18 September
PM
This evening we were looking for Rhinos, so we headed in a northerly direction in other to go and try there. We went as far as Freestate clearing where we located three Rhinos busy feeding next the clearing. We then got quiet close to them and as I switch off the vehicle those Rhinos started coming in the direction of the vehicle and we sit in the vehicle so quietly and the Rhinos got easily as close as two and half meters to the vehicle. Those animals were as relax as pets. We then got a call on a radio about a Cheetah that was laying almost at the same clearing where the Rhinos were. So we left the Rhinos to go and see the Cheetah, before we even got there the one guide that had the location of the Cheetah told me that the Cheetah wasn't relax at all. We then got to see that animal for a short time and the Cheetah got up and started running fast across the clearing to the southern part of it. When we got there, the animal was long gone. We decided to leave it and headed back to the south where we got to see one of those Leopard cubs sitting and waiting for the mother to come back because she was not back yet. We spent some times with that young leopard and she finally went behind the termite mound that she was laying on it. We then went around in that some direction and the leopard cub had already gone into a hole. We decided not to give them a hard time, which means we left the area and got to see the Hippos at Buffelshoek and have our sundowners drink there. After that we went back to where we had left them feeding off the Zebras and we find them eating and growling against each other. It was really such a wonderful experience seeing that entire happening in the middle of the bush also during the night. We then headed back to the Lodge and we spotted a white tailed mongoose that was not scared of the vehicle.

19 September
AM
We headed straight to the spot where the Styx pride had been feeding on a Zebra the evening before. On arrival at the spot we found two other Lionesses (Skuthane Pride) having a stand off with a group of Hyena. After a frenzy of growling from the Lionesses and excited cackle from the Hyena, the animals left the spot and moved off in different directions.
The tracks of the Styx pride were found on Rhino Cutline and were followed to where they had chosen to lay down and sleep off the effect of a day and a halves feast.
A large herd of Buffalo was found a short distance from the Styx lions, which did not pay too much attention to their presence.

PM
The Torchwood area was a hive of activity this afternoon. A large herd of Buffalo was found to the south of Paradise Beach waterhole.
A pride of 8 Lions (the Styx Pride) were found laying with full bellies on Euphorbia road not too far from the Buffalo.
The Hyena den at the natural-bridge was active with 5 adults and 4 cubs around the den mouth.
There were many Elephant bulls seen throughout drive.

20 September
AM
The Styx pride were found drinking at Torchwood waterhole and moved to lay in the shade a short distance away where they remained for the morning.
3 Rhino were found at torchwood waterhole and moved eastwards into the woodland where they moved steadily whilst grazing.
1 Cheetah was found at Sidney's waterhole. She lay down for some time before moving west into the Manyeleti game reserve.
Small groups of male Buffalo were found throughout the reserve.

21 September
PM
There were two separate herds of Buffalo found on drive. One was to the north of Buffelshoek Dam and another to the east of Bush Lodge.
One huge male Elephant with enormous tusks, was found on the Nkorho open area (see picture in monthly newsletter), feeding alongside a smaller bull.
Rhino's were seen at 3 in a row Pan and at Nyala dam.
The Beacon Female Leopard and her 2 cubs were found north of Vuyatela where they had been left on a termite mound, whilst the mother was presumably out hunting. They became very interested in a noise at the base of the mound and went to investigate; the bolder female cub in the lead as usual. The flushed a Mozambique Spitting Cobra from the grass and began stalking it as it tried to avoid them. We all sat with our hearts in our throats expecting the worst as the two small leopards took it in turns to torment the snake. Luckily their curiosity subsided and they left the snake alone.

22 September
AM
2 male Lions were found on our Southern boundary laying down on a termite mound. They looked to be two of the four young males who had visited Djuma recently.
2 female Lions (Skuthane Pride) were found laying down on the airstrip. They took some interest in some Zebra who were making their way towards a waterhole. After a close but unsuccessful attempt they moved off to rest.
A herd of Buffalos was seen at Jacobin open area.
3 Rhino were seen at 2nd Rock.
Elephant bulls were seen all over the reserve.

PM
A female Cheetah was found in the Hardekool area. She was very relaxed and laying down.
A large male Lion was found at Cheetah Plain Pan. He was very relaxed and only began to move towards the end of drive.
Elephants were yet again very plentiful on drive with many bulls being seen.
A large female leopard (White Cloth) was found at Torchwood camp. She was stalking a Scrub Hare, which later ran under the electric fence to avoid becoming dinner. We left her moving northwards calling intermittently as she moved.

23 September
AM
With the flurry of cats we have been having, this morning's drive was relatively slow. However we did have fantastic general game sightings, which included Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Duiker, Steenbok, Kudu, and a rare sighting of a Reedbuck.
The Hyaena den at 1st Rock was very active and we watched the adult and young socialize for quite some time.
A large herd of Buffalo was seen on the main road and was slowly moving north.

PM
A breeding herd of Elephant was found a 3 in a row pans drinking. After they drank they moved quickly from the water and resumed feeding a short distance to the South of the pan.
1 Leopard cub(Beacon Females cub) was seen on the Southern side of Jordaan's dam. Her brother was thought to be nearby but as he is still a little shy of the vehicles could have been keeping his distance.

24 September
AM
A Large Rhino bull (Half Ear) was seen near paradise beach. He was marking his territory and moving through the woodland towards the North Rock area. A large herd of Buffalo was seen moving south from 2nd Rock.
3 Lions(2 Sandy Patch and 1 Manyeleti Male) were found resting near Big Dam. They moved into the shade to sleep for the day.

PM
The 3 lions from the morning drive were found in the same position but at dusk began to move towards champagne pan, where they made a few failed attempts on Impala.
A Rhino bull was seen at 1st Rock.
A large herd of Buffalo was found at Bush Lodge. They moved eastwards towards 3 pans for a drink.
The Beacon Female Leopard and her 2 cubs were found moving south from the Brown Ivory area. It looked as though she was leading them towards a kill as she continually stopped to scent her course. Unfortunately we lost her in thick bush.
A large male Leopard (Jordaan's Male) was found close to rubbing post dam where he was feeding on an Impala which he had killed and hoisted into a Marula tree.

25 September
AM
A large male Lion was found near Rhino Pan. He was very inactive and eventually moved into some shade to rest.
A large herd of Buffalo was found at Jacobin Open Clearing.
1 Female and 2 cubs(Beacon Female) was found on Hyaena road. She was leading them away from a kill that had been stolen from Hyenas.
Elephants were found throughout the reserve.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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