Drum Beat - News from Djuma Game Reserve


	In the African night, the beat of a drum means news...
	March 2008


Read about events at Djuma Game Reserve

Bush Lodge
"One afternoon a bull elephant squeezed himself in between the trees on the edge of camp and made himself at home in the boma." Click here to read more…

Vuyatela
"One morning we awoke to alarm calls from impalas, baboons, monkeys and waterbuck echoing up towards….." Click here to read more…

Galago
"Arrived early afternoon to the sight of zebra, wildebeests and impala grazing peacefully…." Click here to read more…


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This newsletter is archived in the Drumbeat section of our web site
Editor: Pippa Moolman


The above photos were taken on the Wildearth Webcams (www.wildearth.tv) and Andrew and Abel - guides at Bush Lodge.


Bush Lodge
The phrase "sunny South Africa" describes this last month very well. Temperatures soared during midday and there was very little promise as far as rain goes. One fine morning the guests were lucky enough to see the Mapogo pride of lions at the waterhole in front of the lodge. After having a drink they passed by on the southern side of the lodge in a south westerly direction. The Marula trees have been full of berries and offering the elephants, baboons and several antelope a treat in the form of juicy fruit. It was wonderful to see a large herd elephants move from tree to tree enjoying the feast and ending up at the waterhole for a nice long drink. One afternoon a bull elephant squeezed himself in between the trees on the edge of camp and made himself at home in the boma. He was very calm and he retreated into the thick bushes near chalet six when he noticed the movement of people around the main building. The most amazing thing is that he was very aware of the electric wire surrounding the lodge and used an open gate to exit! Out on drive the Mapogo pride of lions was seen again at Triple M crossing over into the neighbouring Arathusa property. This pride is currently occupying north of Sabi Sand Wildtuin. One morning the Nkuhuma pride was seen following a buffalo bull and after a long struggle the buffalo got away. It was a once in a life time experience for the Bush Lodge guests and made even better because this happened on their last drive, after not seeing lions, during a three day stay! The Nkuhuma pride is still in Manyeleti property, but they also show their presence at Buffelshoek every now and then. One night the Styx pride and one unknown male lion made their way to Djuma property from Mala Mala onto Cheetah Plain. Luck was on their side as they approached Three-in-a-row Pan when they bumped into a lone buffalo bull and made a successful kill. The guests were thrilled to see the pride with their full bellies almost bursting at the seams. Probably one of this month's highlights was when four African wild dogs were seen lying down on Gowrie Main road. The guests had about ten minutes to photograph the dogs before they moved off at speed in a northerly direction. A short time later they were spotted by another Djuma vehicle on Quarantine open area near Vuyatela. It took considerable skill on the part of our guides and trackers keeping up with them and sharing the experience of these endangered creatures with our guests. We would like to wish our Bush Lodge honeymooners a very happy future together. Congratulations to Philippe and Audrey Jacob, and to Phil and Caroline Bysh. John Case returned to stay at Bush lodge after his last visit 1995. We wish him all the best with the rest of his travels. Glen Titcombe celebrated his birthday with his parents, sister and the Bush Lodge crew. On the staff side, we would like to wish Abel, Lynneth, Andrew and Warren a happy birthday and wish them many more in the years to come. We bid James Carty a fond farewell as he ventures off to join the family business in Gauteng. Even though his time with Bush Lodge was short, we will miss him and wish him all the success in his new path through life. Fond wishes until we bring you more news, from Mandla and the Bush Lodge team.

