Bush Walk 23 April

Booked a bush walk as a birthday present to self

Up at 04h30 to meet at 05h00 for departure. Left in the total darkness and travelled north and turned onto the  s129  just as the sun was rising, drove another 5 km where we parked the game viewing vehicle. We were briefed and instructed on the rules and regulations of the walk, absolute silence at all times other than when the guide says so, single file, total obedience to what the guide instructs, under no circumstances must you run, only when instructed to take cover… must you get behind a tree or ant hill. After all this is big 5 country and dangerous.

With all of us now suitable terrified and ready to take cover behind the first tree, which seemed an awful long way away, we set off with the two armed guides in front and me bringing up the rear carrying the radio and first aid back pack, further slowing me down. I purposely chose this group because I reasoned that all I had to be able to do was run faster than the slowest person in the group, because surely when the Elephant chased it would catch the slowest person. My plan ruined, not allowed to run, in the rear, weighed down with binocs. Camera and back pack, oldest in the group by far, no cel phone to call for help these were my thoughts as we trudged along out of sight of the vehicle.

Off We go

Our first stop was to observe a Golden Orb spider on its nest, which Dingaan our guide explained was harmless, he also took the opportunity to tell us we would see some animals but the walk was more an experience of the sights and sounds and the smaller things which you don’t see from a vehicle. Every few meters there seemed to be a Golden Orb spider nest strung between the bushes.

More settled and into the walk, we saw very few game, a couple of  Impala, Bushbuck,

Grey Duiker. Our guide showing us spoor of Lion and the place they had stopped and spent some time, very fresh and probably an hour old. He showed us several columns of Army ants and told us about them. We also went onto of a huge termite hill and showed us the vent, it was unbelievable the heat coming out of it.

 

We stopped to mark our territory and have some Juice and a snack before setting off again.

We found a old Rhino carcass and Buffalo carcass with the bones scattered over a large area.

We saw 2 white rhino with a calf and observed them at a safe distance, the white rhino calf runs in front and the black rhino calf runs behind its mother, just like people, white woman push their babies in front and black woman aba them on their backs at the back….

Somehow our guides navigated back to the vehicle, most of us not having a clue where we were.

a 40 min drive back to camp at 10h30 +- 5 hours.

A great experience with two very professional and knowledgeable guides.

A Jackal on the drive back to Lower Sabie