5 April
AM
This morning, we headed straight to Sydney's Dam, to see if the herd of buffalo that have been frequenting the area were around. When we got there, the herd was at the dam drinking. They pushed and bustled amongst each other as each animal took a turn at the waters edge. Some of them walked right into the water as the herd pushed from behind. When each member of the herd had finished quenching their thirst, they headed off to Manyeleti to graze. Next, we headed straight for Kobus' Dam, where a female cheetah was lying up in the open clearing. She was in the shade of a Guarri tree, lazily grooming herself and rolling about in the dust.

PM
It was a sunny, bright afternoon, as we set out on drive. We took a relaxed drive onto Buffelshoek, stopping to watch various species of bird and antelope along the way. At Three in a Row Pan, we bumped into a rhino bull. We were very surprised to see it was a male that we hadn't seen before. Rhino bulls can be very territorial and usually this area is frequented by a male we call Short Horn. This new male was very relaxed as he walked along chomping on grass and scent marking. We stayed with him until the glorious, pink sunset changed to dark blue, as dusk approached. After dark, as we drove down Vuyatela Access, a herd of buffalo crossed our path, heading west. We stopped to sit amongst them as the huge black bodies, moved through the darkness round us.

6 April
AM
The herd of buffalo, that we came across last night, on Vuyatela Access, were lying up, not too far from where we left them. They were just starting to become active after awakening from their night's slumber. Later in the morning, after following their tracks all over the place, we caught up to the Manyeleti Male lion and the two Sandy Patch lionesses. The three were on the prowl, marching down the road, looking for prey with much determination. In the distance, a small group of kudu, unaware of their presence, headed into the drainage line. The lions followed at a safe distance, as did we. Unfortunately, the bush in the drainage line was very thick in areas, so it prevented us from following the cats as they followed the kudu up the opposite bank. We tried to drive around, but the bush was so thick that we had to eventually give up and hope that we could relocate them later.

PM
As we sat on the deck at Vuyatela, this afternoon, having tea, we noticed several vultures and eagles, sitting in the trees on the open area close to the dam. We knew that something must have been killed there, and we were eager to go investigate. When we drove over, we spotted the three young cheetahs, lying up, with very full bellies. They had killed a young impala, the eaten carcass of which had attracted the birds. After a short while, the three cats made their way down to the dam for a drink of water. They then decided to lie up in the shade on the cool clay next to the dam. After leaving them, we headed to Manyeleti, where we had sundowners at Dixie Hill. The sunset was magnificent as the Drakensberg Mountains were set against a horizon of pink and gold. The surrounding bush was alive with the sounds of birds and insects, getting ready for nightfall.

7 April
AM
This morning, we took a relaxed drive onto Buffelshoek, and came across some lion tracks on Longpole. We ended up searching the area, and eventually came across one of the Sandy Patch lionesses, with her two young cubs! This means that there are six cubs altogether, between the two females. We weren't able to stay with the three cats for too long, as they were heading into thick bush and we didn't want to put too much pressure on the cubs. When they're this young, we usually give them time to get used to us, so that they aren't skittish as they grow older.

PM
This afternoon was beautifully hot and sunny, as we set out on drive. The bush is becoming very dry and most of the water sources are diminishing. The grass has become brown and the leaves on the trees are yellowing and dropping very quickly. There is no more fruit on the trees either, so animals such as monkeys and birds are looking for other sources of food. We had a great drive, seeing lots of general game. We especially enjoyed a large group of zebra and wildebeest on Quarantine. There were also a few elephant bulls meandering about in the drainage lines, where it is nice and cool and there is still quite a bit of green foliage for them to eat.

8 April
AM
This morning, most vehicles headed to Torchwood, to join a sighting of the male leopard, Pink Nose. He was lying up near the Pumphouse, where it was nicely shaded and cool. There were a few elephant bulls, feeding near Buffelshoek Dam as well as on Impala Road. Towards the end of drive, we spotted the three young cheetahs, lying up on Quarantine. We're really happy that the threesome is spending so much time around the camp. There are plenty of antelope around for them to eat and there is a still lot of water in Gowrie Dam.

PM
This afternoon, the two Sandy Patch lionesses had reunited, and joined up with the Manyeleti Male. They had hidden the cubs somewhere, so that they could be safe whilst their moms were out hunting. We joined the three lions at Sydney's Dam, and followed them, through the bush all the way to Aubrey's Rd, where we could no longer follow. (Later, they popped out on Quarantine, and then headed down Zoë's, towards the south.) After leaving the lions, we bumped into the three cheetah siblings, lying up on Quarantine. Luckily, the lions didn't see them; otherwise they might have been in danger. We sat with the three cheetahs for some time, but then left to join a herd of elephants, up on Sandy Patch. The herd of about 20 included some lovely little calves. It was an action-packed afternoon, but it wasn't over yet. After dark, we headed to Torchwood, where the male leopard, Pink Nose was on the prowl. We followed him from Rhino Pan, to First Rock, where he headed into a drainage line for a bit of privacy.

