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BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR *
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:53 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:25 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:08 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Hi Toko, Pumba, Mel, and Lisbeth,
Imfolozi is one of the best parks to spot rhino, but you can also be lucky and see all of the Big 5, cheetah and wild dogs in one day. The rhino sighting in the morning mist was very special. It was a very quiet morning with cool mist around the valleys and as we were searching for cheetah we suddenly came across this group of rhino. Usually rhinos are very peaceful, but the one rhino turned around and ran towards us. The photo may not show it, but it was one of the longest horns I've seen before. The black rhino's were a bit shy and we only saw white rhino.
BC,
As you must have notice elephant and buffalo dung are close to the path way near Mpafa. We found it a bit quiet but next time I'll back that extra pair of undies just in case I bump into any of the mega fauna.
Bhejane hide has the same possibility to be just as great as Masinga hide in Mkhuze for photographers. I am sure if there is more water you will see more buffalo and wildebeest coming to drink followed by lions.
It is definitely a different story to braai in one of KZN parks. Love those missing gates and no waiting time for the gate to open.
BB,
Hope you enjoy the next episode.
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:20 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:31 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Sontuli loop continuous:
for all the great comments on the first part. The next episode took place after we left the lion on the one side of Sontuli loop. When we started this loop an impala came rushing by very unexpectedly out of the forest right in front of our car. We looked around if any predator was following as we could not understand that our car could have frightened this antelope in a flight for life mission. After seeing no follwers we continued where we saw the lion and drove back again. Not sure what happened there after, but when we back track the loop and got close to the start of the loop a huge traffic jam was on the entrance side.
While we were busy watching lions a pack of wild dogs killed an impala you can say near 10 - 15 minutes after we passed that spot. They still had plenty of meat left to eat, but were already threatened by a couple of hyeanas looking out to score. In a way we missed a once in a life time witnessing of how wild dogs kill there prey, but I am glad we got into the scene 5 - 10 minutes later.
We had a good position at the sighting, but it started to rain and the long grass made it difficult to get great pics.
A hyaena stormed in and ran off with the spine right into our direction of our car with a biting wild dog on its ankle.
Well at least one dog kept the leg.
The fight continues...
And some must just wait until the dogs will be finished of a gap to grab the left overs.
During this episode a jeep jocky started screaming we need to move away, but with cars double parked in front of us we could not get out. Poor Moshi was still in bed and even though we wanted to move on and go and fetch him at camp we could not get out. BC will know how narrow that road is, but somehow Jeep Jockey pushed through and got to the sighting and we could leave as well.
So its not only in Kruger you get told to move, but I must say not so many cars compared to some of the traffic jams I've seen.
Imfolozi TBC
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:34 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:46 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Bush Brat wrote:What a great sighting...doggies and hyenas all in one!!
Bush Brat,
There are several packs in the area and your chances are good to spot wild dogs. While we stayed there teams from EWT were tracking dogs close to Mpila camp and in the far north-west corner of the park. They run a volunteer program so that the public can join them on tracking trips. Bit expensive, but something worthwhile to do after you finish school.
http://www.wildlifeact.com/wild-dog-dia ... nes-ewt-15
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:06 pm
by Pumbaa
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:57 pm
by Bushveld Jock
Pumbaa, Duke, Flutterby, Mel, nan, Toko, BB and Heksie,
This was my 2nd time than I saw wild dogs in the wild and were really thrilled that they stayed at the same place so long. My 1st sighting was only 5 minutes long. As I've said before it was the best that the poor impala was already eaten with bones and spine left when we got there. Can not imagine how it must have been to see the whole kill from start and best not to witness.
Hope we will have the same luck again next time.
Re: BJ's TT from Beach to Bush - Imfolozi GR
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 8:22 pm
by Bushveld Jock