07th April: Wanted.

Pic of the Day!

Morning Drive

( Herald, Grant & Marka)

Lion ( Maghlatini Male) / Karans – Western Cutline.

Buffalo ( Breeding Herd) / Vielmieter – Ndlophu Link.

Buffalo ( Breeding Herd) / Peru – Argyle Rd.

Elephant ( Kambaku's) / DeLuca – Drongo Drive.

Leopard ( Kuhanya) / DeLuca – Drongo Drive.

Afternoon Drive

( Herald, Grant, Marka & Godfrey)

Elephant ( Kambaku's) / Karans - Timbavati/ Umbabat Cutline

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Borneo – Zebra Pan.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Karans – Mananga Cutline.

Rhino ( Unknown Male) / Scholtz – Gravel Pits Rd.

Lion ( Maghlatini Male) / Karans – Western Cutline.

Buffalo ( Breeding Herd) / JayDee – Madala Crossing.

Daily Synopsis

We headed out early once again believing in “the early bird catches the worm”, and it again proved itself. Wanting to get to the bottom of our Mahlatini Lion mystery we headed South. As we got into the vicinity of the sighting there were some positive signs that we may be in luck once more, as the vultures were still up in the trees, an indication that something was keeping them from the kill. Could it be the three brothers reunited, or was it perhaps the Rockfig clan of Hyena's feasting on what the Maghlatini Male had left behind. We would soon find out. Approaching the Giraffe there were not as many Vultures as you would think a carcass this size would attract, in fact, there were very few, there was also no sign or sound of Hyena's either. As we rounded the corner their he lay our lone Mahlatini Male, as if he never had left. On closer investigation we found that he had eaten a little more of the Giraffe but not substantially more, the carcass now is pretty ripe though and takes a hardened stomach to face. Sitting there we became aware of something new, something we had not seen previously, but it confirms what we believe now to be the cause of death.

I have posted a picture below for you to check out and see if you come up with the same prognosis. We'll reveal our answer tomorrow and why.

The rest of our morning was scattered with sightings, once again finding different herds of Buffalo that seem to be around every corner at the moment. Pity the same cannot be said for our breeding herds of Elephant, which we spent looking for the rest of the morning.

We did however find a couple of nice Kambaku's who again were a little uneasy and mock charged us. I guess after yesterdays little adventure our guests are getting used to it and handled the situation a whole lot CLAMER this time!   

Herald and Marka had much the same kind of morning, although they did find Kuhanya late in the morning not far from camp. She was making her way in the direction of camp when they finally lost her in the riverbed below Motswari Dam.

This afternoons mission is to relocate Kuhanya, find a relaxed breeding herd of Elephant, and if we are really lucky squeeze in a Rhino sighting, that's not to much to ask for is it?

With a few of us out for Motswari this afternoon and a whole bunch from other lodges, we could afford to drive the roads less travelled. Heading to the East we got off to a good start with a beautiful bull herd of Elephant, this time they were more wary of us than we had to be of them. After marvelling at these magnificent specimens we continued East to the Kruger Boundary and then turned South to check the South East corner of our traversing area. We again came across a lone collared bull who we think may be, Proud, but will have to check with Elephant Research to confirm. Whoever he was, he was extremely relaxed and placid, going about his business ignoring our presence.  

Setting off once again, Jacky and I changed our planned route hearing a few stations working the area, and headed to an even more remote area. With the roads being overgrown and sometimes difficult to follow we felt like we were breaking new ground. It was following a drainage line that came from one of the dams that we ran into one of our wanted, Rhino! We were fortunate that he was in the middle of the road because as he got wind of us he disappeared into the bush. Confirming he was one of our skittish Rhino's we decided to go onto foot see if we could relocate him. Tracking him through the Mopane Scrub we did not have to walk far before we found him in amongst a thicket. Although we were fifty metres from him our visual was obscured by the many Mopane's between us, but any visual on foot is fantastic and a great experience.  

To top off a great afternoon we headed in the direction of a breeding herd of Elephant that had been found. Getting there shortly after sunset we sat with a what we thought was a small family group of two adults and three youngsters, it was only when we left them and started driving along the road that the rest of a gigantic herd made themselves seen. They were spread over about a kilometre and came in all sizes and shapes. Having lost the light, we will have to try relocate tomorrow to fully enjoy the sight.

The rest of the Motswari gang enjoyed as an eventful afternoon with Lions and Leopard also being found.