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Published: January 17th 2021
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God morning tourist
we did not get eaten last night 5 AM wake up call. Safaris are best early morning or early evening. And after a brief coffee we hopped on the lodges 4-wheel drive and set out into the bush. The sun was already up (sunrise this time of the year is 4:30) the coolness of the night still there. But it was clear it’s going to be another very hot day. The dry season has not yet given way to the rains in this area of the country, everyone, mostly the animals, were eagerly awaiting. Tiaan skillfully drove the Toyota on dirt roads with huge potholes looking for wildlife activity. However, this morning unlike yesterday it was quiet, except for a few birds and antelopes and plenty of spiderwebs we picked up in our faces as we drove along. There are 72 different antelope species in Africa of which 21 can be found in Krueger. Impalas, Kudus and Bushbucks are the most common. To our surprise no Springboks (SA National Animal) can be found there. They need drier savannah type environments. Impalas grazing in large numbers are the walking “steaks”, being hunted by Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, African Wild Dogs and sometimes (when babies) also by African Rock Pythons.
this guy did not
lions are most active at night The bush is full of surprises, says Thiam, sometimes you can’t follow all what is happening, sometimes there is nothing but bush and sounds of birds. However, this peacefulness of the wide green arena can suddenly change. Well, so we continued observing every bush, tree and the horizon of the high grass, if something is hiding or moving there. About a good hour into the trip we saw something moving through the high grass. It looked like and it was a group of three female lions. We drove carefully closer. They looked tired and skinny, indicating that they have probably not been successful on their night hunt. So we definitively did not want to give them some ideas… The group strolled and lied down to rest in numerous sequences until they reached a dry river bed where they retired in a shady place. Tiaan found a way driving the jeep down the embankment into the sand and we carefully approached their resting site. Nui’s initial excitement, seeing lions, gave way to a concerning look. The distance between us and the lions was far to close for her comfort. Especially as one of the three stood up and walked along our
jeep to the opposite side to rest again. Now we had one lion to our left and two to our right. Hunting strategy??? Through the binoculars we could see every hair, every facial movement in their faces. They looked at each other constantly, a penny for their thoughts. Don’t forget they had a lousy hunting session last night. When Nenad mentioned this to Nui her sense for humor was definitively gone. Not even selfies with lions she wanted to take.... The mutual observation game lasted for a long time until we finally decided to leave them alone and we carefully drove up the river bed and into the bush. Nui developed an interesting mix of fear and curiosity, never wanting to miss a second of the close encounters, but always ready to point out to Nenad that he has to look after her.
With this highlight in our memory we drove back to the lodge. The temperatures quickly rose and it became clear that the animals will hide in a shady place and not be on the move any more. So more action hopefully later today on the evening tour.
After a needed nap we took off for
spiders are also hungry
webs in our faces as we drove to our second evening safari. Accompanied by several eagles and sighting several Southern Ground Hornbills, we drove over the dusty roads. Suddenly we saw a single male Elephant walking on the road approaching us. It is mating season and the males are more aggressive and dominant in their behavior than usual. Tiaan gave us instruction on how to behave ourselves should the beast come close. And it did. Pulling branches down from trees, waving his head with the large ivory teeth and moving with his ears, were clear indications that he wanted to dominate us. (whatever that means). As he was blocking our way we stayed put, switched off the engine and refrained from sudden moves. And most of all do not make noise with cameras! This show of force went on for a while, before we noticed another sole male, at least of his size, approaching us on the dirt road from behind. Seeing also Tiaan getting a bit uncomfortable, we were wondering what are we up for here and now. Then things happen quickly… The approaching elephant left the road barely 30m behind our vehicle into the bush disappearing from our sight. Soon thereafter the macho boy dropped
female lions
spotted in the high grass the branches, he tore from the trees and started running away. Only a couple of meters to our right the second elephant reappeared from the thicket, passed us, briefly stopping and observing the vehicle with its content, before taking up the chase and running after the macho boy. Mighty relieved we got explanations from our guide on this elephant behavior and a few more stories of his past encounters with them he has had. Nui’s smile returned. Simply amazing how quickly elephants can move their 20+ tons body and how quiet this happens. After this encounter was finished the sun and our adrenaline was starting to set. It was time to get out of the vehicle and have our sundowner drink, or two, after all there were two elephants. Driving back to the lodge in the dark we felt an evening storm approaching. May be the much-needed rain will come over night with cooler temperatures and cooled down elephant tempers.
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