The morning drive was great - too great no one wants to leave Mala Mala.
We left about 6.00 pm and headed full speed to the site of the den. Alas it appears we were too late the dogs had left already. So we started driving the area. From another vehicle we heard they found the the dog but the dogs had travelled a long distance. Driving as fast as we could we headed in the direction of the sighting.
On the way we saw five hyena some had bones. Obviously from a wild dog kill that must have taken place earlier. Then we saw the dogs some had blood on them so a kill had taken place. The dogs were still hunting. They had the classic spread out and focus in the task at hand. We were able to follow them for a while off road but they started running and we lost them. We went back to the road and headed for the area where we expected them to emerge from the thicket.
It took a long time for the dogs to come through so it was suspected they made another kill. The dogs came out into the clearing and started playing. Then the headed back to the den. I did not see my kill but I got to see the dogs again. I do not want to leave!
Coming home more excitement. This time the lions. Three females and two teenage cubs they were on the move and hunting. We followed them for quite a while off road and they were heading straight into a large herd of buffalo. Problem is there were only three lionesses and the cubs would be no help. But there was an old buffalo standing alone and our odds were good they would attempt a kill. All the vehicles were going nuts changing position hoping for a kill.
It looked promising but not to be the buffalo escaped and the lions laid down. We watched them looking longingly at the buffalo but too risky for them go into a big herd. It was time to leave and head in for breakfast and our flight to Madikwe.
Mala Mala is a hard act to follow but last group Madikwe delivered on some great sightings. Hopefully it will do so again. We need the cheetahs and those roaring big Kalahari lions, some jackals and brown hyena to put the icing on the cake.
MADIKWE
We arrived at Madikwe after a two hour flight. Our first game drive was slow. Some zebra, and two rhinos we followed to the water to watch them drink. Of course they got behind a big bush.
The day was all about a leopard in a tree with a kill from last night. Leopards are the holy grail at Madikwe. Seldom seen they are slowly getting them habituated. So only one vehicle at a time and if the leopard is calm two vehicles. So we all spent a lot of time just driving around waiting for our turn. The other vehicle got to see the leopard move the kill higher into the tree.
For those on zebra two Clive did his wine tasting in the lounge and it was much more comfortable than doing that in the bush. Tomorrow he is doing a whiskey or scotch tasting. Not my cup of tea but I know some of this group will like that.
Our roaring lions are right now in the North and the cheetahs are in the South. So hopefully they will move closer to our area or as Joe says " we will have to go find those big boys"
