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Kaye's Photos - MalaMala - 16.12.07 - 10.1.08

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Kaye's Photos - MalaMala - 16.12.07 - 10.1.08

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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 05:05 AM
  #21  
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Hi jackssid1

It is not a question I am usually asked, but I do not mind you asking.

I am not speaking for the whole of the Sabi Sands, as I only now go to one place within the Sabi Sands, MalaMala.

I absolutely love going to MalaMala as I am passionate about wildlife and photography. I go twice a year usually, and I spend my whole time there. I love knowing the history of the cats and their family background - I only started going to MM in September 2001, so I am now seeing leopards and lions having babies, that I saw as babies!

Having a great love of animals, I also like rangers treating animals with respect and to remember that at the end of the day, the animals and their safety should come first and that is certainly something that I see at MalaMala, and not something that I have always seen in my other African country travels.

Wildlife viewing is my top priority - as long as I am comfortable and I am fairly well fed, I am a very happy person. I do not expect great gameviewing every gamedrive, and that is the beauty of being interested in everything - birds, reptiles and all the little things. Unlike some on this board, I absolutely do not believe that MM is zoo like, with animals on demand - quite the opposite sometimes!

Hope that answers what you were asking!

Kind regards

Kaye

Kind regards

Kaye
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 05:31 AM
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Kaye

Just looking at these great shots with our safari buddies, the Spellar's who we are visiting in Florida for the weekend. Just love all those Lion's and Leopards. Wonderful to see so many old friends, just over 9 weeks until we are there.

Glad you had a wonderful trip.

Matt
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 05:36 AM
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Hi Kaye

That is exactly the answer I was looking for. I have had many a debate about the Sabi Sands (in general) with guests and especially with other in my industry. I have to say that I have worked in many places and none has compared to the Sabi Sands. I will not go into detail about the whole zoo thing people often try to mention but I will say that it was one of the wildest places I ever felt. Yes I know that Hoedspruit is not very far away and neither is Nelspruit but the fact there were strict rules made the differencr. I remember I would stop for sundowners and no other vehicles could pass me. Also while looking for game I would announce what area I was in and there were only a limited number of vehicles allowed in that area and sightings etc. Many people mistake the word remote with wild. Anyway there is much I have to say about the Sabi Sands in general and I will see if anyone comments on this.
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 06:56 AM
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Thats exactly why I am buying a property there. (Kruger area) Just cannot make up my mind at the moment as to which one.
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 07:11 AM
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KayeN
I cannot put my email here as I am involved in the industry. Can you perhaps give me an email which I can use.
Thanks
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 07:47 AM
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Hi Kaye,
Lack of sun obviously didn't affect your sightings. Great photos. I enjoyed all of them but especially the lion and leopard cubs and other youngsters. My favorites have to be the Styx pride cubs, they are so young.

I have used the Express Upload on Kodak Gallery before, though not in a while. As I recall it was simple to use and before the upload actually started it listed the necessary computer requirements.

Thanks again for posting the photos.
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 08:36 AM
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KayeN
HariS will be our go between .
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 12:45 PM
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Great pics Kay! Loved seeing the snakes! The cubs have sure grown since October! Thanks!
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 01:39 PM
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GTG at Safarichat's new place, wherever it ends up!

Kaye, Plans to go back?
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 05:37 PM
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Hi everyone

Matt - Thanks, I was really pleased to see all those cubs - hope most survive, though highly doubtful with all new males coming from the north and the south and the older Rollercoaster Male having to protect both prides - an enormous task! I did have a really great trip!

Jackssid1 - I thought you may have been on for a fight! Some people, on this chatline, do go on about the Sabi Sands being zoo like, and I thought maybe you were one! Luckily I was wrong - it is such an absurd statement it does not require a response! Were you or are you a ranger?

Hi Dana - thank-you. The lack of sun didn't affect the sightings, but the cold and windy days did! I still want to find where the animals all go - they have to be somewhere!

Dennis - the cubs were great and I am so pleased that 9 are still alive! Everytime we saw them my heart would stop beating until I counted 9. They have a long hard road ahead of all of them, as do those lionesses having to feed them as they get bigger!

Safarichat - not sure how Hari comes into it but as I have nothing to do with the industry my email address is kayenicholsonatbigponddotcom

Lynn Lynn Lynn - of course I shall be returning to MalaMala - 2 trips booked this year - one in June/July and the other in Dec/Jan 09. I shall be by myself for the June trip and an 18 yr old niece shall join me at the end of the year and for the first time I shall go to Mashatu in the middle of our MM trip, something I am really looking forward to!

