* On the evening of the 20th I drove around with Russell, Michelle (Spa) and Michelle (Leopard Project). We wanted to find the Wild Dogs, but changed our minds and decided to rather look for Leopard. We found our bigger Rhino Bull close to the Villa and just after that we actually found a Female Leopard on the same road. She sat down in the bushes and watched us for a while. She was very young and her nose was still a little pink. I called the guides and just as the Leopard was about to cross the road in front of us, one of the guides showed up with guests and she moved into the bushes. She stayed there a little bit longer and then moved deeper into the bush. So our Leopard Researcher got to see her first Leopard on Thanda.
* On the morning of the 21st the Dogs ran around on the Savannah area behind Base Camp. I lost them for a few minutes, but found them again eating a Grey Duiker. Even though I felt sorry for the Grey duiker I was very proud of the Dogs for catching such a fast animal. Then the youngsters played with the Duiker's head for quite some time before settling down. I guess kids will always be kids.
* In the afternoon Dr Gabriella Flacke drove around with me to have a look at the Dogs. We found them close to Vula Zulu playing and chasing each other. The Vet said that the Dogs looked very healthy and that they didn't have mange like we thought they might have had.
* On the afternoon of the 23rd I took a few staff members on Drive. We found two Rhino Cows on the burnt area close to Broxburn. Some of the trees were still smouldering so it was strange to see the Rhinos there. Luckily the myth about Rhinos putting out fires isn't true otherwise Rhinos would be extinct by now.
* We also found the Elephants on a very narrow road close to South Gate and the staff members were very nervous especially when one of the young Bulls charged us flapping his ears and kicking up dust. I thought it was quite funny.
* On the 24th I had 5 guests. We went on Drive in the afternoon and found 2 Hyeanas along the fence close to South Gate. They were quite relaxed and it was nice to see them during the day. After dark we found the Elephant Herd. A big Bull stood on the road in front of us and the rest of the Herd were all around us. The little girl started crying and I let her sit on the box next to me. Luckily it was full moon and we could see what the Bull was doing without the lights. It felt like hours before we got to a junction where the Bull went right and of course we went the other way back to the Lodge.
* On drive the next morning we found Lion tracks and decided to follow it. We stopped at a junction where the tracks went up and down. Theo and Bheki stopped there with their guests and they both got out looking at the tracks. One of my guests almost jumped out of his seat when he saw the two Phinda Lionesses come around the corner about 30 metres from the vehicle. Theo and Bheki got back into their vehicle and we followed the Lions for quite a while before we left for the other guides to also look at the Lions.
* We found the Buffalo Herd at a Pan just around the corner and watched them for a very long time, because there was a newborn calf and we wanted to see it get up. The Cow still had afterbirth stuck on her so the Calf must've been born during the night. It was worth the wait, because he did get up and it was amazing to see this young animal stick to his mom like a magnet. It had its nose pressed against her side the whole time. Really cute.
* We had coffee close to another pan where we were hoping to see some Rhinos. After coffee we went back to the pan and the Rhino Cow with the young Calf was there. Let's just say it was a very long Game Drive. When we eventually left them we found some Giraffe and then the other half of the Buffalo Herd and another Rhino.
* After Breakfast I had to take two of my guests to the Tented Camp. I decided to take a detour and found the Male Lion on Broxburn. He was sleeping and only lifted his head for one photo and slept further. On the afternoon Game Drive he wasn't there anymore and I tracked him to South Pan where, believe it or not, he was sleeping again. We heard the Elephants in the block behind the pan, but didn't go there, because the little girl didn't want to go close to them again. On the way to Vula Zulu we saw another Rhino Cow.
* On the morning of the 26th we went to look for the Wild Dogs and found their tracks along the fence close to South Gate. I followed it and drove into the two Sub-Adult Lionesses. I should add that my guests got a really big fright, because they had their eyes glued to the road to look for the Dog tracks and they didn't expect to see the Lions around the corner. Even though we didn't see the Dogs, we did manage to see a Southern Banded Snake-Eagle. A first for me. On our way back we saw our bigger Rhino Bull as well. My guests left after lunch.
* On the afternoon of the 27th I saw all 5 Dogs close to the Lodge and was happy to see they were all well. I went to look for the Lion Cubs, but only found one Rhino Cow.
* On the morning of the 28th Michelle and I went out at 04h30 again to look for Leopard. We found 3 old Buffalo Bulls close to the N2 and we found the bigger Rhino Bull again. I climbed up a very high, very slippery Fig tree to see if there were more scratch marks higher up in the tree and actually found some Leopard hair where he'd been lying. In the afternoon we found the Dogs close to Base Camp against a hill. They ran down to the open area, sniffed around and went back up the hill. Lazy Wild Dogs.
