Soul food

05 November 2024 - Qwabi Private Game Reserve; Day 3

This morning, it was just the ranger and I on the game drive. I opted not to have coffee and muffins and was picked up earlier at our lodge to get a head start on the other vehicles. 

We had a leisurely drive and enjoyed whatever we saw - I love this image of a magnificent male Nyala framed by the surrounding bush

Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)

At a large dam, we saw a Hippo returning to the water after its foray into the bush to feed

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious)

A Brown-hooded Kingfisher was close by

Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris)

Heading to our coffee stop, we came across a small pride of Lion that must have made a kill in the night, as there was still evidence of blood on their faces

Collared Lioness (Panthera leo)

Lion (Panthera leo)

At our coffee stop, a Jacobin Cuckoo made an appearance

Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)

and we found the tiniest of Leopard Tortoises that I had ever seen. It would have easily fitted in the palm of my hand

Baby Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)

Driving back on the mountain road, a couple of Zebra whose white stripes were coloured differently due to the red sand

Burchell's Zebra (Equus q. burchelli)

Back to the Lodge for a hearty breakfast and then all to soon, we had to pack for the ride back to the other camp where we had left our cars. Whilst waiting for our pickup, I had Brown-crowned Tchagra in the bush outside our lodge, clearly showing it's brown crown

Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis)

A Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird calling from high in the top of an adjacent tree

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus)

A Swordtail which was a challenge to try and photograph, as it was both skittish and fast-flying

Large Striped Swordtail (Graphium antheus)

And an odd but striking Fly on our railing

Fly sp.

We then said our goodbyes to Michelle and Kurt at the Lodge for a thoroughly enjoyable and decadent weekend and headed for the safari vehicle to take us back to the main camp. On route we stopped for a Rhino that disappeared into the bush, but picked up a pair of Southern Ground Hornbill's foraging on the plains (apparently these had been introduced to Qwabi from Mabula). I noted it was each for themselves when food was found and devoured without sharing

Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)

Whilst watching the Hornbill's, the de-horned Rhino appeared and walked across the plain, giving great views.

White Rhinocerus (Chiromantis xerampelina)

Here, both endangered species together

White Rhinocerus and Southern Ground Hornbill

Once back at the main camp, we unloaded and packed the Hilux for the fair drive back to Midrand, much more chilled and relaxed than when we first arrived - the bush is our soul food!