.

Highlights: On our way up to Satara we found a female cheetah with her 5 cubs walking parallel with the road. Great to see how the little ones follow her, but still keep to the safety of running from bush to bush in pursuit of their mom. Guests got lovely photos and video of this.

 

5 June 2014

Route: Satara - S100 - S41 - S90 - Satara - H1-4 - Olifants - H1-4 - Satara

General animals seen:  impala, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildbeest, giraffe, zebra, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, bushbuck, nyala, baboons, vervet monkeys, steenbok, common duiker, Cape buffalo, rhinos and elephant.

Highlights: We drove down the S100 in search of the local pride of lions but found nothing, as we were discussing how the book says this is "Cat country" and how wrong they are, so popped out a lioness right in front of us. Both ladies enjoyed this and could get great photos.

On our return to Satara we found 3 different sightings of black backed jackals and once again enjoyed these all to ourselves.

In the afternoon we spotted a female leopard, stalking an impala. This was great to see as she didn't worry about us but focused only on the prey insight. She exposed herself to quickly and lost the chase but great video was captured by our guests.

 

6 June 2014

Route: Satara - H7 - Orpen gate

General animals seen: impala, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildbeest, giraffe, zebra, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, ostriches, baboons, monkeys, steenbok, common duiker, Cape buffalo, rhinos and elephant.

 

Highlights: On our way out of the park we got to see a beautiful elephant bull enjoying the apple leaf tree as a back scratch.

As we exited the park on our way to moholoholo, we spotted a male leopard walking along the fence and could pull off and watch this fantastic cat for one last time. Just goes to show it's not over until it's over.

 

More coming soon!!

Poachers Update

Statement by the Department of Environmental Affairs on trade in rhino horn - Since the start of 2014, 442 rhino have been poached in South Africa and 123 suspected poachers arrested.

http://bit.ly/1pbOiRb

On Safari With Karen From 2 June 2014

2 June 2014

My guests arrived at the KMIA airport and we took a slow drive up to the Kruger Park through all the plantations. Upon arrival  guests had some time to relax before they went on their Sundowner safari.

They went to Mashawu Dam where they unfortunately just missed the sunset because they had stopped for giraffes along the way. But the sky was still a lovely red colour so it gave some nice photos. They saw the hippos playing in the dam. On the way back it was a quiet drive with just a sighting of a scrub hare.

 

3 June 2014

Today my guests were not feeling well so we decided to take it easy and relax around our camp for the day.

 

4 June 2014

Today we left after breakfast to go on game drive. On camp road we spotted a small herd of waterbucks with two very nice adult males. Just before reaching the tar road a tree trunk seemed to move, but it turned out to be covered in dwarf mongooses. When we stopped the car however they all seemed to disappear quickly.

Then we took a slow drive around Shabeni where we saw impalas, kudus, a young tree squirrel and a crested barbet. Continuing on we saw some fresh tracks of rhinos and elephant but the animals making them were hiding in the bush. On Albassini we spotted a buffalo herd in the high grass. However the herd was slowly moving our way so we patiently waited a bit for them to show themselves for better pictures. They came close to the vehicle and then the first brave bulls started crossing in front of our vehicle. Their followers got spooked by a private vehicle though so they turned around. Most of the herd ended up crossing behind us. We estimated the herd was about 60 buffalos strong, but the stream seemed never-ending in the high grass.

Further up the road we spotted some zebras. The first lot was hiding very well in the bush and had no interest in coming closer. So after a couple of pictures we continued and then spotted a nice zebra on the side of the road. He walked around the bush and we were hoping he would cross. Then 5 zebras came out of hiding and one by one started crossing the road in front of us. They posed nicely in the middle of the road, except for the baby that took the crossing at a trot. Close to the end of the road we spotted even more zebras.

Down Doispane we saw a warthog, many impalas, vervet monkeys and lilac breasted rollers. We then stopped at Skukuza for an early lunch, where a crocodile was lying in the riverbed.

