Its a dogs life at Nkorho Bush lodge :)

Our Beautiful staff members at Nkorho. Spot and Lilly

13 February - 14 February

With the incessant rain, drives have been nothing if not adventurous. Soil has become saturated, making traction difficult with the vehicles slipping and sliding up and down slopes.
Photography was halted and though a trifle maddening, game still came out to play in numbers.

For fear of torrents, we remained in the east where at first elephants abounded as far as the eye could see and at least three herds visible in one spot on game lodge open area. All walking casually across the great expanse and feeding under every Marula tree they passed.
While the adults used their trunks with seasoned dexterity, two tiny individuals that could not have been more than a few weeks old wriggled and whipped their trunks about in vain, with no more use than an unmanned fireman’s hose. Poor little guys eventually swallowed their dignity by going down on their front knees, little buttocks in the air; they picked up the sweet, golden fruit directly off the ground with their mouths looking terribly incompetent in the process.
Not two hundred meters from where we sat we could see another game viewer stopping on the open area where they soon announced that they in fact had found a male leopard (Xivambalana) sleeping on top of a termite mound.
We left the elephants the moment they finished crossing the road in front of us and drove around to where the guide had left the sleepy cat. It didn’t take long to relocate him as he had hardly moved a whisker and was still deep in the throes of some adventure behind closed eyelids. We pulled up next to him and found that the raised mound left him exactly eye level with us, another great photographic opportunity which unfortunately went amiss without our cameras on board.
Moments later a rustling sound in the long grass at the base of the mound roused Xivambalana with startling alacrity as he jolted up, ready for anything!

We searched for the source of the rustling and found a family of dwarf mongoose making their way up the edge of the very mound he slept on. It must have been their personal abode for this is exactly the kind of place they call home; using the ventilation systems called fluves, which the termites employ to regulate the temperature of the mound itself, ensuring a constant average temperature of around 31 degrees is maintained. The latter in order to ensure optimal growth of the fungus they feed upon. 
One would think Xivambalana would make an easy meal of the unwary tenants but alas, he was no more interested in them then he was us and soon lay down again and went back to sleep.
The following morning we headed westward where we spent an inordinate amount of time watching hippos in Big Dam while a pair of fish eagles scanned the surface of the water for any unsuspecting fish.

Something did draw their attention but before they could react, a giant kingfisher swept down and grabbed a catfish out the water. The fish was rather large and difficult to control as it flapped about, skewered on the harpoon-like bill as the kingfisher flew across the surface of the water, landing on a perch nearby.

Unfortunately, as it perched the frantic catfish made one last ditch attempt to escape the ravenous predator with one hefty flap it dislodged itself and dropped to the safety of the water below, leaving the kingfisher less a meal and back to square one.

The pack of wild dogs that have been running though our area also made a brief appearance on Londoz boundary but before more than a single vehicle could respond the wily pack had yet again crossed our traversing borders into a neighboring land, leaving us no other option but to slowly head home through regular cloud bursts we eventually found our way to hot showers and dry clothing, another adventure behind us.

12 February - 13 February

  February 12-13






  As I sit here the sound of thunder reverberates around me, echoing in the heavens. The final onslaught of summer rains hounds our heels on safari of late.
Just this morning we were sharing a moment with Xivambalana when the heavens above us burst, saturating us in minutes and sending Xivambalana leaping out of his high perch in a Marula and into the closest thicket.
It would seem, I am not the only one lacking a fondness in drenching rain. Don’t get me wrong, sitting indoors with a warm cup of hot chocolate while it storms outside is a wonderful thing, but it loses some of its romantic notions when your ride has no roof or windows to speak of...

    The morning started with exactly one of those moments. While most were enjoying freshly brewed coffee and tea, a sudden yelp on the deck drew our attention to the open area. Suddenly impala and wildebeest standing alongside the swimming pool let out sharp snorts...Alarm calls accompanied by intense observation directed our attention to the edge of the camp perimeter where Bahuti stood in plain sight, obviously perturbed by the excessive amount of onlookers foiling his plans for the hunt.
He too leaps off and slinked down to the drainage line close to the pan where we relocated him upon our departure.

