8th Satara
Today was the Cow’s birthday, so the clan invaded our room before first light and the gift opening ritual began. I couldn’t be seen to be rushing the event as that would lead to an evil eye, so paced around like a chicken until it looked safe to suggest that we pack the car.
I immediately realised as I stepped outside that it was still cold and windy so ducked back inside and warned all that they needed to dress for artic conditions, so it took even longer before all were ready.
I shouldn’t have hassled though because it was still dark at 6:15am when we drove out of camp so we had to drive very slowly and this worked to our advantage as a few cars missed out on these guys just as you turn onto the H7 so we were alone with them.
We spent around 10 minutes with the badgers as it was a mission to get pics, but they then decided to move further into the bush, so I suggested that we move on; however had no plans on where to go as it was the Cow’s day.
The rats suggested the usual which they nag for every trip when in the Satara area.
“H6 hyena den dad!” and the Cow agreed, so off we went.
When we arrived at the local H6 den the clan were in the road with the remains of an old kill and there was plenty shrieking and howling on the go which added to the excitement of the rats.
The main “lady” then decided to move the stinking remains to the den and then proceeded to stand guard over it.
The howling continued until 1 hyena was brave enough to attempt to steal a bite which got a full on scrap going and the shrieking escalated.
The rats were loving this interaction, so I positioned the car and switched off.
A few minutes later a couple juniors cruised out of the den to see what was causing all the commotion and 2 walked up to my car and out of sight which got me wailing
“Those scallywags have gone under my car and will chew everything!”
“Relax, you are paranoid!”
“No way” and I started the car, which got the juniors charging out from underneath and back to the den, so I switched off again.
Another funny looking hyena arrived from out of the bush and this got the action going again, but it soon calmed down, so we spent another 15 minutes with them before moving on down towards Tshokwane.
Marheya Pan produced our next sighting that we stopped for and it was another hyena which checked the scene out for a minute before cruising in for a drink.
The Kumana Dam area was quiet so we continued on to Mazithi Dam which produced 2 male lion parking off next to the water.
To be continued
Those cheetah had been chowing all morning on something.
After two days you had seen it all 
