Drum Beat - News from Djuma Game Reserve


	In the African night, the beat of a drum means news...
	November 2007


Read about events at Djuma Game Reserve

Bush Lodge
"Out on drive it has been a case of lions, lions and more lions!" ….. Click here to read more…

Vuyatela
"…… to be in close proximity to a full blown roar is something never to be forgotten!" ... Click here to read more…

Galago
"Beautiful set out lodge open to the wilderness felt like we were having breakfast with the zebras and gin and tonic with the jackals." ... Click here to read more…


for more information visit www.djuma.com
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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 James Carty - guide at Bush Lodge.


Bush Lodge
We have been blessed with wonderful weather interspersed with rain throughout the month. Although there were some days when the guests had a thorough drenching on the drives, they were rewarded with good game sightings in spite of the weather. The bush is looking green and lush, but we are still holding thumbs for more rain that will replenish the dried out water holes. We are looking forward to some dramatic thunder storms in the late after noon that are common in the summer months. These storms, although short in duration, deliver huge amounts of water which will offer what we need to fill the dams. We have had lots of leopard sightings around the camp this month. The best was possibly when guests from Switzerland had just arrived and while having tea before drive Karula female leopard stepped out onto the plain in front of the camp. Another time, James (our new guide) was checking the waterholes near camp and bumped into Ncila female leopard near the big fig tree. She was resting up after a feed, but later that afternoon was gone. We are sure of more leopard activity as we await the arrival of the new born impalas, a tasty snack on many a predators' menu! Out on drive it has been a case of lions, lions and more lions! The Nkuhuma pride was seen around Impala Plain trying to take down a buffalo. There was a moment where everyone was expecting a kill but it was not as simple as it seemed, and finally the pride lost energy. The same pride has been successful in making kills near Vuyatela where some guests were very lucky to see the kills happening close to the lodge. Following that all the guests were fortunate enough to have several days of watching them gorging themselves until they were ready to hunt again. Mandla tells of some more lions, "We had another pride called Mapogo which crossed to this side all the way from the south. When the pride arrived here, everyone could tell that it was a strong and healthy pride with no females, only four males. The pride was said to have five males from where they come from, but one did not make it to Djuma. Some other lodges from the south know the pride very well as a notorious pride as they have a record of killing hippos, leopards, as well as other lions, which they eat - quite unusual. From us, the pride went far to the east, into the Kruger National Park and it looks like they never came across other prides around our area. We are still looking forward to seeing when and which way are they going to come back to south as we thinking that they might come across some other prides which have cubs and other males." We have also caught several glimpses of a female African wild dog (with a short tail) often accompanied by three young pups. Most sightings were high speed snippets of these highly endangered animals, but worth while none the less. A romantic ambience hung over Bush Lodge this month as many honeymooners chose Djuma to celebrate their marriages. Hardeer and Harneet Gosal, Alastair and Orla Woodman, Stephan and Laure Duhl, Steffano and Donatella Senghezzi, Matt and Marisa Dalton, Mine and Erin Tollini. It so happened that many of them saw 'lions on honeymoon' too, so there was even more romance out in the bush! Jackie Fox and her son Paul returned to Djuma and they stayed in both the lodges, and we are sure to see them again. Eddy Karam and John Vauchan celebrated their birthday with us in October and we wish them all the best for the next coming years. Bush Lodge crew would like to wish a wonderful marriage to Warren and Marietjie Pieterse who tied the knot in October. Much joy and happiness from the Bush Lodge team.


Marietjie (F & B manager Vuyatela) and Warren Pieterse (general manager Djuma Game Reserve) enjoying their wedding day!

