13 March 2016
By 6:30 the Frend-Leighs and Grum-Peighs are packed up and ready to leave Rooiputs. Although it had stormed in the night it kindly let up for them to pack up without getting wet.
The Frend-Leighs left first as they wanted to get a good site at Mata Mata. Their large-lensed cameras were packed so they wouldn’t be stopping for anything but the most exciting sightings.
The Grum-Peighs were thus able to follow at a more leisurely pace. There was a lot of water lying around and they found bokkies drinking at the puddles. They took the dune road and found a total of 16 korhaans.
Then there was a lovely sighing Mom and Dad Jackal with their pup.
It was great to see giraffe on the Mata Mata road and there was plenty of game around.
“Why are there cars parked up ahead,” called Lady G-P. They looked into the bush but couldn’t see anything. The Lord G-P said – “Look – there in the tree – leopard!
Wow – what a great sighting. They were about to move on when suddenly he stood up on the branch.
I don’t think I like this spot anymore
Let me find a more comfortable perch
There’s a cosy hollow here – this is where I’m staying for the rest of the day
At 10:30 they arrived at Mata Mata and set up camp. The Frend-Leighs had found a lovely shady site.
At 4:30 the Grum-Peighs were ready for another drive but the Leighs decided not to go out. It was a long way to the waterholes but the drive was rewarding.
They enjoyed the little steenbok that were about and one chose to pose beautifully.
The highlight of the afternoon was seeing a lanner at Dalkeith – he had caught a sparrow and was devouring it on the ground.
At 14th waterhole they were delighted to find an African harrier-hawk.
They found the leopard in the tree again but he had moved and was difficult to see. However, they managed to point him out to two other cars who were most grateful as they had not yet seen leopard.
In the evening the Earl found some good steaks at the new improved Mata Mata shop and that is what they had on the braai for supper.
