A year gone................

Madikwe - Photos of 2012

Here are a couple of photos from this past year which I have taken in Madikwe Game Reserve. I will be posting more along the way.

The stare of a young lion cub.

Sundowners in Madikwe.

A dazzle of zebra near Vlei Pan.

This pan, where these zebra are drinking, is an absolute magnet for game, this is due to it being very dry at the moment and that we have not had any rain since April this year. Most mid-mornings general game can be seen here in their hundreds, from impala, wildebeest, red hartebeest, tsetsebe, elephant and many other species. If you are lucky enough, spotted hyena, lion or even leopard may be spotted here.

At the moment vulnerable.

This year alone South Africa has had close to 400 Rhino poached and counting........ I will post more pictures of Rhino that have being seen whilst on game drives and walks, whilst at the Morukuru Family, in Madikwe Game Reserve

Young cub approaching game viewer.

This young cub is part of a litter of four cubs. This picture was taken a few months ago, and now this little guy is around four months old. Since then the other female in the pride has also had three cubs, which are about 3 months old

Listen..........

Spot the lioness.

This is a scene that may unfold if you are patient at waterholes. Look carefully and you will see how well the lioness conceals herself in the grass. This was on a day drive that we went on. At Morukuru Family, we try do day drives in the winter months as the day time temperatures are generally no more than about 20 -25 degrees C. The outcome of this picture was a lucky escape for the zebras.....

1960's style photograph.

This male is part of a coalition of three males, who hold the territory in the north-east of the Madikwe Game Reserve. Unfortunately one of the males was killed by poachers who had just poached a rhino.The lion came into contact with the poachers, obviously being inquisitive about the situation, and in doing so was shot and killed by the poachers. Very unfortunate situation for the lion. Hopefully the remaining two males will get revenge on a poacher or two........

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

Trip to Mecula Mountain

On the 26^th October, 6 Americans arrived for a 10-night stay here at Lugenda Wilderness Camp. They came geared to the roof with camera equipment. Of the six, four of them it was a first time experience here in Africa. They didn’t see lion or leopard, but they were definitely entertained by elephant, baboons, monkeys, hippo and many of the other game that is to be seen here in Niassa National Reserve. Tsetse flies kept them awake all the time whilst on the vehicle, but on a few occasions, the odd nodder did occur!!!

Large elephant bull feeding.

"Hippo Pools"

Well this is the account of a trip we did up the “Great Mecula Mountain”. Mecula Mountain has the highest peak in the Niassa National Reserve. Peaking at around 1400m above sea level.

It was going to be a daunting and exciting journey for all of us, including Carri, and myself as it was going to be our first time up the mountain too. We had heard many stories about the getting there, and how difficult it was going to be and how cold it is up there. Well every word of those stories were true.

It was 31st October, and in the USA, it’s better known as “Halloween”. So what was going to be expected on top of the mountain!!!

A few days before we had discussed the possibility of using 2 days to go with the guests up the mountain. So after a good few days trying to get the “best” shot at a hippo, getting great sunset shots and even photos of a Flapped necked Chameleon, everyone was keen on the idea of getting to the top of Mecula.

Flap-necked Chameleon.

Mecula Mountain - Middle peak is our destination.

The “Great Trek” had started. Firstly we had to get all the equipment that we were going to need for the 2 days. This included bedrolls, chairs, and tables, cooking equipment; ice, which we knew, would run out, food and plenty of refreshments and water. Plenty water was a necessity, as we would be in open vehicles all the time. We made sure that there was enough “G &T’s” also packed, as we would be in need of those at the end of the day.

Vehicle packed and ready to go.

By the time we got going, we were 3 vehicles in convoy and six Lugenda staff, including Carri and myself. It honestly did look like an expedition that “Stanley” would have done; only difference is that now we had Land cruisers to help us along. We set off by 08h40, a bit later than we would of liked, and by the time we reached the Niassa Head Quarters around 12h00, already one vehicle had 4 flat tyres. We decided to stop here and have lunch, so Carri got that sorted, while some of the others and I, helped out with repairing flat tyres. Once through all that and every one had had a bite to eat and something to drink we headed on again.

