May 2022
One of the highlights of the VIVA SAFARIS packages is the BUSH WALK along the Olifants River led by an armed ranger.
The opportunity to be out of a vehicle and on ground traversed by the Big Five is an energising experience. Adrenalin surges may be high notwithstanding the presence of our experienced and capable ranger.
Our armed ranger will protect our guests, knowing that they may feel a deep sense of their own mortality while in the space of potentially dangerous animals.
Our guests get to have a closer look at the marvels of the bush. An examination of Nature on a macro level leaves all our guests in awe of this wonderful and unspoilt natural paradise that we are so very privileged to enjoy.
The riverine vegetation along the mighty Olifants River is home to a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and magnificent trees such as the ancient Leadwoods.
We usually have close-up sightings of hippo and crocodiles.
Our ranger will show our guests various spoor and scats and share fascinating Shangaan folklore on trees, plants and insects handed down from generation to generation.
The bush walks are not intended to test any guest’s fitness levels but we do advise the elderly or unfit to rather have a 4 h game drive.
We also restrict walks to people aged 12 or older.
Common sense must dictate that our guests wear closed rubber soled shoes and neutral coloured clothing.
Limit the deodorant please !
I recall going on a bush walk some 12 years ago and was dismayed to see a young lady dressed in what looked like a teeny-weeny polka dot dress. She had liberally doused herself with what I think was Chanel number 5 or 6 and looked all set to go to a New York nightclub.
Neither I nor the guide had the temerity to tell her to change and, as it was getting late, we went on our way.
Black Rhino had recently been introduced to Balule and one notorious bull had already been nicknamed “Zulu” because of his supposed aggression.
I have an issue with calling any rhino “aggressive” and sincerely believe that it is inquisitiveness that gets the Black Rhino initially interested in people.
Anyway, be that as it may, we proceeded on our walk and, as luck would have it, we encountered Zulu. He was not impressed with the alien and intrusive smell of Chanel perfume! I don’t think the polka dot dress played any part in attracting Zulu towards us as, like all rhinos, his eyesight is poor. We heard him coming, crashing through the undergrowth. (This explains how we get the collective noun for Black Rhino – a crash of them).
We were in a small dry steam and our ranger immediately told us to scamper up the earthen walls and find any tree to climb.
Zulu came charging past about 20 seconds later, trying to investigate this appallingly alien smell of Chanel that had cruelly invaded his now flared nostrils.
He stopped about 25 metres on, then turned around and charged back, equally vigorously, in the opposite direction. By this time, we were safely up trees overlooking the dry stream and I warned all the guests to remain there and not to move or talk. Zulu eventually calmed down and he slowly walked away. I then got the young lady, who, at this stage was quite white with terror, to take some dry elephant dung and smear it over the polka dot dress especially the part near the underarms. She initially looked at me incredulously but she caught on quickly that I was not joking nor in the mood for any argument.
We proceeded to complete the walk without further incident and the young lady still sends me Christmas wishes every year !
I am pleased to advise that we still see Zulu from time to time. Unfortunately, he has been dehorned. He is still as inquisitive as ever and comes close to our open vehicles to investigate, thus affording everyone a great opportunity to get a good photo.
Rhino sightings have been scarce in Kruger and I am grateful that we have Balule Reserve on which to find these magnificent animals.
GAME VIEWING REPORTS FROM OUR GUIDES
RAYMOND sent the following :
On the 2nd during the morning drive on Balule we found four lions at Mathlombi trying but failing to catch an impala. One of them climbed a tree checking if there were any impala behind the tree. After that we found Zulu the Black Rhino bull along Marula Road. After that we found a big herd of elephants at Elephant Dam.
On the 7th in Kruger we found Wild Dogs on the H 7 along the Timbavati River bed eating an impala. At the Piet Grobler dam we found a big male leopard. On the H1-3 about 800 m north of Satara we found four male lions and one of them was a white one. At Nsemane dam we found a big herd of elephants drinking water. At Khokha Moya dam we found 8 Buffalo bulls crossing the road towards Manyeleti game reserve.
On the 13th in Kruger on the H7 before Satara we found a white lion mating with a normal-coloured female lion. After that we found Wild Dogs eating an impala near Nsemane dam. We then found five teenage lions on the S106 lying on the road. 
On the 19th during the Sunset Drive on Balule we found a pride of lions at Campfire and a herd of elephants about 200m further on. On the way back we found a leopard trying to catch an impala next to the entrance of Rome 6 but it failed. 
On the 27th on Balule we found Wild Dogs near Singwe chasing an impala. They caught one and took it under a tree. Then some hyenas came and took over the kill. The competition was very stiff and was only 100 metres from our vehicle. It was an exceptionally good sighting.
