A Little Drive

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Geo: -24.7435, 26.2573

This afternoon the lodge was quiet, so a few staff members went for a small game drive. Declan drove Jaci, Jan, Manny, Paul and myself. We didn't go very far when we spotted a pair of white rhinos in the distance. We drove off the main track to a smaller track to get a bit closer to them. We were able to watch them from a close distance for a few minutes and then they turned around and walked off into the bush. Declan drove back to the main track.

Jaci requested that we have a look at Jamala's waterhole. Jamala is one of the many lodges in the game reserve. As we drove towards the waterhole, a white rhino was approaching it. We watched it walk along the water's edge. Then it drank and had a little roll in the mud to cover its skin in mud as an insect repellent and sun block.

About 50 metres away we noticed the large pack of wild dogs, consisting of both adults and pups. They were lying about in the sand, resting and soon to become active. They were quite spread out. We parked in the middle of the area. Slowly they became active and began playing with each other. As they ran around, they kicked up quite a bit of dust. They were not bothered by our presence at all.

On the other side of the waterhole we spotted a small herd of dagga boys. They were slowly approaching the waterhole. We left the wild dogs and drove back to the waterhole. The buffaloes were joined by the return of the white rhino - who came back with some Red Billed Oxpeckers on its back. The birds were feeding on the ticks from the rhino.

The buffalo were now drinking at the waterhole, so were standing ankle deep in the water. The wild dogs did not appreciate us paying attention to the buffaloes, so they began to run around and create a lot of dust. So we watched them for a little while longer.

It was now time for our drinks and snack stop. Declan drove us about 20 metres away from the waterhole and we got out and had a couple of G&T's and snacks as we enjoyed the sunset and discussed the afternoon's animal sightings.

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Photos

01 Pair
A pair of white rhinos.

02 White
A white rhino approaching the waterhole.

03 Close
The white rhino getting closer to the waterhole.

05 Curly
The white rhino with its curled up tail.

08 Drinking
The rhino drinking some water.

09 Big Ears
Part of the large pack looking at us.

10 A Noise
Some of the dogs are paying attention to a noise.

11 Running
Two of the dogs going for a little run.

12 Stopped
They only ran a short distance and then stopped!

13 Colours
The setting sun brings out the beautiful colours of the wild dogs.

14 Resting
Part of the pack that are resting.

15 Approaching Herd
A herd of buffaloes are approaching the area.

17 Herd
The herd of buffalo creating a bit of dust as they approach the waterhole.

18 Playing
The dogs playing together.

19 Playing
The wild dogs playing together.

20 Playing
The wild dogs playing together.

21 Playing
The wild dogs are now very active as the sun is starting to set.

22 Playing
Active wild dogs raising the dust.

24 Buffalo
The herd of buffalo getting closer to the waterhole.

25 Returning
The white rhino from earlier on has returned to the waterhole.

26 Hitching a Ride
On this rhino's back are quite a few Red Billed Oxpeckers.

27 Old Boys
The buffalo herd is a group of old male buffaloes.

28 Drinking
The dagga boys drinking water.

30 Muddy
The muddy rhino drinking once again.

33 Drinking
Part of the herd are drinking water.

35 Rhino
The rhino posing for a photo.