Sun Destinations

After much anticipation, Mike and Fiona finally get to see their leopard while on safari in the Klaserie. If you’ve read their other blog entries you’ll know just how eager they have been to spot this elusive predator. Here is their account of what happened on their fourth day of their Kruger Safari:

“30 degrees in the shade, blue skies and not a cloud in the sky – the African weather is back. After lunch we set off again on our evening game drive and within minutes we came across a large white rhino bull. He had been wallowing in the heat of the day and was caked in mud. He was very relaxed, so we stayed with him for some time.

The bush once again was quiet but as usual the impala were always there to impress. After sundowners the ranger’s radio sprung into action – a male leopard had been spotted drinking at one of the dams. It was quite a way from where we were, so Faffa went into formula one mode and we careered across to see if we could catch a glimpse. Unfortunately while we were on our way 2 lionesses came to the dam and chased him up a tree, before quickly vanishing into the blackness. When we finally arrived the leopard decided he too was going to vanish, and we caught a quick glimpse of him, elegantly descending the tree, and then, he too vanished! However a quick glimpse of a leopard is always better than no glimpse at all!!!

This morning we set off again at 5.30am, just as the sun was rising. Again there was lots of bird life and the sound of the dawn chorus. Then Natasha, one of he guests spotted a female rhino and her calf deep in the bushes. We drove around the corner and were lucky enough to see them both run across the road just in front of us.

Next we came across a lonely giraffe, merrily eating his breakfast. Suddenly Gawie spotted vultures in the sky, all heading off in the same direction. Was there a kill somewhere? So off we drove, following them until we found a dead impala ram. There was no sign of the predator that had killed him, but Gawie thought it may have been a cheetah that had been scared off by the vultures (we had a quick look around the area, but couldn’t see anything). There were lots of white backed vultures, both on the floor eating the kill, and also in the trees, so we sat and watched. More vultures arrived, flying in over our heads and landing just in front of us (it was like being on the runway at Joburg airport!). One came in so close it almost knocked Faffa off the trackers seat at the front of the land rover. A large lappet faced vulture joined in the party, plus a rare white headed vulture flew overhead. Other raptors arrived, including bateleur eagle and yellow billed kite, all circling above us. After only a few minutes the impala was no more – all meat picked clean off the bone, and the vultures started to move off, looking for the thermals to help them on their way.

Our stomachs were now calling us for breakfast back at camp, so off we drove. On the way back we saw more rhinos. Then we came across 2 elephant bulls, chilling out in the morning sun. The temperature was rising nicely, so they were dust bathing – throwing dirt over them to cool themselves down and act as a natural sunscreen.

Back at camp, after another delicious breakfast I’m now sitting in the morning sun, watching a family of warthogs (mum and 4 piglets) eating just in front of the lodge. Life doesn’t get better than this ! ”