Morning Walk 14 May

We all met at 05h00 to start the drive to the beginning of the walk. We headed south from Satara until we crossed the Sweni River where we turned right in an easterly direction on a no entry road, we traveled about 5 km along this track before parking the vehicle to start the walk. While we waited for the sun to rise and the light to improve we were briefed on the rules and safety procedures of the walk. Our 2 guides led the way and off we went for a 3 hour walk through the most magnificent game area in Kruger.
We saw Elephant, Impala, Kudu, Wildebeest, Jackal, Baboon, Zebra, Hippo and Rhino. More interesting is the smaller things that the very knowledgeable guides point out, the spoor and tracks and the story they tel.

Sunrise and briefing

off we go

a very emancipated elephant

a 10 min break on a koppie

View of the dam

Sweni Dam from the dam wall

Hippo in the Dam

Buffalo carcass

Pam, Nicky, Dillon and our two guides

The walkers at the vehicle after the walk.

 On the way back, still on the no entry road we came across these White Rhino with a very young calf not more than a week old, the umbilical cord was still attached.

A special thanks to our 2 guides (names escape me), Friendly, very knowledgeable, unbelievable bush craft and proffesional, THANK YOU

Hippo Update

The dead Hippo is still untouched, the vultures have also left after trying for days to open the carcass, Hyena, Lion, Jackal and even 4 Wild dog have been around, not sure why it is still unopened, I know Hippo have a thick tough skin, but I would have thought it would have been eaten by now.
The stench is terrible, it has been there for 8 days now.

We saw a tagged vulture on the carcass tag number C167, we are sending this to the authorities and will advise us.

We had a great sighting of a Leopard at Nsemani dam on the Orpen Satara road

Shooting into the rising sun achieved this silhouette

Girvana water hole our favourite, note the devastation around

At Girvana

Girvana water hole is our favorite spot to spend the afternoons it is 25min drive from Satara it is situated on the junction of the S40 and S12. Many mornings we drive straight there arriving 06h30 and make Coffee.

I have booked a walk for Saturday Morning 14 May, up at 04h30 leave by game viewing vehicle at 05h00 to the starting point, Sunrise is at 06h20 when we start the walk as soon as there is enough light.

Owl Identification

Verreaux's Eagle Owl, can anybody help with the ID, we think it is a Verreaux, because it has pink eye lashes which is diagnostic.

While we were watching it was calling, when we play the Verreaux's call it does not resemble the call we heard live, hence the doubt. we played all the Owl calls and none match. It could be a juvenile. Double click on the photo to enlarge

Some of our other recent sightings.

We saw 2 sets of Rhino with young, they were moving freely and completely at ease.

The young of a White Rhino runs in front when fleeing. The young of a Black Rhino runs behind.

Just as in human society, White people push the baby in front, Black people abba the baby at the back.

Run Rhino Run

Please support Rhino conservation wherever you can. We have to stop the wholesale slaughter of our precious Rhino.

a Journey of Giraffe

digging a whole in the river bed to extract water

Nyala Bull

Lazy Lions on the S86

Kumana Dam

A big Tusker seen on the S36

Death of a Hippo

We witnessed over a four day period the death of another hippo from starvation. These are the sad consequences of the severe drought.

We first saw this hippo 4 days ago, alive but to weak to move and defenseless, the eyes were open and the ears were flicking, the oxpeckers were still picking off the parasites.

Day 1

 We went back the next morning to find the Hippo in the same position barely alive

Day 2 early morning

That same afternoon late we back to see that the Hippo had died. no predators or vultures were around.

Day 2 late afternoon

 The next day the vultures arrived and had gouged out the eyes and tried unsuccessfully to open the carcass up

Later that day a Jackal arrived and also tried to open the carcass

 We went back this afternoon (10 May) and to our surprise the carcass had still not been opened despite a Hyaena being present, the Vultures were still pulling and pulling to get it open, there was even Lappet Faced Vultures on the carcass who are known for opening carcasses. A pride of Lion had arrived and were lying about 1 Km from the carcass not showing any interest at all.

We will return tomorrow to see what transpires.