1 January 2006
AM
The lion were in the same place as yesterday, one male , tow females and the cubs, they were still resting up , almost like they also new it was the first morning of a new year. the large male leopard we know as Newington , was marking his territory along Chitwa Cutline . Close to Nyala dam one male rhino was grazing, he seemed totally relaxed with us watching him. Two bull elephants were feeding together, then moving, then grazing. Then Gowrie dam was the scene of five old male buffalo, all taking their morning bath. What a way to start the New Year, big 5 plus lion cubs. Amazing!

PM
This evening drive was a little quieter. We watched a large breeding herd of buffalo, wallowing in one of the dams. It seemed everything was sleeping or relaxing, then as we got to tree house dam, one lone bull elephant, seemed like he had the same idea as the buffalo, he was also wallowing in the dam.

2 January
AM
Two male elephant were busy feeding not to far from the camp. We were lucky to find some lion, one male and one female; we followed them, until they settled on Vrystaat clearing.

PM
It was a beautiful morning when the drive headed out. The birds were all waking up, and a chorus of calls surrounded us. One male rhino was taking a drink from Buffelshoek dam, we watched him, and then he headed off into the thick green bush.

3 January
AM
One male lion was resting up close to Nkorho, a treat was waiting for us, close to kudu corner one male cheetah was slowly moving towards the dam, in the dam a breeding herd of buffalo were taking an early bath, it was fabulous to watch the cheetah, walk slowly past the dam and into the bush, closely watched by the breeding herd of buffalo

PM
2 Lionesses (Sandy Patch) were found on the Hardekool open area where they looked very willing to hunt. After a few attempted hunts there patients was finally rewarded when the killed a Wildebeest calf.
1 Rhino Bull was found at Buffelshoek dam wading through the water in order to graze on the northern bank.

4 January
AM
1 Male Lion (Manyeleti Male) was found on Vrystaat Clearing laying down and looking well fed. He has not strayed too far from the den where their mothers, the Sandy Patch females, are looking after his cubs.
2 Male Cheetah were found on Kaalkol clearing. They were hunting and made 2 failed attempts, first on a Duiker and then on a Reedbuck. They were left moving into the Kruger Park later that morning.
A herd of Buffalo was found East of Kudu Corner grazing slowly to the South.

PM
1 Male Lion (Manyeleti Male) was found once again in the Vrystaat clearing area, but this time he was bellowing his lungs out. He was vocalizing every 5 minutes providing a great sighting for the guests in the nearby game drive vehicle.

5 January
AM
The 3 Lions from the Sandy Patch Pride (2 females and 1 male) were found South of Jordaan's dam in the riverbed. 2 young cubs were discovered when the mother went into some dense bush and returned carrying them to the rest of the group in her mouth, one at a time.
The Beacon Female and her 2 cubs were found on Dolerite road where they were moving slowly East through the woodland. The mother left her cubs and moved slowly away showing interest in a herd of Impalas.
1 Female Cheetah was found on Nkorho open Plain. She looked interested in hunting but the sun was starting to beat down and eventually was left laying down in the shade of a Marula tree.

PM
1 Rhino Bull was found at Nyala Dam grazing around of the fringes of the dam.
2 Elephant bulls were found on the Kruger Boundary moving slowly westwards.
1 Female Leopard Cub (Beacon's daughter) was found laying in a Marula Tree but there was no sign of her brother or mother.

6 January
AM
6 Buffalo Bulls were found on Longpole road having a mud bath in a small pan.
3 Leopards (Beacon female and her 2 cubs) were found feeding on an Impala Carcass east of Buffelshoek Dam.
1 Female Lion (Sandy Patch) was found moving her cubs to a new den sight north of Vrystaat clearing. She carried each on in her mouth and returned a different route each time.
Elephant bulls were seen throughout the reserve.

PM
The 3 Leopards were still feeding on the Impala Carcass and shortly after dark the mother hoisted it into a tree away fro the reach of Hyenas.
1 Male Lion (Manyeleti Male) was found laying down at Sandy Patch. A herd of Elephants were found at Galago camp.
1 Lioness (Sandy Patch was found at her new den sight with her 2 young cubs.

7 January
AM
The rain this morning made it difficult to see much besides ducks although the Beacon Female was still at the kill with her cubs.

PM
1 Male Leopard (Newington male) was found east of Bush Lodge. He was looking very hungry and after a failed attempt on a herd of Kudu, we watched him try and hunt a small mouse. It is this ability to change and adapt that surely makes Leopards the most successful cat in Africa.
Newington Male's archrival in the west of our reserve is the Mafufunyana Male, and he was found just to the South of Gowrie Gate. The 2 Leopard were a few kilometers apart and there was no fear of a confrontation.
An unidentified female Leopard was seen stalking impala west of Jordaan's dam, but because it was dark it was decided to leave her and let her continue hunting by herself.
1 Rhino bull was found at Kudu Corner.
2 Breeding herds of Elephant were found in the West of the reserve.
1 Male Lion (Old Eastern Male) was found roaring on the Kruger Boundary. While sitting with him, we heard other Lions Roaring to the North and by following the roars we located the 2 Zambezi Males. It seemed to be a stand off as they sat a few hundred meters away from the Old Eastern Male roaring.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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