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

July 2007

Read about events at Djuma Game Reserve

Bush Lodge

Vuyatela

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This newsletter is archived in the Drumbeat section of our web site

The chilly winter days have been short and crisp lending a certain character to the bushveld panoramas, especially at sunset. There have been many exciting moments in and around Bush Lodge. Mandla recalls one particular such event: "Impalas were heard barking on the clearing in front of the camp, and later Nghwazi (the grown cub of White Cloth female leopard) was spotted trying to avoid people who had seen him. He did not even pay attention to the Impalas behind him. We wondered whether his mom was trying to teach him to make a kill. Then White Cloth was calling on the eastern side of Bush Lodge. Nghwazi did not cross the clearing because he was so ashamed. His mom also decided to take a different direction without meeting her cub."
Mandla goes on to tell of another camp encounter: "It was the night of 8th June, when we heard the bush going crazy and later a buffalo was heard screaming. No one knew which side of the lodge the buffalo was cornered because it was in the middle of the night. We all assumed that something happened, so we were just waiting for the morning to come. As the morning drive was about to start, the big conversation was about the lions last night. A wonderful sighting happened instantly; a lioness was spotted stretching just at the exit sign of Bush Lodge, 100m away from the lodge entrance. Slightly further, a very healthy Styx Pride was lying down on the clearing after failing to take down a buffalo."
As to be expected, at least a week passed before buffalo were seen near the lodge again, when the big herd passed by to take a drink. Needless to say they polished off the last drop of water and then moved off to look for some more. We know that White Cloth has been in and around the camp regularly, or more precisely using the drainage line for cover, as the monkeys, impala and bushbuck have been very restless. The prey may be a little smart for her for now, but she is sure to get lucky at some stage. Last but not least, a hippo was seen grazing under the spotlight one evening.
Guests' highlights of the month happened one morning shortly after Andrew, reported hearing cheetah calling from the south towards the direction of Djuma Dam. The guests followed the cheetah brothers towards Cheetah Plain where they met up with a leopard and a huge fight broke out. Most unusual was that the cheetahs, which are usually timid, did not back down. After a while things simmered down and the cats parted ways, leaving our guests and guides quite at a loss for words for what they had just witnessed. This was topped by a sighting of mating lions, a first for all the guests that saw the event.
Congratulations to Michelle and Michael Reynolds, and Mr and Mrs Thompson, our June honeymooners, may your years together be happy. Then we welcomed Peter and Betty Fouche, who stayed at Galago Camp and ended their safari at Bush Lodge. The Stolers, who also usually stay at Galago, opted for Bush Lodge this time, and it was wonderful to show them another side to Djuma Game Reserve. May we see you all again soon. Amy Moore celebrated her 30th birthday with her husband Mike here at Bush Lodge. There were also several staff birthdays: warm wishes go to Eunice, Ester, Life, Abraham, Chris and Kim.
We were very happy to share most of the month with Bronwen Smithers, leading the Bush Lodge family in preparation for Kim's return from maternity leave. Our visitors may notice a lot of 'sprucing up' that has happened around camp as well as a hop, skip and a jump in all the staff. Everyone is feeling highly motivated and excited after Bronwen's time with us. One of our volunteers, Julie Kearns, has returned for a couple of months to help out around camp as the busy season approaches.
The month ended on a very sad note when we heard of the death of White Cloth's son, Nghwazi, who was in a fight with some lions on our neighbouring property. After almost two years of fascinating sightings of him, his mother and brother, we will miss him.
Until next month
Regards from Bush Lodge Family

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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