7 August
PM
There was one big Elephant Bull on the old Djuma driveway moving slowly towards the camp. We left him and headed straight towards where we had left two lions on the morning drive. The lions had moved from the position, and we decided to check on the group of three we had seen a short distance away. As we arrived we found that the other two had joined making it 2 females (Sandy Patch) and 3 males (Manyeleti Coalition) all lying together in the same spot. They later became active and split up once again with 2 females being followed individually by separate males and one of the males moving off by himself towards the East. It looks as though the 2 females are coming into estrous as their respective males were closely shadowing both. There was a lot of vocalization from all lions that continued way into the night.
The Beacon female and her two cubs, Leopard was found at Nyala dam. The cubs that are now approx 5 months old have become well adapted to the presence of vehicles and were followed as they moved eastwards towards Sussen's dam. The mother left the cubs in a small donga as she set off to hunt.

8 August
AM
Elephants were seen throughout the drive. The Hyaena den was also active, allowing us to view 2 females and one of the smallest cubs in the clan being nursed at the entrance to the den. Two Lions (Manyeleti male and Sandy Patch female, were found to the East of Vuyatela Camp. The male was shadowing the female and was very aggressive towards the vehicles, who had to keep their distance or risk being "charged".
One male Leopard (Mafufanyane) was found to the South of Vuyatela. He was on a scent trail of what looked to be a female Leopard that is possibly ready to start mating. She didn't make it easy for him and eventually he lay down under a Guarri bush to escape the warming day.
A large herd of Buffalo was found north of Nyala dam, where they were resting.
Two Hippos were found having a nasty territorial fight at Buffelshoek Dam.

PM
There is great general game present around the permanent water holes at the moment.
We headed towards where we had seen the big male Leopard (Mafufanyane) in the morning. He was located and followed for some time as he scent marked his territory towards the west before he crossed into the neighbouring reserve.
There was two Rhino sightings. One bull south of Vuyatela and 4 cows and calves on Cheetah Cutline.
The "Honeymoon Couple" of Lions (1 Manyeleti male and 1 Sandy Patch female) were found at Vuyatela mating once every 25 minutes. They vocalized for a while and about 10 minutes later the other Sandy Patch female appeared but the male was in no mood for other company.(three's a crowd I guess) He got up and chased her off aggressively before returning to the other female.

9 August
AM
The two "Honeymoon Lions" were found at Vuyatela once again but had moved slightly closer to the "Khayas" where the guests at Vuyatela sleep!!!
4 Rhino's were found at Big dam and slowly moved toward Champagne pan where they lay down for the day.
There were two Big Elephant bull feeding on Jackalberry Trees at Khaya Manzi.

PM
The Lions were found mating at Vuyatela again, and were now mating in 10-minute intervals.
There were a number of Buffalo sightings. A large herd was located east of Jordaan's dam moving slowly to the South. There were 12 Bulls found at Vuyatela, and a single bull at three in a row pan.
A small herd of Elephant was seen at three in a row pan feeding and very relaxed. Bulls were seen in a number of different locations.
A large male Cheetah was seen on our Southern boundary. He was well fed and very relaxed lying under a large Guarri bush.
A female Leopard (Safari Female) was seen briefly on our western boundary, before she moved toward a herd of Impala where she was lost for the night.

10 August
AM
This morning started with a somber mood with news that one of the Skuthane females had died near Torchwood camp. The old lioness, who had in recent years been affectionately named "Kokwana" which is the Shangaan name for grandparent, had thrilled many a guest at Djuma with her willing attitude to hunt Buffalo, with unmatched bravery and skill, and her recent attempt at rearing 2 female cubs two years ago. She was instantly recognizable, with her blind eye and half of one of her ears missing. She was thought to be around fifteen years of age and her carcass was discovered in a riverbed close to where she had been seen two days previously. There was no sign of a struggle so it is thought that she passed peacefully in an area where the Skuthane pride was notorious for frequenting. Hyaenas consumed her carcass.
There were 4 Rhino seen at Cheetah pan, grazing close to where a young male Leopard was being followed. The young male (Mahlothi) was found moving through the donga system near cheetah pan but took no interest in the Rhino's nearby. He was lost heading into thick bush but not before all had a good look.

PM
A young male Cheetah was found north of the Buffelshoek Airstrip. He was quite nervous of the vehicles, but with a bit of space allowed from the rangers he relaxed on a termite mound for some time allowing everyone to have a good view.
Bull Elephants were seen throughout the drive.
1 Lioness (Sandy Patch female) was found at Vuyatela camp where she was roaring loudly trying to locate her sister who presumably was still mating with one of the Manyeleti males.

11 August
AM
4 Rhinos were found at Torchwood dam, having a drink near some Zebras.
One male Lion (Phungwe male) was found at Gowrie gate and was followed for some time before crossing west into the Manyeleti Game Reserve. He had a large cut on his back, which could have been caused by the three young Manyeleti males who are showing a genuine interest in this old male's territory. Time will tell if these new males will be able to settle down in the area to create a stable pride land.
A large herd of Buffalo was found a Buffelshoek dam where they were drinking. After they had finished they moved slowly to the East.

PM
3 Lions (2 Sandy Patch females and one Manyeleti male) were located on Rebecca's Road, where they had recently killed a Zebra foal. While the females looked well fed the male was very protective over the remaining half of the carcass and devoured the rest on his own and did not allow the females near.
4 Rhino's were spotted at Jordaan's dam. One was a tiny calf not more than a few weeks old.
There were numerous sightings of Elephant. Two separate breeding herds of Elephant were seen close to Three In a Row pan.
A large herd of Buffalo (approximately 550) was found at Djuma dam moving north toward the Jacobin area.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

ARCHIVES