7 February 2015
On our full day game drive we had once again many highlights, but the best one was when we were enjoying the view on top of Mathekanyan. We were suddenly visited by a small troop of baboons that came walking up the hill and started munching on seeds in a little patch of grass in the middle. Apparently they disturbed a scrub hare as it suddenly bolted out of the grass. Well, you might have heard it, but in Kruger: whatever you do, you don't run. Only food runs in Kruger. Guess the scrub hare was to scared to remember and the big male baboon grabbed the opportunity. He chased the scrub hare around the rock and then a swipe, two squeals and a growl and it was over. Astonished about this sighting we watched him tear the scrub hare in pieces and have a lovely meal. Only then we realized we were actually still standing outside the car... But the baboon didn't seem to mind as long as we kept our distance. When the rest of his troop came to investigated he took the pieces and ran away, unwilling to share his surprise winnings.
Prior to this sightings we already had come across lions. Twice to be exact, but the first sighting was one of the best. At Transport Dam three young males were hanging out in the shade. As the shade of the next bush was better they got up one by one and moved. But then this big bull elephant comes striding over the dam wall to have a cool drink of water. The lions got up and scamper while the elephant drinks its fill. When he has had enough he walks off, the three lions actually return and have a drink of water themselves. And then went back to the shady spot to have a lie down again as if nothing happened.
Other interesting sightings were numerous: a third lion sighting, elephant herds crossing, a dung beetle rolling a dung ball, lilac-breasted and European roller, nyalas, woodlands kingfishers, yellow-billed kite, impalas, impressive kudu bulls, Speke's hinged tortoise as well as leopard tortoise, water monitor, giraffes, a tree full of carmine bee eaters, more baboons (now known as bunny killers), warthogs, vervet monkeys, crocodile, spider-hunting wasp, dwarf mongoose, bateleur, white-backed and hooded vultures, hippopotamus, and plenty of additional birds.
Verity and Dean Cherry had an African dream in 1999 and started Nhongo Safaris® to eliminate the logistical challenges of international visitors on safari. We provide a once in a lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiast that demand quality overnight safaris in South Africa and most particularly the Kruger National Park. We want to enrich our visitors’ experience by providing Luxury Safari Packages or African Safari Holidays and maintain our position as leader in Kruger Park Safaris.
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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 ve...
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
On Safari With Karen: 6 February 2015
6 February 2015
Today was a new safari and the guests' first drive was a Sundowner safari.
Their sunset was amazing, and had all the fabulous aspects of the Kruger Park. The sky turned brilliant orange as the sun set, dancing its last rays over the water where the hippos were yawning to show off their strength. The hippos were waking up, adding some lovely bush sounds to the amazing picture.
And even though it was only their first drive, there were already many highlights. But the best thing was meeting this tiny little baby elephant and its mother that was protecting it from harm. She was shielding the baby from the big bad car, and shoving it underneath her so nothing can touch it. If they wanted to come close to the little one, they had to pass her first.
Other animals seen: spotted eagle owl (another highlight as owls is one of the guests most favorite animal), zebras, giraffe, impalas, waterbuck, and last but not least a big bull elephant in must that stopped them from returning to the lodge for quite some time.
Today was a new safari and the guests' first drive was a Sundowner safari.
Their sunset was amazing, and had all the fabulous aspects of the Kruger Park. The sky turned brilliant orange as the sun set, dancing its last rays over the water where the hippos were yawning to show off their strength. The hippos were waking up, adding some lovely bush sounds to the amazing picture.
And even though it was only their first drive, there were already many highlights. But the best thing was meeting this tiny little baby elephant and its mother that was protecting it from harm. She was shielding the baby from the big bad car, and shoving it underneath her so nothing can touch it. If they wanted to come close to the little one, they had to pass her first.
Other animals seen: spotted eagle owl (another highlight as owls is one of the guests most favorite animal), zebras, giraffe, impalas, waterbuck, and last but not least a big bull elephant in must that stopped them from returning to the lodge for quite some time.
Monday, 9 February 2015
On Safari With Curtis: 8 February 2015
8 February 2015
We woke, on this our final day, to dark rain filled clouds which were releasing plenty of rain as we left camp. This, unfortunately did affect the sightings early on but we were spoilt with one particular sighting.
