19th February: The Good Old Days!

Pic Of The Day.

Morning Drive.

( Herold, Shadrack & Marka.)

Lion ( 3 x Jacaranda Sub-Adults) / DeLuca – Argyle Rd.

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Motswari – Seans Clearing.

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Peru – Peru Entrance.

Wilddog ( 14 Pack) / Motswari – Argyle Rd.

Afternoon Drive.

( Grant, Herold, Shadrack & Marka.)

Lion ( 3 x Jacaranda Sub-Adults) / DeLuca – Argyle Rd.

Elephant ( Kambakus) / DeLuca – Argyle Rd.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Java – Java/ Vielmieter Cutline.

Leopard ( Rockfig Jnr) / Vielmieter – Dizzy Drive.

Daily Synopsis.

So finally my guests made it to South Africa's sunny shores after a three day adventure and we got to join afternoon drive which we were very amped for as the guys have being seeing some good things out there and for the moment it looks like things are picking up again.

This mornings drive the guys found the Lions that they were so desperately looking for after some great tracking and even more persistence. Finding them having come to rest metres away from both our Northern and Eastern traversing boundaries. It was a good morning in the North as they did not have to travel far for their sightings and got to see our Wilddog pack from the Ingwelala Bridge bathing in the water that has collected in deep pools alongside it. Add Elephant to the mix and you have the makings of a great morning.

So we headed out with high expectations and as it had clouded over and cooled considerably we did not want to take a chance with the Lions sitting so close to our boundaries and risk them getting up and moving off. So not having far to travel we arrived at the site to find them still in the same position unfortunately they were resting under a group of trees in amongst the thick grass. This seems to be typical of our sightings at the moment. Least with them being sub adults they cannot sit still for long and spending a little time with them they did get up and rearrange themselves as well as include a bit of sibling playfulness, so we did manage to get to see more than sleeping Lions.

Having had a good view we set off to find two Bull Elephants that Shadrack had seen on his way to the Lion sighting. We decided to use a riverbed that had not been driven since the floods and soon found out why as we became temporary delayed in some very thick sand. On the up side of being stuck our two Elephant Bulls popped out of the bushes into the riverbed right alongside us almost as if to come investigate the commotion. Not going anywhere fast we sat and enjoyed as they both fed around the vehicle and even had the one drink from a pool that had collected at a nearby corner. While sitting there Johannes threw a spanner in the works when he called in that he had found two Leopards, Mkipi's and his brother, on Java. Hearing that they were not that relaxed and in a very difficult area to get around we chose to stay up North and check the areas around Argyle and Sohobele Dam for any signs of the Wilddog once we were out of our predicament which actually in the end did not take that long to get out of.

Mobile once again we had our plan but this was put to the test when Johannes again called in that he had another Leopard this time in the form of the ever relaxed Rockfig Jnr. Something was now telling us to take the chance and make the long trip South as it appeared that our Leopards were out and wanting to be seen. Not needing a third invitation we picked up the speed and headed in Rockfig Jnr's direction. Being able to take a direct route South it did not take that long to get there in the end and we arrived at the sighting to find her walking in the middle of the road, this was perfect as the grass and bush at the moment is very thick and you could lose a herd of Elephants at the moment in it. Getting to spend some quality time with her she stuck to the road as she moved through her territory brushing up on and urinating her presence on a number of small bushes alongside the road. With the sun setting behind her we watched as she melted into the horizon and we took our leave and headed for our sundowner very pleased with our great afternoons viewing.

Lets hope things continue to pick up as we are now getting back to the old days sighting numbers.