After some time and a lot of dense bush, he settled down to escape the drizzle and we moved off.

  Yesterday evening the weather was far more amicable, providing us with beautiful lighting as the backdrop to a fantastic encounter with the wild dogs of Africa.

We found them resting up at old borehole, exactly where we had left them in the morning but, moments after our arrival the adults got up and started their ritual greetings. A way to reaffirm bonds with one another they chirrup like a flock of finches while allo-grooming and chasing one another around, tails swishing in excitement and sheer adoration for one another, a truly beautiful and heart-lifting sight.
Once everyone had their fill of affections the six adults ran down the road for a few kilometers passing the two windmills and then out on to Safari open area where they spotted a herd of impala.
We’d just finishing positioning ourselves when the pack exploded into action, sprinting across the plain and causing complete havoc with dogs and impala pursuing and pursued all around us.
The action left the clearing and headed northward we spent a good ten minutes relocating some of the pack.
As time went by we could hear the resonating humming-like contact calls of the various individuals as they used that phenomenal sense of hearing to re-gather. Once the pack was back together they once again shared a loving moment with one another, a joyous celebration reunited.
Some of the individuals had blood on their faces and pot-bellies. They obviously had better luck then some of the others but not to worry, dogs are extremely sharing; regurgitating meat for pups and hungry pack members upon request, making sure the entire family gets a share and maintains good health.
  While the six adults returned to where the three pups were left before the hunt we chose that moment to head home, exhilarated by the hunt.

5 February - 6 February

Not only did we find Xivambalana in the first half an hour of drive, but he had also hauled a young kudu up a jacket plum not moments before.
While driving along Shiromberombe road, Sydney asked me to stop so that he could climb off the cruiser and check the road behind the vehicle as he was sure he had seen tracks of animals running across the road.

Moments later Sydney returned to the vehicle, asking me to come give my input on the tracks. 
Upon arrival we could clearly see a single leopard track running in a northerly direction. As our eyes drifted in the general direction the spoor headed, we caught sight of the kudu in a tree. We decided to walk into the bush to see if we could locate the predator but within the first few steps off-road we realised that there, above the kill in the canopy of the tree, was a cat, watching our every move!
Exalted, we returned to the vehicle where we calmly informed the guests that behind them, was a leopard with a kill in a tree. Needless to say, our calm demeanour left them with sceptical glares, not sure if April fools had come early or not. 

We sat with Xivambalana for the majority of the afternoon and returned first thing the following morning, only to find him resting on the ground in a clearing created by the tracks of the vehicles where he lay for ages, yawing over and over again, giving us some of the best photographic opportunities we’ve had in a very long time!
Moments later he glanced up the jacket plum, procrastinating for a while before eventually rising and a hop skip and jump into the tree. Our placement was a little off when we realised that instead of heading up the tree to his kill, he chose to rather climb out on a low horizontal limb right towards our vehicle.
Hearts in our throats he stared out across the savannah not meters from us! Luckily, the allure of the meal above soon had him scampering up the last few branches where he got comfortable and gorged himself.

On the way home we also bumped into Mvula (dominant male leopard in the East and one of the largest leopards I have seen in a very long time!) as he rested in a drainage-line next to the road.
As we were about to pull in to camp, Craig radioed to say there was a massive herd of buffalo moving eastward past the camp. Instead of returning to breakfast, we decided to go immerse ourselves in the middle of the herd.

What an amazing experience! After an unknown amount of time we pre-empted the buffaloes’ intentions and drove to a waterhole on the Kruger boundary where we sat in the shade of a tree and waited.

