Super LEEDS: live from South Africa

[Super LEEDS]

Hi @

 

Thanks! Well this buff did come from Kruger so it's not too hard to imagine I suppose they were the same herd.

 

When were you there?

[Bugs]

We were there from the 9th to 14th June. I looked at the picture of the buffalo and its not the same as the one I saw.

[Super LEEDS]

No, you're right, its not the same.

 

Was trying to work out where we both would have been at what time in relation to this particular herd. Read somewhere recently that there's around 5 or 6 huge buffalo prides that cover this area so it could have been a totally different group.

[Super LEEDS]

*herds. Idiot.

[Game Warden]

@@Super LEEDS My gosh, where have you been old chap?

[Super LEEDS]

Thought I'd wait until we won 3 games on the trot before showing my face again!

 

Kidding of course, just been busy with work and a bit selfish in that Africa isn't on my horizon at the moment so been trying to keep my attention away from it!

 

All well, GW?

[pault]

*herds. Idiot.

Well that's a stylish way to return to the forum.

 

Welcome back @@Super LEEDS even if only temporarily.

[Super LEEDS]

Be here a while @@pault, lots of great 'stuff' to catch up on. Any recent TRs of yours? Thanks for the welcome back!

[Peter Connan]

ROFL Leeds!

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@Super LEEDS

 

Your camera trap shots of a porcupine are COOL!

I've never seen anyone using a camera trap on a safari, although they're regularly used for research.

What a great way to see porcupines!

Nice images — thanks!

Tom K.

[Super LEEDS]

@@Tom Kellie

 

Hey Tom

 

Thanks for taking the time to check out my TR. @@Jochen and some others had used traps before with some success and I just loved the idea of capturing what was going on when we're not around so looked into it and found the cameras to be rather inexpensive. You can get them from Amazon! Not sure about where you are though....

 

Man, I miss being on safari.

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@Super LEEDS

 

That's very good to know!

Your camera trap photos and those of others are persuading me that it is possible to see what's happening at night.

Hmm... Using a camera trap might be my one and only chance of seeing a zorilla wherever I might be.

I feel like you — being away from safari life tugs and pulls and beckons one away from the more mundane fripperies of everyday life.

I really hope that things might work out so that you could go on another safari in the near future!

Tom K.

[Alexander33]

Oh, wow, I've just been reading along today, and didn't notice that you posted this LAST June until everyone started welcoming you back. Oh, well, a belated thank you for an enjoyable trip report. I appreciate your candid review of the lodges.

 

I'm also impressed at your "real time" reporting. I find that I can't manage that very well. It takes me a few months to process everything and put the experience into context.

 

By the way, I think the gray-headed yellow bird you referenced in post # 27 is, appropriately, a Gray-headed Bush-shrike, rather uncommon apparently. I certainly didn't see one in my 8 days adjacent Kruger.

[Game Warden]

@@Super LEEDS Glad to see you back old chap! 900 posts as well. Not too shabby

 

Get planning your next trip. Doesn't have to be break the bank. Look at my experiences with @@Bugs, @@Soukous, @@Peter Connan et al on the Primitive Trail at iMfolozi ad then our tour of Kw Zulu Natal..

 

Matt

[Super LEEDS]

@@Game Warden

 

You know, old boy, I'm on the case! Was half thinking to drop you a message to ask when your next one is.....

 

Looking at end of Sept/start of Oct, seeing what deals are to be had out there. Was reading the thread on the Planning forum, the one about what would it take to get us to go (back) to Kenya and its true, there are no outstanding deals to be had for non-residents! I'm on it regardless, looks like a toss between Kenya and South Africa.

 

Read your TRs and would have loved to have been on the Primitive Trail. Splendid.

Edited July 14, 2015 by Super LEEDS

[Super LEEDS]

Hey @@Alexander33, sorry for missing you reply earlier - I only seemed to have caught GW's.

 

Thanks for reading and IDing the bird, it was a beaut to look at it and really stood out.

[anthracosaur]

@@Super LEEDS

 

Terrific trip report. Love the camera trap photos, I may have to pick some up for our next trip. We were at Shindzela the year you and had a wonderful time. The warthogs and honey badger in camp were regulars when we were there and made lunch and dinner much more interesting. Sam was our guide and while the game wasn't as prolific for us as for you, we did have the good fortune of tracking a rhino on foot with Sam.

[Super LEEDS]

@@anthracosaur thanks for reading. Shindzela really is a great place, I wish less people knew about it but it's always busy!

[Seniortraveller]

@ Super Leeds

You have just dashed my hopes that the vehicles will not be too full, when I make my planned visit to Shindzela next May!

[Super LEEDS]

@@Seniortraveller sorry about that! In May its the quietest time, I would dare say until July-time so there's a chance you'll be fine. That said, Shindzela used to give the costs for a private vehicle on their site but seemed to have removed that after they revamped their website - from memory, the costs were not really that high so it might be worth asking.

 

Don't give up hope, we had no problems with the guests at Shindzela and had a great time. We also never sat 3 in a row (I think) either which is what really matters when it is inevitable you will be sharing.

[elefromoz]

@@Super LEEDS, thanks for the detailed report, I've just decided on a Feb/March trip now, and waaaaaay back on the starting blocks. First SA trip for us, hoping it's not too late and too limited options. Your reviews, thoughts and previous planning thread very helpful as I'm thinking in the same price ballpark.

[Super LEEDS]

@@elefromoz good to hear it's of some use and thanks for reading!

 

Good luck, hope you have a good one - Feb/March is mid rainy season and summer if I'm not mistaken, you should catch some youngsters. Any camps lined up?

[elefromoz]

no, not really, feel I should make a dart board with all the camps on it and throw the dart 3 times and see what I come up with, such is my ignorance and indecision. I do like the sound of Shindzela, small, bit "rustic", so probably a couple of night there, then tossing up Motswari and Tanda Tula, and maybe Gomo Gomo. Ruled out Sabi Sands for this trip, stick to Timbavati and Klasserie. Might go with Sun Safaris too, guess I should sent off an email and see what they come back with. Hopefully Im not leaving it too late. And the weather, theres something else I know little about. Thank goodness for others trip reports and experiences.