26 - 27 April

Two wonderful drives awaited us.

Last night was spent solely with Xivambelana as he paraded around the bush, scent marking in the heart of Mvula’s territory. Brave actions for a cat not yet in his prime! Hopefully this new agenda of his will go by unnoticed by the Great One, otherwise he will be soon finding himself a new abode in unknown lands!

This morning was steeped in grandeur. My Sunday hex has finally broken; no more sad excuses of animals all being at church!!!

We landed our first big 5 drive since my return to Nkorho. But not merely did we see the big 5, but every single sighting was special in its own special way and not merely a tick off the list.

It began with a gorgeous keratin-infused grey marking his territory and feeding right next to the vehicle.

Then Bahuti running down Gowrie Main, tail in the air like an antenna in is excitement of the chase. We watched him stalk and chase first waterbuck, then a small herd of impala shortly after.
He wasn’t successful at any time and we saw him again en route back to camp, running across Gowrie Main perpetually in pursuit of his quarry.

We then headed west and first encountered a lone buffalo bull before finding the Styx pride on a bushbuck kill. The cubs were jubilant and full of beans, stalking and chasing one another all over the place in the early morning sun.

The last and final surprise for the morning came in the form of a breeding herd of elephants being pursued by the biggest elephant I have seen in all my years of coming to and living in the bush.
A truly magnificent beast with a behemoth of a head he stood in front of our vehicle and shook his head, a large plume of dust settled on the bonnet as I decided to reverse just a little. Giant elephant bull in musth, I think I’ll give way thanks!

Enjoy the pics!