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Action On The Riverfront - 2004 Game sightings
Unlike the same period during 2003, which was very dry, the beginning of 2004 was blessed with good rains. Consequently the game was less dependant on the immediate riverine environment for their water and food resources and game sightings from Ngwenya were not as frequent or indeed as exciting as during the same period last year. Well into winter, the Kruger Park looked absolutely spectacular and lush. During late winter and spring game sightings from Ngwenya were nothing short of spectacular. Of particular interest was the discovery, by Nigel Fernsby, of the giant yellow house bat at Ngwenya. This species of bat was found roosting in one of the bat houses at the lodge. What makes this discovery so exciting is that it is the first time that this species of bat has ever been recorded in South Africa.
January
Viewing highlights for January included lion, leopard and hyena. On the 7th two lions caught and killed a baboon opposite the restaurant. A leopard was spotted on the 9th and hyena were seen on the 8th and 11th. Other frequent (every second or third day) sightings included elephant, warthog and baboons. Buffalo and kudu visited the riverfront somewhat less frequently and giraffe were only recorded once during January. Everyday sightings included waterbuck, impala, crocodiles and hippos (especially in and around the river pool opposite chalet 84). Goliath herons, darters, saddlebilled storks, great white egrets and African fish eagles and a variety of ducks were seen almost daily.
February
Unlike February 2003, 2004 was a quiet month probably because of the good rains which made the game less dependant on the river for water. Our usual residents, the hippos, crocs, waterbuck and impala were seen everyday. However elephants, kudu, warthog and baboons were only seen about once a week while buffalo were only spotted once. The squawks of brownheaded parrots were a regular feature of Ngwenya's avian cacophony during February.
April
Again no sightings of carnivores were reported. Buffalo and elephant were seen on average every fifth day. Our everyday game (impala, waterbuck, hippos and crocs) did not disappoint the guests. Other less frequent sightings included warthog, kudu, giraffe, baboons and vervet monkeys. Goliath herons, darters, saddlebilled storks, great white egrets and fish eagles were seen almost every day on the river. Fruit Bats were heard every evening all over the resort.
May
Elephants and buffalo returned to the riverfront in May with sightings being reported almost every second day throughout the month. On the 7th of May guests awoke to a hippo in the main dam. General game viewing improved with more regular visits by baboons, warthog and kudu.
June
Viewing highlights for June were the leopard sighting on the 5th and the lions on the 11th and 18th . Buffalo were seen on the riverfront every 4 to 5 days throughout the month as were elephant. Other frequent sightings were of waterbuck, kudu, impala and warthog. Giraffe were only reported twice as were baboons and vervet monkeys. Hippos and crocodiles were spotted every day. The best hippo sightings were at the hippo pool opposite chalets 84 - 86. A pair of Mauritian Tomb bats, seasonal visitors to Ngwenya, were recorded roosting under the eaves of chalet 216 on the 2nd.
July
The gem sighting of July was the arrival of a pack of wild dogs on the 28th. Earlier in the month hyena were seen 6th, 11th, 12th and 13th and a jackal was also spotted on the 11th. While no kill was actually seen it is suspected that something had happened in the reeds near the rapids because vultures were also present from the 11th to 13th. Occupants of 102 reported hearing a leopard growling on the 13th . Elephants visited Ngwenya on no less than 11 occasions during July. A herd of about 70 came to the river on the 9th . The frequency of buffalo sightings during July increased to 12 while those of warthog remained about the same as for June. Kudu were only spotted on 3 occasions. Waterbuck, impala, crocodiles and hippo were on the riverfront every day.
August
The viewing highlight for August was the leopard seen on the 31st. Hyena were seen 3 times and heard almost every night during August. Lion were also heard roaring regularly during August but not seen from Ngwenya itself. Sightings of Buffalo were regular (18 separate occasions). On the 7th an elephant walked right into the resort amongst the chalets near the hide at 76. Elephants visited the river 7 times during August and warthog were seen on 8 occasions throughout the month.. A bushbuck was spotted once and kudu were reported 5 times during the second half of the month. Up to 16 waterbuck at a time were seen along the floodplain every day. The big herds of impala seen frequently during August 2003 were absent with 2004 sightings limited to small groups. Hippos and crocs were seen daily.
September
The viewing highlight for September was the arrival of a pack of seven wild dogs on the 7th. They spent most of the day lying on a sand bank not far from the edge of the river just across from the restaurant. Hyena were seen fairly frequently during September (1st, 12th, 16th, 21st, 23rd and 26th ). Buffalo came to the river 14 times throughout the month with the largest group numbering about 150 animals. Elephant were seen no less than 9 occasions with the largest breeding herd numbering about 50. Kudu sightings were reported on the 1st, 16th, 25th, 27th, 28th and 30th . Giraffe and warthog were also seen on 4 or 5 occasions and bushbuck twice. Waterbuck, impala, hippos and crocs were seen daily.
October
This was an awesome month for game sightings. Four of the Big Five (lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino) were seen in a single day on the 19th. Could game sightings get any better than this? Lion were also seen on 14th, and 15th and on the 14th they killed a waterbuck across from the 90's. On the 19th a pride of 8 was spread across the floodplain. Hyena were seen almost every night walking in front of chalets 77 - 102. Rhino were spotted on the 2nd, 4th and 19th. Elephants visited the riverfront at least 12 times during October and buffalo no less than 17 times. Other wild visitors included zebra, giraffe, warthog, kudu, waterbuck, impala, baboons and vervet monkeys. Crocodiles and hippos were seen almost daily.
November
November was an average month in terms of game sightings. Besides the daily sightings of our resident game (hippos, crocs, impala and waterbuck), the riverfront was visited by elephant, buffalo, kudu, giraffe, zebra, warthog and baboons. Hyena were spotted at least once a week throughout the month. November is always an excellent month for birding and the highlight this month was the visit by ground hornbills on the 23rd.
December
December proved to be an excellent month for seeing buffalo from Ngwenya. Buffalo visited the river at least every second day throughout the month and elephant at least every third day. Rhino were seen twice, giraffe 4 times, hyena 3 times and lion once. The 20th December proved to be a bumper day with four of the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino and lion) being seen on the same day. Where else can you enjoy such brilliant wildlife sightings without having to drive for miles to find them? An interesting avian visitor to put in an appearance during December was an openbilled stork which was frequently seen at the big dam.
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