30 July - Late Out!

Photo of the Day

Morning Drive

(Grant, Petros, Shadrack & Andrea)

Rhino x 2

Buffalo (2 Daghaboys) / Woza Woza Cutline Junction Lion Pan lInk 2

Buffalo (Breeding Herd) / Argyle Road, North of Woza Woza

Elephant (1 Old Female) / Peru - Legavaan Road

Lion (2 Males) / Scholtz - Scholtz Access Road

Leopard (Makepisi male) / Peru - Shlaru Road Junction Pan Road

Afternoon Drive

(Grant, Petros, Shadrack & Andrea)

Lion (2 males) / Scholtz - Scholtz Access Road

Elephant (5 Kambaku) / Motswari - Reception Road

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Scholtz - Samantra Entrance

Buffalo (Breeding Herd) / Vielmeter - Vielmeter Trough

I started out much later this morning as my guests were staying at Machaton Cottage and we were just out for a bumble before breakfast. It was a grey morning with the occasional drop of rain so game was sparse. After having had a good cat afternoon yesterday - I was out looking for the big and grey! Moshe from Simbavati had found two rhinos more to the west of the reserve so I headed there first. They were two beautiful sub-adults, a little apprehensive of us, but relaxed enough for a good viewing. They edged a little closer to investigate us, and then thought better and moved off. 

We carried on our way slowly back up to camp, still along the west and found a very old female elephant all on her own. It was a difficult view as she remained hidden behind trees! Moving further we found two old Daghaboys - one without a tail! They slowly fed south away from us and although we watched them for a short while.

The morning seemed to bring out the larger creatures of the bush as we had seen rhino, buffalo, elephant and finally a lovely group of giraffe! With news guests this afternoon, who knows what the bush will bring???

Late seemed to be the word of the day as the afternoon drive started later than usual as well, so please forgive the lack of photos today. Things were made easier by having a group of male elephant on our reception road! We watched them ripping up trees in their usual manner and dust bathing. 

Knowing that the lion were still flat cat, bellies full, we headed down south for a quick view. They were so full, they did not even bat an eyelid when we approached and refused to pose for pictures. The light was already fading fast and as we shot off for sundowners, we came across a small herd of elephant with a baby struggling to use his trunk. After a couple of feeble attempts to strip a mopane branch of its leaves, the youngster gave up and began biting the foliage off with the mouth - it was too precious.

 It was a rather jam-packed but a short drive and en route home we bumped into the breeding herd of buffalo as well - unfortunately by then it was dark so we will have to try again in the morning!