13 March - The Calm Before the Storm

Photo of the Day

 Morning Drive

(Marka & Andrea)

Lion (Mafikizolo) / Vielmeter – Hide Dam

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Motswari – Motswari Southern Access

Elephant (Breeding Herd) / Vielmeter – Elephant Dam

Wild Dog (pack of 18) / Kings Property

Afternoon Drive

(Marka & Andrea)

Leopard (Rockfig Jnr) / Vielmeter – Elephant Dam Road

Buffalo (Daghaboys) / Vielmeter – 1^st Shlaralumi Crossing

Buffalo (small breeding herd) / Motswari – Xinatsi Dam

Heading out of camp we soon bumped into another elephant herd – they are clearly enjoying camp area at the moment. We did not stay for too long as we wanted to head further south so after a brief but good view, we moved on. Marka then called to say he had found lion at Hide Dam (I think we should rename him The Lionman). When I pulled into the sighting, only the young male was visible but we sat for a while and eventually the large male made his way around, and them a female and a youngster too. Amazing what patience can do for one! 

   

After a drinks stop we went to visit the wild dog who were close to Kings camp. The pack of 18 was resting on the riverbank, enjoying the shade. Being quite far south (as I so often seem to find myself) we started the long road back to camp. 

  

Afternoon drive started out incredibly quietly.  It was a scorching afternoon, and quite sensibly, most animals were resting up in the shade. In the distance, dark clouds loomed. We watched a small group of buffalo for a little while as they tried to cool off in a shaded part of the riverbed. Rockfig Jnr had been spotted quite close to where we had seen her the day before so we headed in that direction. By this point, the dark mass of clouds was edging its way forward. My guests nervously asked me if it was going to rain. I responded by telling them that they should not worry, as there is no wind yet. As we pulled into the leopard sighting, the first gust of wind swept past us. After only a couple of minutes, my guests promptly told me they wanted to leave and head back to camp. 

  

En route home the sky turned into the most spectacular palate of colours. At one point, I stopped the car in awe of the cloud formations, the lightening and the sun still shining through in its golden glory. We made it back to camp early and dry! The storm hit later in the evening, a true lowveld thunderstorm and it was wonderful. There are few things I enjoy more than lying in bed with a raging thunder and rain outside, with the occasional lightening illuminating my room!

Grant will be back on blog duty from tomorrow, so once again, thanks for reading!

Bye for now,

Andrea