What a week to be on foot...

Hi there everyone!

We had an extremely special week filled with unforgettable sightings of big game as well as invaluable experience and knowledge gained…

Walking in the bush is such a treat!

To experience the African bush on foot is truly a wonderful privilege. One uses all of one's senses to become a part of the wilderness. To view the Big Five on foot is a whole different experience than from a vehicle and, even though you can’t get as close to the animals on foot, I feel it is still a much better, priceless experience.

Our trails guides were lucky enough to experience this as they had all these brilliant animals on foot… in only one week!

On one particular day we were walking in the south of the reserve, which is an extremely beautiful area to be in on foot. We came across some buffalo, which we soon realised was a breeding herd. We planned the approach and halfway in we spotted some ears flicking around in the grass. We almost couldn’t believe our eyes as six lionesses were lying camouflaged in the tall grass not too far from the buffalo! We then did a successful (and unforgettable) approach on the lions as well as the buffalo before extracting out of the area. After walking a couple of minutes we then again found some buffalo in the distance. We planned another approach when, to our surprise, we noticed the lionesses to our left following the breeding herd! This was an unbelievable sighting as we got to see these animals in their environment carrying on with their natural behaviour - amazing!



We heard stories about other people's experiences with rhino middens

Another incredible walk took place as we approached a couple of elephant bulls very close to where our camp is. We approached and had a beautiful look at these magnificent animals as they continued feeding along the drainage line. As we extracted back to where we had come from, we heard a horrifying sound coming from a very short distance to our right. No-one knew what had made this frightening sound until we saw a leopard explode from the bushes only metres away from us! The female cat had dashed away from us into the drainage line and we actually had a surprisingly good visual of her as she walked on the other side of the dry riverbed. Something none of us will forget!

As if the above is not enough, we had what we called an 'Elephant Friday'…It all started on Thursday evening as the camp was woken up in the middle of the night by the majestic rumbling sound of elephants, followed by numerous trumpeting calls. All of this took place literally in our camp. This was the followed by the whooping and cackling of a hyaena clan in camp, as well as the moaning of a male lion coalition. It was one of those evenings where all the activity was at Nkombe Camp and it was definitely the place to be!

The next morning we set out for our walk, expecting some elephant encounters…and that is exactly what we got! We had encounter after encounter as the reserve seemed to be booming with elephants. We then experienced something extremely special and it must go down as my favourite sighting of all time… 

Watching the elephants going about their business

We approached a breeding herd of elephant that were far in the distance. We had elevation on our side, as well as a big termite mound on which we stood and viewed the animals.

We were lucky to see so many elephants!

We watched them from across a relatively open area, whereupon they decided to approach us. We stood our ground, knowing that we had the perfect extraction point, as well as being secure in the fact that it was the elephants choosing to approach us. We watched in admiration as the matriarch lead the rest of the group towards us. They eventually walked past us only twenty metres away and continued feeding on the go. It was such a spectacular sighting!

These are only a couple of examples of what the week had in store for us and what a fANTastic week it was! Unforgettable moments and, as always, so much to be learnt!

The ANT Blog

Ps. A big thank you to Craig Fitt for all the photos!



The group enjoys a moment to reflect on their amazing time in the bush!

 

Trails Guide Course 2014

Hi there everyone!

It's that time of the year where nothing can be better than walking every morning and afternoon in the almighty African bush... and that is exactly what we have been doing these past few weeks! Our one month Trails Guide Course has kicked off with another big bang and yes, it's just getting better and better. 

Our students have seen the Big Five on foot! To say that you have experienced this is already absolutely incredible. We have been extremely fortunate with our encounters and sightings so far and have learnt so much in such a short period of time. You can only realise how mighty an elephant is or how intimidating a buffalo bull is when you are on your feet in the middle of their world! To say the least, everyone has a new found respect for these wonderful creatures... big and small. 

It is an amazing feeling to become tuned into your surroundings and that is exactly what you need to do as a trails guide. You need to make use of sight, smell, hearing as well as feeling to interpret what is happening around you. As the course is progressing, we have all become more and more in tune with nature and can look at it with new eyes. 



Giraffe photo bomb!

We can now hear the crack of a branch, smell the scent of an elephant bull in musth, see the freshness of a "dugga boy" track and so much more. We have also learnt how to approach these animals without them being aware of any disturbance whatsoever by reading the wind direction, keeping the sun behind us and always using sufficient bush cover. The perfect balance between caution and curiosity is applied to each approach which is vital to learn and be safe in the bush.

The most memorable encounter so far was a female leopard. We were walking across an open area when we hear bushbuck calling nearby. We approached a drainage line where we then heard the alarm calls of baboon as well as Vervet monkeys. We carefully crossed the dry river bed and came across leopard tracks. After a few metres we then saw fresh scat which belonged to the female leopard which we spotted as soon as we lifted our heads, walking down the road!

Frederik, Mike R, Marte-Lize, Silvia, Michael, Paul W, Paul G, Chanyn, Conrad, Matthew

We slowly followed and for about a minute or so we could say we stalked a leopard. She then moved off into the bush after which we all looked at each other and said, "Did that just happen?"

This and countless other encounters have made for priceless experience. Stay tuned to see what happens next!

The ANT Blog

Another incredible week at Nkombe camp!

Hi there everyone!

Time is flying here at Nkombe camp and the course is well on its way as everyone is settled in and enjoying every second.

We have had plenty four-legged visitors in camp these past few days including three male buffalo ('dagga boys'), elephants, hyenas as well as a male and female leopard in the area. Needless to say, it's been busy!

Easter weekend was filled with bird watching as we covered the Birds module and identified quite a large number of species as well as their calls.

The highlight of the weekend has to be waking up at sunrise listening to the dawn-chorus. It is truly a magical experience to wake up with the bush and experience the explosion of life as the day begins.


The luck of the students hasn't changed as we have still been seeing more of the Big Five every day!

Our sightings these past few days include lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and so much more. The 'little things' are also more intriguing than ever with loads of interesting amphibians, reptiles and arthropods along the way! The bigger picture is becoming clearer and clearer every day :)

On top of all the action, our students went for their first bush walk!

It is definitely an incredible new adventure as the bush on foot seems to open up a whole new world as you see the finer things missed by sitting on a vehicle seat.

From observing a variety of tracks and signs such as rubbing posts, dung, nests, etc. to interpreting frog tracks...it was truly an eye-opener to what goes on 'under the radar'.

We had the opportunity to engage all our senses and experience the African bush as it's meant to be. Amazing!


I must say, I can't wait to see what this week has in store for us as there is NEVER a dull moment at Nkombe camp!

The ANT Blog