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| Pic Of The Day. |
(
Grant, Andrea & Shadrack.)
Buffalo
( Breeding Herd) / Vielmieter – Vielmieter Access.
Buffalo
( Dagha Boy) / Java – Buffalo Kill.
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / Peru – Mopani Link.
Elephant
( Kambaku's) / Vielmieter – JayDee Access.
Rhino
( Female & Calf)
Lion
( Machaton Pride) / Umlani – Donga Lookout.
Leopard
( Machaton Male?) / JayDee – Makulu Plains.
Afternoon
Drive.
(
Grant, Andrea & Shadrack.)
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / Motswari – Sharalumi Access.
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / Vielmieter - 2nd Tsharalumi Crossing.
Buffalo
( Dagha Boy) / Peru – Giraffe Kill Rd.
Rhino
( 2 x Males)
Daily
Synopsis.
Having
had a very good afternoon the previous day it to took a lot of
pressure off for today, and we could afford to bumble around and try
fill in the gaps. Still needing Rhino and Buffalo they were on the
periphery of our radar. Hearing Shadrack was heading straight South
to follow up on the Buffalo we had seen after dark, not that he
needed Buffalo, it was more to see what had become of the male Lions
we had been tracking the other day. See if they had not perhaps
picked up on the Buffalo and were now maybe following them. We chose
to head out West and then turn South along the Tsharalumi River
eventually trying to get where they had left the two Rhino from the
previous afternoon.
Our
journey had us finding Wildebeest, Hippo, Impala, Steenbok, Waterbuck
and Zebra all before the river. Turning South we picked up relatively
fresh tracks for a herd of Elephant but they crossed the river to the
West where we have no crossing so it would have been a major detour
for us to continue to follow up. Trying not to get distracted to much
we continued towards the Rhino tracks. Two more distractions would
delay us, the first being a Dagha Boy who sat in amongst some raison
bushes clearly resting after a recent mud bath.
The
second was a large male Leopard, who at first we thought was a
lioness due to it's sheer size as it sat atop a termite mound in the
open area of Makulu Plains. We were not to sure who it was so kept
our distance and viewed him for a while, it was only when we tried
edging closer that he stood and began Leopard crawling off the back
of the mound. With not to much shelter around he was a little exposed
and we were able to relocate, he allowed us to get fairly close but
was always wary of the vehicle and once given the chance he moved
off. We followed him a short while at a distance, not so much to view
him but rather to try habituate him to the vehicle and show him that
we are no threat to him, maybe over time we can get him to relax.
With
time now being against us we had to push a little bit to try locate
on our Rhino tracks. Finding the tracks was very simple and we
thought to ourselves all we need do now is follow them. Should have
touched wood as shortly after following the tracks West across the
River we located on what looked like another set of tracks for a
single male heading to the North West, while our two headed to the
South West. Both set of tracks looked of similar age. To add to the
challenge while checking the tracks on foot we found a third set of
tracks, this time for a female, they were heading to the West and yet
again looked of similar age. Feeling a headache coming on we decided
the best way forward was to leave Jacky on foot while I checked the
surrounding area with the vehicle. See if we could speed things up a
little and maybe clear some of the confusion. While I drove around I
located on the male track heading to the North but chose to ignore it
and head further to the South West, where I know found tracks for two
Rhino's but know heading to the North as well. Meanwhile Jacky had
walked himself in a complete circle with his females tracks and now
found himself following what we thought was the male tracks North. If
none of this makes sense to you, don't worry, it didn't to us either!
A certain migraine was saved when a message came across the radio
that our relaxed female and her calf had been found. Receiving an
invitation from Kings both Jacky and I decided rather go with the
safe option. It was just as well we did as along the way we relocated
on a breeding herd of Buffalo that had been found by Shadrack earlier
in the morning and then we found ourselves a nice herd of Zebra and a
lone male Giraffe. Guess things do happen for a reason.
Spending
a little time with them all we finally made it to the female and her
calf. It is amasing how relaxed this little one has become in so
short a period. With a little patience and positioning yourself
correctly both mom and baby will walk right up to the vehicle
feeding. The calf will charge up to you but once she feels the
distance between herself and mom is to great she will turn and run
back to mom's side, once gaining confidence she will venture forward
again in a replay of her previous action.
Never
having enough time on game drive we eventually had to leave to make
our way home for brunch and maintain our friendship with the kitchen.
With
Jacky and I having travelled some distance in the last two drives we
were very keen to stick around the North and have a relaxing
afternoon with our only concern being to find Giraffe. Hearing that
Shadrack had found a massive herd of Elephant whilst on walk it gave
us further reason to stick in and around Motswari.
Shadrack
himself wanted to follow up on the two Rhino we were unable to find
in the morning, while Andrea headed West in search of Makipi's and
his brother who again had been found in the morning at the site of
their kill.
Checking
all the roads to the East and North of the camp we did not find any
sign that the Elephant had crossed that way. We did find tracks for
them coming from the East to the West though, so figured they would
continue in that direction and headed off to the West to continue our
search. We thought all was lost when we found tracks crossing to the
North and out of our traversing area but while sitting there
contemplating our next move we noticed these great grey objects
milling about on a hill near the horizon. Moving closer they took on
the distinctive shape of our herd of Elephant. We were in luck as
they must have looped around and re-entered our area. Making our way
towards them we found them all huddled in separate groups with a
number a large males present. One of which was in musth but he
appeared very calm and payed us no attention as we moved from group
to group. While sitting with one of these groups we found out why our
Elephant had returned. Apart from the other males and the one in late
musth there appeared another massive bull that had all the Elephant
running in all directions as he directed his wrath at the other musth
bull. Not being as big and also being at the end of his musth period
he gave flight and we watched as the two of them went crashing over
and through the bushes towards the horizon. We chose to try relocate
the rest of the herd who had gone in the opposite direction but no
sooner had we found them, the two bulls came crashing through the
bushes in our direction and once again we had elephant heading all
over the place. Having spent considerable time with the herd before
all the excitement we decided to move on and see what else we could
find.
The
rest of our drive was very relaxed as we took in anything and
everything around us, we even took the time to watch the sunset,
which is rarity for Jacky and I. Shortly after sunset we had a great
herd of Zebra and after dark we found ourselves a Chameleon and a
couple of Hippo's out the water thus ending the relaxed drive we were
looking for.
Shadrack
had a relatively busy afternoon all be it finding everything shortly
before sunset. He located on the two Rhino and also a herd of
Elephant, fifty strong, both these sightings came together and must
have been something to see. Andrea was less fortunate as Makipi's and
Shindzuti evaded her but she was driving a beautiful area and no
doubt picked up on lots of smaller things.
I'll
be handing over the blog for the next couple of days to Andrea, so as
you can get a different perspective and will be back on the weekend.
Till then, take care.
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