On the way back we drove to Transport Dam. Just before the turn off a hyena youngster was lying outside the den. He wasn't feeling very well as he puked while we were watching him. We weren't very keen on watching him eat what he had just thrown up though so we continued our drive. At Transport Dam we spotted a nice crocodile with his mouth open on the island close to the shore. In the far end there were hippos. On either side there were large herds of waterbucks. We also spotted an African jacana male with two chicks and a malachite kingfisher. On the way back to Napi road we spotted some giraffes, one a very young one drinking from its Mum, but they were mostly hiding in the bushes.

Down Napi we saw more kudus with a very nice bull, bateleurs and yellow billed hornbills. We ended our drive with a herd of elephants in the distance close to Shitlhave Dam and a lone giraffe close to Numbi Reception.

 

5 June 2014

Today we set off after breakfast for a full day game drive. On Camp road we spotted our first animal already: a duiker, showing why it is named as such. We then headed down Napi which was littered with buffalo dung. It was hard to slalom around and felt like it was going for kilometres on and on but then we finally saw the herd of mess makers! The entire herd was on a little hill on our left just before Shithave Dam. On the right side however, elephants were walking not that far from the road so a great opportunity for pictures.

We continued on Napi spotting impalas, kudus, lilac breasted rollers, a red crested korhaan, yellow billed hornbills and then just before Transport Dam a bull in must was standing on the side of the road. He was massive! And the smell very pungent! We watched how he came onto the road, had a good long look at us and decided we weren't worth the effort. He turned and walked away from us in the opposite direction.

We then turned onto the H3 soon seeing a wildebeest all by himself and shortly after a large journey of giraffes. We counted about 9 of them in the bush, spread out. Most were feeding but two were arguing about a tasty tree or, more likely, a lovely female and had a good fight. We saw warthogs being chased off the road by another vehicle and when while on the S112 we saw some more. We had heard about a wild dog sighting and drove in that direction on the S114. We found them surrounded by cars on the side of the road. It took some manoeuvring skills of all to make way for others, but when it was our turn we got treated to a great sighting! The alpha female seemed heavily pregnant and the alpha male stayed close to her. The rest of the pack was playing around, which was a good watch.

We left the sighting more than happy with what we saw driving towards Skukuza. We reached the tar road and just around the corner a leopard was busy crossing the road about 50m in front of us. He looked at us but didn't change his route or speed. We continued to drive closer trying not to spook him, but when we got close he had disappeared into the bush. We searched and searched but gone.

After a break at Skukuza we continued on a drive around the river area. We started with a lovely sighting of a couple of marabou storks accompanied by bateleurs and two tawny eagles in the air as well as in trees nearby. At our first sight of the river we saw three hippos lying on the shore sunning themselves. We also spotted a hamerkop, a  hoopoe that almost got run over by an oncoming car, a great kudu bull and more hippos out of the water when we reached the bridge over the Sabie river.

On the other side of the Sabie river we continued on Marula tar where we were treated to multiple elephant herds crossing the road towards the river. At one sighting a mother with her 5 month old baby was about to cross when she noticed our vehicle and got a bit scared. She was immediately accompanied by two sisters to protect her baby. One of them so serious she came very close to the vehicle to give us the evil eye! We also saw zebras along this road.

Crossing the Sand river bridge we saw some hippos popping up and while driving over the Sabie river bridge A buffalo herd, crocodiles, hippos and a fish eagle. Back on the road to Skukuza we saw a cluster of cars and before we could ask them what they saw, a leopard appeared out of the trees and plopped down in the shade under a bush. We were just at the right spot to see him raise his head a couple of times, but he decided it was time for a nap.

After lunch at, once again, Skukuza we took a drive around River road and River link to see if anything was thirsty. We did see a small terrapin, a large herd of waterbucks with a very large-horned male and lots of pretty birds but no drinking animals on the riverside. On Doispane however elephant bulls were having an elephant mud bath. They were spraying it all over themselves and then rubbing the trees. We had great fun watching and listening to all the splashing of elephant feet in the mud!  Then we came across a small buffalo herd in an open area. We also spotted two white rhinos together on our drive. Our first rhinos of this tour!

