IMPALA & OXPECKERS
The emphasis for the drive was “birding” with whatever else came along, and lots “came along”. Birds a-plenty; Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Wahlberg’s Eagle, the exquisite Pink-chested Twinspot, White-bellied Sunbird and the Yellow-billed Kite.
At this point we went off-road to try and find two male Lion who had been reported in the area. Trackers were sent on foot to try and find the Lion and after over an hour contact was made with two fine specimens. We continued to track them in the hope that they would lead us to two females with as yet unseen cubs. They led us along a trail that brought many surprises.
THE HYPNOTIST
We encountered Warthog, Crested Barbet, African Buffalo and Bushpig before stumbling upon a recently killed Warthog and a freshly killed Nyala, not too far from each other and indicating that a Lioness with cubs was nearby.
NYALA KILL
Making our way back to the Lodge we met a myriad of wildlife; White Rhino, Blue Waxbill, Black Flycatcher, Pin-tailed Whydah, White-throated Robin, a Scimitar-billed Wood Hoopoe and a glorious Bateleur Eagle.
STRIPED KINGFISHER
Continuing our “Birding” theme, our Ranger Bruce offered to take us out on an extra early afternoon drive. Our Hawk-eyed birder Lynn proved to be an absolute font of knowledge. Lynn and Bruce helped us identify: Yellow-throated Longclaw, Spectacled Weaver, Striped Kingfisher, Burchell’s Coucal, Purple-banded Sunbird, Black-bellied Korhaan, Red-billed Oxpecker, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Black-crowned Tchagra, Emerald-spotted Dove, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Green-backed Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, Spurwing Goose, Pied Kingfisher, Purple-crested Turaco, Black Crake, Water Thick-Knee, Brown Hooded Kingfisher, Black Saw-wing Swallow, White-browed Scrub-Robin, African Goshawk, Mousebird, Bushveld Pipit, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Cape Vulture and Black-collared Barbet. Nearly all of these amazing birds were seen at one particular dam where we also saw huge Egyptian Crocodile and Water Monitor.
EGYPTIAN CROCODILE
The most exceptional part of this extra drive was yet to come; we passed by a waterhole and spotted a large male White Rhino but quickly realised that he was very close to a female Rhino and her one day old calf. The male was the father but had to keep a healthy distance from the calf. A perfect replica of her mother she played to her gallery and comically treated us to a performance of what was probably her first wee. The time that we spent watching the family made us half an hour late for lunch.
ONE-DAY OLD RHINO CALF
The evening drive was less eventful but we had a good viewing of three Lions on the remains of an Impala kill, three male White Rhino scratching against a fallen log and a lone female Cheetah who met us on the road. We followed her for a while and she made one half-hearted effort to hunt some Impala at the nearby dam.
YOUNG MALE LIONS AT IMPALA KILL
On our way home we had good sightings of a Side-striped Jackal and a Spotted Eagle-Owl.
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