At last my useless tracking skills came to bear.
I searched for the lions at dawn in the area I’d left them and the buffalo, but didn’t pick up any further sign. I didn’t go looking extensively for them as I HAD to find those elephants.
Climbing the hills near Nduna I found the Erythrina, the one I’d filmed in full flower with sunbirds feeding on the nectar many months ago, was now in full seed. The seed pods are so cool and the bright red seed inside adds brilliant colour.
I searched to the east of the reserve and north with only a few tracks of elephant. But where were the herds? Eventually I decided to head right across to the west, but did a detour via Chekwa pan. Sure enough there they all were. They were coming in from the west so were probably near the Chiredzi river or on the neighbouring reserve for the last few days.
I’m just looking for any excuse as to why I couldn’t find them the last few days.
Mandlovu and her herd are in great shape. She gave me the big deal stand-off when I approached, but that was just Mandlovu being Mandlovu.
Chipfongwe the brave gave me one of ‘terrifying’ displays too.
The herds were spending their time feeding in the mopanie on the leaves and bark which is their main diet as we now go into the dry season.
I had stopped in some shade and a couple of cows were messing each other around when this baby Scrub Hare bolted out from under their feet and then froze not knowing which way to turn. Eventually the elephants moved away and the little guy ducked into a thicket of grass again. These guys are nocturnal, but luckily his nightmare was short-lived!
By sunset the elephant herds had moved onto the open are of Banyini. For some reason they tend not to move into open areas in the day. Maybe they feel more vulnerable. They’re probably all headed for a midnight swim at Simbiri dam.
Recent Comments