At a sighting of a couple of steenbokkies we were told about wild dogs close to Phabeni Gate. We took a little detour on our way back to camp to see two dogs lying in the grass on the side of the road. This was a different pack as the ones we saw this morning. It is rare to see two separate leopards in one day, but even more rare to see two packs of wild dogs! We left when they got up to lie in the grass almost completely obscured, like the rest of their pack.

A last stretch on Albassini added zebras and two crested barbets to our long list of animals we saw today! At Mestel Dam we even saw some hippo heads, but as my guests said, we were kinda hippoed out after all of the ones we had already seen. It was a long day, but an awesome one!!

On Safari With Curtis From 1 June 2014

1 June 2014

The first day of a new tour and after a stop for lunch in Nelspruit we headed down to Phabeni gate, our first sighting was a large herd of impala close to the road and then a short look at a buffalo before he disappeared into the bush. We stopped at Nyamundwa dam and found hippos on the other side as well as wildebeest and a variety of birdlife such as cormorants, Egyptian geese, blacksmith lapwings and an African fish eagle. Further along doispane we found zebra before turning onto watergat where immediately we found a nice sighting of impala, kudu and vervet monkey's in the same spot. We then came across a large bull elephant only a few metres from the road, we pulled up close and watched as he pushed over a smallish acacia tree and started to pick branches off it before crossing over behind us. We then found impala alongside baboons and a warthog at the watering hole. After turning onto Napi we found a young hyena cub lying by his den before visiting transport dam. Again we could see hippo on the other side, as well a waterbuck, a couple of steenbok and more water birds. The rest of Napi was very quiet with just a few impala and kudu. As we drove down camp road we got another close sighting of an elephant before entering the gates of Nkambeni tented safari camp for the night.

 

2 June 2014

This morning we immediately bumped into an elephant just outside the lodge gates before taking a drive around shabeni and finding a leopard, we only got a short glimpse of her before she moved deep into the bush but never the less it was a good start. We drove down Napi which was quiet, with only impala and kudu seen. Continuing on with our drive we spotted rhinos and on closer inspection showed that the two were actually mating, a very unusual sighting. Further along we came across a large herd of buffalo with animals on either side of us and on the road in front of us. We carried on and found elephants before one of my guests shouted lion!! We reversed and unfortunately the thing she had seen was not a lion, we would have been disappointed however the thing she had seen was in fact our second leopard. We were the only vehicle for some time and spent plenty of time watching him before he got up and walked over to the road enabling us to follow him closely. A great sighting enjoyed by us all.

We then drove to Skukuza seeing giraffe along the way. After our break we took a trip around the river spotting kudu, bushbuck, a nice crocodile sunbathing on the sand as well as group of white backed vultures which were also sand bathing. We then heard about some lions on bravo. We headed down there and found two lions a bit into the bush, the Acacia trees blocked our view a bit but with some positioning we were able to get a good view of the pair. On the way back we came across 3 hyena cubs , plenty of elephants and impala we also saw the buffalo herd we had seen earlier.

 

3 June 2014

The last morning of this tour and after packing up our bags we set off for a last safari before transfers.

As we left the lodge for the last time we spotted a couple of common duikers which quickly dived into the bush before we set off down Albasini, we spotted impala before we got to mestel dam and found a mum and small calf hippo out of the water lying on a sandbank, maybe the water was colder than the winter air around us!! We carried on down the road, which was quiet, finding a nice herd of Zebra close to the road, we just had time to drive down to nyamundwa dam finding more hippos and the water birds at the edge before we had a drive down to phabeni gate and leave the park.

I would like to thank Evie, James, Josie and Susan for their company, we have been very successful over the last three days and we got everything that you had hoped for. Hope to see you back here one day!!!

On Safari With Dean From 19 May 2014

First off we would like to welcome Michelle and Justin Leegsma who are on their sixth safari with us. It is always a pleasure seeing this couple every year.