Kind regards

Kaye
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 06:54 PM
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Hi Kaye,

I really enjoyed your pictures. I particularly liked the series of the Eyrefield pride with the lionesses and the Rollercoaster male returning to the cubs. I guess a lot of people are most looking forward to the leopards and cheetahs (more elusive and certainly beautiful), but I find the social interaction of the lions fascinating. I'm sure you are already looking forward to your next trip!
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Old Jan 20th, 2008, 07:15 PM
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Hi Kaye

I was a ranger a number of years back. I always stick up for the Sabi Sands and after chatting to many guests I send a lot of business that way. It is simply about the way people perceive things and once I explain this it changes the whole outlook.
Here is an interesting point which is fact. The rangers (field guides) in the Sabi Sands get half the salary of anywhere else. That is the only reason I left because as you get older you need the bank to see a higher salary on paper rather then in tips. The reason...it is because it is the prime job to land if you want the best guiding job on earth for pure exposure to big 5 animals.

Seems I got banned again that is why jackssid!

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Old Jan 21st, 2008, 06:58 AM
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Hi Kaye
Thanks, I have sent you an email. Much appreciated.

atravelyn
That would be a great idea. I am not looking to buy a commercial place but rather a small place of my own where I can just be in the Garden of Eden. It has been a life long dream of mine and I am pretty close now. When I do buy it I will have no problem in having a couple of Fodorites at a time over for a visit at no cost.
This time next week I will be in Kruger at Lower Sabi Camp for 3 nights and then at Tamboti Camp for 1 night before going to a very special place in the Thornybush Game Reserve. I was there in December with 1 Fodorite and this place is great as we had it all to ourselves and this time, being my birthday, it is just me and my partner with our own landrover, guide and tracker.
Uh Uh, power just went off and ran outside to start the generator. I love Africa, its so cool.
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Old Jan 21st, 2008, 06:00 PM
  #34  
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Hi Brandywine

Yes, absolutely I am already looking forward to my next trip! This past trip due to some of the colder days, and with the cubs in such numbers, we did see a lot more interaction which was great - you quickly get over watching a lion sleeping for an extended period of time!

Safarichat

I shall respond to your email when I get home from work! Enjoy your upcoming trip and have a great birthday!

jackssid

I did not know that about the Sabi Sands rangers! I am also not sure why you are being banned again?

Kind regards

Kaye
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Old Jan 21st, 2008, 06:06 PM
  #35  
 
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I am excited about your trip to Mashatu....It will be worth the trip. Will you fly to Polokowane or directly to Limpopo?

Are you going to stay at the Main Camp?
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Old Jan 22nd, 2008, 02:52 AM
  #36  
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Hi scootr29

I am also excited about my trip to Mashatu even though it is nearly a year away!

We fly from and return to MalaMala and I know we make one stop for fuel, not sure where.

Yes, we will be at Main Camp - in January someone told me that airconditioning would be a plus.

Kind regards

Kaye
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Old Jan 22nd, 2008, 07:13 AM
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Kaye,
Wonderful that Mashatu will be part of your plans.

Jackssid2,
Interesting fact on the Sabi Sands and MM Ranger pay. No wonder that place skews young. Hope your purchasing plans work out!
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Old Jan 22nd, 2008, 06:16 PM
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Hi Kaye,

I was chatting with the manager of Rattray's and he spent some time at Mashatu prior to MM and spoke very highly about the gameviewing there. Also did mention great guiding and tracking.

Don't know if i have mentioned this before - but, my absolute favourite Botswana guide first started out at Mashatu prior to moving on ..... so, Mashatu is a must-do on my list - Hopefully, soon ....

Rgds
Hari
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Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 08:18 AM
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Hari my wife and I really enjoyed our stay at Mashatu and we want to go back soon. I would love to do 3 days at Mashatu and then head to the delta for 3-4 days.

Scott
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Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 11:46 AM
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=D> =D> =D> Great photos Kaye!

I have already looked at them 3 times today. If I wasn't already beside myself with excitement for our upcoming trip to Mala Mala and Mashatu, you have just taken it to a new level.

So the Styx pride has 4 cubs, I wasn't sure if it was 3 or 4 until I saw your photos.

So, so many babies you saw, wonderful!

Thank you for sharing. I can't wait to show my family and friends your photos.

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