5 February
PM
This afternoon we headed out to Gowrie dam to get closer to the array of animals drinking a grazing. The ever-present Buffalo were lying in the dam with herds of Impala, Nyala, Waterbuck, Wildebeest and Zebra around them. We headed towards Buffleshoek dam where we found a small herd of male Elephants drinking and mud bathing. The resident Hippo was not too thrilled to have them invading his territory but kept his distance. We headed towards twin dams and came across Leopard tracks heading towards Mamba clearing we located the male walking along the road scent making. He was relaxed and let us follow him for quite a while until he slipped into a drainage line that we could not get access to. We herd about a Cheetah that had been sighted and headed in the general direction to have a look. We bumped a crash of Rhino though so did not get to see the Cheetah as it was already dark after leaving the Rhino.

6 February
AM
We headed out this morning with a cool breeze about. The air was crisp but delightful. The sun was warming the earth around was at quite a speed. We watched the nest of Hornbills around the lodge for a while as they were feeding the chicks that were darting around the deck. The ever-present buffalo were lying in the Dam a clear sign of a hot day to come. We had a lovely journey of Giraffe come past us on Quarantine as we watched the Zebra and Wildebeest. We headed towards big dam to see if there were any Elephant drinking and were rewarded by a small breeding herd not to far from the water. They spent some time there drinking a mud bathing. We then headed towards a clearing were a Cheetah had been seen. We spent some time with the Cheetah but it was rather lethargic. Next we headed towards Jordan's were a breeding herd of Buffalo were moving about.

7 February
AM
It was a cool clear morning as we headed out into the bush. We bumped into two bull elephants walking in the direction of the dam snacking on Marulas, as well as four Buffalo bulls North of the Chitwa Cutline. We were also fortunate to see one male lion lying in the tall grass North-East of Hardekool Camp.
The Impalas were out in force, happily grazing with the Wildebeest and Zebra in the morning sun. The Hippos' in the dam were watching us carefully, with Giraffe and Kudu moving silently through the bush in the background. We also saw some great water birds like the Egyptian Goose, Water Dikkops, Darters and Woolly Necked Storks. The Cheeky Fork Tailed Drongos were swooping above us while we stopped for tea and we couldn't miss the bright flash of blue wings as the Woodlands King Fishers darted through the bush. We all enjoyed watching the very graceful Grey Heron and the Wood Sand Pipers going about their daily business of looking for food.
All in all we had a great drive, very much worth the early start!

PM
Another lovely afternoon as we set out for our game drive, monkeys chattering away as we left camp. We found a male Lion lying under a shady tree. As we watched he let out a few loud roars breaking the afternoon calm. We moved on from the Lion after watching him for a while and found a small breeding herd of Elephants feasting on their favourite Marulas. Later in the afternoon we spotted Giraffe feeding on the tops of the trees and a few Impala and Zebra grazing below, we also caught a glimpse of four Waterbuck with their characteristic white markings on their hind quarters. As it was getting dark we saw a hippo grazing not far from a large dam.
Bird watching was also great this afternoon, we saw a Burchell's Coucal again, Yellow Billed Hornbills, Forktailed Drongos, Woodlands Kingfisher and European Rollers. We saw some Oxpeckers on the giraffe, helping to remove parasites from their coats and a Grass Veld Pipit. A flock of Red-faced Mousebirds was eating berries in a bush nearby, and the Louries gave their distinctive call as we hit the road again after sundowners overlooking the bush veld.

8 February
AM
We set out early this morning with out a cloud in the sky, a sure sign that it would be a lovely hot day. We saw Elephants at every turn feeding on the Marula Trees and five male Buffalo walking along the road (Gowrie Main). We tracked a leopard for quite some time but she managed to avoid us!
The Impalas were having a drink at a watering hole with the Zebras making their way down behind them. We saw a family of Giraffe browsing on the Acacias and the shy Waterbuck disappearing into the bush. A tiny Reedbuck ran across the road as we came around the bend and had a good look at us from the safety of the thorn bushes.
We saw a lot of birds this afternoon. Oxpeckers, Hammerkop, Woodlands Kingfisher, Green-spotted and Cape Turtle Doves and a three Banded Plover. We also saw an African Hawk Eagle Taking off from a dead tree and circling overhead. Another great game drive!

