The Big Four
The day was overcast and quite a bit cooler than our first experience in the Park and it produced some totally different results – however the animal count was equally as impressive. Our goal for the day was to make positive sightings of the Rhino and a sighting of a Leopard. We were very successful on the first goal but struck out on goal two - which is not too surprising given the difficulty in spotting a solitary cat vs. animals that travel/congregate in family groups or herds. We did however see the remains of an Impala hanging from a tree, which had been dragged there by a Leopard!
We saw one huge herd of Water Buffalo (estimated at over a thousand); 8 Rhino’s – including an infant; tons of Giraffe; numerous small and large herds of Elephants composed of every age or animal; several troops of Baboons; and the real bonus of the day, a lion with two females and two cubs devouring a Wildebeest. This according to Bongani is a once in a three or four month event! Because the day was significantly cooler and it had rained the night before there was very little activity at the waterholes that were full of animals when we first visited them. All in all, however, another terrific day – fascinating to see the animals, learn about them from Bongani, and experience the thrill of the chase as we pursued the more elusive species.
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| Sleek and Shiny Water Buffalo after a mud-bath |
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| Hundreds of Water Buffalo working on Right-of-Way access to road |
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| One great-big stinky elephant a bit too close for comfort!! |
Additional Animal Sightings:
- Terrapin (Tortoise)
- Dwarf Mongoose
- Crocodile
- Common Duiker
- “Big Man In the Tree” (large Baboon sentry, watching from atop a tree to alert the other animals of any approaching predators)
- Buffalo Weaver
- Golden Tailed Woodpecker
- Red Crested Korhaan
- Blue Waxbill (Cordonbleu)
- Masked Weaver
- Lilac Breasted Roller
- Black Headed Oriole
- Brown Headed Parrot
