23 January
PM
The 5 members of the Sandy Patch Pride were found South of Jordaan's dam. The big male was looking thin yet healthy and both of the tiny cubs were exploring the immediate area without venturing too far from the safety and security of mum!!

24 January
AM
4 White Rhino were found on Vultures nest road. They were very relaxed and were followed for some time before slipping into the bush toward the Mlowati riverbed.
A large breeding herd of Elephants was found near Nyala dam. There were approximately 40 Elephants in the herd.

PM
2 Male Lions (Zambezi Males) were found at Sidney's dam and were found by complete surprise. Whilst one of the game drives was watching a large herd of Impala and some wildebeest on the open clearing around the dam, one of the young males burst out from the woodland adjacent to the clearing. The Lions came close to catching a young wildebeest but in true Lion style tired a bit too quickly. They were left after they had regrouped and laying on the dam wall.
1 Female Leopard (Karula) was found on Zoë's road. She was scent marking heavily and was followed till she crossed the boundary of the reserve to the west.
4 White Rhinos were found on Long Pole Road mud wallowing in Ingwe Pan.

25 January
AM
3 Leopards (Beacon female and cubs) were found with full bellies on the Secret clearing in the Long Pole area. The mother led them off slowly to the east and was left laying down on Sour Plum road.

PM
3 Leopard were found at the same spot where they were left on the morning drive. They slowly headed off eastwards again until they reached Mondzo pan. There they had a drink and the mother left them in order to hunt.
2 young male Elephants were found swimming in Buffelshoek dam.

26 January
AM
1 Female Leopard cub(Beacon) was found at Mondzo pan. She was calling for, presumably to try a relocate the rest of her family.
1 Buffalo bull was seen at 3 Pans, laying in the mud.
5 Rhino were found on the clearing in front of Galago Camp

PM
1 male Lion (Manyeleti Male) was found at Bushbuck Dam laying down. He was looking very thin and as though he had not eaten in days. He later moved off in a southerly direction along the Djuma / Manyeleti boundary.
2 Leopard cubs (Beacon Female) were found at Mondzo Pan on Long pole road. They were resting on a fallen Marula tree, exactly where their mother had left them the previous day.
5 Rhino were found wallowing in Mondzo Pan.

27 January
AM
5 Rhino were found at the Nyala Road Pan. The large male in the group was scent marking at one of his regular middens and the cows and calves were wallowing in the mud.
1 Male Lion (Manyeleti male) was found laying down on the east/west cutline south of Jordaan's dam.
1 Buffalo bull was found at Twin Dams.
A breeding herd of Elephants were found at 3 pans.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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