Carri, Skeeter and Tome packing up after lunch. - Photo by Doyle Allen

Getting tyres repaired. - Photo by Doyle Allen

On the way we managed to get a quick glimpse of the some Bohm’s Zebra and an old bull buffalo, which was looking like he was on last limbs, as he looked very thin. The road was put in many years ago, but had not being driven on for a few months already. Fires had being through the area, which made driving a lot easier as there was no long grass to contend with to. We got to the base of the mountain after about 40 minutes then started the climb. The first part was ok with us going through small pockets of bamboo thickets and rocky areas. Then the climbing started. The first climb was the worst. I went through, and great that these vehicles have 4 wheel drive and diff-lock, as without diff-lock you battle, as was seen in the second vehicle. We eventually had 4 of us heavy waits on the front to give it more traction. This session took us a while, but in the end we all got through.

Inspecting a dodgy bridge. - Photo by Doyle Allen

Crossing the dodgy bridge. - Photo by Doyle Allen

Getting up the worst climb. - Photo by Bryan Allen

Manual labour needed to get this one up. - Photo by Bryan Allen

Over-heating problems at the top of a bad incline. - Photo by Bryan Allen

By the time we got to the top, we had to cut a few fallen trees out the way and with my vehicle having a over-heating problem we eventually made it to the top, at around 16h50, in time for the guests to get some good sunset shots. All in all it was a 9 hour trip getting there.

We then got unpacking, with everyone helping. Some of us went looking for water to us for a small bath, as we did not have enough for that, whilst the others set up tables and bedrolls and got the food on the go. We even had freshly made bread done on the top of the mountain. Dinner was a braai, including boerewors, eland steaks, fresh bread, potatoes and onions in tinfoil on the fire and a salad. Dessert was just more warm gin and tonics as the ice had already melted away, red wine, cheese and biscuits and a chocolate or 2.

Little Issa making bread for dinner. - Photo by Doyle Allen

Preparing for a round of drinks. - Photo by Doyle Allen

Looking west.

Our staff.

Dinner is ready.

Time to relax and think of the day gone by.

Next morning we were up early, some went for a stroll around the mountain taking photos. It felt like we needed more time on the mountain to explore a bit, as the forest and natural springs called for more exploration. Bird life is fantastic up here given some time!!! There were signs of buffalo, elephant and zebra on top.

"THE CAMERA EQUIPMENT"

We got breakfast going, which consisted of coffee, tea, cookies, toast and scrambled egg and bacon mixed. After that we then got packed up and then started for the decent. It was a lot easier to get down the mountain, and it was also done in a shorter time. We encountered one puncture, which was before we even left, but there were no other mechanical issues for the return journey back to Lugenda.

Our sleeping quarters. - Photo by Bryan Allen

Our Breakfast view!

 

Carri and I had just woken up.

Rustling up some bacon.

Breakfast with a view. - Photo by Bryan Allen

We arrived back at Lugenda around 14h00 and had a good clean and lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, as many hours were spent in the sun, so being in the shade was a great relief.

Getting ready for the great downhill drive.

All down in one piece.

One of the last mornings I had a few takers for the morning safari. So we decided to try and follow up on the buffalo tracks that we had seen close to the camp the afternoon before. Well once onto the freshest tracks we used the wind to great advantage and did a big circle around the herd. This was the best thing we did as the breeze that morning was not great at all for walking into game.

Once ahead of the herd we then decided to climb one of the near by inselbergs and waited there for them. We waited about 5 minutes, when the herd started to appear from the Miombo woodland into a small clearing in front of us. They had no idea that we were there, until the front part of the herd picked our sent up from where we had crossed on the path that they were moving along. That automatically spooked them. Turning a whole 180 degrees, they charged off about 20meters then stopped and turned again to face their original direction. They hung around for about ten to fifteen minutes when they decided to move on again. What a great sighting, especially to see them just moving as a group, without them knowing that we were there.

Buffalo. - Photo by Doyle Allen

Buffalo on the move. - Photo by Doyle Allen

All in all a great trip was had by all, and having such great company always makes for a great time!!!

I would just like to say thanks Bryan Allen and his Father for the use of some of the pictures they took on this trip, which are used in this post.