* On the morning of the 29th Michelle (Leopard) and I went out at 04h30 and saw a Striped Polecat run across the road in front of us. I was so excited that I didn't really care whether we did see a Leopard or the Wild Dogs. (A Striped Polecat looks like a skunk and also stinks like a skunk).
* In the afternoon the Wild Dogs headed towards Old North Gate and 2 of them chased a Male Nyala right passed me in the opposite direction towards Vula Zulu Main Gate and the other 3 chased another Male Nyala in the same direction. I found them at the Soccer field eating a Sub-Adult Nyala Male while the soccer players were practicing. I don't think the Dogs minded them being so close.
* On the morning of the 31st the Wild Dogs went from North Gate to Base Camp. They played on the grass next to the soccer field and played with an APU member as well running towards him and then running away.
* I went looking for the Lions and Elephants. I saw a Rhino Bull close to Lodgedam and saw an Elephant Bull from a lookout point heading towards South Pan. I drove down to the pan and found the Lioness with her two older daughters and two Cubs. The Mom had a big bump on her back, but I couldn't see clearly since the guides were there and I didn't want to interfere with their sighting. When they left I told them the Elephants were on their way. I told Brent they would be there in 5 minutes, but the guides left. I drove up the road and when I went back to the dam there was an Elephant Bull. The guides came back and it was 5 minutes. (I thought it was quite funny). The Bull sucked water out of the pipe that pumps water into the pan, because the pan was drying out. The guides left and the rest of the Herd came to the pan as well. It was such a great sighting. The 2 Calves are getting very big now and I think we might have another pregnant elephant. I was so busy looking at the calves through my binoculars that I didn't notice the young Bull coming closer to me and I just saw a stump fly passed in front of me. Wow he gave me a fright.
* After the Elephants left I drove passed Lodgedam and saw the Male Lion and a Phinda Lioness there. Russell and Alan were burning a big block across from the Villa and Michelle (Leopard) and I decided to go and help them. It turned out to be a very long and HOT day and we walked quite a distance. Just before we finished there was a big tree that was still burning close to the road. Michelle and I decided to pull it over towards the burnt area just so that it wouldn't fall over onto the not-burnt area and start a whole new fire. Russell got some rope and helped us, but it was so hot that we had to let go of the rope and get another piece. When the tree did come down we literally ran for our lives and the tree fell right behind us. Russell got ash in his shoe and his foot burnt and my boots melted. I guess we shouldn't play with fire.
* In the afternoon we decided not to go look for the Dogs since it was such a long day, but two of the yearlings killed a Female Nyala against Base Camp fence. They only pulled out the foetus and ate it after which they whoo-called to find the others. The others were seen chasing Impalas towards Meyer's Section. A few minutes later 3 Dogs were seen eating a Female Nyala and foetus next to the Vula Zulu fence. I guess the Dogs found me again.
* On the morning of the 21st the Dogs ran around on the Savannah area behind Base Camp. I lost them for a few minutes, but found them again eating a Grey Duiker. Even though I felt sorry for the Grey duiker I was very proud of the Dogs for catching such a fast animal. Then the youngsters played with the Duiker's head for quite some time before settling down. I guess kids will always be kids.
* In the afternoon Dr Gabriella Flacke drove around with me to have a look at the Dogs. We found them close to Vula Zulu playing and chasing each other. The Vet said that the Dogs looked very healthy and that they didn't have mange like we thought they might have had.
* On the afternoon of the 23rd I took a few staff members on Drive. We found two Rhino Cows on the burnt area close to Broxburn. Some of the trees were still smouldering so it was strange to see the Rhinos there. Luckily the myth about Rhinos putting out fires isn't true otherwise Rhinos would be extinct by now.
* We also found the Elephants on a very narrow road close to South Gate and the staff members were very nervous especially when one of the young Bulls charged us flapping his ears and kicking up dust. I thought it was quite funny.
* On the 24th I had 5 guests. We went on Drive in the afternoon and found 2 Hyeanas along the fence close to South Gate. They were quite relaxed and it was nice to see them during the day. After dark we found the Elephant Herd. A big Bull stood on the road in front of us and the rest of the Herd were all around us. The little girl started crying and I let her sit on the box next to me. Luckily it was full moon and we could see what the Bull was doing without the lights. It felt like hours before we got to a junction where the Bull went right and of course we went the other way back to the Lodge.
* On drive the next morning we found Lion tracks and decided to follow it. We stopped at a junction where the tracks went up and down. Theo and Bheki stopped there with their guests and they both got out looking at the tracks. One of my guests almost jumped out of his seat when he saw the two Phinda Lionesses come around the corner about 30 metres from the vehicle. Theo and Bheki got back into their vehicle and we followed the Lions for quite a while before we left for the other guides to also look at the Lions.
* We found the Buffalo Herd at a Pan just around the corner and watched them for a very long time, because there was a newborn calf and we wanted to see it get up. The Cow still had afterbirth stuck on her so the Calf must've been born during the night. It was worth the wait, because he did get up and it was amazing to see this young animal stick to his mom like a magnet. It had its nose pressed against her side the whole time. Really cute.
