On safari With Gert From 25 December 2015

25 December 2015

After an early breakfast we left camp at 06:00 for our Safari. The day started off cool and cloudy and we were hoping this would work in our favor sightings-wise.

First up we were quite lucky and found a small herd of elephants consisting of 2 adult females and 3 youngsters. One of the calves was still very young, about a month old and delighted all present with his antics, running around with his trunk flopping all over the place and just being very cute in general. This was followed shortly by a large buffalo herd and the first of our Rhino sightings for the day, rather distant, however we did find a couple of white rhino fairly close to the road later on and a large bull crossing the road in front of us...

We then followed up on a tip about a lone male lion and headed in that direction. We found the lion lying about 10 meters off the road, fast asleep. He was quite an old boy, but we could see him fairly well as he was lying in the open and did eventually wake up to turn over and face our way, posing for a few pictures before we continued with our drive.

On our way to a nearby camp for a break we then noticed a few cars parked in the road in front of us and on approach saw what they had stopped for; one of the largest male leopards I had ever seen were about 15 meters off the road, settling on a termite mound for a grooming session before getting comfortable and dozing off, to the delight of the many onlookers. This however was along one of the main roads and the traffic very quickly got intolerable and we decided to move on after getting a short but very sweet sighting.

The final highlight of the day came during the hot late afternoon, when we found a solitary Spotted Hyena lying in a mud pool close to the road. It had obviously figured out the best way to keep cool and even though it did lift its head a few times to look around and sniff the breeze, it wasn't going anywhere and we eventually left it in peace.

All of this, in addition to some very good general game sightings made for the perfect African Christmas!

26 December 2015

Setting off early on a rather cool morning thanks to the overcast and windy conditions, we had very good general game sightings for the first hour or so, including a nice mixed herd of Zebra and Impala with many youngsters. We also saw 2 elephant bulls leisurely grazing in an open area, slowly but surely working their way closer to the road. We observed them for a few minutes, amazed at how gentle these giants can be!

We then stopped for a short coffee break, before continuing with our, drive, in the direction of an earlier report of lion. However, along the way at a waterhole we were lucky enough to find 3 Wild dogs, most likely part of a larger pack. The dogs for the most part were quite well hidden, but did get up a few times to reposition themselves or find cooler, more comfortable shady spots... Eventually they all lay down in the tall grass on the edge of a riverbank and we lost sight of them, deciding to move on.

A little later, we did reach the reported lion sighting and it was 2 large males feeding on a rhino carcass. The Rhino had reportedly succumbed to injuries inflicted by another Rhino during a fight. The lions by that time must have been feeding for quite a while as they had hollowed out a decent chunk of the Rhino's belly and it was very interesting to see them force their entire heads into the carcass to feed. What was most impressive though, was the sheer power of these male lions as they tugged at the at least 2,5 ton carcass, managing to rock it back and forth seemingly effortlessly! The space at this sighting was rather limited though and we decided to move on after observing them for a few minutes, letting some other vehicles in for a view. We also got a quick glimpse of a Spotted Hyena, slinking past in the background, no doubt waiting for his turn at the feast.

After lunch and a couple of hours relaxing time back at camp, we went out again for a short late afternoon drive during which we were treated to memorable sightings of a baby Giraffe with its mother, a month old baby elephant suckling from it's mother and a baby Hyena of about 4 months old lying by a den entrance, peeking at the passing vehicles... All in all, another very successful day's game drive!

On Safari With Amanda 23 December 2015

23 December 2015

Another beautifully cool morning as we set out after a filling breakfast.

We were lucky to see the wild dogs yesterday and got a tip off they were roughly in the same place as yesterday give or take a kilometer or so. We searched high and low but to no avail they had obviously moved on.

Lots of zebras, kudu and impalas greeted us along with the call of the Woodlands kingfishers. We decided a leg stretch and coffee were needed so we made a detour to pretoriouskop and there not 1 km on the road 2 meters in were 4 wild dogs lazy around. We sat with them for a good 20 mins they then headed off into the bush but giving us a playful display before they left.

It was my guests last and they enjoyed the surprise of the wild dogs ending another great safari in the Kruger Park.

On Safari With Amanda From 21 December 2015

21 December 2015

The festive season is nearly upon us and brings new guests for a 3 day safari.

