05th May: Filling In The Gaps.

Pic of the Day.

Morning Drive.

( Grant)

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Motswari – Motswari Reception.

Elephant ( Kambaku's) / Peru – Wild West.

Buffalo ( Dagha Boy) / Mbali – Western Cutline.

Afternoon Drive.

( Grant)

Lion ( 2 x Timbavati Males) / Java – Java Airstrip.

Daily Synopsis.

Having found nearly all the members of the “Big Five”, only missing Rhino, this mornings drive was more about the smaller things and filling in the gaps. Still on my guests “Wish List,” was Zebra, and in particular Giraffe, not hard I hear you mumble, normally not, until you actually specifically looking for them. They tend to become very elusive then.

We got off to a good start and found Zebra within ten minutes of camp, double bonus that they were relaxed and allowed us to approach nice and close for photo's.  

One down one to go, this morning should be easy! We headed in the direction of Sohobele Dam to try and follow up on Argyle Male and Kuhanya who had been seen together the previous evening by Marka. Searching the area extensively we came up with nothing and did not even find a track, so cutting our loses we headed West in hope of stumbling across a Rhino. Our drive turned very quite and we only found a couple of Kambaku's and a nice Kudu Bull, unfortunately he was not as obliging as the Zebra and turned his back on us and moved off into the thicker bush.

It sounded like everyone was having a relatively quite morning, although Giyani had found the Timbavati Males on Java, and while responding Marka stumbled across three cubs about a kilometre and half away to the North East. I'm sure they are part of the pride of ten that is hanging around that we had tracked the morning before. They are very nervous and once again at the sight of the vehicle they disappeared into the bush not to be seen again.

We did not respond to the Lions as we were still in search of Giraffe, which we finally found on our way back to camp. With the mornings mission complete we could now focus on finding Leopard and Hyena on the afternoon drive.

It would appear that you only get one wish species per day and not per drive, as the afternoon drive was filled with lots of the once elusive Giraffe and Zebra but no signs of Leopard.  

We did have a brief sighting of Hyena on Java Airstrip though, unfortunately it was disappearing into the bush at lightening speed with a Timbavati Male close behind. Guess we could settle for spending some time with these ever impressive males! After asserting his dominance the Male returned to the airstrip where he met up with his brother and they both set off East in the direction of a Buffalo herd that we could hear in the distance. We again had a brief view of two Hyena, this time the two took no chances and ran off long before the Lions got anywhere near. Running out of time and being a long distance from Motswari we left the brothers to their hunt. Maybe all the Hyena activity is in anticipation of what the night may hold. I guess we will have to wait till tomorrow to see.