21st: Sometimes It All Falls Into Place.

Pic of the Day.

Morning Drive.

( Herald, Grant & Godfrey.)

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Motswari – Xinatsi Dam Rd.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Peru – Pan Rd.

Rhino ( 6 x Crash)

Afternoon Drive.

( Herald, Grant, Godfrey & Marka.)

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Java – Confluence Crossing.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / JayDee – Makulu Dam.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / JayDee – Ndlovu Link.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Mbali – Woza Woza Cutline.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Motswari – Motswari Airstrip.

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Motswari – Motswari Airstrip Link.

Leopard ( Khlakiso Female) / Peru – Mbali River Rd.

Daily Synopsis.

Yesterday during our pre-drive orientation we asked if there was anything that the group would like to see or if there were any special interests, to which we received the response that they would like to see Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo, in that order. Elephant unfortunately jumped the gun and got in before Lion and Leopard unhappy with it's apparent seeding. So heading out this morning we were looking for Rhino and our future lay in the West, while Godfrey decided to try and relocate on the Buffalo in the South East that were heading North the previous afternoon. Once again Elephant wanted to make sure they had secured their position and we found two very nice herds first up. While spending some time with a group of female Kudu that were extremely playful and were running about playing what appeared to be a game of tag, we received a message that six Rhino's had already been found in the West very close to our traversing boundary. A change of plan was in order for Godfrey as there was a good chance they would cross in the not to distant future. While heading in their direction we received news that they had stopped moving to the West and looked to settle in a Mopane belt. This was good news and arriving at the sighting before Godfrey they had in fact sat down buying him time to make it across. Spending time with them it appeared Godfrey and the rest of the stations had nothing to worry about as they were not going anywhere fast. It is great to see how relaxed these once very shy visitors are becoming and now allow us to view them with out running off given their spacial distance.

The morning appeared to be filled with large game as Shangula, one of our dominant male Rhino's was also located along with a number of Elephant Herds. Tracks for Kuhanya and a male Leopard, were found on Motswari Northern Access heading to the North East, clearly she has finished with her meal. The mating Lions were also followed up on but they too had moved off to the East and it would appear back out of our traversing area.

Having fulfilled four of our five wishes, this afternoon will have Godfrey and I heading to the South East try wrap up our fifth and final wish.

As our group was here on a conference, business came before pleasure and they had to work into the majority of the afternoon drive. With light failing us and time running out it looked like we would definitely not be able to find our Buffalo. Sitting anxiously at the vehicles ready to race off as soon as they arrived in a last ditch attempt, the group started to trickle in. They seemed very relaxed and unconcerned that they may miss out on their requested “ Big Five”, all seated they calmly announced that they would like to drive out to a sundowner spot and take drinks rather than game view. Raising the issue of their incomplete request they informed us that their wishes had been fulfilled and whilst sitting in the conference room six Dagha Boys had strolled up and taken a drink and a wallow in the waterhole directly in front of them! Satisfied that they were satisfied, we headed off to find a watering hole of our own.

Marka and Herald did spend the afternoon out and from what they told me it was an afternoon filled with Elephants. They apparently were to be found around every corner, well except the one that Johannes found a young female Leopard around. Herald was in the right spot at the right time and also got to spend time with her before she disappeared into the thick riverine bush that she was walking along.

I'm sorry I missed out on an afternoon spent with my favourite animal but will have plenty of time to make up for it when I get on drive again tomorrow afternoon.