PM
The elephants were first to greet us at Kudu Corner this afternoon; there were a few young elephants with them that were very interested in the vehicle. We found a male lion further down the track lying on the West side of Nagaapie Draai. He was lying in the shade of a Buffalo Thorn Tree and let out a few lazy roars to keep us and the rest of the wildlife on our toes.
The Wildebeest were grazing with the Impalas this afternoon and took no notice of us at all so we had a good look at them. We spotted a family of baboons foraging under the trees and their monkey relatives sitting high up in the branches a bit later on. Luckily we spotted a Civet on the road after we had our sundowners, he was searching for his next meal in the tall grass.
We saw a Black Shouldered Kite hunting in the afternoon as well as a yellow-billed Kite. A big flock of Paradise Whydahs flew up from the road as we drove past and a pair of Shelly's Francolin ran in front of us on the track until they finally realized that we meant no harm and flew into the bushes. We saw European Bee Eaters and Long tailed Shrikes as well as a Jacobin Cuckoo.
We set off for camp looking forward to the wonderful dinner that was waiting for us when we arrived.

9 February
AM
Today we spotted a male leopard on our drive. He was a young Leopard and was relaxing in the dense bush of the drainage line. We watched him for quite a while, as he was very relaxed. The Elephants were out in force eating Marulas, as were the baboons!
We stopped to watch some Waterbuck, with their graceful twisted horns, near a watering hole. They were browsing peacefully on the vegetation and were in very good condition. The Nyalas were also in very good condition as food is plentiful during the summer months. They looked beautiful with their shiny russet and black colouring. We enjoyed the fresh morning air as we ate our muffins and had a cup of coffee in the wonderful surroundings of the bushveld.

PM
A lovely clear afternoon and a gentle breeze welcomed us when we set out for our afternoon drive. We found more than twenty Elephants drinking at the dam and seven Buffalos wallowing at the waters edge. An African Fish Eagle watched all this activity from its regal perch and let out a sharp contented cry. A skittish male leopard was working its way through the bush, he was larger than most that we had seen and must have come in from the Kruger Park.
We watched a family of Jackal in the open plain hunting for mice and insects. There were two youngsters with their parents - a happy and functional family group. We also spotted two crocodiles floating menacingly on the surface of the water keeping a careful watch for prey. The zebra and Wildebeest grazed nearby blissfully unaware of their presence!
A Step Buzzard circled overhead as couple of Giraffe wandered through the trees while we were having sundowners, a very peaceful scene to end a wonderfully relaxing and exciting drive.

10 February
AM
Four guests the tracker and I left camp for our drive early this morning. The air was crisp and fresh and we were all exited for the days viewing. A few elephant bulls were feeding on the Marulas with Crested Francolin searching in the grass beneath them for their breakfast. We encountered the Skuthane Pride of lions, which were weary of us - which is not unusual behaviour for this particular pride.
We saw more Giraffe, possibly the same group from yesterday as well as Zebra, Waterbuck, Impala and Wildebeest, all being dutifully groomed by persistent Ox Peckers. We found the family of Jackal again lying in the shade of a Bush Willow, yawning after a long night of foraging. A family of Yellow Billed Hornbills called from the trees. The young hornbills demanding food from their parents and squawking in appreciation after receiving a grasshopper for their efforts! We also saw a Saddle Billed Stalk, Blacksmith Plover, Egyptian Goose and Starlings during our wonderful drive!
We headed back for camp for drinks at the bar and a sumptuous dinner.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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