What a way to end 2011!!

We had some great trips to the reserves in 2011, but it was the extreme run of luck we had toward the end of November and into December that had us scratching our heads and looking forward to 2012!

Over this time we had an 8 day streak where the cats and dogs were literally dancing about us despite the incredible heat and at other times pouring rain. It didn't seem to matter what area we were in, the predators just kept entertaining us. Many of you would've seen the mobile uploads on twitter and FB, I have loaded these and the videos on the FB group HERE.



(Just as a side note, you guys don't have to post such nasty comments when all I am trying to do is keep you informed of the cheetahs, lions and things we're seeing, hahahaha!)

However the best area by far was the the small section on the Umfolozi River, down by marker 17 on the map. Or as it is now known 'Magic Marker 17'. We had an amazing run of luck around this section, but none better than on 1 of the overnight trips, probably my best ever!

The 2 day event went like this, in my shortest version:
Code - photo on Face Book = P.F.B
- video on Face Book = V.F.B
- Magic Marker 17 = mm17

Entered the Nyalazi gate around 11:30 already scortching hot, as we just about to decend into the Umfolozi River valley, sighting of wild dog in the shade, but next to road (P.F.B). See buffalo, white rhino and usual common game. Do Sontuli loop and end at mm17, prob around 3pm, vehicle stopped. Inform us lions in the bush but on the move, we wait and drive up and down, nothing. Just as we leave and go over the rise, we see a family of warthog running towards where the lions were supposed to be. I suggest we do 1 last drive by. We round the bend just in time to see a lioness corner the family in some burrows just 30m from the road, eventually causing one to try run for it, but she pounces and snaps it up in her jaws. The noise tempts the rest of the lions out the bush, about 6 in total, some young, some old. (As luck would have it, blackberry freezes, don't get it on video, aaaargh!!)

They eventually move off to go feast and we continue, of course quite chuffed by now. 10min later black rhino, 40m in (P.F.B). I mention what a day it has been and that if we just see some elephant it would be a complete success. You guessed it, 15min later elephant bull on the side of the road. So now we are laughing and start heading for memorial gate, about a 3 hour drive. Go past the wild dog spot and they are now active as it is cooling considerably and threatening to rain. (P.F.B & V.F.B). We carry on and not much else happens and we certainly not complaining, until it starts to rain and we have a rhino road block. 2 young males who refuse to move and because of the gulleys on either side I am a bit reluctant to try push them off. Eventually I have to as we are in danger of being late. So I manage to nudge them off but not before 2 hyena decide to cross right in front of us for 1 last highlight for the day.

Next morning we enter and head straight for the Umfolozi section. We get there about 8am and ready to try our luck whilst it is still cool, but yet another road block. This time a young bull elephant in musth, he was grumpy and letting the some 30 cars wanting to pass know about it. Double cabs, 4 by 4's, kombi's you name it, weren't going to chance it. We get stuck for almost an hour until an old man and women in a Getz drive past us all, right up to the brute and park but a metre from him (P.F.B), but still he doesn't budge. Eventually he gives the car enough space to pass (V.P.B), but in the classic elly move, he is just setting the trap. He doesn't want the Getz it is small fry, but as the second vehicle shoots past, he turns and chases, trumpeting and basically just showing his power (V.F.B). Anyway it was quite fun and we finally get past and continue.

We make it to the bottom section, but by now it is blistering hot and we coasting, not expecting much. Then, and I have to claim it, while chatting away I spot 5 cheetah sleeping under a bush about 60m in. We watch them for a bit and are lucky enough to see them stand up occasionally and move about. We of course are so content by now and head for home, after cooking a good old bush brunch. Except the bush has another twist for us........

After getting past the elly and crossing the Umfolozi River at the low level bridge, the rain that fell inland reached the reserve and put the bridge under water and so we could not get out. So we decided to drive the loop one more time beacuse the river would take a few hours to subside. Just when we actually started regretting the decision because it was just so hot, we approached mm17!! I could hardly believe it when we rounded the bend and in the road stood a mother cheetah and her 3 cubs. They went onto give us a great display (P & V.F.B) and eventually with sad hearts we had to drive off and leave them there on the side of the road.

