Flavour of the Month Dec 2011: Nsemani Dam

[leachy]

so having been tasked with adding the new favoutite spot - - -

here is the one for december for those of you would care to contribute

nsemani - 24:23:36 s 31:42:54 e
drinking trough, 6km north-west of satara, named after the creek next to which it is situated. this is one of the drinking troughs receiving it's water from the satara-olifants pipeline and replaces the previous weak borehole of the same name.

a dictionary of kruger park place names: Kloppers & Bornman

[Flutterby]

Nsemani Dam

From Nigel Dennis - Where to watch game in the Kruger National Park:

Nsemani Dam (is) a very popular location, where visitors often park on the road where it crosses the dam wall. The view from here is far too distant for good photography, but game- and bird[watching with binoculars is rewarding. Even if big game is absent, there is always plenty to see. On my last trip to Kruger, a frog migration took place around this dam, and at least 20 Hamerkop as well as a pair of rare and endangered Saddle-billed Stork enjoyed the feast.

[Richprins]

Jolly Good Choice, old boy!

Many Nsemani pics also on the H-7 thread: viewtopic.php?f=263&t=2456

[Flutterby]

Situated on the H7, Nsemani Dam is home to a great variety of birds, including blacksmith lapwings, Egyptian and spurwing geese, African fish-eagle, African spoonbills, grey herons and red-billed buffalo weavers. Leopard are also regularly seen in the thickets around the dam, as are small antelope like steenbok and duikers. Hippos are always present and often leave the safety of the water to graze on the lawn-like banks of the dam, especially on overcast days. Many people park next to Nsemani for long periods at a time...just looking...listening...and enjoying the wildlife.

[Flutterby]

Nice one Leachy, although I don't have too many pics for some reason!

Ellies at Nsemani in October 2011


Buffalo on the other side of the road.

[pooky]

At Nsemani dam Aug 2011. This was a massive herd of +/- 800 buffalo
The one on the very right was checking to see where the 3 lionesses were.




This was one of the 3 lionesses. Taken just before the buffalo arrived.

[Richprins]

This dam is also the only place in Kruger I know of where a couple of cheetah males caught a big waterbuck (using the Dam Wall!)

If only adw were here to find the old article!

[Richprins]

One must remember there is the dam, and a water trough at top left of the Google Earth pic at the end of the dirt road detour, should the Dam run dry!

[Penga Ndlovu]

Two weeks ago the dam was nearly dry.
Only the lowest point, near the road, had some water in it.
Good for us as we went for a little detour and that made us see a Leopard all by ourselves.

[Bushcraft]

It is quite a nice little loop with a view into the rivulet opposite the Nsemani dam. Flutterby, I once saw an eland there!!!!!!!!