12 Sept - From a Distance

Photo of the Day

Morning Drive

(Shadrack, Herold & Andrea)

Leopard  (Argyle Jnr & Cub) / Argyle - Vyeboom Dam

Leopard (1 large male) / Argyle - Viewed from Ingwelala Boundary

Leopard (Nthombi ) / Vielmeter - Khona Bubesi

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Java - Java/Mbali Road

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Peru - Klipgat Crossing

Buffalo (Breeding Herd) / Peru - Klipgat Crossing

Buffalo (2 Daghaboys) / Motswari - Timbavati/Umbabat Cutline

Afternoon Drive

(Herold, Shadrack & Andrea)

Rhino (mother & calf and male)

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Jaydee- Jaydee River Road

Buffalo (4 Daghaboys) / Java - Whiteys Rest

Buffalo (9 Daghaboys) / Jaydee - Sweet Water Northern Access

This morning provided great animals, unfortunately though they were all viewed from a distance. I headed towards Vyeboom Dam and I had just turned to Jacky and said how much I would like to view leopards on these rocks, when a spotted blur shot off across the river bed. We could see Argyle Jnr and her one cubs from across the river and as we tried to approach, they crossed back. Herold joined me and then we spotted another very large male leopard up in a tree. However, it was about 250m into the Ingwelala concession which was rather frustrating but good to see nontheless.

Chomping Hippo

I headed south, desperate to find the rhino my guests had requested. Despite tracks, we could not find them and soon ran out of time. As it usually happens, en route back we bumped into a herd of elephant. There was also some great general game this morning, including a feeding herd of kudu. 

For the afternoon, I planned to head straight back to where we last had the rhino tracks so that we could follow up again. Thankfully Shaddy also headed to the area so we had backup. We found a very relaxed herd of zebra, slowing grazing and tail flicking. When we reached Karans Tower, a Brown Snake Eagle was sitting on top - not the most natural setting but an interesting scene anyway. A few Daghaboys lounged around as well with red-billed oxpeckers flitting past. 

After a lovely herd of elephant on jaydee River road, we finally got to the rhino tracks. After about ten minutes of tracking them, Shadrack called in to say he had found them further north so much to my guests delight, off we went to spend some time with the mother, calf and male rhino.

Mother & Calf at sundown

Always good to see this mother and calf pair. 

See you all tomorrow,

Andrea