Travel Snippets from Kruger, Swazi & KZN (5) TEMBE *

[Toko]

Day 17: Tembe Elephant Park

Toad Tree Tabernaemontana elegans






Heading north to Muzi Swamp for sundowners






Umjangazi Road (Eastern Swanp Road) is apt for a sunset view



Blurred one



Scented Thorn Acacia nilotica

[Toko]

Day 17: Tembe Elephant Park

Video: Tembe 27 August

[Toko]

Day 18: Tembe Elephant Park

Early in the morning we were off to Tembu Crossing in the hope that we would find Langa there .

First sightings in the Open Woodland

Common Duiker



Cute baby

[Mel]

I want one!!! That cute baby that is.

Splendid sightings once again, Toko!

What are Tembe ellies like? Gentle like the Addo ones
or potentially naughty like their Kruger counterpart?

[Toko]

-O The Ellies are more or less invisible in the thick bush, so it's most likely that you bump into a bull when he emerges from the bushes crossing the small roads and even then they seem to be friendly guys. Even the breeding herds tolerate cars close by

A problem might be that you can not really pull off and escape on some parts of the roads where it's hilly with thick soft sand so make a plan first where to encounter a large bull

[Dewi]

Great pics once again Toko.

There is one Matriarch at the East Swamp who likes chasing vehicles. She had a go at us when we were there, and blocked others from passing by. Luckily, my friend knew her well and how to deal with her, but it was nerve wracking as she followed us for a while, trumpeting loudly. The bulls were not a problem at all while we were there.

[Toko]

I have also heard of this famous one herd, Dewi How did you survive? Do tell

[Toko]

Day 18: Tembe Elephant Park

Tembu Crossing aka Concrete Bridge - these days called "the Lion Bridge"

During the winter month this area is a hotly contested territory between the lion prides as water resources are scarce and there is an old elephant-made bath hole with some water left, not yet tickled away into the clay soils. Besides Mahlasela Pan in the South this is the only water spot in the central area and attracts lots of antelope and buffalo. The area is scattered with old carcasses decomposing and it's lions' prime hunting ground.
The Langa pride had managed to annex Tembu Crossing area from Mufasa and his females.

Langa is a proud father of two subadult sons, a dark one and a blond one and he has two ladies for company .


Dead buff smiling


TEPM26, the darker of Langa’s sons strolling along for a drink

[Dewi]

Stunning Lion pics Toko.

Did not meet this guy, but did catch up with Mufasa and his ladies.

The encounter with the Mad Matriarch was a couple of km's past the airstrip. Roger De la Harpe (In Search of African Wild Dog Author) was pulled up on the side of the road with his wife and niece and were watching the ellie herd grazing. (They were here doing research for their forthcoming book on Lions). He told us that she was not letting anyone get by. We waited for a while as the herd moved off into the bush. We asked if they were moving on with us, but he declined as they were still looking for the Lions who were reportedly nearby, so off we went. The Matriarch must have heard our engine revving up and charged from deep cover at an angle to cut us off. J accelerated after shouts of "Put Foot!" by A and I whilst little K just giggled in the back seat at all the excitement. I looked back and she was filling the rear windscreen, with trunk rolled up under her mouth. She really meant buisness. Luckily J kept ahead of her and she eventually gave up and returned to the herd still trumpeting (I'm convinced that it was a triumphant type noise she was emitting as she returned to the herd -O ). It took a while for the adrenaline rush to subside.

Roger and co turned around after witnessing what happened to us. Wise decision .

Mad Matriarch and Calf. (Cannot remember her name though).

[Toko]

Day 18: Tembe Elephant Park

Langa’s son Blondie