 

19 May 2014

We picked up Michelle and Justin at the Balalika hotel in Sandton and made our way out of Johannesburg to Nelspruit were we changed into one of the open safari vehicles and then made our way onto the Phabeni gate of the Kruger National Park. After gate check in procedures we made our way down getting good sightings of buffalo, impala, rhino, zebra and wildebeest. Upon arriving at skukuza, everybody checked in and enjoyed some good drinks on the deck, before having dinner.

 

20 May 2014

This morning we left camp at 06h00 and made our way down the Napi road and then onto the H3 to quagga pan looking for some of the cat species, with it been a bit quite we proceeded for about another five kilometres before turning back and making our way in the direction of the Skukuza golf club for breakfast. After enjoying a good breakfast we made our way up the Tshokwane tar to the picnic spot getting good sightings of elephant, numerous vultures as well as kudu, impala, zebra and wildebeest. After leaving the Tshokwane picnic spot, we got to hear of lions lying near the road north of maritime dam, we made our way in this direction and were not disappointed as we arrived in the final stages of three lions trying to take down a zebra, unfortunately they did not get it right and the zebra and lions made off in different directions. We got to hear of more lions further up the road, lying in the river line, and so we decided to go and find them. After a short ten minute drive, we arrived at the sighting with one male and four females lying sleeping. After a good sighting spent in the river line, we made our way back to the tar road when a message came in that cheetah had been spotted where we had passed earlier, we made our way back in that direction and found them walking from the river line towards the road. The two mature females crossed the road in front of the vehicle with one of the cubs coming across as well and another cub crossing further down the road. After this great sighting, we made our way onto Satara getting more impala, wildebeest, buffalo, elephant and baboon. A great meal was enjoyed at the mug and bean, before retiring to bed.

 

21 May 2014

Today it was out early again and we made our way down the notorious S100, this proved to be a quite morning with sightings of impala, kudu, wildebeest, buffalo, zebra and black backed jackal. We turned onto the H6 and were contacted by the Singita Lebombo lodge rangers, who informed us of a giraffe kill on the main Tshokwane - Satara road, we made our way in the direction and a while later stopped next to three lionesses eating a huge male giraffe. We enjoyed the sighting immensely, before turning around and making our way to camp for a late breakfast. After an enjoyable breakfast, we took a drive in the direction of Olifants camp, but with all the patch burning taking place this was abandoned on the opposite side of the Olifants river, and we returned back to camp for an early afternoon. Animals seen were impala, numerous vultures, elephant, wildebeest, baboon, hyena and black backed jackal.

 

22 May 2014

This morning it was out again at six o clock, in order to make our way back down south in order to meet more guests coming in on safari. We made our way back down to the Giraffe kill and were not disappointed again as we got to have a great sighting of three young females eating on the giraffe. As we moved away from the sighting, we encountered more lions lying about fifty meters from the carcass, after watching them for a while, we moved on and then about a hundred meters further down the road, we found more lions, this time two young males that had eaten themselves so full that they could not move.

 

After enjoying the sighting, we made our way further southwards encountering good sightings of buffalo, elephant, impala, zebra and kudu. We made our way down to Skukuza for a break, before travelling onto Numbi Gate to meet some new guests from Canada that were arriving on safari.

After the guests arrival, we made our way to Nkambeni Safari Lodge to check in, and enjoy lunch before departing on an afternoon game drive. The afternoon game drive took us up the Napi Road to Shithave Dam and then down the Voortrekker Road and then up to Manungu and Pretoriuskop kopies, ending at Mentsel Dam. Animals seen in the afternoon were elephant, rhino, impala,kudu and wildebeest. We returned to Nkambeni Safari Camp for a well-deserved dinner, before retiring to bed for a good rest.

