23 February - 24 February

23 February

Afternoon drive

Fresh new faces on the vehicle always make the first drive exited! And exited was an understatement as the drive turned out to be spectacular! A mere ten minutes out of the lodge we stopped to view hippos and some wonderful birds such as giant king fisher, pied kingfisher, African jacana, water thick knee, buffalo weaver, green backed hereon and pied wagtail to name a few. Shortly after the bird show, fifty meters north we came across a dagga boy relaxing in a small splash pool like pond right next to gowrie main, but once again our feathery friends got all of the attention. A couple of red billed ox-peckers, scrambling around on the buffalo pecking away, eating the external parasites found all over the exposed body. The show was short lived as a small herd of elephant just west of the buffalo. We passed the herd while they were still south of the road to avoid the sunlight in our eyes, we stopped directly west from where we were we sat and waited a few seconds and watched as the herd emerged out of the thick bush veld, to our amazement a baby elephant no more than eight months old, showed its little face but it too was surprised to see us. After the herd headed north we headed west. Upon arrival we came across the styx pride doing what lions do best… Sleeping! Even in their sleepy daze, they were spectacular and great to watch. Every now and then the one lioness stretched in such a manner with her paws crossed it made her look harmless. But let not the feminine feline side fool you. Right after we stopped for a well-deserved celebratory sundown

24 February

Morning drive

The morning seemed to hold many promises as everyone was eager to start the early morning. Once we started the drive we moved west of the lodge, not knowing the surprises awaiting us. First we came across Umvula, a beautiful and large male leopard, up in a marula tree, sleeping off his night adventures; he had a waterbuck calf hoisted in another tree opposite of him, which attracted four hyenas in search of the diseased. While we were pondering over Umvula, a small movement to our left caught my eye… thandi! A beautiful female leopard showing a lot of interest in the large, powerful male, she attracted him to the floor and swapped places as she climbed the marula tree with ease. We left the two cats just to bump into two other leopards on the western side of gowrie main. Karula and her cub were strolling along as we gazed upon them. Her cub constantly rubbing against her, to show his bond with her. We followed them right up until they headed north. We headed back east to stop for our morning coffee. A spectacular morning with four spectacular cats! Can’t wait to see what the afternoon holds for us!

Greetings

Jaces Bornman