As we drove past the entry of a dirt road we found two large black manned lions walking towards us. We watched as they walked off the dirt road onto the tar and continued to walk along the road. We turned and followed them, the two of them were so confident that they allowed us to move along side them as they walked down the road. So close to them were we that we could clearly see the scars and war wounds that these two have encountered over the years.
Occasionally each of them would stop and scrape the ground with their back paws and scent marking the grass along the road. We spent about fifteen minutes with just our vehicle at the sighting before other vehicles started to turn up and this was our cue to let others enjoy this amazing experience.
Our second highlight of the Day was our first rhino of this tour. Not only did this complete the Big 5, more importantly it allowed the guests have a good look at a creature which has become a important symbol of the struggles of fighting poachers nowadays.
Other sights this last day were giraffe and calf, hyena, a herd of buffalo, elephant, and a couple more rhino.
We woke, on this our final day, to dark rain filled clouds which were releasing plenty of rain as we left camp. This, unfortunately did affect the sightings early on but we were spoilt with one particular sighting.
As we drove past the entry of a dirt road we found two large black manned lions walking towards us. We watched as they walked off the dirt road onto the tar and continued to walk along the road. We turned and followed them, the two of them were so confident that they allowed us to move along side them as they walked down the road. So close to them were we that we could clearly see the scars and war wounds that these two have encountered over the years.
Occasionally each of them would stop and scrape the ground with their back paws and scent marking the grass along the road. We spent about fifteen minutes with just our vehicle at the sighting before other vehicles started to turn up and this was our cue to let others enjoy this amazing experience.
Our second highlight of the Day was our first rhino of this tour. Not only did this complete the Big 5, more importantly it allowed the guests have a good look at a creature which has become a important symbol of the struggles of fighting poachers nowadays.
Other sights this last day were giraffe and calf, hyena, a herd of buffalo, elephant, and a couple more rhino.
On Safari With Curtis: 7 February 2015
7 January 2015
Last nights drive was a great success with plenty of general game as well as civet and genet to add to the list of animals seen.
This morning got off to a flyer as only fifteen minutes we got our highlight of the day.
Four lions laying slap bang in the middle of the road, so relaxed were they that we were able to drive right up next to them. We sat watching them for about fifteen minutes when we heard hyenas calling close by. This immediately made the lions sit up and take note. We watched for a few minutes more before chancing it and trying to find the hyenas. Just a couple of hundred meters from the lions we found four hyena. Three right next to the road and the fourth more shy and hidden in the trees.
After watching for a while we returned to the lions spending another twenty minutes with them all to ourselves.
Our second highlight of the day was a troupe of vervets also relaxing on the road. Being early and still cool the youngsters were having great fun playing and wrestling with each other while the adults were busy feeding.
Other animals of note seen today were elephants, buffalo, 2 leopard sightings, another 2 hyena sightings, Bushbuck, wildebeest, giraffe, plenty of hippo, marsh terrapins and a tiny chameleon crossing the road.
Birds included marabou stork, yellow billed stork, African spoonbill, grey heron and a trio of hornbills including the Yellow-billed, red-billed and the southern ground hornbill.
Last nights drive was a great success with plenty of general game as well as civet and genet to add to the list of animals seen.
This morning got off to a flyer as only fifteen minutes we got our highlight of the day.
Four lions laying slap bang in the middle of the road, so relaxed were they that we were able to drive right up next to them. We sat watching them for about fifteen minutes when we heard hyenas calling close by. This immediately made the lions sit up and take note. We watched for a few minutes more before chancing it and trying to find the hyenas. Just a couple of hundred meters from the lions we found four hyena. Three right next to the road and the fourth more shy and hidden in the trees.
After watching for a while we returned to the lions spending another twenty minutes with them all to ourselves.
Our second highlight of the day was a troupe of vervets also relaxing on the road. Being early and still cool the youngsters were having great fun playing and wrestling with each other while the adults were busy feeding.
Other animals of note seen today were elephants, buffalo, 2 leopard sightings, another 2 hyena sightings, Bushbuck, wildebeest, giraffe, plenty of hippo, marsh terrapins and a tiny chameleon crossing the road.
Birds included marabou stork, yellow billed stork, African spoonbill, grey heron and a trio of hornbills including the Yellow-billed, red-billed and the southern ground hornbill.
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