 

 

23 May 2014

 

After enjoying an early breakfast we left camp and made our way down the Napi Road, getting good sightings of impala and kudu. We turned onto the Boulders loop and got eight wild dogs making their way up the loop to Napi Road. After turning around, we followed them for a while until they moved off the road and into the bush. We continued down the boulder loop which turned out to be quite, and then returned to Napi Road. The drive through to Skukuza was relatively quiet with a few sightings of impala, elephant, wildebeest and kudu. After a good break, it was off to Lower Sabie getting good sightings of hippo in the Sabie River, giraffe, impala, warthog, kudu and buffalo. Upon reaching Sunset Dam, we came upon a dead hippo floating in the dam with up to twelve crocodiles eating on it at times. This was a really enjoyed sighting with us spending almost half an hour there watching this unfold in front of us. We made our way to the camp of Lower Sabie for lunch and then it was back on the road in the direction of Skukuza camp and then onto Nkambeni Safari Lodge arriving back at about four thirty. Animals seen on the return journey were hippo, elephant, buffalo, rhino, impala, kudu, wildebeest, zebra, warthog and giraffe.

 

 

24 May 2014

 

Today was another early morning with Justin and Michelle being on there last drive before leaving us and returning to Toronto Canada, we made a turn at shithave dam, boulders loop and also went down a few kilometres on the Voortrekker road. The morning turned out to be quite, with just sighting of general game, before returning them to the Numbi Gate for their return transfer with Verity to Johannesburg International Airport. After Justin and Michelle had left for Johannesburg, we carried on with a game drive around circle road, getting elephant, rhino, impala and kudu. We made our way back to camp for lunch, after a good break, we left on an afternoon game drive getting good sightings of general game as well as a nice sighting of an elephant bull in Musth that gave us a bit of an eye while crossing the road.

 

 

25 May 2014

 

Today saw us packing the vehicle and enjoying an early breakfast before departing on Duncan and Vincent’s last game drive. We made our way down Napi Road, before turning onto the H3 down to Quagga Pan. Again it was a quite morning with only a very quick sighting of two male lions close to Shithave Dam. After reaching Quagga Pan, we turned around and made our way to the gate of the Kruger National Park for the return journey to Johannesburg. Upon returning to Johannesburg, Duncan and Vincent were dropped off at Sunrock Guesthouse. Feedback from the clients were that they enjoyed there safari, and would be returning with the girlfriends and family in the future.

 

 

 

More coming soon!!

 

Poachers Update

Renewed call on Non-Profit Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and individuals involved in Rhino Projects and fundraising to provide details to Department of Environmental Affairs.

All Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), Non-Governm...ent Organisations (NGOs), businesses and individuals involved in fighting rhino poaching are requested to submit information about their work to the Department of Environmental Affairs by 30 June 2014.

The renewed call to organisations and individuals to provide details about their initiatives to the Department follows a registration drive launched in September 2013 during which 156 NGOs and NPOs registered their projects.

The initiative is one of numerous steps being taken to rid the sector of illegitimate and ill-intended operations in an effort to ensure that monies collected in the name of rhino poaching are utilised correctly.

The continuous concern by government and members of the public about the increase in rhino poaching has resulted in an increase in the number of private individuals and organisations becoming involved in the fight against rhino poaching. This has included raising public awareness; the collection of funds to fight the scourge of poaching within national, provincial and private game reserves in South Africa; and the development and implementation of projects relating to rhino conservation and safety and security.

Under the present system, NGOs and NPOs are required to register with government through the Department of Social Development. The failure of organisations or individuals to submit annual audited reports results in the de-registration of such bodies from the Social Development database, but some continue operating despite deregistration. The Department and rhino industry stakeholders have also expressed concern about the increase in illegitimate operations.

The total number of rhinos poached in South Africa since January 2014 has increased to 402, while number of people arrested for rhino poaching-related offences has climbed to 115.

The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa with 266 rhinos killed for their horns so far this year. Of the total number of rhinos poached, 41 rhinos have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal, 39 in Limpopo and 26 in North West.

All NPOs, NGOs, organisations and individuals involved in raising awareness or funding to address rhino poaching are requested to email the name of the organisation, contact details and full details relating to the project / initiative / intervention to Ms Olga Kumalo via e-mail: okumalo@environment.gov.za

South Africans are encouraged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.