CarlaM, When you are there would you mind asking how much it cost them to set up and what the annual budget is for keeping it up? I LOVE this site and would like to raise money/sponsorship toward another webcam installed in E.A.

Khakif,
Not a problem. I was just reading this thread and maybe Predator Biologist has some answers for you:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34853864

On my recent rip to Mashatu, I specifically asked about the pond.

They do not conduct any drives to the pond which I thought was a shame. Apparently they dont want to scare animals from the waterhole. WTF!!! There is an artificial waterhole right next to the tented camp and it attracts all sorts of animals. If these animals arent scared off the waterhole, I dont see why those, further down the reserve would be.

I had discussions about this with the guides and the camp manager and was surprised when a guide admitted that the the camera (and perhaps the pond ) is a marketing ploy to get Mashatu recognised.

Mashatu is worth a visit anyways.

Amol,
I have been reading on the cyberdiary that they visit Pete's Pond...see Sept 3rd.

http://www.mashatu.tv/diary_Sept08.htm

Also, the NG trips include it also:

http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/n...rica/trip.html

Did you stay at the tented camp? Who was your guide? What did you see?

Hi Carla

Something certainly doesnt add up. We were categorically told that there were no visits to Petes pond, yet the diary states othewise. I am going to write to Mashatu to get a clarification on this.

We were guided by Jake. Would recommend him, subject to the answers I get on visits to Petes Pond.

Update on this.

I wrote to Mashatu last night highlighting my concern about not being allowed to visit Petes pond.

I have received a reply from Pete le Roux, the Pete behind 'Pete's' pond stating that since the camera has gone live in August, they do not allow game drives to visit the pond to avoid 'on camera' disturbances. There are exceptions however. Visitors on National Geographic expeditions OR people who explicitly request a visit to the pond are granted this request via a visit to the hide at the pond. I certain fit into the second category, so should have been granted a visit. He has apologised.

While I appreciate the quick response and his honesty on this matter, I cant help feeling that 'marketing the reserve', is the driving factor behind the pond and camera. I suspect increasing numbers of guests are going to be attracted to Mashatu in the future due to this camera and visits to the pond will either have to be routine or closed off altogether.

That is interesting to know amol. Thanks for taking the time away from your new assignment and working on your photos to write to them. I am still interested in what you DID see

(I do notice when watching the Africam that "sometimes" when the Jeep pulls up to the waterhole the animals decide to "exit...stage left&quot

At Mashatu, I hope to do the ellie and leopard research drive along with visiting the hide/Pete's Pond, since we will have 6 days there in July.

Ellies

the ellies are trumpeting and running..wonder what caused that?! I thought I heard a hyena whooping in the background.

Ellies are coming back to the pond now but there is still alot of trumpeting going on in the background and I definitely hear hyena whooping. Very exciting. Hope the baby ellie is ok

Lots of ellies now with an amazing lightening storm in the background!

Baby ele fell into the pond. What panic trying to get him out.

Wow, alot of action at the pond this evening.

Here is the link to all that was going on for those that missed it:

http://forums.ngm.com/forums/1/145118/ShowThread.aspx

That little one is so cute! There is also an ellie that broke its leg awhile ago that has managed to survive (photo of it here too)

More ellies...trumpeting too!

WOW! I just counted over 61 including the very cute newborn! AMAZING!

Oh happy day! \/

Too many ellies to count now!

OK all you ellie lovers...here they come again!

Just got a good look at the one with the broken leg....

lots of youngsters!

Ellies have arrived!

Well, I am convinced Mashatu is definitely the place to see ellies...here they come again!