* We had coffee close to another pan where we were hoping to see some Rhinos. After coffee we went back to the pan and the Rhino Cow with the young Calf was there. Let's just say it was a very long Game Drive. When we eventually left them we found some Giraffe and then the other half of the Buffalo Herd and another Rhino.
* After Breakfast I had to take two of my guests to the Tented Camp. I decided to take a detour and found the Male Lion on Broxburn. He was sleeping and only lifted his head for one photo and slept further. On the afternoon Game Drive he wasn't there anymore and I tracked him to South Pan where, believe it or not, he was sleeping again. We heard the Elephants in the block behind the pan, but didn't go there, because the little girl didn't want to go close to them again. On the way to Vula Zulu we saw another Rhino Cow.
* On the morning of the 26th we went to look for the Wild Dogs and found their tracks along the fence close to South Gate. I followed it and drove into the two Sub-Adult Lionesses. I should add that my guests got a really big fright, because they had their eyes glued to the road to look for the Dog tracks and they didn't expect to see the Lions around the corner. Even though we didn't see the Dogs, we did manage to see a Southern Banded Snake-Eagle. A first for me. On our way back we saw our bigger Rhino Bull as well. My guests left after lunch.
* On the afternoon of the 27th I saw all 5 Dogs close to the Lodge and was happy to see they were all well. I went to look for the Lion Cubs, but only found one Rhino Cow.
* On the morning of the 28th Michelle and I went out at 04h30 again to look for Leopard. We found 3 old Buffalo Bulls close to the N2 and we found the bigger Rhino Bull again. I climbed up a very high, very slippery Fig tree to see if there were more scratch marks higher up in the tree and actually found some Leopard hair where he'd been lying. In the afternoon we found the Dogs close to Base Camp against a hill. They ran down to the open area, sniffed around and went back up the hill. Lazy Wild Dogs.
* On the morning of the 29th Michelle (Leopard) and I went out at 04h30 and saw a Striped Polecat run across the road in front of us. I was so excited that I didn't really care whether we did see a Leopard or the Wild Dogs. (A Striped Polecat looks like a skunk and also stinks like a skunk).
* In the afternoon the Wild Dogs headed towards Old North Gate and 2 of them chased a Male Nyala right passed me in the opposite direction towards Vula Zulu Main Gate and the other 3 chased another Male Nyala in the same direction. I found them at the Soccer field eating a Sub-Adult Nyala Male while the soccer players were practicing. I don't think the Dogs minded them being so close.
* On the morning of the 31st the Wild Dogs went from North Gate to Base Camp. They played on the grass next to the soccer field and played with an APU member as well running towards him and then running away.
* I went looking for the Lions and Elephants. I saw a Rhino Bull close to Lodgedam and saw an Elephant Bull from a lookout point heading towards South Pan. I drove down to the pan and found the Lioness with her two older daughters and two Cubs. The Mom had a big bump on her back, but I couldn't see clearly since the guides were there and I didn't want to interfere with their sighting. When they left I told them the Elephants were on their way. I told Brent they would be there in 5 minutes, but the guides left. I drove up the road and when I went back to the dam there was an Elephant Bull. The guides came back and it was 5 minutes. (I thought it was quite funny). The Bull sucked water out of the pipe that pumps water into the pan, because the pan was drying out. The guides left and the rest of the Herd came to the pan as well. It was such a great sighting. The 2 Calves are getting very big now and I think we might have another pregnant elephant. I was so busy looking at the calves through my binoculars that I didn't notice the young Bull coming closer to me and I just saw a stump fly passed in front of me. Wow he gave me a fright.
* After the Elephants left I drove passed Lodgedam and saw the Male Lion and a Phinda Lioness there. Russell and Alan were burning a big block across from the Villa and Michelle (Leopard) and I decided to go and help them. It turned out to be a very long and HOT day and we walked quite a distance. Just before we finished there was a big tree that was still burning close to the road. Michelle and I decided to pull it over towards the burnt area just so that it wouldn't fall over onto the not-burnt area and start a whole new fire. Russell got some rope and helped us, but it was so hot that we had to let go of the rope and get another piece. When the tree did come down we literally ran for our lives and the tree fell right behind us. Russell got ash in his shoe and his foot burnt and my boots melted. I guess we shouldn't play with fire.
* In the afternoon we decided not to go look for the Dogs since it was such a long day, but two of the yearlings killed a Female Nyala against Base Camp fence. They only pulled out the foetus and ate it after which they whoo-called to find the others. The others were seen chasing Impalas towards Meyer's Section. A few minutes later 3 Dogs were seen eating a Female Nyala and foetus next to the Vula Zulu fence. I guess the Dogs found me again.
Mariana Venter - Wildlife Researcher/Monitor