Weekly Cyberdiary

Mashatu Game Sightings 03 - 09 February 2008

Sunday 3 February

Today was yet another beautiful day with perfect morning temperatures. Our first “big” sighting was that of the new pride of lions to the north of Cheetahs Koppie. There were a total of six lions - four lionesses and two male lions. At first the lions were relaxed until a herd of about twenty elephants moved in and startled the lions which immediately hid behind the thickets. Another herd of twenty elephants was spotted drinking water at Hammerkop Crossing. At Bryce’s Store a female leopard was seen with a cub at the base of a Mashatu tree.

In the afternoon a male leopard was watched as he stalked a herd of impalas at Majale Crossing. The leopard crept closer and closer when suddenly a male impala spotted him and snorted an alarm call, warning the rest of the herd, and the hunt was over. Three lions were spotted at the Moddergat cutline heading east. We had excellent sightings of the general game seen on Mashatu, including zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, steenbok, monkeys, kudus, jackals, impalas, giraffes, elands and baboons.

Monday 4 February

Each day we experience great sightings especially when it is babies with their mothers. We spotted wildebeests with grey young ones, zebras with the tiny stripy babies and impala calves pronking here and there. A herd of eighty elephants was seen wandering whilst browsing. At Old Rock camp we spotted a male hyena, but we only managed a glimpse of it before he moved off in to the bush.

The main focus of our afternoon drive was to spot the cats seen at Mashatu. As we drove past Majale Crossing ranger Dan spotted an African wild cat an excellent start but the guests were now hoping for the “big” cats. Fortunately three lions were spotted a short while later to the north of Cheetahs Koppie. The lions were relaxed, as usual, and we managed to take some stunning pictures. Other sightings included a large herd of elephants at Disappointment Koppie, bat-eared fox, baboon, honey badger, black-backed jackal and steenbok.

Tuesday 5 February

This morning a light breakfast was enjoyed on the terrace with the rays of the sun shining down and two jackals drinking water from the Main Camp waterhole. It turned out to be a great day for lions! The new pride of three lions was spotted at Old Rock camp - the older female with her two sub adult females. A herd of one hundred elephants was seen walking in a single file at Crocodile Pool (always amazing to witness) while the young calves moved in and out of the line to grab leaves as they passed the trees by. In the evening we had a magnificent view of a hyena swimming at Main Camp waterhole!

Wednesday 6 February

This afternoon the Mansen Party staying at Main Camp had asked Eric, their ranger, if they could drive to the western regions of the reserve. A herd of impalas were the first animals to be seen - the young impalas born just a few months ago have grown so big and the ewes are looking beautiful with shining coats. Driving towards the MMBA ridge a herd of about thirty elephant’s walked past the vehicle. To our fascination Eric noticed that one of the elephants had just had a baby!!! The placenta was still visible and attached to the mother. Eric immediately switched off the engine the elephant with the placenta walked towards a tiny calf and helped it to stand up. Another elephant came forward to help the mother. The baby elephant walked so softly and was very timid about the process of walking for the first time.

Friday 8 February

While enjoying an early breakfast we heard the calls of hyena in the distance. Driving from Main Camp we headed towards the Matobole hyena den where we found one hyena. The hyena walked out of the den and paused magnificently for a photo shoot. As we drove away from this lone hyena two other hyenas came running in with a fresh carcass. The lone hyena was very pleased to see his companions bringing “breakfast” home. He dashed towards to the two hyena and was able to grab a piece of the carcass. The two hyenas, with the third following, ran towards Frazer Jones weir. Here we watched the three hyenas drooling over a leopard’s kill that was in the Shepard tree. An elegant male leopard had killed an impala and the hyenas must have managed to steal a piece of the carcass before the leopard treed the kill. To end off a spectacular drive a herd of one hundred elephants was seen drinking water at Dispute Corner.

The leopard with the kill had not moved an inch from where it was seen in the morning. Unfortunately the kill had dropped to the ground and the male hyena was feasting on the impala carcass under the tree. A herd of about two hundred elephants was found meandering through Elephant Valley.

Saturday 9 February

It was a cloudy morning with a fresh cool breeze blowing. Driving from Main Camp we had great sighting of impalas pronking in the open areas. Heading east, at Agates Koppie, a lone female hyena was spotted resting. At the Vlei an active male leopard was seen for about two minutes before he disappeared in the long grass. A herd of forty elephants was found walking and enjoying the greens at Crocodile Pool. Another herd of forty elephants was seen at Mc Kenzie Koppie as well as a herd of twenty elephants at Matobole Cocktail spot.

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