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Small things, babies (and some dogs) - 5 nights at Kambaku River Sands (Timbavati, South Africa) in the summer


pomkiwi

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Peter Connan

If per chance you read the plaque at the door of the museam, you may have encountered a familiar name?

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@Peter Connan Unfortunately I can't say I read the plaque that closely (I'm not sure I relised your close connection with the Timbavati until I got some way into this report). We did see an entry in the visitors book from somebody who lives in the next village to us in the UK and had been there 10 days earlier!

Edited by pomkiwi
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An impressive send off

 

As we were driving along the road towards the park headquarters we saw very little until there were some familar dark brown shapes streching in the verge just ahead.

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Yes, you've guessed it - more wild dogs

. As we stopped we saw groups of 3 or 4 lying in various locations and just beginning to wake up and move around.

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This was our third different pack in 4 days. This time we were told that there were 19 individuals which took our total for this trip to 32 - an impressive number and encouraging to see so many healthy looking animals.

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As the pack woke up there were morning greetings to be exchanged.

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Some chose to wrestle.

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At times it appeared as though the social order was being reinforced.

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Sometimes they appeared to be running for the pleasure of it

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Once all were up and moving they headed off in unison

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Breakfast was calling and the odds didn't look great for whatever prey stumbled into their path.

 

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We were unable to follow off road and continued onwards only to stop once more for a particularly impressive rhino that knew it had right of way.

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After that it was quiet. We spent 20 minutes or so at the museum having morning coffee in the car-park there as it was sheltered from the wind. I don't think we saw any animals at all on the 25 minute drive back to Kambaku.

 

But still a great morning!

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Peter Connan

Lovely dog and rhino sightings. Pity the trip is coming to an end, as i have really enjoyed following along!

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I am really enjoying your report and getting excited about our trip to Shindzela, less than 5 weeks now!

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Thanks to all who have added comments or followed along.  All in all a relaxing and productive trip. We all really like Kambaku River Sands and the staff there. Our guide and tracker were excellent, both technically and in terms of people skills. We were exceptionally lucky with our repeat sightings of wild dogs and also with our long and exclusive period of time with the leopard. The weather was not great but can't  be changed and a risk of a summer safari. The use of a private vehicle allowed us to walk and have a little more control in what we did (although we were mainly in the hands of our guide which was fine). 

 

I think that I have probably lost my safari heart to Kenya but South Africa provides an efficient and very competent option - I'm looking forward to being able to add a couple of 2 day trips to a work visit next month.

 

After Kambaku we headed to Cape Town and up to the Cederberg. I will add a few thoughts and images (with sunlight) in a separate short report.

 

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michael-ibk

Thanks you for this great report, I enjoyed it a lot. Really cool end with that Wild Dog sighting!

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It must've been fun to see the dogs having such a good time. Great photos as well!

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Game Warden
On 15/04/2018 at 11:27 AM, pomkiwi said:

We were unable to follow off road and continued onwards only to stop once more for a particularly impressive rhino that knew it had right of way.

 

Dogs and a rhino to end your safari: I would have been very happy to sign off in this manner. Enticing you back for another visit...

 

Matt

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Alexander33
On 3/4/2018 at 7:40 AM, xelas said:

 I think you will soon find M + AutoISO to be a great settings for wildlife shooting.

 

+ 1 (although I haven’t journeyed to back-button focusing yet, so you’re ahead of the game there). 

 

I’m late to this report, but looking forward to catching up. Great wild dogs so far, and I’m very happy you got your leopard in a tree. 

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  • 1 month later...
vikramghanekar

Lovely trip report and photographs.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!

 

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