31 August
PM
The Drive started with sightings of a breeding herd of Elephants at Djuma's Driveway. The herd was moving into torchwood from the main road.
We returned to the leopard kill from the morning time where we found the Beacon Female and her two cubs laying in the same area.
They entertained us for hours and at one stage we were unable to start the vehicle as the female cub was more interested in the wells of the game drive vehicle than the Duiker the mother had killed earlier in the day.

1 September
AM
The morning drive started with a great sighting of 5 Rhinos at Big Dam. We followed them as they weaved their way through the woodland before laying down in a spot often used by this particular "Crash".
Two Lionesses (Skuthane) were found laying down at Khaya Manzi dam. They looked well fed and we left them sleeping off the effects of their over-indulgence in spike thorn thicket.

PM
Our drive started with a great sighting of the Safari leopard and one of her 16 month old cubs. They were laying under a Guarri Bush near our Southern Boundary. They looked well fed and moved off towards the South before crossing out of Djuma Game Reserve.
8 Lionesses (Styx Pride) were found at Djuma dam they all looked to be in good health. Even the female who has had a badly injured leg for the past while, was managing to keep up with the pride as they moved slowly east towards 3 Pan.

3 September
AM
We headed out towards Nyala dam to see if we could confirm reports of a lion kill that had been reported the evening before. Sure enough as we approached the Dam we spotted Vultures perched in the trees close to the road. As we neared we found 2 Lionesses (Sandy Patch) females busy feeding on a Waterbuck. They had almost completely consumed the young animal and only a few ribs and legs remained.
After a good bit of tracking from Charles and Aubrey, the Beacon Female Leopard and her two cubs were found just to the west of where the Lions were feeding. The cubs climbed into a Milkberry Tree and the mother moved towards where the lions were to investigate the smell of the carcass. The Lions spotted her and they reacted immediately by chasing after her, but she had a good enough head start and refuge in a Knobthorn tree. Once the lions retired back to the carcass, she made her escape and sought out a higher vantage point from a well established Tamboti Tree, where she could keep an eye on things, from her perch.
A large herd of Buffalo was found at Jordaan's Dam. They were having their routine drink for the morning and were joined by three large Elephant bulls that moved straight for the deep water in the dam for a swim.

PM
We started our drive tracking a large male Lion, which had walked passed Vuyatela the night before. After about 45 minutes he was located, just South of the Buffelshoek Boundary Road. He was one of Manyeleti Males and was looking very well fed. We stayed with him for some time but he showed no signs of moving. He did much later move back to Vuyatela where he had a drink and lay down next to the waterhole.
The two Leopard Cubs of the Beacon female were located in the same position as the morning. They had moved down the tree and were pouncing, climbing, stalking one another in true Leopard cub form. All had a truly great sighting.
Elephants were seen all over the place as the hot day had drawn them in for a welcome drink of water.

4 September
AM
The drive started with a fantastic sighting of a large Rhino Bull (Short Horn). He was found close to the Beacon moving slowly south. He moved to the shade of a Marula tree where he went to lay down and remained there for the rest of the morning.
A small breeding herd of Elephants was found on the Nyala Dam Cutline.
A large male Leopard (Jordaan's Male) was found East of Nyala dam. He is a very shy and skittish Leopard and we were only afforded a short view from a comfortable distance.
One Male and two Female Lions (Sandy Patch) were found at Sussen's Dam. They moved into the shade of the drainage line to the south of the dam to lay down.
A small group of Buffalo bulls were seen at Mamba road laying down.

PM
The 3 Lions were relocated at Sussen's dam where they had been laying down in the morning.
A large herd of Buffalo was found in the Mlowati riverbed heading south.
There were Elephant bulls found throughout the reserve.
A Hyena den was found east of 1st Rock under the Natural Bridge. There was a sighting of just a Female and Cub grooming one another.
2 Rhinos were found at Jordaan's dam.
One Kori Bustard was found on Cheetah Plain.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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