30 July
PM
This afternoon's drive started in fine form when "Ncila" a young male Leopard was found at Abel's Junction. We followed him for some time as he moved from one termite mound to the next in order to check for the presence of warthogs. We left him after some time. There were three big Elephant bulls on the western bank of the Mluwanini River heading slowly to the South. The Hyaena den was very active and we were treated to 7 young cubs playing around the den.
After dark we returned to the Lion pride (Styx) where they were lying on the Kaalkol open area.

31 July
AM
We left the lodge and found lion tracks on the Bush Lodge old drive-way, after following the tracks for just 2 minutes we found the Styx pride (8 lions) lying on the open area just to the west of the old drive-way. They were very relaxed and were enjoying the first rays of light on their faces. A big male leopard (Newington) was found near rhino pan and was followed as he scent marked his territory all the way to Kudu Corner where he made a half-hearted attempt to catch some fleeing warthogs but looked clearly like he was not in the mood.
A large herd of Buffalo was found on Rhino Cutline moving north through the brush.

PM
We left camp and headed straight to the Styx pride of Lions. As we got there we found two of the females in the bush to the East of the pride. As we switched off the vehicle we heard the chattering of banded mongoose alarm calling and as quick as a flash one of the sub -adult lionesses pounced and grabbed one just off the road. He brought it back to the pride to show off his achievement.
There was a group of 4 rhino found to the South of long pole, grazing peacefully through the woodland.
Just as it got dark we came across a young leopard of about 5 months old lying in a tree. After a sitting with it for some time another cub was seen at the base of a Marula tree and when we approached extremely carefully we found that it was in fact feeding on the remains of a Duiker. We did not see the mother but the cubs were remarkably relaxed, as due to the location we know that this was the first time these youngsters had seen vehicles. We kept just one vehicle at the sighting at one time, so as to keep the stress on them to a minimum. The first encounter that leopards have with vehicles is always the most important, and normally decides how a leopard will react in the future when approached with vehicles.

1 August
AM
We found a huge herd of Buffalo to the North of Bush Lodge. There were about 550 animals in the herd but it was hard to tell as there are many juveniles within the herd, which are hidden easily.
Two huge Elephant bulls were found browsing in the Vrystaat clearing area.
4 Very relaxed Rhino's were found South of Gowrie gate and provided some great viewing as they came out the bush to inspect the game drive vehicle. Once satisfied that we were friend and not foe they moved slowly into the bush.

PM
There was one skittish female Cheetah was found at cheetah-plain-pan but she started to run the minute she saw the vehicle. Deeming it to be in the best interest of the animal's well being we did not follow her too far before it was made clear to the rangers by her behaviour that she was running from our vehicle and not something else. It looked like it was a young male but we couldn't be sure.
After finding the new Leopard cubs the night before, it was decided to keep a vehicle in the area of the Duiker kill in order to help the habituation of the young cubs to the sound and sight of the game drive vehicles and on game drive the "proof was in the pudding." We arrived at the sighting and were treated to the mother Leopard (The Beacon Female) and her cubs relaxing at the kill sight. With a great look at the cubs we could now see that one is a female and one is a male. The female cubs was acting like she had seen a vehicle for years and was totally relaxed at the sound of vehicles starting and stopping in the vicinity of the kill. Her brother, who is quite a bit larger, was a little bit tentative but as soon as the vehicles engine had stopped running he relaxed and the three leopards were viewed for some time, as the fed and interacted with one another. Things look good for the future of this Leopard family.
There were many bull Elephants seen on drive.

2 August
AM
A breeding herd of Elephants was found at 2nd Rock where they were gently feeding slowly to the east. Just to the North of the herd were 5 big Elephant bulls.
4 Rhino were found at Rhino pan. The group consisted of cows and young. We followed them for sometime and they headed for shade and a rest for the rest of the day.
There was a group of Hippo's found bathing in Buffelshoek dam.

PM
With plenty of general game found in the beginning of drive a big Elephant bull was found at Kudu Corner dam. After a short mud bath he turned and headed north from the dam in search of foliage.
A large herd of Buffalo was found at Big Dam moving slowly north.
A female leopard (White Cloth) was found at Cheetah Plains moving north through the bush. She got the scent of another animal and maneuvered her way through the woodland in a "zigzag" fashion before coming out onto the boundary road in the south, and was last seen crossing into the reserve to the South.

3 August
AM
There were three Rhino found to the West of Cheetah Plains moving their way East through the woodland. They were slightly nervous of the vehicle but when approached with sensitivity were relaxed enough to view from a distance.
Elephant bulls were found on drive throughout the reserve, wherever water was nearby.
Three female Lions (Skuthane Pride) were found at Kudu Corner drinking water. They had huge bellies possibly from a kill the night before. After their drink they moved towards shade where they relaxed for a short while before flopping onto their sides and falling asleep.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

ARCHIVES