PREDATORS and MORE....

Pictures from the month of August 2011, in the Morukuru area as well as Madikwe Game Reserve. We have being very busy with guests this past August, and we have managed to get a some good pictures, as well as share these special moments with people who have come from far. Sightings of lions on kills; a female leopard with her two sub-adult cub; up to 20 rhino sightings in a 4 day period; 8 month old lion cubs; Yellow morph of the Crimson-breasted Shrike, which is a must for "twitchers"; herds of up to 30 and more elephants; big herds of plains game such as zebra, wildebeest, impala, giraffe and the list can go on. We are really spoilt here for game viewing.

Lioness coming down from a tree.

Interesting to watch these Hornbills, as they scratch through dried elephant dung. Termites are feeding on the dry grass, leaf and branch material, that has pased through the stomachs of elephants. Elephants have a very poor digestive system, so there is always something for others to feed on. In this scenario, termites feeding then getting fed on by the Hornbill. 

Yellow-billed Hornbill feeding on termites.

Paws.....



African Wild Dog.

  These African Wild Dogs managed to chase this female impala, but it unfortunately ran into the river and drowned over night. Early the next morning they were still hanging around the area and the impala was still in the water, so we managed to drag it out of the water, and leave it on the side of the road. They were very tentitive at first, to start feeding, but once they got stuck in, it was all over within 40 minutes!!!


African Wild Dogs feeding on an impala.

  These four lions with the help of two others managed to catch an eland cow, which lasted all but one day. Eland being the heaviest of the antelope family in Africa. They may weigh in at an impressive 600-800kg!!!

On the move.....

Fires in Madikwe were quite hectic this past month.



Lioness and cub. The other 4 were on their way!!



White Rhino and calf.



Lion cub, but in two years time it will be a killing machine!!



Burchell's Zebra.

 

Blue Wildebeest.

 

Adult Male Lion.

 Will post more pictures as soon as I can. Until next time enjoy.
Cheers
Andrew.

New Beginnings – Madikwe Game Reserve



Very relaxed young leopard.


We have moved back to Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa. Very different place to where we have just come from, none the less a beautiful reserve.

One of the originals, who is no longer!

We are going to be working at Morukuru Lodge, in the eastern section of the reserve. It is owned by one of the private land owners.

I am not going to say much more, except to give you a taste of the area and its surroundings from the time that I was there between 2002 and 2007.



Black-backed Jackal.

 

 


Highest point in Madikwe, Twene Twene.











 





Giraffe with youngster.



Out on walk.

 

Mating lions.

 

          



Brown Hyena.





Mmmmm...



You will just have to wait for new posts in the coming months!!!

                                                                   

Medjumbe Island - another Paradise Island

Just before we left Pemba, Northern Mozambique, we were lucky enough to go to one of Rani Resorts other properties, Medjumbe Island.

Flying past Ibo Island Fort.

Situated off the coast of Northern Mozambique, in the Quirimbas Archipelago, this little island is a gem!!!  A real  “Couples Retreat” if you know what I mean!!! Only about 800 meters in length and 300 meters in width, it is quite interesting when you come into land.

Medjumbe Island.

  

Final approach!!!

Anyway Carri and I had a great time there. We spent three nights, and even thought that another two nights would have being great.

There is a lot to do, from deep sea fishing, diving, snorkelling, walking on the beach, swimming, kayaking, fishing from  the shore and even some good bird photography with all the Western Reef Herons that are there and all the different species of Terns that are feeding and cleaning themselves at the end of the sand spit, at low and high tide. You can even do nothing on the island if you really wanted to!!!

The room.



View from your room!!!!



The staff were great, and the food was incredible, and being on an island, seafood was plentiful. For more information on the island you can go to their website:  www.medjumbe.com

Here are a few other pictures.



With a view like this,who would want to leave!!

Welcome!!!

Relaxation at its best.

Endless beach and ocean!!

Terns.

A very big thank you, Rani Resorts, for the past four years. It was great working in the company and have experienced something alot of people will never experience.

Leaving Lugenda

Hi All

Myself and Carri have left Lugenda Wilderness Camp. We are very sad to leave, but in the same line looking forward to a new adventure where ever it may take us in the African bush.
I will be doing a last post for Lugenda, and then will be changing a few things on the blog site. That you will have to just wait and see.
Don't worry there will still be stories and photos, which will still keep you following.

Cheers for now
Andrew