Vuyatela
This month was very hot seeing very little rain which is not helping our rapidly diminishing waterhole in front of Vuyatela. One morning we awoke to alarm calls from impalas, baboons, monkeys and waterbuck echoing up towards the lodge from the direction of the dam. Lucky for us, when we went to investigate we saw the remaining Sandy Patch lioness having a drink at the water. We also had some anxious moments when an elephant bull walked down the driveway into camp, through the open gate. He then took a fancy to some newly planted trees and we decided to try divert his attention away from them by beating on the dinner drum. After trumpeting loudly and pushing at some trees, he left the grounds via his entrance route! Out in the bush we have noticed the Mapogo pride of male lions have not been frequenting the Djuma property as much as last month. This may be the reason the Kuhuma pride are gaining confidence and starting to show more of a presence in the north. They have made several kills on the Buffelshoek sector. The first kill, a giraffe was close to Hunters Moon. Then they killed a buffalo near Cruse Camp. After that they killed two kudu close to Big Dam. This was followed by a buffalo at Long Pole and not long after that, two more baffalo at Sour Plum it was buffalo and Leadwood Camp. The Styx pride, with a male (possibly a Mapogo), was also lucky to bag a buffalo on Owl's Nest road. Karula female leopard, has also been busy, her tracks seen in and around the camp on several occasions. We eventually saw her on Cheetah cut line killing a tree squirrel, of all critters! She was also seen west of Buffelshoek Dam feeding on a young kudu. We were also lucky to see her battling with a Mozambiquan Spitting Cobra near Philemon's Dip. Other unusual sightings included a cheetah killing a scrub hare at Three-in-a-row Pan and a crocodile trying to catch Egyptian Geese out of the water at Kayamanzi. Last but not least, a breeding herd of about eighty elephants was spotted near Galago. We welcomed return guests, the Vigrouxs and the Chenviers. Else and Bysheim, Kristin and Jon Sanglot, Dag and Linda Bjombal, fondly referred to as 'The Six-Pack' for sporting their Djuma shirts and looking very much part of the Djuma staff. Congratulations to the Reoch's and the Pritchard's who decided to come and enjoy their honeymoons with us. Happy wedding anniversary blessings go to the Huches, may there be many more. We also wish Mr. Demetrious a very happy birthday and we loved spending the day with him. Staff birthday blessing go out to Elizabeth and Warren. Join us again next month, from Jimmy and the Vuyatela team.

Galago
The game sightings have been nothing short of fantastic in February. All of our guests have had a wonderful time in the lodge as well as out on safari. No one can say it better than the guests themselves, so here goes… The Burger and De Roos group left us a lovely message in Dutch, "Voor die verandering iets in Netherlands: Hebben hier een fantastische tyd gehad, zowat alles gesien wat te zien was. In ieder geval de Big 5. Hoogte punt was wel de groep leeuwe, zeker wel 15 jonge (welpies) en 6 moeders en naatuurlijke de koning der jungle. Mooie accommodation en pragtige weer. Morgen weer terug na Netherland. Ook het personeel Aubrey, William, Nelly's and rest staff veel danke. Shawn from the Sivananda party had the following to say, "Arrived early afternoon to the sight of zebra, wildebeests and impala grazing peacefully….. Young zebra frolicking with impala. Saw lion pride, elephant and buffalo on evening drive, ate well, drank well, and slept well." Michelle from Australia reported: "Got up early and started out seeing elephant bull, buffalo and then heard on the radio that there was leopard. So we raced off to find the most beautiful amazing leopard walking casually along the tracks. At first it did not seem real, but an illusion. The leopard then spotted a jackal and proceeded to stalk and kill. Thank you all for this awesome experience." The Welsh group said, "Welsh wedding all family and friends come to the bush for the Honeymoon some stayed at Bush Lodge and others at Galago. They had awesome stay wild dog, cheetahs, lions, elephants and lots of other game the ended the stay with last night sundowners at Leadwood Road where the next day every one went their separate roads." Fieldgate group reported, "A fantastic four days at Galago thank you Aubrey and Willam. The leopard with the kill, the wild dog, cheetah, lions with cubs and elephants. But the best of all the elephant giving birth."





Thanks!
Many thanks go to Ken and St Paul's Outreach Community for your donation and kindness that has touched many lives at the school. The money was spent at local shops to buy building supplies and hardware which local artisans installed and used to upgrade the facilities. Plates, wall units, chairs and a table were also bought. It is wonderful that your donation not only benefited the children, but also local businesses in the area.


Join us next month and share our experiences as the seasons march on.


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Djuma Game Reserve
P. O. Box 338, Hluvukani, 1363, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Tel: (+ 27 13) 735 5118
Fax: (+ 27 13) 735 5070

Webmaster: Jurie Moolman