Raymond and guests
ELIAS sent the following:
On a Bush Walk we come across 10 lions close to where we start our walks. It was very good sighting and we were all surprised as nature always surprises us and we just sat there and enjoyed them all. My clients were excited and some were very scared. So after watching the lions we went straight to start our bush walk.
I could tell that my guests were very scared as we had just seen lions and I was very happy about the way they were concentrating and not breaking the rules. We saw hippos and crocodiles and a beautiful Fish Eagle on the Olifants River. We had an amazing morning.
On another occasion, I went out on a Sunset Drive with my clients and the first thing we got to see was Wild Dogs around Tremisana property. Wow ! Bravo! 
I called out on my radio to tell other guides of different lodges and then they also came to see them. At Campfire and we got lucky with lots of elephant and giraffes. One young male elephant come to us very close. It was nice to see him that close. And then while we were eating dinner at Marula Boma we saw hyenas. It was nice and scary for my clients to see that.
Another day I did a Sundowner drive with my clients and it took us 20 minutes to see our first impala. My guests complained saying that they wanted to see better animals. They forget that the bush is not a zoo. So I kept on saying it’s a game and the bush will always surprise you. Then on Oxford main we saw two male lions under a russet bush willow. While we watched them, I noticed one male with a missing ear and I remembered him from the days when he was a young male and now he has become one of the biggest males in the bush. I must say that was nice to so see. The bush always surprises us. We also had a wonderful Sundowner down by Olifants river.
On a lucky day, we got to see a Leopard and two Black Rhino.
YURI reports:
May has been a real hive of activity both in Balule Game reserve and Kruger National Park.
My guests and I have been extremely lucky with all that we have seen.
Yuri clicking away
LIONS GALORE:
This has been a fantastic month as far as lion sightings go. A few young males and females were kind enough to surprise us on a Sunset Drive, crossing onto Marula Road in Balule at the exact same time as us and we managed to follow them for about 20 minutes before they disappeared into the bush under cover of darkness.
A huge highlight was when we were on the way back to Orpen Gate, just about to exit Kruger National Park, only to find a pride of about 17 lions and 3 cubs just casually walking in the road. Unbelievable!
LUCK WITH LEOPARDS:
The most elusive of the big cats were very kind to me again this month.
On a Sunset Drive, just before reaching Marula Boma for our Bush Braai, I noticed a slight movement from the corner of my eye…slam the brakes…guests almost flying over the bonnet of the Cruiser!!! A beautiful female leopard stalking a herd of impala! A beautiful sight, but she decided to abandon the hunt as the wind was not in her favour and her cover was blown.
In Kruger National Park I was driving on the H7 en route to Satara Camp for lunch when I noticed a strange “hump” in a tree not too far from the road. Well, the “hump” turned out to be an awesome male leopard just chilling on a branch!
Now, I mentioned the pride of 17 lions above, well, about 100m before we reached them, there just happened to be a sexy young female leopard right next to the road ready to pose for some pictures. How about that!!!
THE RHINOS:
Well, they have been very elusive! As I explain to guests, it’s like trying to find a 2 ton needle in a 2,000,000 hectare haystack! Difficult, but not impossible.
Certain areas of Kruger National Park have long, rolling hills. Close to the foot of some hills I noticed 3 large shapes in the distance. At first, I thought it was Buffalo, but it seemed to be a bit bigger. I grabbed my binoculars and can you believe it…3 beautiful rhinos, at a distance, but still…
These are but a few of many highlights. Have a look through the pics and then come and have a look for yourself. I’ll be waiting!
Till next month
Yuri
VICTOR sends the following:
On 8th we started our game drive and from Orpen boom gate to the reception we saw a three female Giraffes crossing the road heading East of Nghala dam to Manyeleti. After reception we continued with our game drive on the H7 and we turned onto the S106 Rabelais we saw two spotted hyenas lying down next to the road and on the side of the road we saw blue wildebeest, zebras and giraffes. After that we took the S12 to Girivana waterhole where we saw a herd of twenty-four Elephants drinking water. We continued with our game drive on the H6 to Nwanetsi picnic spot where we saw a male leopard up in a Marula tree. After lunch we took the S126 Sweni road where we saw two male Buffalos lying down under a knobthorn tree near Welverdiend waterhole.
We then took the H7 road between the two viewpoints there’s a loop on the right side of the road where we saw a male and two female lions. The two female lions were lying down busy feeding on a wildebeest and the male lion crossed the road in front of our open Vehicle and joined the females. We later saw a white rhino crossing the road. We saw the Big Five in one day !!