9 April
AM
This morning, we didn't have to go far, to relocate the three young cheetahs, which were still lying up on Quarantine. They had just woken up and were starting to stretch and groom themselves and each other. They would also playfully swat at each other and bite each other's tails, as they became a bit more active. Eventually, they got to their feet and started walking towards the dam. Suddenly, they spotted a herd of impala in the distance, and became very interested in them. They walked towards the herd, hunching down quite low to the ground to avoid being detected. The impala were still too sharp for them though, and saw them before they could get too close. The herd then continued to graze, keeping a watchful eye on the cats. The cheetahs just lay down again, and watched the herd lazily from a distance.

PM
It was a beautiful, warm and breezy afternoon, as we drove north into the Manyeleti. As we drove up Rhino Shortcut, we spotted a male ostrich! It was such a great sighting, as we hardly ever get to see ostrich in the area. The huge bird was just strolling about, but was a bit skittish and headed the other way to avoid us. We then took a turn past S9 Dam, where we saw a crash of 5 rhino. They were just heading away from the water after a drink. An old daga boy was also at the dam, watching us curiously as we watched the rhinos. At S8 Dam, we stopped for sundowners as a few hippos watched us from the water and as we headed back to the lodge after dark, we bumped into a civet on Mvubu Rd. It was very relaxed as it scratched about in the grass, looking for something to eat.

10 April
AM
This afternoon, we spent a while scratching around Cheetah Plains. On the Mala Mala boundary, we came across a lovely group of ground hornbills, walking along the road. As we approached, they took off, flapping their huge, white wings, as they flew to perch in a dead tree. We then headed to Cruse Camp, to join a sighting of the Manyeleti Male lion. He was spotted early in the morning, sleeping on the dam wall, but had moved off towards the east, when we joined him. He was lying up in the shade, with a very full belly.

PM
After leaving the lodge, this afternoon, we were called back by some of the staff. They told us that a herd of elephants were drinking water at the dam. The group of about 15, including some little calves was having a blast, spraying themselves with mud, in-between spraying mouthfuls of water into their mouths. When they finished their drink and headed back into thick bush, we decided to go and try to relocate the male lion from this morning. When we got to the area, we found that he hadn't moved far from where we'd left him. He was now sleeping lazily under a Guarri bush. Behind him, the sun turned into a fiery red ball as it was setting. The wispy clouds in the sky turned to the boldest shade of pink as the sun sank below the horizon.

11 April
AM
It was surprisingly cold this morning. It definitely feels as though winter is heading our way. We scratched around a bit on Buffelshoek, but then headed to the northern boundary to help relocate a lioness that had been seen earlier. We could hear her calling from inside the block, north of Jordaan's Dam. We knew it was one of the Sandy Patch females and we guessed she must have been trying to find her cubs. She was calling consistently and loudly. We headed into Manyeleti, hoping to cut her off on the Jordaan's Loop, but she headed into a drainage line, where we couldn't go. We then headed up to Dixie Hill for a hot cup of coffee, to warm ourselves up as we enjoyed a view of the surrounding bush.

PM
We had some very sad news, this afternoon, as we came across the body of a dead leopard. The female we know very well, named Kaalkol, had been killed on Torchwood, near Marula Pan. We found some tracks of a male lion in the area, and guessed that they must have met and fought, resulting in her death. The Manyeleti Male lion that we saw yesterday had a big gash on his back, so it is very likely that he was the culprit. It's very sad when these things happen, but we have to remember that it the way of the bush in which the creatures can have a very tough and dangerous life. We'll always remember our friend Kaalkol and all the amazing sightings she gave us. Luckily, her male cub is still fit, strong, and lurking about in the area.

12 April
AM
This morning, we left Vuyatela, and headed straight for Broken Dam, where a male cheetah was lying up on the dam wall. He was warming himself in the rays of early-morning sunlight, while he watched for prey from his vantage point. After leaving the cheetah, we spotted a young male leopard, nearby. He was very skittish and darted off into the thicket, before we could get too close. Later in the morning, we came across a herd of buffalo, as they were having a drink at the dam. A hippo bull was also in the dam, waiting very patiently for the commotion to end so that he could carry on with his day of soaking lazily in peace and quiet.

PM
A rhino bull was having a drink at the dam in front of Torchwood, this afternoon. We went to join him after leaving the lodge, and stayed with him for quite a while. The weather had turned hot and dry, so after leaving him, we headed for the Mlowati drainage line, where it would be nice and cool. Inside the riverbed, we came across an old daga boy as well as a hyena, both also trying to keep cool. We then headed to Buffelshoek Dam, where a special sundowner had been set up by some of the staff from the lodge. We enjoyed cocktails and snacks by torchlight while a pod of hippo snorted and yawned in the water.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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