January 19

Afternoon drive

Excitement was in the air as we headed off for our game drive, awe struck faces on the vehicle as we spotted one of the largest birds of prey, a beautiful male Martial eagle, perching high in a lifeless knobthorn tree. Amazingly allowing us to stop right underneath him and passing without taking flight. After approximately fifteen minutes we came across a herd of elephants, feeding in the tree lines, as we got closer we noticed two baby elephants walking alongside their mothers. The drive produced good sightings of birds. South African Shelducks, European roller, Lilac breasted rollers, Woodlands kingfishers, Egyptian geese, Walberg’s eagle, African fish eagle, Southern Carmine bee eaters to name a few…! Nonetheless, to the end of the drive, as the sun was slowly headed west, on our way to the lodge, we spotted a leopard! A beautiful big male (Mvula), walking along the road, using his body’s scent to mark his territory by clasping over hanging branches. So focused he took no notice of us, as we followed him for quite a while! Great end to a great drive.

January 20

Morning drive

Clear morning skies over our heads as we departed from the lodge, almost immediately after departure, we started tracking fresh leopard tracks just east of the lodge, we circled and followed the fresh tracks, but with no prevail. The tracks headed off into the Kruger national park. The disappointment was short lived as we bumped right into a herd of elephants just west of Nkorho, we were amazed as we observed six youngsters, laying down right in the middle of the road, catching a quick nap! As we bumbled around looking at the plentiful fauna and flora, another big cat came across our path. Big pride of lions (The breakaways) 4 lionesses and 9 cubs! Taking in their 16 to 20 hours of napping, a day. We watched a few hippos and a very young calf as we drank our well-deserved cup of coffee and tea. While we viewed these magnificent water dependent mammals, one elephant bull came for a morning drink as well. Or so we thought, instead of drinking the water, he took full advantage of the lovely weather and dove right in to it splashing and diving as he moved in. We moved right across to the opposite side of the dam to where he was, making perfect photogenic moves! What another wonderful day in the bush!

Greetings from the Nkorho team.