22nd November: Contrasts.

Pic Of The Day.

Morning Drive.

( Grant, Herold, Shadrack & Andrea.)

Leopard ( Argyle Jnr & 2 x Cubs) / Argyle – Buffalo Pan.

Rhino ( 2 x Males & 1 Female)

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Vielmieter -

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Vielmieter – Back Nines.

Elephant ( Breeding Herd) / Scholtz – Scholtz Access.

Afternoon Drive.

( Grant, Herold & Shadrack.)

Elephant ( Kambaku) / Scholtz – Scholtz/ Karans Cutline.

Rhino ( 2 x Males & Adolescent Female)

Rhino ( Female & Calf)

Buffalo ( Dagha Boys) / JayDee – JayDee River Rd.

Daily Synopsis.

Waking to contrasting weather to the day before we set off under clouded skies and a bit of a nip in the air. Given the lightening show accompanied by the acoustic thunder rolls you would of thought we would have woken to well sodden earth but the rain never materialised and it appears it was all show. It would be interesting to see what we would find out there this morning. Both Herold and I had the same idea and headed to the North West, they were wanting to check the boundary as they were looking for Lion this morning, we had no real plans and would take anything that came our way. It was Herold and Diff who struck first as they found Argyle Jnr's cubs trying their luck at hunting Impala and after a failed attempt they disclosed mom's position when they went looking for her. Having drifted a little far and the sighting not being that stable with intermittent views we chose to continue on our way West. Hind sight is a wonderful thing cause had we known what lay ahead we would have definitely visited, one spot or not.

The weather seemed to have a great effect on the animals and where there had been a multitude of all types of beasts yesterday afternoon, today it was desolate and even the Impala had gone into hiding. I thought we had taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in the East, well that is what it was reminiscent of. Reaching our Southern boundary we had ticked off very little and even our “ go too ” birds had done a flyer! With a station calling in tracks for the previous nights large male Lions walking along the road we were now on we decided to follow up, although we were very close to our Western boundary. It did not take Jacky and I long to find where they had crossed out and into the Klaserie, thank goodness we visited last night. Turning back towards the East we zig-zagged past all the popular pans in the South but they to did not deliver and our ghost tour continued. After a warming cup of coffee at one of these said pans we chose to head out to the East and once again try our luck with the Wilddog. Anyway it couldn't possibly be any quieter than were we had been. Crossing the central area to the East we started to pick up on our ghosts, first we found ourselves a large bull Elephant. We did not spend much time with him though as he did not want much to do with us but we soon found a herd of Elephant that were a little more accommodating, although truth be told, not much. Guess it is the weather. Turning North we found no signs for the dogs but we did find a nice herd of Zebra that seemed to resuscitate our drive, never thought that would be possible from a Zebra and I now have a new respect for the donkey in pyjama's, ok, noble steed! 

As quickly as the highlight appeared, it dissipated and the rest of our drive was to be a quit one. Lets wait and see what the afternoon has in store for us.

Our afternoon was to be a leisurely affair with us still not needing to find anything but wanting to see Leopard and a nice herd of Elephant would do nicely. Herold was on a mission for Buffalo, Elephant and Lion while Shaddy was starting at the beginning so anything and everything was good.

Having travelled a fair distance the last two drives Jacky and I decided to stick to the North and venture to the quieter corners of our traversing area. As was in the morning things were very slow to start and looking back on it, it never really took off with a few scattered sightings around the reserve. I think Shaddy faired the best as he found both Elephant and Rhino. We had a very chilled drive and having good company and great scenery we hardly noticed that we didn't have a bumper full afternoon like the previous day. Least on this occasion we stopped for a double sundowner in the Tsharalumi riverbed and watched the sun melt into the horizon over our G&T's. 

Once again it was a herbivore that provided our highlight of the afternoon this time in the form of Waterbuck. We found a nice herd of mixed age's and sexes all engaged in a different form of activity in the pretty setting that is the Sohobele Riverbed. 

Maybe tomorrow morning things will once again pick up or maybe not, who knows, that is the beauty of the bush. We wait and see.