On 9th we started our game drive and from Orpen boom gate to the reception and we saw zebras. After reception we continued with our game drive on the H7 road. We saw three old male Buffalos walking by the riverbank of the Timbavati river. We took the S36 to Shimangwaneni dam where we saw a breeding herd of Elephants drinking water and two males Buffalos lying down under a tree. After that we took the S126 to Sweni waterhole and we saw Zebras, Giraffes, impalas and the wildebeest very close to our safari vehicle. On the S100 we saw a three big male Elephants drinking water at Shibotwana waterhole. We continued our drive and on S41 we saw two cheetahs. On the S90 we saw a female lion hunting north of Mavumbye waterhole. After lunch we took the H7 to Nsemani dam where we saw sixteen Hippopotamus. We took the S36 and saw a pride of six lions south of leeubron waterhole. On our way out before Tamboti turnoff we saw a male and female Ostrich.
On 11th we started our game drive and from Orpen boom gate to the reception and we saw a spotted hyena lying down next to the road. We continued with our game drive on the H7 before S39 and S36 turnoff we saw a warthog running crossing the road being chased by two male cheetahs. The cheetahs failed to catch the warthog, but my guests were thrilled with the sighting. At Girivana waterhole we saw old male Buffalos lying down in the mud very close to the waterhole. At Nsemani dam we saw fifteen hippopotamus and two crocodiles. At Nkaya pan we saw a pride of lions : two lions and four lionesses. 1 kilometre before Shibotwana waterhole we saw a herd of 27 Elephants drinking water. At the Phelwane bridge we a big male lion lying on the tar road. On the Rabelais road we saw a male and a female Black-backed jackal busy hunting.
On 21st we started our game drive and from Orpen boom gate to the reception we saw impalas and two male giraffes. On the H7 we saw a herd of Elephants crossing the road heading to the Timbavati river. At Shimangwaneni dam we saw five big male Buffalos drinking wate. On the S126 Sweni road we saw two lionesses hunting near Welverdiend waterhole. After that we took road H6 to Nwanetsi picnic spot where we saw a male lion crossing the road very close to our open Vehicle. Further on we saw a male white rhino. On the H7 between Phelwana bridge and Bobbejaankrans we saw a pack of 17 Wild Dogs running on the road. We saw two spotted hyenas crossing the road on the way out.
On 22nd it was raining in Kruger Park. From Orpen boom gate to the reception we saw a big male Elephant east of Nghala dam very close to the road.On the H7 we saw a pack of seventeen wild dogs lying down under some small trees very close to the road. At Nsemani Dam and saw a herd of Buffalos lying down by the mud very close to the water and three big male elephants drinking water and spraying each other. At Nkaya pan we saw a herd of elephants. On our way out, we found a spotted hyena lying down very close to the road.
PATRICK reports :
On 6th it was hot and we saw animals around the water points : over 500 buffalos at Nsemani Dam, a lioness near the water pond on Nwanetsi bridge, a mating pair of lions on the S 41, elephants all over and a very big herd on the S 40. We found hyenas on the road on the way out.
On 16th there was a little rain but the sightings were still good : Ostriches near Orpen Gate, Wild Dogs before the viewpoint , Elephant herd on Rabelais road, hippos at Nsemani.
We were very lucky to find a pride of 11 lions on the S 100 including a WHITE lion. We saw more lions on the H 7 and hyenas near the exit gate.
On the 26th we had great sightings : 13 lions on Rabelais, plenty elephants on the road, a beautiful leopard on the Sweni road, 2 big buffalo bulls at Rockvale waterhole and the same hyena clan at the exit gate.
PIERO reports :
Together with my wife, Sandra and our friends, Rose and Sathi Archary, I spent a few days at Pumusa Bush Camp in Hluhluwe. On the day we went into Hluhluwe we had great luck and saw White Rhino, Elephants and Buffalo within 3km of the entrance gate ! On the way out, we had an elephant block our way and it was quite a memorable experience.
I had my very first sighting at Pumusa Bushcamp of Suni Antelope.
I also visited Tremisana for an important Olifants West Landowners meeting. We had good sightings and for 3 days in a row had elephants drinking from our splash pool.
NEWS FROM OUR LODGES
TREMISANA
Elvis has made a great difference to the gardens at Tremisana. We had elephants and lions around the camp regularly.
Nyarai is doing her customary sterling work and sent the following report :
For the longest time May has never been my favourite month that was until I realised how eventful it is in the bush. Yes you are really not sure how to dress in the morning because it can be really cold then a few hours later the sun bursts forth from the clouds and it’s very warm then evening time we are back to hats and mittens. You can always layer up and have an awesome safari. As the day proceeds you can peel of the layers being the onion such weather forces one to become. Being out here in the bush has seen me become somewhat a weather lady since all our activities are outdoors.
We had a small increase in the number of guests this month. This always gives hope that things seem to be getting better. Interacting with so many people allows one a chance to make lifetime friends. I had three guests that were doing mission work across Africa. They stayed with us for a couple of days and we had a lovely time sharing our beliefs and we had what I call a spontaneous worship moment. I must applaud Jacob the talented guitar player and Jackson the singer for the most memorable weekend.
