Photographs play a very important part in our lives. Photos allow us to record events and people at a specific time. We are also able to recall those special occasions that are important enough to establish a permanent reminder. All four of my children love to look back on the photos of their past – from when they were infants to early childhood to teenage and on to adulthood. As parents we fill in the story associated with each specific photo, thus providing for our children a holistic account of their past – this no doubt adds a sense of stability and completeness to their lives, bringing happy memories to enrich their personal history.
So too, do our tourists ensure that they have happy memories of their game viewing experiences provided by Viva Safaris. I always emphasise to our guides the importance of positioning the open vehicles in such a way that the clients have optimal photographic opportunities. I also reinforce the idea of the guides asking their clients if it’s OK to drive on – making sure that they have satisfied their need to take as many shots of an animal as they wish. I recall many years ago watching in complete disbelief as a Japanese client of mine used 4 rolls ( in those pre-digital ( my children call it pre-historic ) days when we had rolls of 36). This particular gentleman was taking photos of a tranquil lion resting under a tree and I really failed to understand why 144 photos of the same stationary subject were necessary. When I received a lion photo about two months later, I began to understand – it was exceptional !
Some of our guests ask whether we see the animals close-up or not. Clearly, just as in the case of being at the right place at the right time to firstly have a sighting, so too does a good sighting depend on luck. I include a few photos below (most of which I have personally taken this year) that indicate just how close the animals were. One can see by the vehicle parts that there is no kidding around by using massive lenses.
 
 
GAMEVIEWING NEWS
BONGANI emailed the following :
This month we were lucky to see many animals along the Timbavati road and the S39, as these roads are very close to the river. We saw many elephants with their young and a noticeable increase in white rhino sightings. On most of my safaris, we got the Big Five.
Balule This month we have been lucky with lots of elephants as well as general game such as zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest and impala. Sometimes we come across white rhinos only twenty metres away from us. Last week, we saw vultures landing.
We walked to the area to investigate and found a dead Blue Wildbeest and lots of jackals. There were tracks of a lioness with two cubs. We tried to track the lioness but we lost the spoor along the way as it was very windy. Later in the afternoon we went back to check- there were nothing left of the wildebeest - only the bones. As the sun was setting, we heard the male lion roaring very close to the carcass.
Kruger 01-10– 09 : We drove to Nsemani Dam and saw two big male lion lying under a tree, waiting for zebra to come down to drink water. It was very difficult for the lions to attack the zebra as it is open area and the zebra see the lion before they can get close. As we watching the lions a big herd of buffaloes came from the southern side of the dam. One male lion tried to get close but it was too late, because zebra gave their alarm call. The buffaloes spotted the male lion about two hundred metres away. The herd was obviously very thirsty and kept walking towards the dam from the southern side. The lion was on the northern side. The lions watched the buffalo’s drinking water but seemed reluctant to attack.
03-10-09 : We drove the S39 and had a great day of game viewing. We managed to see a leopard trying to catch an impala but he was unsuccessful. A few kilometers further on, we encountered a big male lion lying very close to the road. Some of my guests were afraid to look at the lion as it got up and walked alongside the open vehicle. We spend a lot of time at the bird hide near Timbavati watching elephant
take a mud bath and the nearby hippos out of the water.
21-10-09 : Before we even got to the Orpen Gate entrance we saw four hyenas walking on the road - one had a leg of impala and the other was trying to get it. They were followed by two jackals. We managed to see the Big Five in one morning. We saw lots of animals around Timbavati. There was a leopard up in tree a few metres away from two
lionesses lying down, watching giraffe. They try to get very close but the giraffe were aware of their presence and ran off.
BERTUS emailed his report:
Report September
I spent most of this month in Balule and had a few highlights, which started on the first day of the month. We went for a short morning drive, but decided to leave a bit earlier and go in at the Mohlabetsi gate. We were close to returning to Tremisana when we were called in by radio for two Cheetah that were walking next to the Tshukudu fence line. When we found them we had a great sighting of them walking past us and then lying down in the road about 20m from us.
On the 20th we did a walk and stopped for our usual breakfast break at Chapel Dam. As we were relaxing, three rhino walked up to the water and had a drink not 10m from us. It was amazing to see the interaction between the big bull and cow with semi-adult calf - completely unaware of our presence.
The highlight of the month however was the sighting of a lioness and two cubs on the 23rd. It was a quick sighting so we decided to go the following day and continue our search. The next morning we had a quick glimpse but on the evening drive we struck gold when we found them lying on a rocky outcrop. We waited a while and then both of the cubs came out and we had one of the most special sightings that I ever had.
I went to Kruger only once but had some good sightings and saw the Big 5 in one day plus cheetah on the same day. This included six different sightings of rhino and three sightings of lion. In the short time I spend in Kruger I did notice that sightings are becoming better and better as it gets drier.
