Special on fly in safari

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the great battle at Kruger

This video features the great battle at Kruger, when buffalo stumble across lions! A must see!!!

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A very busy bush pub

By Tim, Head Ranger, Kapama Lodge, on September 27th, 2010
Yesterday afternoon we departed on the afternoon safari with some very keen Italian first timers, obviously very exited about their first game drive in Africa. Soon after we left we responded to an Elephant sighting at one of the waterholes called “Mamba dam”. At arrival we found a breeding herd all having a drink and a very small baby was comically trying to use its trunk, but without much success. Elephant calves are not born with the ability to use their trunks right away, and have to learn this by constant practice, in a very similar way us humans have to learn how to write.

Not long after we stopped we saw five Buffalo bulls approaching the same waterhole. One of the younger elephant bulls took exception to this and half heartedly made a mock charge. Naturally the mature Buffalo bulls weren’t bothered at all.

After a wile we decided to leave just in time to spot a Serval (Felis Serval) cross the road as we left the area. We were still contemplating our luck by finding two Big 5 sightings at one waterhole when we were informed by another ranger that two Rhino’s also joined the fray at the waterhole.

We returned to go and have a look and yes there they were, three Big 5 species in one go..!

We couldn’t have been luckier and my Italian guests couldn’t have asked for more.

We returned to the lodge very satisfied and ready for a fantastic dinner!



Sebastiaan Jansen Van Vuuren

Senior ranger – Kapama Lodge

a safari to remember

niamh murray-Sabi Sabi

After a three night stay at Sabi Sabi's Selati Camp, my guests had reached their last safari. We had collectively agreed at dinner the previous evening that for our last safari we would leave camp early, before sunrise, and make our way to the Sabie River for morning coffee. Never before had the early birds feasted on so many worms!

In the cool winter morning mist we reached our first "obstacle" en route to the river - 4 huge White Rhinoceros' had decided to make their overnight rest-camp in the middle of the road, soaking up any remaining heat from the road and at the same time, using each other as personal hot water bottles! We watched them in silence for about 10 minutes before we (and they) were disturbed by ferocious growling from the bush close by. As we went to investigate, the tracker spotted a long tail swishing in the grass in front of us. Up jumped a lioness and trotted down the road; hot on her heels was a persistent male, strong and muscular. Seeing the two together could only indicate one thing - they were a mating pair. We followed them for a while as the courtship ritual of the big cats is seldom seen and extraordinary to witness.

By this time the sun had risen and the day was warming up. We continued to the Sabie River lookout point and had just set up our coffee and hot chocolate station when the next surprise was uncovered. At first it was the gentle rustling of hooves through the grasses that alerted us. Then over the ridge we saw a cloud of dust rising, lit by the morning sun. Through the dust storm came a sea of black beasts making their way eagerly into the river basin in search of a thirst quenching drink. We estimated there to be in excess of 1500 Cape buffalo, both young and old, moving in unison. The persistent bleating of the calves was occasionally interrupted by the clash of horns of the 900kg 'dagga boys' (big males) at the back of the herd.



With the morning passing it was time to start making our way back to the lodge for breakfast. Little did we know what was still to come. Along the Mlechwaan drainage line we passed by the remains of an old elephant carcass. As we were discussing the theory of elephant 'graveyards' and the behaviour of elephants 'mourning' their dead, a breeding herd of elephants appeared out of the thicket. They were clearly pre-occupied by the lush vegetation around them. They all had branches in their mouths happily chewing off the bark, and another in the grasp of their trunks ready to replace the branch being chewed! But as the herd approached the carcass the matriarch paused, dropped her leafy breakfast kebab and moved straight towards the bones. What we witnessed next was one of the most incredible and moving elephant behaviours I have ever seen. Each member of the herd gathered around the bones and with the most delicate of movements touched, picked up, and replaced the bones back onto the ground. They stood in silence for about 5 minutes before moving back into the trees to continue their feeding.

It is still not fully understood what triggers this behaviour of elephants at a carcass, nor why they do it. It is speculated that they are mourning the individual that has died, but how and if they can recognise the individual is still a mystery. But, whatever these elephants saw and felt that morning, it was extraordinarily deep and more intimate than any animal interaction I have ever seen.

By this stage we didn't think it was possible that there was anything more to see before breakfast…then, when we were only about 10 minutes away from the lodge, a fellow ranger came onto the radio with a definite adrenaline overdose in his voice: "One Madoda Bhejane, kwatile steem!" he declared. A black rhino had been found. These creatures are rare and aggressive and are few and far between. We were close by and immediately made our way to have a look. Black rhinos are unpredictable and have a tendency to charge at anything that moves. We approached with caution and before we saw him we could hear his warning huffs and puffs in the dense vegetation. After a few minutes of our silent waiting, he finally relaxed and showed himself to us. It is estimated that there are less than 600 black rhinos in the entire greater Kruger National Park area, and this was my first time to see one in the wild.

What an end to an amazing safari experience!! It was a morning that I will never forget…

Sabi Sabi Private game reserve

Illusive Elephants!

