
Friday was another great day in African wildlife spotting and fantastic photo opportunities (about 800 pictures and counting).
Allen, our guide, suggested we do a walk in the area near one of the water holes, because many species of wildlife will visit the waterhole during the day.. The walk began with lots of information about the trees, tracks, scat and how types of wildlife will approach and use the water hole. After 30 minutes we looked back to discover two Rhinos were between us and our vehicle. While in the vehicle, you are safe. When in the open, the rhinos perceive you as a threat. Our guide made sure we stayed quite and carefully walked us around a long detour. The rhinos watched us closely. Allen was armed with a very large rifle, so we had one line of defense, but I think everyone was secretly picking out a tree they could climb if the rhinos charged. It was probably the same tree so it would have a mad scramble if they had charged. They didn't and we made it back to our vehicle.


Next we came across a "border feud" between four male cheetahs at the fence bordering the Zulu Nyala preserve and the Phinda preserve. The two male brothers on the Zulu Nyala side were staring through the fence at the two male brothers from the Phinda side. Apparently the males like to expand their territory and a third brother from the Phinda side had made it through the fence a couple of months before and was killed by the Zulu Nyala cheetahs. The blood feud continues. The cheetahs on both sides were growling at each other, the nap of their fur was turned up and they were moving along the fence, climbing trees (which is unusual) and marking their territory with what seemed to be an endless amount of urine. It was fascinating show to watch. And unfortunately it was similar to some human behavior.



Our afternoon drive found some great birds, a far off sighting of Cape Buffalo and the now ho-hum sightings of nyala, impala, rhino, monkey, kudu, red duikar etc. The highlight was finding a mother cheetah with her 4 month old cubs. We were able to get within 40 feet and watch them play like regular kittens. The mortality rate of cubs is very high, but these cubs looked healthy and fit.



We capped off our game drive with some elephants moving through a savanna to a water hole. It was at dark, so no pictures. We were very close and the sights and sounds of the elephants sucking up water through their trunk and pouring it down their throats made a good show
The drive to the lodge was in the dark. Our big scare came when a giraffe jumped out of the bush onto the road, immediately in front of our vehicle. We are talking no more than 10 feet away. It was a fast hard stop to avoid either the giraffe or us becoming the victim.
Now back to the Zulu Nyala lodge and a little review of the accomodations. The staff is friendly, the guides are fantastic and the buffet food is tolerable. The rooms might be another story. While Mary and I can get the room temperature to a reasonably comfortable level and the hot water in the shower and the insects are at a tolerable level, not everyone has fared as well. Our friends, Rich and Jean are now in their 4th room. They now have one of the top of the line rooms for the lodge and it is looking good. If you are looking for the top of the line accommodations, this would not be the place to come. If you are looking for a good experience, I would rate it high.



Saturday Morning
Another game drive. This time it had been reported that 3 adult cheetahs and 4 cubs were together near one of the preserve boundaries. Heading to that site, our guide got the report that the Black Rhino had been found dead and one of the White Rhinos was being tracked by one of the guides because he was leaving a trail of blood. This was a major event in the preserve. The Black Rhino is an endangered species with fewer than a thousand remaining in the world. The visual autopsy indicated that it had been a fight between the two and the black rhino had lost. The guides were in mourning.


Subsequently we made it to the Cheetahs and got a great show. The mother and the two males were on the Zulu Nyala side of the fence and the cubs had gone through the fence. Apparently the mother felt the cubs were in danger from the males and she was trying to get the males to move away so she could bring her cubs back through the fence. The sounds being made by the mother, the male brothers and the cubs was fascinating. The mothering instinct to protect her offspring was in full view.



After two days of cool weather, it has turned hot again. This evening we have a night drive planned with the hopes of spotting hyena, leopard, mongoose and possibly wild dog. No pictures, but looking forward to seeing some shining eyes.
Barbara Jeffries
2010-09-18
Wow!!!!!!!!!!! Who cares about accomodations when you can experience wildlife up close and personal. Thanks for sharing.
Spence
2010-09-18
Great shots, Rod.
Mike Land
2010-09-18
Don't think my 270 would be of much help. Great pictures.
Jeanne Curtis
2010-09-18
Hello from Haiti! At least you can GET hot water! Sounds like a wonderful trip! Travel safe (tell that to the giraffe!). Hugs to you both.
Mike Cohen
2010-09-18
Fascinating, really. Thanks for posting these.
David Klein
2010-09-18
What a great trip! Thanks for sharing
Dave
2010-09-18
Great pics! I'm pretty sure the inland has been covered. Looks like you may have time to head to the coast for some great whites and pirates.
Carol Stawicki
2010-09-18
Absolutely fascinating. Sound like you are having a wonderful time.
Jennie
2010-09-19
What an awesome experience!!!
Kim
2010-09-19
It is a treat to see your pictures so soon after you have seen the real things! Thanks for sharing! Be safe...and as comfortable as possile :-)
Kathy H-G
2010-09-19
OMGoodness! What a show and a slice of all you are experiencing. I look forward to continuing vicariously on this wonderful journey with you all....Thanks, Rod for the gorgeous photos and narrative!
William Paiva
2010-09-20
Thanks Rod for sharing. I saw the same animals on my safari to the Tulsa Zoo, with a Haagen Daz bar in my hand, and my safari ending with a peaceful, bug free nights sleep in my own bed. Are you planning on shooting any of these animals with something other than a camera? Keep the updates coming. William
Patrick de Maynadier
2010-09-21
Thank you, Mary and Rod, fro sharing your experiences while they are fresh and impactful. You have motivated me to want to go.
Stay safe...but continue to take some chances.
-Patrick