LOREY reports as follows:
Thursday 10 September 2009:
Tolli & I did some exploring on Motlala Game Reserve on which Marc’s Treehouse Lodge is situated. This expedition was amazing: we saw 16 white rhinos in the period of one hour. The first sighting we saw 3 rhino females each with a calf. At the second sighting we saw seven rhinos. The third sighting we saw one female with 2 calves. This is truly one of our best sightings of white rhino in our careers & we will remember this day for the rest of our lives!
Monday 14 September 2009:
Today was a bittersweet day for my group & me. We came across a troop of baboons. There was one mom with a baby; suddenly another mom with a baby came out of the bushes. She sat in front of the vehicle. The other members of the group started to chase her away. When she got up I could see that her baby was dead. It was so sad to see how she carried her dead baby with her. When she sat down she cuddled the baby in her arms! The mother & child bond is so extremely strong. It’s difficult to say exactly what the reason is for the death of this baby baboon - it could be that the baby died during birth or the dominant male could have killed it or it could have died for other reasons. This is an unfortunate incident, but it is the way that nature selects only the fittest to survive.
Tuesday 15 September 2009:
Early morning we had an amazing sighting of an elephant cow and her two calves. They wanted to cross the road, but she was unsure of us. She vocalized loudly to tell us that she is unsure & we were a bit too close to her comfort zone. I backed the vehicle up & told my group to be very quiet because she wanted to cross the road. The elephants crossed the road and walked briskly towards the river to relieve themselves from the hot weather by swimming in the river.
Wednesday 16 September 2009:
This day was another great safari day. We saw 4 out of the Big 5. As we made our way out of Kruger Park, we saw something running in the road. I could make out that it was the shape of a scavenger. As we drove closer we saw that it was a hyena. He took us right to the hyena den. Once we stopped the vehicle, we discovered that there were two females, three pups & one male. The pups were so cute. They still had their yellowish hair around their neck. I saw that one female had something around her neck - it was a snare. It’s a pity to see that there are still unwelcome people coming into the park to poach. Luckily this animal was still in a good condition. I called the Section Ranger of the Orpen area & told him about the situation. He reported back to me that they are busy with this situation & he would keep me up to date.
Wednesday 23 September 2009:
It was quite a chilly morning. We arrived at Orpen Gate round about 9:00. A few kilometres from the entrance gate we saw group of zebras. We heard this incredible noise; I look up into the sky. I immediately realized what’s busy happening with the zebras. “The SANPARK helicopter are flying over the zebras,” I told the group. “If we have a bit of patience, we will see the whole darting process,” I told them. The helicopter was so low we could almost see the face of the pilot!! Suddenly an arm went off – it was a hit. The vet (Markus Hofmeyr) shot one zebra with a tranquillizer. The helicopter hovered over this zebra. Within minutes the zebra collapsed, then the helicopter landed, the vet made sure the area was save. The next thing that happened was so special & I will remember it for the rest of my live! He called us over. So the two groups (Tolli’s & my group) climbed out of the vehicles. We had the opportunity to hear the reason why they are darting this zebra. Jogi (one of SANPARKS employees) is doing a study on zebra, wildebeest & buffalo. His thesis is on the distribution of these species in the area. He is tagging females only & the reason for that is that the females stay in herds, so he will get a better idea about the distribution. After Jogi & the vet collected the data needed for the study, the vet gave the zebra an injection to wake it up. I still cannot believe that we witnessed it! What a great day!!
Markus Hofmeyr from SANPARKS injecting the darted Zebra to wake it up
TOLLI sent the following report :
Tuesday 08/09/09
A super day in Kruger park, we saw 4 out of the big 5 and had a lovely hot day overall. I must say the lions feeding on the buffalo kill at the Shimangwaneni waterhole were just fantastic. We spent about an hour at the sighting where a pride of 11 lionesses and one big male killed a buffalo and were already feeding a day on the carcass. The whole process of feeding, standing watch over the kill, drinking water and lying about was fantastic. The big highlight was when the big male got up, and walked slowly closer and suddenly lost his temper with the vultures that were annoying and terrorizing the lionesses for bits and peaces of the buffalo. He lashed out and chased them in broad daylight with the authority that was his to be called a king and he made sure all his buddies know that.
Wednesday 16/09/09
Every day in Kruger Park has its own surprises and one of the highlights of the day was the elephant swimming and crossing the river at Piet Grobler dam. We ended off a perfect day with the sunset at Orpen gate with a Martial Eagle on a branch in front of the setting sun.
Thursday 17/09/09
A really hot day and a good day for birding - one of the highlights was the Goliath Heron that we found at the hippos on the bridge on the S 41.
Goliath Heron spotted by Tolli and his group.