During this time of the year the vegetation is sparse and there are limited sources of water for the animals. This tends to make the animals move to readily available water. We have a dam at Tremisana and a watering hole in front of the Lapa where breakfast and lunch are served. We have had visits from elephants, giraffes, lions and wait for it – wild dogs. I had last seen them a long time ago. It was an awesome experience seeing them relaxed in the shade and some members of the pack playing around. By the way I have seen so many elephants in the parking lot that my plans to start doing solo walks around Tremisana have been put on hold for a while. Add on the delicious food from the kitchen I will fetch my summer body when summer comes.
I must mention how the last morning 1 hour drive before check-out has been very productive. The stand-out one was when my guests had seen the big four and they were missing the rhino. Besides being tired from the previous day’s activities the guests managed to wake up and go on the drive. I don’t wake up that early sadly anyway towards the end of the drive lo and behold a rhino sighting. Now isn’t that a way to wrap up a safari. They always say that he wakes up early receives a bundle of blessings.
Till next month stay warm and take care.
MARCS TREEHOUSES
The treehouses and grounds need a lot of work and we have re-engaged Big Richard, who is deaf-mute. He is so happy to be back and has made an immediate impression.
The nyalas are looking well fed with all the green vegetation available.
MASANGO
We have appointed Jevan Breedt as Manager of all the camps, Masango, Marcs and Katekani.
Jevan is based at Masango Camp.
He is an excellent handyman and already has made a very positive contribution.
Buffalos are present every day.
KATEKANI
We have done maintenance to all units and Mandla says the leopards are still very active at night.
EZULWINI
We had guests again on our luxury lodge packages and once again they had fantastic service and brilliant sightings.
NEWS FOR OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS
Unfortunately, we have no option but to add a temporary fuel subsidy to all safaris booked on or after 1 July 2022. We have promised to maintain standards of excellence that all our agents are accustomed to, especially in terms of food and drives. We will not skimp on our meals and will never restrict our drivers in terms of distances driven so that our guides may show our guests as many animals as possible.
I shall be sending a letter to all our agents later this week outlining the details.
Viva collects all our guests from their homes, hostels, hotels and airport and by the time we leave the Johannesburg precinct, we have already driven in excess of 100 km. We shall continue this service as the security of our guests is paramount.
The war in Ukraine will most likely continue for some time and further fuel price increases are likely.
On a positive note, we have re-employed more staff and we hope to keep on adding to the tally as the year progresses.
I had some interesting conversations with guests on our safaris. As always, I ask them to be open and honest about any issues they may have had.
I was thrilled to receive this Whatsapp from a guest who stayed at Marcs Treehouse Lodge:
“Removed from the chaos of mass holidaymakers and immersed into the placid cradle of my treehouse suite on the banks of the Klaserie River, I have never been more relaxed and happy with Nature and the God of Nature “.
I spoke to the Flynn family of 4 who were with me on a game drive conducted by Raymond. We were attracted by the presence of many Hooded Vultures and Ray did some off-roading that led us to a pride of 4 lions that had killed a Kudu. For the Flynns this was an incredible experience – the exclusivity of a really close-up private lion sighting that cannot happen in Kruger where off road driving is prohibited. I clearly understand their elation but believe that the day in Kruger is essential. There are huge herds of animals and different species that are seldom encountered on Balule. For example, Wildebeest on Balule are seldom seen as the lions have depleted their numbers whereas within 3 km of Orpen Gate we saw over 100 wildebeest.
Viva Safaris is very fortunate to be able to offer exclusive close-up off road sightings on Balule and also show our guests the big herds of animals that frequent Kruger.
I include the following reviews posted on TripAdvisor this month :
My family trip to Africa
Anita, Boynton Beach, Florida
“My family and I had a wonderful experience. The guides, and the kitchen staff at Viva Safaris are extremely nice and accommodating. The tour exceeded our expectations. Piero, the General manager, does everything possible to ensure that you have a great trip. Booking is easy and Nyarai, the secretary, takes care of every detail of your trip.”
Great Experience, Safe
zelkib
“- It was such a great experience, we saw several animals – impalas, zebras, elephants, giraffes, lions, ostrige, baboons, hypo, crocodile and several birds.
– The bush walks were also exciting and the game drives too. There is both a private game reserve and a Kruger visit, both of these were great for different reasons so I recommend to do a combined one, which also features game drives and bush walks, Kruger and Private as well.
– Food is made by the locals and is exceptional!!
– the tree house was so haunting, but in a positive way!
– I was in 2022 February, we were only 6 in a group, this was 40 before Covid time, so its good to go now!
– and YES, IT IS SAFE! 🙂 “
Until next month,
With kind regards,
Piero
General Manager
Viva Safaris