Arriving to a very hot Kruger my 4 guests got straight onto a sunset drive far in the distance the storm clouds are brewing.. an hour into their drive the most amazing storms claps above us bringing torrential rain..I needed not worry as my guests although when they returned were soaked to the bone enjoyed every single minute of a true African storm!

22 December 2015

Today the storm had cleared the air and the temperature was lovely and cool. We headed out after a quick breakfast and not long after spotted a large herd of buffalo followed by a lovely breeding herd of elephants. 

Zebras galore enjoying the new grass as well as impalas and their babies eating as much as they could.

Lots of general game and some nice woodlands kingfishers, black shouldered kite and a tawny eagle.

We were lucky to see a baby hyena suckling it's mother totally relaxed around us!

After lunch we did a nice short drive along the albesini road and after about 10 kms we spotted about 5 wild dogs relaxing under a tree, occasionally getting up and then just flopping down again.

Our highlight of the day came as we watched the impalas out of nowhere came the cutest baby vervet monkeys and they proceeded to play with the impala, chasing one female and actually jumping up at her as she bowed her head to them! Was incredible to watch the interaction between them.

An eventful couple of days in the African bush!

On Safari With Karen 18-19 December 2015

18 December 2015

Yesterday we were joined by three more guests and they went on a Sundowner safari while we were on afternoon drive. Apart from elephants close to the car they saw two male lions close by as well as a lovely sunset. 

This morning we had a great game drive as we fulfilled the guests' wishes of seeing lions and rhinos. We came across a lovely lion sighting with two lionesses snoozing close to the road and one even got up and walked up to our car. We have also seen multiple white rhino sightings which were a good opportunity for pictures. 

But our highlight was seeing the dung beetles. We had multiple sightings of these funny creatures. First we encountered a male with a massive ball of dung pushing it around with a female on top. However, he was going up hill and it wasn't going too well. The grass was stubborn and he kept losing control and rolling back down. After quite some encouraging from us though, he finally made it up the hill and out of sight. 

Another sighting was really up close as it flew into our windshield and then toppled into the car. Being dazzed we had a good look and nursed it back to being healthy enough to be put down on the ground on the side of the road. A little while longer and it was flying again! Albeit it might still have a headache...

Our second highlight was seeing 4 cheetahs. We stumbled upon them unexpectedly while mum was leading her three older cubs. They were first walking to a shady spot where they were lounging around. But restless they didn't lay down long and mum lead her cubs down a drainage line. There she must have told them to stay put while she went off hunting as she went off by herself. The cubs at first were complying with mother's wishes and were snoozing under a tree. But soon the energy got the better of them and the started playing. First on the spot and up the tree but then they started chasing each other. Further and further away they went from the spot where mum left them. But it was fun for us to watch!

Other interesting sightings: blue wildebeests, lots of elephants, warthogs, zebras, speke's hinged tortoise, impalas, a giraffe, kudus, steenboks, buffalos, waterbucks, a stick insect crossing the road, hippos and crocodiles. Birds included white storks, lots of tawny eagles, black chested snake eagles, white backed vulture, white faced ducks, grey heron, white breasted cormorants and a black bellied bustard.

19 December 2015

If you are unable to sleep while staying in the Kruger NP, there is lots of sounds around you. Coming from a city some might sounds eerie, but I have been told all are strange. Last night there were the calls of hyenas, a leopard, alarm calling zebras as well as impalas snorting (maybe for the leopard, who knows!), a spotted eagle owl, a southern white-faced owl and plenty of different frogs and toads like the bubbling kassina and red toad. 

This morning we set of on a game drive which started off rather quiet. But even when animals don't want to show themselves, there is always impalas. And around this time of the year, impalas are fun and cute to watch as there are lots of lambs around! 

Our highlight was seeing two giraffes. We had seen giraffes the previous days, but on both occasions it was just a floating head between the trees. This time, although one was lying down, we managed to see the giraffe in full view. We could admire the height as well as the coat patterns. She was just as curious to see us as she came for a closer look. 

Other interesting sightings: elephants up close, kudus, a herd of buffalos as well as some lone bulls, common reedbuck, common grey duikers, waterbucks and a slender mongoose (although that was at the airport when dropping off the guests).