Monday, May 2, 2011

April Week 4 Highlights

I have been away from the Sabi Sand Game Reserve for the last 10 days. Whilst away I visited the Golden Gate National Park. It has spectacular views boosting some of the most magnificent sandstone formations.




 
From the elevated loop the mighty Drankensberg Mountains are seen in the distance.


The game is sporadic. It is home to Black Wildebeest, Blesbok, Eland, Springbok and Burchels Zebra. The small Stonechats are prolific.


Meanwhile back at Savanna the sightings have been wonderful. As we left camp we were treated to a spectacular display by a hippo bull at Cheetah Flats Pan.




Makamesa the male cheetah has been seen regularly. He hass been lying up in Jackal Alley. He often uses the elevated advantage of a termite mound.



The rhino sighting have been good. On Mackenzie airstrip a white rhino bull first marked his territory and then lay down in the road and blocked it. 



We had a great sighting of an old male buffalo and white rhino at Old Georges Mabrak Crossing. The two were quite comfortable with each other.



The lion sightings have been particlarly good this week. We were treated to a wonderful sightings in the Macamberi River bed. Two of the Ximungwe lioness's with two four month old cubs.








The following afternoon the two females were seen at Dam three. The tried to catch an impala ram but were not successful.




The Mapagos have been seen regularly. Sataan was found on Sally's clearing with one of the Ximungwe females with very full bellies.


The following evening two of the brothers killed an impala ram on Tree Stump road. Sataan was to busy trying to keep his share of the prize while the older male kept eating.



The leopard viewing has also been very good. Metsi and her two cubs were found north of Hlabankunzi Dam. She left her cubs just off Norka road and headed south, in search of a suitable ungulate.



Shinzele has been mating with the Hippo Dam female. The pair were lyingup in the Macamberi River bed



The pack of wild dogs have been seen daily in the souhern section of the concession. Five animals are out hunting while the alpha and beta females protect their offspring at the densite. The pack was followed down Mackenzie airstrip at pace while a herd of impala ran for their lives. The pack was not successful with the hunt, but later managed to catch a young bushbuck.




A  very relaxed giant eagle owl perched up on a large branch.


On Main Road Dam Three a community spider web was observed. Hundreds of these spiders live in this large web.

Finally the pregnant female burchels zebra is still shows signs the pegnancy. We are not sure at this stage when she might deliver her offspring.









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