All in all it was absolutely fantastic what we saw in such a short time. I could not believe that I only had a crummy Black Berry camera to film with, I could've had some amazing pictures and video with a better camera. But makes you think, would we have seen all that if I had.............

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Winter in the bush

It has been a long while since I have visited Kruger in the winter months. I had almost forgotten why it is still considered the best time of the year to visit the bush.

Besides the magnificent game viewing, it is just more comfortable in many respects. The mornings can be quite chilly, especially on the back of an open game viewing vehicle, but otherwise very pleasant.

I was also very fortunate to have my longest continuous stay since before I can remember. 16 days in total I was out in the bush and I loved every second of it. I worked for some of it, showing some new Italian friends of ours all there is to see. Spent some time with family and got to enjoy a 3 night wilderness trail, the highlight for me.

There is something special about walking out in the wilderness, at grass root level, so to speak that just can't be explained. There is so much that is missed when you are in a vehicle. Tracks and signs that tell a story of a different world, but yet right on our door step. Suppose that is just it, you can stand there and look around and think to yourself, this could be a century earlier and you wouldn't even know. Untouched wilderness, using animal paths to make your way through the veld. It is an experience I highly recommend to any one!

Hopefully in the near future I can get the chunk of footage I have, edited and up for you to see, it just can't be explained in words, so watch this space.

Keep well, cheers.

Leopard (panthera pardus)

This young lady sat in this tree right next to the road in Kruger. Giving us an excellent view and photo opportunity.

• Leopards hold territories and will defend them against others. However only against members of the opposite sex. A males territory can overlap with 3 - 4 female territories.
• Occupation of a territory is shown using urine and faeces, clawing trees and vocally.
• They eat almost any animal, fish, reptiles, amphibians and eat more other carnivores than other predators. They are especially prone to eating jackals.
  
• Its hunting methods are classically feline, stalking to within 10m of its prey. They will stalk prey that is slowly moving away over a couple of 100m, or wait in ambush if prey is moving toward it.
• Leopard cubs are bought solid food within 6 weeks of birth and at 4 months will leave the den to hunt with the mother. A month later they make their first kill, but still remain with their mother for another 18 months.
  

Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

These 2 posed so nicely for us in the morning sunlight.....






Continuing on with the '5 Facts' theme, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the spotted hyena next, after all being the arch enemy of the lion.

• Hyena are highly social, living in clans of up to 80 individuals. The females being much larger out rank any males, with 1 female being the dominant leader. With the rest all fitting in with a strict hierarchy, even the young cubs will out rank the males. A female cub automatically inherits its moms rank in the clan.
• Outside males are allowed to join the clan by following an induction ritual whereby they show submission to all clan members over a few week period. Once accepted, they will out rank all resident males. This will give them first mating rights, thereby bringing new genes to the clan and avoiding closely related family members from inter breeding.
  
• They are renowned scavengers, using smell, watching for vultures and even hearing the noises of a new kill to find food. Despite this reputation, they are accomplished hunters, killing 75% of their own food.
  
• They can sprint at 60km/h, but use stamina to run down their prey, maintaining speeds in excess of 40km/h over 4-5kms. Their prey eventually dies of shock and blood loss.
• They have a series of different calls, grunts and yelps, but it is the distinctive whooo-oop and their giggle or cackle that they are known for. The latter being used when feeding or being chased off a kill, giving them their other name 'The laughing Hyena'. The whooo-oop call is very easy to pinpoint suggesting it is used to inform of an individuals location.

Thank you, hope you enjoyed the info.

Cheers.

SA Venomous Snakes

I am often asked when out on tour with my foreign friends about snakes or more accurately poisonous snakes. So immediately my first response has to be; snakes are termed venomous not poisonous. The reason being they inject the poison, which then classifies it as a venom not a poison. So an easy way to remember is, venom is injected and a poison is ingested.

So venomous snakes of South Africa they ask, and I tell them 'they are there, just not so easy to see'. Lately however, I have had the fortunate experience of confirming this statement. In fact, 3 in just 2 hikes, and in small reserves but a stone's throw from the urban environs. First we crossed paths with a mozambique spitting cobra, which reared up to display its hood before turning tail and disappearing in a split second.

