Imfolozi October 2013

Mum, Dad, Gwen and I set off to Imfolozi Reserve on 29th September, we had six days of drifting around the pristine bush to look forward to.

Our first encounter with Ellie was on our way to Mpila camp, a HUGE bull who was having his evening dinner on the road to Mpila Camp.  We had about an hour and half in traffic waiting for him to move off the road.  A call of nature from Mum had us doing a turn about and heading back to Umbondwe Picnic Site for a loo.  On return to the Mpila road, the Ellie was still munching his way up the road, at one stage he trashed a small tree into the road which Reserve staff had to remove before the traffic could move forward.  At about 6pm we eventually reached the camp and settled into very newly renovated two bed chalets.

Monday we did the Sontuli Loop, this trip was very unproductive as far as animals were concerned, I think that most critters had headed towards Masinda Lodge area where the grass which had been burnt during winter was starting to show lovely green shoots.  Bhejane hide was closed for construction of walk way and water system was being replaced, made Ellie proof.

Tuesday we took a trip up north, at Masinda area we watched White-backed Vulture and Lappet-Faced Vulture feast on a Rhino Carcass, this Rhino died during a capture effort.  One of the Lappet-Faced Vultures was tagged H013 was tagged at Gqoyeni-basin, HiP on the 9th of October 2010.  

Lappet-Faced Vulture H013

We spent time at Siwa-Samikhosikazi picnic site then came back via the Maqanda loop, we saw lots of Rhino and four very lazy Lion, who had apparently killed a Buffalo the previous day.

We also went to Maphumalo area and the following day did the Sontuli loop again.

Giraffe have a fight

Mum kept tabs on the animals which we saw each day, I think the tally was fourteen mammals daily. We did not see Wild Dogs, Cheetah or Leopard, but we did see Warthog, Baboon, Monkey, Lion, Buffalo, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Kudu, Impala, Water Buck, Nyala, Rhino, Hyaena and Ellie every day.

This Tawny Eagle had a very full crop after feeding on a rabbit road kill. I used the Lynx Bird Ticks to submit a SABAP2 incidental list.

Is this Village Weaver version of a block of flats?
Imfolozi I will be back............................ so watch this space!!