Vuyatela
We have had our first rain so the bush is looking green and gorgeous. It has been just enough for the bush to spring into life, but not enough to have any effect on the empty pans and dams. Around the camp we have seen good general game and on one occasion two lions were seen passing through the camp. Later they started roaring not too far from the camp, which is a sound that can be felt to the core of one's being. It is quite an experience for guests to see lions, but to be in close proximity to a full blown roar is something never to be forgotten! Game drives have been incredible this month. We have seen wild dogs not just once, but several times over a few days. The mother and her three young pups made two kills that we saw. One kill was a pregnant impala, and as hard it is to witness, they had a bonus meal of the foetus too. Cheetah sightings have been amazing. On one drive we saw four different cheetahs, two brothers and then a female with one youngster. We were lucky enough to witness the mother killing an impala and then feeding on it together with her cub. One night we saw a genet killing a snake. It happened so quickly that we couldn't identify the snake, but it was exhilarating none the less. The Nkuhuma Pride has been very active and we have seen them on almost all drives this last month. In total there are fifteen cubs of varying ages, so the 'cuteness factor' is a bonus when seeing this fine pride. The Mapogo Pride - four male lions - came and visited us at Djuma from reserves to the south west of us. We are worried that they want to come and take over the Nkuhuma Pride. If that happens, all the youngsters will be killed, so hopefully they go back to where they come from. We have seen the big herd of buffalo quite often, and although difficult to count from the ground we estimate between three and four hundred individuals in total. We have also started to notice the return of the summer migrant birds to our area. It is only a matter of time before we hear the shrill calls from the woodland kingfishers. It has been wonderful to share our beautiful lodge and reserve with the guests, especially the honeymooners. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Rabauer, Mr and Mrs Patel, Mr and Mrs Labrengno, Mr and Mrs Dalton, Mr and Mrs Daley, Mr and Mrs O'rourke, Mr and Mrs Nijieboer, Mr and Mrs Mun, and last but not least Mr and Mrs Clark. We welcome back Jacky Fox and her son Paul, as well as Steve Cochrane and his family. We are also very grateful to Rose Gavigone for the five boxes of jumble that we could distribute to needy families in the area. On the staff front we extend a happy birthday to Million and Lots. We welcome back Edward Hoare to Djuma. Although Ed will be based at Vuyatela, he will be hosting bush sundowners and bush meals at both Vuyatela and Bush Lodge. At last Warren and Marietjie have tied the knot, and everyone at Djuma wishes them all the happiness in the world for the rest of their lives together. Until next month, fond regards from the Vuyatela team.


Edward and Nonku setting up sundowners in the bush.

Galago
We have taken some bits from the visitors' book and let the guests comments speak for themselves… The Steward Group: "This was our first safari and it surpassed our expectations beyond our wildest dreams. 'DJUMA' reserve is so very beautiful!! We never thought we would see a pride of lions including the cubs eating a buffalo and a cheetah chasing down its prey. Every animal we wanted to see - we saw. The trackers Iphraim and William made this happen for us - their knowledge of the bush was exceptional. A big "THANK YOU" to both of you." "Galago Camp" what can we say; a beautiful setting with great staff. The food was fantastic and everything was always so clean and tidy. We will never forget our experience on our African Adventure and we will be back as soon as we can." The Bull Party: "Thank you for a bush experience second to none Congratulations on the superb knowledge and on going action of the staff. I learned a lot and will be back for more." "RUMPIE - RUMPIE Dit was lekker!!!! How fortunate we were to "crack the nod" and how fortunate to see so much, and have a lovely time." "Special people - special place - great staff - many thanks to all of you. I hope to be back someday. Sarah Andrena" "Thank you!! It was wonderful much needed and much appreciated. Anthony and Pat Walker" "We had a fantastic time, thank you Keith and Sue Bull for arranging this trip, look forward to the next. Thank you to the Rangers and staff for your friendly and informative service. What a great bunch of friends. John and Gail." The Matthysen Party: "Dir was 'n naweek vol opwinding, ons is verwelkom met die "Mapogo" leeus, twee pragtige renosters en terug by die kamp is ons verras met ' hiena. Die tweede dag was net so suksesvol: Olifante wat water drink asook die leeus wat begin soek het vir aandete. Hulle het op Zebras afgekom hulle probeer vastrek maar sonder sukses al wat ons kon hoor is die gelag van die zebras oor hulle oorwining oor die leeus. Laaste oggend van safari dat ons verneem daar is wilde honde in die omgewing, en Aubrey A.K.A " Schoemacer" sit toe voet in die hoek sodat ons die ma met die 3 kleintjies kon sien Terug by Galago kon ons nie glo die naweek is op 'n einde nie maar die is nog nie verby nie want ons gaan spaar om weer te kom. Oom Dries , Tannie Sue, Johan, Nicolen, Marius, Altie, Leone en Yolande" "We could not have asked for more on our very short interlude in this magical place. Wonderful sightings of the lions, rhino, ellies, buffalo and an amazing view of the cheetah with her cub. Thank you to all the staff for their expert attention and especially to Aubrey and Lots for sharing their knowledge. Bev and Cesar Pestana" "Our best ever game park experience!! Thanks for finally allowing us to the thick of the African BIG 5 - all due to Aubrey & Lots brilliant tracking and patience. Beautiful set out lodge open to the wilderness felt like we were having breakfast with the zebras and gin and tonic with the jackals." Best wishes from Thembi, Aubrey, and the Galago team.


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