Kaye's MalaMala report
Dec 30th, 2007, 05:45 AM
#21
How wonderful that you are writing your own cyberdiary! And you are seeing so many great sites. I am pea green with envy (in a good way!).
You're starting the new year in the perfect spot - let's have a toast over a cup of bush tea
Here's to the bright New Year
And a fond farewell to the old;
Here's to the things that are yet to come
And to the memories that we hold.
You're starting the new year in the perfect spot - let's have a toast over a cup of bush tea
Here's to the bright New Year
And a fond farewell to the old;
Here's to the things that are yet to come
And to the memories that we hold.
Jan 1st, 2008, 12:16 AM
#28
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Hi Everyone,
Thank-you Cindy, Andy, Tom, Carla, Lynn, GrannyJoan and Dennis for your good wishes.
We are having a wonderful time and are having some great gameviewing. The days are so hot now, it is unbelievable that a week ago I was complaining about the Artic winds of MalaMala.
Dennis, they dont't do anything special other than a slightly later dinner, then just counting down the Old Year into the New Year. I stayed up until 12.20am then dragged my niece back to our room, as I am pretty sure she wanted to party on! All I think about is how many hours before we have to get up!
A few days ago, I finally got to see the two cubs of the Ngoboswan Female, absolutely wonderful as the cubs are about 2 to 2.5 months old and just beautiful! Not a great view and not great photos but as a viewing I'll take it! The mother moved off after about 10 minutes, then we had to leave soon after, as you can imagine, driving around small cubs would frighten the cubs without the calming effect of the mother!
We missed it, but saw it afterwards - the Ngoboswan Female killed a young wildebeest and had just started when the Bicycle Crossing Male stole it! When we were watching him, a hyena had been milling about but must have realised all of a sudden that the kill was on the ground, as suddenly the male leopard grabbed the baby around the neck and charged up a small tree! Exciting stuff!
Saw mating lions again this morning and last night came across the Rollercoaster Male, who had had a good feed, so was looking better and walking in a really determined fashion, scenting all the time - I felt he was looking for the Styx Pride.
So, that is all for now!
I shall enjoy the rest of my gamedrives, of which the numbers are dwindling, and you all have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Kind regards
Kaye
Thank-you Cindy, Andy, Tom, Carla, Lynn, GrannyJoan and Dennis for your good wishes.
We are having a wonderful time and are having some great gameviewing. The days are so hot now, it is unbelievable that a week ago I was complaining about the Artic winds of MalaMala.
Dennis, they dont't do anything special other than a slightly later dinner, then just counting down the Old Year into the New Year. I stayed up until 12.20am then dragged my niece back to our room, as I am pretty sure she wanted to party on! All I think about is how many hours before we have to get up!
A few days ago, I finally got to see the two cubs of the Ngoboswan Female, absolutely wonderful as the cubs are about 2 to 2.5 months old and just beautiful! Not a great view and not great photos but as a viewing I'll take it! The mother moved off after about 10 minutes, then we had to leave soon after, as you can imagine, driving around small cubs would frighten the cubs without the calming effect of the mother!
We missed it, but saw it afterwards - the Ngoboswan Female killed a young wildebeest and had just started when the Bicycle Crossing Male stole it! When we were watching him, a hyena had been milling about but must have realised all of a sudden that the kill was on the ground, as suddenly the male leopard grabbed the baby around the neck and charged up a small tree! Exciting stuff!
Saw mating lions again this morning and last night came across the Rollercoaster Male, who had had a good feed, so was looking better and walking in a really determined fashion, scenting all the time - I felt he was looking for the Styx Pride.
So, that is all for now!
I shall enjoy the rest of my gamedrives, of which the numbers are dwindling, and you all have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Kind regards
Kaye
Jan 2nd, 2008, 11:24 PM
#30
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Hi everyone,
Had a great day yesterday, as I have finally seen the 2 month old cubs of the Styx Pride - 4 of them! What a wonderful sighting! They are so cute and quite curious! Also briefly saw the tiny cubs of the Ngoboswan Female again yesterday - also very cute and a bit curious, though one hid up in a tree.
Today had a fabulous ele sighting, with a herd of about 20, swimming in the Sand River. The larger babies would completely be underwater and they were obviously having a fantastic time! I have never seen such playful behaviour in the water!
My time at MM, is quickly passing, but again I have been very fortunate in my gameviewing!
Kind regards
Kaye
Had a great day yesterday, as I have finally seen the 2 month old cubs of the Styx Pride - 4 of them! What a wonderful sighting! They are so cute and quite curious! Also briefly saw the tiny cubs of the Ngoboswan Female again yesterday - also very cute and a bit curious, though one hid up in a tree.
Today had a fabulous ele sighting, with a herd of about 20, swimming in the Sand River. The larger babies would completely be underwater and they were obviously having a fantastic time! I have never seen such playful behaviour in the water!
My time at MM, is quickly passing, but again I have been very fortunate in my gameviewing!
Kind regards
Kaye
Jan 5th, 2008, 03:17 AM
#32
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Hi everyone,
Just a quick update.
Last night, we were watching 3 Styx Pride Lionesses walk and play along a road, when they flushed out a duiker. The poor thing had no chance and was finished off by one lioness with the others watching from a distance, as she carried on growling and charging any lioness that got too close.
Also saw another 2 males, Chernobyl Males some call them as one missing an eye and one missing part of his tail.
Still no cheetah, but I did see Hari this morning. We both shared a sighting at a leopard hunting impala, although the leopard was not successful this time.
Kind regards
Kaye
Just a quick update.
Last night, we were watching 3 Styx Pride Lionesses walk and play along a road, when they flushed out a duiker. The poor thing had no chance and was finished off by one lioness with the others watching from a distance, as she carried on growling and charging any lioness that got too close.