Chui Kambi African Tours
By Liezel Holmes, Head Ranger, Kapama River Lodge, on September 23rd, 2010

This morning we set off on a mission to find the elephants who were last seen towards the south of the reserve. After watching a wonderful sunrise we made our way to the area where they were last seen. On our way we were fortunate enough to see a small pod of hippos basking in the sunshine. We then sat at a beautiful big dam and watched a small herd of bufflao make their way to the water’s edge for a drink. We stayed at the dam long after the buffalos left and did a spot of bird watching. We saw a number of different birds including a big group of white faced ducks, a pair of Egyptian geese and a grey heron busy fishing for breakfast. Soon after some impalas and some waterbuck come to the water to quench their thirst.We successfully tracked the elephants but initially we were unable to see them because they were static deep inside the bush. So knowing patience is a virtue in this instance we stayed in the area, listening to the breaking branches and seeing an ear or a bottom every once in a while! It is amazing how something so huge and immense can sometimes be so challenging to see. We stopped for a quick coffee and to stretch our legs. Whilst drinking coffee we saw a big group of blue wildebeest playing in an open area in the distance. They were later joined by a mother and baby giraffe. After coffee we returned to the area of the elephants. By listening to the breaking branches inside the bush we could ascertain in which direction the elephants were headed. This time our patience was rewarded as the whole herd crossed the road one by one in front of us. It was well worth all the hard work and patience and we returned to the lodge with big smiles all around!
Story by Sarah-Estelle Sangster, Ranger

Some of my wildlife photo's

Rhino poaching

22 September 2010 (daily sun)

TWO veterinarians, one of their wives and a game farmer and his wife were among nine people arrested by cops on suspicion of rhino poaching.
The two vets, who were well-known in Modimolle and owned an animal clinic and a wildlife organisation, were allegedly involved in catching and transporting game.
They were arrested in early- morning raids on Monday atModimolle, Polokwane and Musina and will appear in the Musina Magistrates Court today to face charges relating to breaching regulations governing the protection of wildlife.
More than 200 rhinos have been killed in South Africa so far this year to supply a demand from the Far East for powdered rhino horn which stupid old men believe increases their sexual potency.
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo told Daily Sun that the nine were believed to be part of a rhino poaching ring responsible for killing hundreds of rhino.
Naidoo said: “These arrests were the result of a joint operation by the Hawks, SA National Parks, the National Prosecuting Authority and aviation authorities and no further arrests have been made as yet.”
Spokesman for rhino conservation agency Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce (Traffic), Tom Milliken, said: “This was not happening years ago,” he said, adding that the rise in rhino poaching was due to the growing Asian presence in Africa.”
Tomorrow marks the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) first “Make a noise for rhino day”.
Apart from blowing vuvuzelas and tooting car hooters on that day the WWF encourages people to make donations at www.wwf.org.za, which would be used to buy anti-poaching equipment for guards, including binoculars, radios, night-vision gear, body armour and tracking devices. – SAPA

Bush baby

By Liezel Holmes, Head Ranger, Kapama River Lodge, on September 14th, 2010
On safari we always tend to look at the bigger animals and miss the smaller ones.
On our way back to the lodge last night, we drove down the road and saw a set of red eyes reflecting in the light, we drove up to a knob thorn and there it was, a Bush Baby.

The bush baby is one of the smallest primates, about the size of a squirrel. Despite its size, it is exceptionally vocal, producing loud, shrill cries surprisingly like those of a human baby. The plaintive cries and “cute” appearance may account for the name “bush baby.”

As we watched the bush baby travelling through the trees in literal leaps and bounds. In mid-flight it tucked its arms and legs close to the body and as it lands, brings them forward, grabbing a branch with its hands and feet. In a series of leaps a bush baby can easily cover 10 yards in seconds. The tail (longer than the length of the head and body) powers the leaps made to catch prey, escape from enemies or get around obstacles. The bush baby’s other methods of locomotion are kangaroo like hops or simply walking or running on four legs, it vanished into the bush to start catching prey and going on doing its business , so next time you are on safari always look out for the smaller animals, you never know what you will find around the next corner.

Story by: Roan Ravenhill-Ranger Kapama River Lodge

photo by awesomeanimals.tripod.com

Lions vs Giraffe Calf

By Tim, Head Ranger, Kapama Lodge, on September 19th, 2010
On yesterday evening’s safari, we were at one of the waterholes close to the lodge, watching a group of old male Buffalo lying about doing what they are best at, when we noticed a large group of vultures in the trees, a few hundred meters away from where we were! Which is a good sign of predator activity?

So one of the other rangers and I went to investigate!

We searched the area, and, with the help of our knowledgeable trackers, we came across the pride of lions eating a giraffe calf!

The giraffe couldn’t have been more than a month old!
Fantastic for the lions but a shame for the poor giraffe!

The female giraffe keeps a small distance from its young, most of the time, for its protection as predators would see her before the calf. This is also a downfall, when the lions discover the calf!

Now that our young lions are getting bigger, now at an age of roughly 15months, we expect the pride to be catching more of the larger species on a regular basis, to feed all the hungry mouths!

After a brilliant safari we returned to the lodge, where we were chorused by the male lion, roaring, to display his territory to the other males in the surrounding areas, while we ate dinner under the night sky!

Yet another fantastic day in the African bush on Kapama Game Reserve

kapama game reserve