Tuesday 22/09/09
The best day ever! To see a leopard hunt in broad daylight is almost a once in a lifetime experience. Just to see a leopard is fantastic but this was really something spectacular. We saw 4 out of 5 but lions don’t compare to the splendour of a leopard.
Wednesday 23/09/09
Nature never stops to amaze me - just as you think you have seen everything an endangered species turns up. This time it was the Sable that wrre sighted on the S90 road and I must say it is one of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen.
Friday 25/09/09
The pure size and manner elephants do everything is just incredible. They can be bold and gentle at the same time - it is just amazing !
Sunday 25/09/09
Talk about bold and aggressive if you think about birds the Lappet Faced Vulture is the most impressive, all the other vultures will sit at the carcass and wait until he shows up and with authority he will fly in and all will make way so that he can open the carcass with his beak that is stronger than the beaks of the other vulture species.
RHULANI informs me that his clients saw no fewer than 20 lions on 1st September. He also reports that the sightings of Black Rhino on the Motlala Reserve are excellent. On the 6th September, Rhulani and fortunate guests came across three lions on a buffalo kill at Ngotso Dam. Later the same day they had an excellent sighting of a Leopard. On the 19th , the Sunset Drive at Balule Reserve produced a big male lion walking on the road . His clients froze as the “ huge beast swaggered past the vehicle and his tail brushed the tyres ” – scary stuff !
Rhulani had good sightings of all the Big Five on the 20th and 22nd Sept. On the latter day, he was very fortunate to come across a herd of Sable Antelope near Gudzane and a pair of mating leopards near Nwanedzi and two male lions waiting to ambush game at Gudzane East windmill. The animals went thirsty that day.
ANDRIES reports as follows :
“We have had excellent sightings all month. I particularly enjoyed the sighting of a herd of elephants taking a bath in the pool in front of the hide on the Timbavati river. Our guests spent an hour watching the whole show from the comfort of the hide. On the 27th, I was fortunate to have two separate Leopard sightings. On the 29th I got into trouble with the Gate guards as we came late. The reason for our lateness was the constant stopping for photographs. I really am too soft with my guests – every time I suggested we go, they said no – just one more photo please ”.
I trust the guests bought Andries a drink that night to help him feel better after the gate guard’s angry outburst !
NEWS AT TREMISANA GAME LODGE
Tremisana is very dry. The warthogs are starting to enter the camp to eat our grass. Construction of the new buildings is almost complete.
NEWS AT MARC’S TREEHOUSE LODGE
Marc’s construction is also well on the way to completion. A baby nyala was born at the swimming pool and the guests went balmy taking photos. Tolli sent me some – see below.
A baby nyala born at the swimming pool at Marc's Camp
NEWS AT CHEETAH INN
Cheetah Inn has now obtained all the permits as well as most of the 14 different finch species we wish to keep. The idea is to show our guests what beautiful colours these finches have. In most cases the birds fly away at great speed and we refer to these as LBJ’s – Little Brown Jobs that are very seldom seen long enough to appreciate their colourfulness.
NEWS FOR OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS
We have been very fortunate to obtain additional traversing on Balule. Thanks are extended to Andy Dott and Prof vd Merwe.
Next year we shall be adding a Big Five afternoon game drive on Tshukudu Game Reserve for all our Tremisana patrons. I am particularly pleased about this as all the “trial” game drives I and other members of Viva Safaris took on Tshukudu were excellent.
Thanks also to Jonathan Beretta, warden of Motlala, for agreeing to extend our traversing there. I reckon it is the very best place, apart from a zoo, to see Black Rhino.
Letters received from guests last month:
From: Leenhouts Oxtown
Dear friends at Viva Safaris,
During my stay at Tremisana Lodge last week I took some pictures of the lodge and staff (and guests).
Bertus with group on game walk along the Olifants River
Special thanks to Bertus who made all our Big Five bush experiences unforgettable. The hospitality and friendship I received at Tremisana was excellent and I will sure keep that in mind when maybe travelling with family (incl. 2 kids) to SA.
Many, many thanks again and all the best for all of you!
Kind regards,
Peter Leenhouts
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
A letter received by one of our travel partners, Louise Dreyer from Overlanding Africa, by a guest of Viva Safaris - Tamsin.
Hi Louise,
I had an absolutely fantastic trip! All of the staff at Marc's (and en route) were very helpful and friendly and the camp itself was excellent! The treehouses were really comfortable and spacious, the food was fantastic and it was great having so much wildlife in and around camp. Also, thank you for making my booking so easy and for the advice you gave me about my stay in Jo'burg too, it really made the entire experience so much more enjoyable. I've already recommended you to my friends who have plans to travel in Africa!
Thanks again,
Tamsin
Until next month.
With kind regards,
Piero
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