Our patience was soon rewarded as the first buffalo started arriving at the water’s edge. The sound of water splashing soon drove the rest of the herd into a stampede as they all stormed into the water, splashing about and cavorting. It was truly a special, special moment!
Suddenly something spooked the mob and they all stormed out the water disappearing as quickly as they had arrived, leaving us speechless and in awe.
I hope the pictures do our adventure justice! Until next time

3 February - 5 February

Yesterday morning and the evening before were of the maddening variety, while last night and this morning, simply smashing!
Beginning with the day before, all guides and trackers had their work cut out for them as the bush seemingly hit a lull we here in the Sabi Sands are not too familiar with. 

Game seemed to taunt us as we ceaselessly pursued but never sighted them. The primary culprit being a large male lion known as the Nkahuma male (forgive my spelling) whom walked all the way down Gowrie main in the dark recesses of night and proceeded to lead us on a wild goose-chase all morning, only to run away at the first sign of vehicles making a sighting of him impossible.

Though a little down-trodden, we headed out yesterday afternoon in the hopes that the bush would revitalize our faith, and she surely did with leopard sightings in abundance!
First, elephants walked across our open area, stopping and searching for Marulas as they went.
We continued westward and were soon rewarded with a great sighting of Tingana (male leopard) who had just caught a young warthog as it was leaving the safety of its burrow. 

Upon our arrival he lay there, panting under a Bushwillow, catching his breath before hoisting the unfortunate piglet into a tree where he soon devoured it.

Proceeding from sun downers at Serengeti pan where we were entertained by a lone bull buffalo wallowing in the fading light, the next leopard showed up on Elephant Alley road where she walked down the roads for some time, offering many photographic opportunities (we believe it may have been Shadow, sister to Thandi).

En route home one of Karula’s cubs were sighted briefly on Gowrie Main, and thereafter Bahuti (young male leopard) who stalked, caught and proceeded to play with a scrub hare before finally killing it and wandering into the bush with his prize hanging limply from his jaws.

This morning was spent following Salaexe (female leopard). She was first sighted resting in a Marula, but soon climbed down and marched through the bush, with a cool candour and marked her territory as she went. At one stage we were parked next to a grass-laden termite mound, waiting for her. She didn’t disappoint but soon popped her head over the mound and stood atop it, eye-level with us, she surveyed her surroundings, looking for a dense bush to lay-up for the day, she soon crawled into the bush and after grooming, lay to sleep with us parked and chatting right next to her.
Once deep in lala-land we decided to leave her to her siesta and headed home for a fantastic morning walk.

Other than elephants, buffalo and a vast array of general game we also saw; chameleons, terrapins, giant plated lizards, ground horn bills, an Eastern tiger snake, African hawk-eagle, six hyaenas at their den, a scrub hare with a tiny baby and a squirrel carrying her offspring in her mouth like a lion carrying her cub.

All in all, I would have to say all is back to as it should be!

2 February - 3 February

Humidity has been excruciating of late following 50mm of rainfall over the past week. Deep pools of water drench the soil while plants and spider webs are adorned with vapor droplets. Like crystal chandeliers they refract light in a dancing symphony while critters of all shapes and sizes scurry about, always busy in their own, personal scramble for survival.

A dung beetle slowly rolls his prize along the heat shimmered soil, occasionally climbing atop his mountain of gold to survey his surroundings and ascertain his course of action while his counterpart remains firmly fastened, unyielding in her grasp she rolls along for the ride, making no contribution but it matters not, for her greatest role is yet to come, the giving of life in a cycle unbroken.

Driving has become somewhat precarious of late with a plethora of creatures forever crossing the roads, we must needs remain vigilant in our pursuit of wildlife, never wanting to accidentally expunge a life unnecessarily as millipedes, scorpions, snakes, tortoises, giant land snails, chameleons and an array of insects intercept our paths!

It does however, make for an interesting drive, with so much to see and talk about, conversation is never found wanting. Ah, what a wonderful world we live in!
In amongst elephants and buffalo, we meandered to Big Dam where we stopped to take it all in, sharing a special sunset with hippos and water thick-knees, the latter making their all too familiar call, reaching a crescendo and then dying, somewhat alike to a car battery whose final announcement slowly descends into silence.

