30th May – Elephant Invasion

Photo of the Day

Elephant Herd at Argyle Dam

Morning Drive

(Marka and Herald)

1 x breeding herd of elephants – Motswari, Sean’s Clearing

1 x breeding herd of elephants – Vielmetter, Elephant Dam

1 x breeding herd of elephants – Jaydee, Makulu Da,

Afternoon Drive

(Marka and Herald)

1 x leopard (Shongile female) – Motswari, Sharalumi Pump House

1 x breeding herd of buffalo – Motswari, Airstrip

1 x breeding herd of elephant – Motswari, Hanger Rd

1 x breeding herd of elephant – Argyle, Argyle Dam

Daily Synopsis

I wasn’t on drive today, but I did join Marka in the afternoon.  The morning sounded a bit quiet on the big game front, with only the elephants being out in force, and three large breeding herds of elephants were seen by the guides over the course of the morning.

In the afternoon, both Herald and Marka continued their search for leopard, and I guess it was no surprise that in the end, Herald found one!

The afternoon started off slowly, with only a few smaller species shoeing themselves before a nice breeding herd of elephants at Argyle Dam became our highlight of the afternoon.

Elephant herd

It was great to see them all feeding out in the open and some even crossed the water for us.  Once more, it was the little babies that stole the show!

Baby elephant

We carried on the drive checking the northern sections for leopard, but had no luck – we did temporarily get thrown off course by some fresh buffalo tracks, and it didn’t take us long to track the herd down to Motswari Airstrip.  What was interesting was that it appeared to be the same herd as we found in the area yesterday morning...the only difference was that now there were at least four times as many!!!  The herd of 70 had multiplied into a herd of at least 250-plus!

Buffalo herd

There was one particular individual that allowed us to recognise the herd, and it seems probably that they simply joined up with a larger group during the previous day.

Following on from that we went for a drink and found some nice kudus along the way.

Kudu bull, followed by a sundowner on the banks of Vyeboom Dam

We had no sooner closed for drinks when Herald found Shongile female leopard up north, on Motswari Wedge.  After finishing drinks, we headed in that direction, but sadly the guides lost her as she headed into a thick area of terminalia.

Marka tried his best to relocate, but his efforts were in vain, and we sadly had to return to the lodge without seeing the beautiful cat.  I guess there is always tomorrow to try again!