Also saw another 2 males, Chernobyl Males some call them as one missing an eye and one missing part of his tail.
Still no cheetah, but I did see Hari this morning. We both shared a sighting at a leopard hunting impala, although the leopard was not successful this time.
Kind regards
Kaye
Jan 5th, 2008, 07:01 PM
#34
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KayeN-
I have really enjoyed your trip report from along the trail, glad to hear you saw the leopard cubs and the Styx cubs-I am confident those elusive Cheetah brothers will show up and wish you well.
Safe journey to you....say hi to the nine lion cubs for me!
ShellCat
I have really enjoyed your trip report from along the trail, glad to hear you saw the leopard cubs and the Styx cubs-I am confident those elusive Cheetah brothers will show up and wish you well.
Safe journey to you....say hi to the nine lion cubs for me!
ShellCat
Jan 6th, 2008, 07:30 AM
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To KayeN, Hari and ellene
You are all together at MM at the moment and my biggest wish for all of you is to see Cheetah. I am holding thumbs and praying it happens not to mention my silent request to throw in the Dogs.
Here's wishing and lets see as you guys have 4 more drives as a collective.
Go For It
You are all together at MM at the moment and my biggest wish for all of you is to see Cheetah. I am holding thumbs and praying it happens not to mention my silent request to throw in the Dogs.
Here's wishing and lets see as you guys have 4 more drives as a collective.
Go For It
Jan 6th, 2008, 11:14 PM
#38
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your good wishes for my future sightings, as my gamedrives are rapidly disappearing. Once I am less than 10, I start to get a little panicky!
Have seen those beautiful Styx lion cubs a few times now, and they are so tiny! The Rollercoaster Male is back with them now, although still looking very bony in the rear.
The 5th Jan brought the Eyrefield Pride back, thankfully with 9 cubs in tow, so great news. They made a kill last night on the airstrip, but just missed it - apparently maimed the male impala and tried to get the cubs to kill it - I think the females stepped in at the end. It is amazing how aggressive the little cubs can be against female adults, but I guess their life depends on it!
Would now like to see the Ngoboswan Female and her cubs in an openish position. But still a few days left, even though the time is going way too quick!
I should not complain, as I am here, at least for the moment.
The cyberdiary is currently on hols and shall be two instalments in one I am told, so will be good to read what I am seeing!
Kind regards
Kaye
Thanks for all your good wishes for my future sightings, as my gamedrives are rapidly disappearing. Once I am less than 10, I start to get a little panicky!
Have seen those beautiful Styx lion cubs a few times now, and they are so tiny! The Rollercoaster Male is back with them now, although still looking very bony in the rear.
The 5th Jan brought the Eyrefield Pride back, thankfully with 9 cubs in tow, so great news. They made a kill last night on the airstrip, but just missed it - apparently maimed the male impala and tried to get the cubs to kill it - I think the females stepped in at the end. It is amazing how aggressive the little cubs can be against female adults, but I guess their life depends on it!
Would now like to see the Ngoboswan Female and her cubs in an openish position. But still a few days left, even though the time is going way too quick!
I should not complain, as I am here, at least for the moment.
The cyberdiary is currently on hols and shall be two instalments in one I am told, so will be good to read what I am seeing!
Kind regards
Kaye
Jan 8th, 2008, 08:22 PM
#39
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Hi all MM fans,
Summary of our gameviewing (Kaye, hope you don't mind this post in your thread .... thanks).
Eyrefield pride - 3 lionesses and cubs
Styx pride - 6 lionesses and 3 cubs.
Saw the rollercoaster male - once with Eyrefield and once with Styx.
The Styx cubs are the tiniest cubs on mobile. I think they just started moving around ..... Styx pride had their eyes on a dagga boy one day, but, lost interest very soon.
As expected 4 or 5 different leopards. But, the known ones we saw were the Manyaleti Male (Yep, he's a champion indeed!!!), the Ngboswan female, the others seen are new to the area.
Lots of tortoises around. Don't think i've seen that many in very few game drives.
My two stand out sightings would be - our Ranger Gordon handling a Rock Python around his shoulders one evening right before camp. A very ultra-relaxed Giant Kingfisher at the bridge - i don't believe i've seen one that relaxed and hadn't had a decent pic of one ..... also, saw a black Mamba cross a road!
Had a couple of good walks, too.
Gordon, our ranger was a very polite/patient/energetic/enthusiastic/knowledgable young man. John our spotter was outstanding! Most importantly, my folks had a good time!!!
Rgds,
Hari
Summary of our gameviewing (Kaye, hope you don't mind this post in your thread .... thanks).
Eyrefield pride - 3 lionesses and cubs
Styx pride - 6 lionesses and 3 cubs.
Saw the rollercoaster male - once with Eyrefield and once with Styx.
The Styx cubs are the tiniest cubs on mobile. I think they just started moving around ..... Styx pride had their eyes on a dagga boy one day, but, lost interest very soon.
As expected 4 or 5 different leopards. But, the known ones we saw were the Manyaleti Male (Yep, he's a champion indeed!!!), the Ngboswan female, the others seen are new to the area.
Lots of tortoises around. Don't think i've seen that many in very few game drives.
My two stand out sightings would be - our Ranger Gordon handling a Rock Python around his shoulders one evening right before camp. A very ultra-relaxed Giant Kingfisher at the bridge - i don't believe i've seen one that relaxed and hadn't had a decent pic of one ..... also, saw a black Mamba cross a road!
Had a couple of good walks, too.
Gordon, our ranger was a very polite/patient/energetic/enthusiastic/knowledgable young man. John our spotter was outstanding! Most importantly, my folks had a good time!!!
Rgds,
Hari