Then on another hike whilst walking a trail that follows a small cliff face, known for its population of rock dassie, a movement caught my eye. I turned to see a 2.5- 3m black mamba slithering through the branches next to us, so close I could touch it. Adrenaline kicked in and we froze, and watched it poking its head into the crevices as it moved along in the same direction we were moving. We watched for what felt like forever until it came down towards the path about 10m in front of us and then decided to high tail it out of there in the opposite direction, taking the long way home. For those that don't know, the black mamba is the most venomous snake we have and depending on the amount of venom it discharges, can kill you in 20min. It is also the fastest, as we got to witness first hand.

As if that wasn't enough when we got back to camp we were then treated to a sun-bathing vine snake (pictured above). They use camouflage as their means of hunting, making themselves look just like a branch. Although their venom is also very potent, their fangs are situated far back in the mouth, therefore unless bitten on a finger the snake would battle to penetrate human skin.

Interestingly enough, we not only encountered 3 venomous snakes, but also 3 that each carry different types of venom. The cobra has a concoction of cyto- and neuro- toxic venom, but mainly cytotoxic. Meaning the venom attacks your skin tissue, breaking it down. The mamba, and is the reason it works so quick, has a strong neurotoxic venom, that attacks the nervous system, which when reaching the heart causes paralysis and death. The vine snake has an unique venom, haemotoxic, causing the blood to thin and its victim to bleed from all orifices. Until very recently, like 3 months recent, the only way to survive a bite was to have a full blood transfusion, but an anti-venom has finally been found.

So to conclude, 'are there snakes in SA?', do a little exploring and find out for yourself, I can certainly vouch for it.

Thanks for reading, cheers till next time.

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Who has had enough of the 'Jeep Jockeys'?

Well I just returned from another very pleasant trip to the Kruger. The weather was great, sightings fantastic and the joy of the bush soothing.

What is really troubling though is the number of open game-viewing vehicles that are tearing up the south of the park these days. Racing from one road to the next on their quest to find 'The BIG 5!' Over the two days it became quite a talking point for us as we went about photographing the abundance of birds, studying the trees and viewing animals from the tiny tortoise to the common impala.

It felt a bit like the child's tale of 'The Hare and The Tortoise', we were plodding along doing our thing, whilst they were constantly flying past us! We'd catch up when they stopped for the mandatory half a minute to view the 'common game', and then speed off in a cloud of dust. The thing is, if they took just a second to look around they'd realise their clients are sitting there with the longest faces, enjoying themselves only because they have waited so long to travel to Africa.

The prize goes to that so called 'guide' who on our final afternoon we had the pleasure of speaking to. As he approached I waved him down, and then politely asked how his morning had been. His response was fairly direct, "fine, but the kitty cats don't want to come out and play." I then told him that 500m back there was rhino and elephant, and a kilometer after that a huge herd of buffalo, as well as some other nice game. His child like response was, "That's cool, but I want kitty cats!"

I do need to thank the 'Jeep Jockeys' for one thing though, with all your antics you guys made my job very easy, and I ended up looking like a king! As from the photos you can see we had some great sightings of cats. Funny thing was that at all of our 4 cat sightings, we only witnessed one Jeep. Wonder if that jockey ever did find his Kitty Cats????

Well, looks like the tortoise triumphed again!!

Visit Face Book to see more photos of our Kitty Cats........

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=191395&id=159541836718&saved#!/pages/Endless-Summer-Tours/159541836718

Garden Route

Well last week we had a great trip down the Garden route and up into the Karoo.

Boy was it hot though, the further south we went the more we saw signs warning us of the drought stricken area. According to the locals the Garden Route is not so 'gardeny' because of it. Which is clearly why we weren't blown away, but the views were beautiful, the sea water warm and our accommodation great.

We did find the atmosphere rather dull though, maybe because of the heat and drought, maybe because of the season (most coastal areas are quiet) or maybe that's just how they are?? Take Knysna for example; a beautiful water front, packed restaurants and bars but no atmosphere. We barely had to raise our voices above a whisper, quite dissapointing actually.

The Karoo was even hotter, but funny enough had seen more rain than the coast. Can't say we got much time to relax though, suppose we need a holiday....

Watch the quick clip of some of our highlights, at least I got some good waves in water warmer then Durban!