KayeN, my ranger was Rob Scott and tracker Inyati.
Good going Carla, hooking up with Cindy and making for sure plans!!!!!
regards - tom

Hi Carla

I have just looked up when I shall be at MalaMala, and I arrive 15 June and leave 10 July 2008, which is so long to wait, luckily I will have a trip inbetween then and now!

Tom, not sure I know Rob Scott - but rangers seem to come and go all the time now, so not surprising!

Kind regards

Kaye

KayeN, I asked and I think was told the average ranger employment is around two years. I know the rangers I had in 2005 and 2006 have both left and are in London in the financial industry, according to Rob S. who knows both of them. Must be the most fun being in ranger training. The zebra kill I saw the Styx pride eating later was witnessed at about midnight by new rangers who were out learning the roads.

regards - tom

Hi Tom

I am not surprised, that they only stick around for two years or so - a shame really as you just get to know one, and then he has moved on!

They all do seem to know if other or have mutual friends. I even get to hear snippets of info from one of my best ever rangers, Chris Daphne!

I have never heard of ranger training at midnight, but yes, that would be a good bit - though I think there are a lot of not so good bits, as in any job I guess!

Kind regards

Kaye

KayeN, I have started a new post but looks like you leave on the 10th and we arrive on the 10th. Maybe we can wave to each other for a minute :)

So you won't be in Mashatu on the Jun/July trip? That will be in Dec/Jan?

Hi Carla

Yes, I do leave on 10 July, and going home I now leave around 9am as I now catch a flight to Johannesburg from KMIA or whatever the big airport nearby is! This way I get an extra gamedrive in, plus a mini gamedrive on the morning of departure!

Yes, I am doing Mashatu when I have a niece with me, which will be January 2009.

Kind regards

Kaye

13moons, did you have any luck?

I like following Styx pride too Kaye. Hope I get to see them in person next year!

So, here is a list of rangers from the MM website (Feb 2007).
http://www.malamala.com/rangers.htm

I recognize some of the names from the photos and from trip reports and some new names in recent trip reports are not listed here. So it's anyone's guess who will be there next year. Should we put in a request now or wait?

I've been Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, and can recomend them all. Cooler temps and longer drives in winter, greener and more birds in summer. Best trip we ever had for game viewing was Jan 2006, so you never know.

Hope Jan 2008 fits the bill!

Hi Kaye,

Just caught up with the cyberdiary. Wasn't there 14 dog pups not so long ago? Seems like only 11 at the moment?

Noticed the big male lions have moved in. I really would like to see them again. Last year, they were in splitup groups, having feasted on buffalo just before my visit to Exeter.

Rgds,
Hari

Hi Carla

Only once have I requested a ranger, and that was Chris Daphne back in May 2003. Because so many rangers come and go, and also I change rangers every 6 days or so, I get the chance to be in quite a few different vehicles. I have never been disappointed in a ranger, absolutely never! They are young, very enthusiastic and aim to please, so for me, I cannot go wrong - last trip I had 4 - Andrew, Nico, Nic and Bruce and while different they were all great and of course try to outdo each other, which is only good news for me! I would happily have the same again, but I leave it to them as I do not know who be there at Xmas.

Hi Hari,

Yes, apparently they have lost a few pups, but 11 is still good! So keeping my fingers crossed that I see them at the end of the year!

I am not so sure I want to see the Eyrefield Males at MM - they have caused death and destruction in other parts of the Sabi Sands, and I hate to think of them killing any of the Eyrefield Pride Females or the Styx Pride Females, especially with the Eyrefield Pride having such small cubs. I agree that they would be an impressive sight to behold, and I last saw them at Londolozi in December 2005. You just have to remember the might of the West Street Males, and I only ever saw 3 not the 5, and they were all sired by these males.

The last cyberdiary had so much good viewing in, that it makes me green with envy just thinking about it!

Kind regards

Kaye

Kaye - it all happened right after I left - imagine how green I am.

Hi Matt

You are right! To have just missed it is far worse!

Those lucky rangers though! Pay off for all the hard work there are put through by many guests!

Kind regards

Kaye

GREAT NEWS!

The 9th missing lion cub was found and reunited with the pride!!! =D>

http://www.malamala.tv/diary.htm