Sun downers adjourned, we drove along Seep-line where great fortune presented us with a female leopard known as Moya (Shangaan for wind). While following her on her quest to stake a claim on the land, I met a fairly unwelcome visitor upon my lap; a golden orb spider whom I had inadvertently dislodged from her sticky webbing. Not wanting to disappoint, I calmly remained on course behind Moya, keeping one eye on her and her chosen route while the other remained warily focused on the critter that had now made its way down my leg and to the peddles where, sandaled toes sat at the mercy of her kindness.

Fortune favored the brave this time, when Moya disappeared and the unwanted passenger was gently ushered out the vehicle with all my toes left intact. Thank you orb spider, I owe you one!
Elephants, buffalo and general game proliferated this morning with Xivambalana (male leopard) yet again making an appearance behind Chitwa Dam wall where he was found strangely enough, lying in the drainage line and soaking in very shallow water. I have to say this was a first for me having only seen a leopard crossing a flooding river to get to her cubs on the opposite shore once before. Xivambalana seemed to take no notice that he was getting wet at all. Maybe he should have been born a Delta cat?

February

Like a momentous spark of infinite change January is past and February begun. With it, the season marches on and we find ourselves in the last month of summer. Contrasting hues of green and olive dominate the savannah as chlorophyll rich leaves absorb the sun’s energy in one, final attempt to satisfy their larders before the fast approaching dry season deprives them of their means for transpiration (the release of water vapor during the process of photosynthesis).
Not only Flora, but all Kingdoms have begun their preparations. The diminutive chameleon has just completed its mating season and now, like emaciated leaves rolling across the dust covered Earth, they trudge along in the hopes of finding enough sustenance to replenish their spent reserves. While doing so, great shadows pass overhead as elephants gorge themselves on the bountiful marulas and figs as they lay strewn beneath their patient guardians.

1 - 2 February

While herbivores make an easy meal of summer, our beloved cats are taking full advantage of the inexperienced calves and fawns frolicking in the face of adversity, with waterbuck and impala on last night and this morning’s menu.
Thandi and Bahuti (female leopard and cub) were found yesterday on a plain littered with thick-stemmed marulas, both up different trees and each feeding on their own portion of waterbuck calf. Curiously, waterbuck have acrid sebaceous glands all over their skin which renders the meat unpalatable to all but the most liberal of palates but seemingly not pungent enough to deter these feisty opportunists.
As the sun set over this epic backdrop we moved off for sun downers which we spent amicably watching over a herd of elephants.

This morning saw Xivambalane (male leopard) being his usual self, nestled deep in some thick bush with all but a handful of rosettes on offer. It didn't take long to identify the cause of his lackluster as he leap up, on guard at the approach of a curious hyena.
Interestingly enough he showed no quarter and soon stood paw to paw with one of Africa’s most powerful predators. Staring eye-to-eye, the standoff didn't last long with the hyena opting to give confrontation a miss and marching off with reason and pride both intact.
Upon closer inspection of our surroundings we discovered a young impala wedged in the fork of a rain tree. Testament to Xivambelane’s continuing success as a young, confident male.
En route home we encountered a young elephant, no older than ten being my guess, but all alone without any supervision. He was at the time, feeding on Marulas which makes me wonder, was he so engrossed in his feast he didn't notice his family moving on? Or has he been separated from the herd through nefarious means somehow? Either way, it doesn't bode well for the little feller and I sincerely hope his mother finds him before he gorges himself on one too many a marula and accidentally staggers into a marauding pride of lions!

Other sightings included; side-striped jackal, serval (next to our parking bay), white-backed vulture, chameleon, eastern green snake, Specke’s hinged tortoise, burrowing scorpions (excessive rainfall has disrupted their fossorial lifestyles), Jacobin cuckoo and a lone Gabar goshawk raiding the masked weaver nests next to our bar!