9th Dec - Running round Rhino

Morning Drive

(Andrea & Peter)

Rhino (1 large male)

Rhino (male and female pair)

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Vielmeter – Entrance Road

Afternoon Drive

(Peter)

Rhino (female & Calf)

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Vielmeter – Entrance Road

Buffalo (2 Daghaboys) / Java – Crossing below Java

This morning started off relatively quietly – even the general game was scarce. Peter went to check in on the lion kill and as we thought, the kill was finished and the lion gone. Tracks looked like they headed south-east and due to my guests leaving today – I decided we needed to find some other animals.

With both Peter and myself wanting to find rhino this morning, we strategized. While both heading south, I took the more eastern route down and he followed down west. Although game seemed to be quiet this morning the birds were out in full force and we had great sightings of Amur Falcons, a Black-Breasted Snake Eagle and Ground Hornbills (which are always a highlight for me!).

 

A southern station called in tracks and so we met up close by and began to weave our way through the roads narrowing down the search. Another set of tracks soon appeared…just to confuse matters but soon enough Peter located two rhinos – so the effort was worth it. By this time, the sun was up and blaring, making photography a little tricky! However, we still had a wonderful view of the male and female feeding along.

Nearby a herd of elephant were on the move – we caught the tail end of them as they disappeared into rather thick bush. Two enormous bulls in musth were chasing the herd so no surprises they were highly mobile. Time was starting to run out so after a quick morning coffee we headed back up towards camp.

In the afternoon, Peter was out on his own but had good sightings of the female rhino and her calf – who is getting rather large now. He also had a great sighting of a huge breeding herd of elephant, with some adorable youngsters. I'll be back on drive from tomorrow afternoon, see you all then!