Pic Of The Day. |
Morning
Drive.
(
Grant, Herold, Shadrack, Pete & Andrea.)
Rhino
( Male)
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / Argyle – Buffalo Pan Access.
Elephant
( Classic & Kambaku) / DeLuca – North Mpela Mpela.
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / DeLuca – Drongo Drive.
Buffalo
( Dagha Boys) / Argyle – Long Rd.
Buffalo
( Dagha Boy) / Argyle – Argyle Dam.
Afternoon
Drive.
(
Grant, Herold, Shadrack & Andrea.)
Buffalo
( Dagha Boys) / Argyle – Mfene Crossing.
Buffalo
( Dagha Boy) / Argyle – Argyle Dam.
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / Argyle – Buffalo Pan Access.
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / Peru – Concrete Crossing.
Elephant
( Breeding Herd) / Peru – Giraffe Kill Rd.
Daily
Synopsis.
Hearing
that Lions were once again roaring to the North from the same spot as
they had been for the last three nights and then also in the South
East we chose to head to the South as we suspected that the one's in
the North were calling from Ingwelala, our Northern neighbour. This
morning was D-day for many of us and not having seen Lions since the
evening of the 23rd it had now been six days since our
last sighting and all the guys around the reserve were desperate.
This was evident in the routes the guys chose to drive and areas not
often visited, if ever, were now being called on. Jacky and I picked
out a great route that would have us cover our projected area
perfectly and if they were there we would definitely find them.
Ignoring all else we set off on our mission, this was made easy as
there appeared to be nothing else out there on our route at least.
Further to the West the guys had picked up on Elephant, Rhino,
Buffalo and Hyena so not a bad morning for them but also they did not
find any sign for Lions coming in from the North or the West.
Focusing on any signs or tracks for Lions we continued along our
route but found nothing. This became disheartening especially as we
travelled through the area that we thought the calling had originated
from finding nothing as well. Reaching our Southern boundary we
turned to the East and one more time entered no-man's land to chance
our luck. For a third day in a row we found nothing in this region
and even Impala seemed to have vacated the area. Reaching Kudu Pan we
stopped for a coffee and strategy break.
Resuming
we decided to head further East to the Kruger Boundary and then head
all the way back to our Northern Boundary. Things picked up a little
but not much and on reaching our Northern Boundary we ran into our
neighbours who informed us that they had a pair of mating Lions on
their property the last few days and that is where the calls had been
coming from. This morning they were no longer there and it was
suspected that they had moved South but had not reached our boundary
yet and it looked unlikely as the mercury had reached 29C by 09h30
and they were more than likely now resting up in the shade somewhere.
Although our last ditch effort had come up short there is hope for
the afternoon as a little South from their position is the closest
water and hopefully after dark they will visit this spot. Just to
make sure we headed there on our way home to check that they had not
in fact crossed. Not finding them we did find Classic a very
impressive Bull Elephant and a beautiful breeding herd of Elephant
that had recently visited the said waterhole. It is amazing the
healing power of Elephant and spending a little time with them all
our troubles seemed a distant memory, what Lions. With all our guests
checking out Jacky and I get a new family this afternoon, lets see
what the bush has in store for us.
New
guests, new beginning. It was good to set off on afternoon drive with
no pressure and anything we found was new and exciting so we could
bumble around and take in anything and everything that came our way.
As had been with the last week we set off in scorching conditions and
these were reflected by the number of animal sightings we found in
and around the water. A short distance from camp we once again found
our now resident Cape Buffalo, or should that now be Water Buffalo,
resting in the Sohobele river at Mfene Crossing. If they had not been
there they would have been in the mud wallow on the Western bank of
the crossing, so we can safely call them residents. Choosing to head
West we wanted to check on Vyeboom Dam and see if we could pick up on
one of the many Elephant herds in the area. Shortly before reaching
Buffalo Pan we found ourselves a nice herd of Zebra and while sitting
with them we received a message that on the Western side of Buffalo
Pan itself was a herd of Elephant moving to the West.
Finished
with the Zebra we made our way to our pachyderm friends looking
forward to spending some quality time with these gentle giants.
Unfortunately they seemed to be on a travelling mission and we caught
them as they disappeared into a very thick area of Purple Pod cluster
leaves. Weaving our way around we got limited views of them so we
decided to head back out and try drive around the block and catch
them on the other side. Getting around we found that they had not
crossed out the big block yet and with it being made up mostly of the
said cluster leaf we chose to move on as no doubt we would find an
easier herd to see.
As if
on cue another herd was called in along the Tsharalumi River and not
far from our present location. Making our way in their direction we
found this massive herd out in the open slowly making their way from
the cool shelter of the river. Sitting in an open clearing ahead of
them we watched as they slowly fed in our direction eventually
enveloping the entire car. At one stage there were so many around us
and so close that it felt as if the sun had set with the light they
blocked out. Watching in awe we lost track of time and when they
eventually moved on it was time for us to find a sundowner spot.
Choosing
the beach that is the Tsharalumi riverbed we took a very relaxed
sundowner. Resuming after drinks we headed to the North East wanting
to check if the honeymoon couple, the two mating Lions, had perhaps
moved across our boundary to the nearby waterhole. Reaching the pan
after dark as planned we looked around the area but there was still
no sign of the King of the Jungle, maybe tomorrow.