December 2009

Rhino sightings have been constant and very good this month. Crashes of rhino have been a lot and the number of newborn calves has increased dramatically. The female with the long horn has finally brought out her new calf and it has been seen several times around buffalo pans. While all mother with new calves are nervous its fantastic to see just how healthy the rhino population is at the moment. Mating was also witnessed once this month, which is a first for a very long time.

Sightings: 158

November 2009

Rhinos have been plentiful this month especially once the rains arrived the grasses turn green. The large crashes we were seeing in the wintertime have dissolved into smaller groups and have spread all over the reserve. Many young bulls have been spotted probably drawn to the area for the fresh grass, this could lead to some interesting interactions later in the summer but for now no fighting has occurred. As the first rains arrive so do the calves and this year we have already seen several new born rhino claves wobbling around, some so small that they disappear into the short grasses when mom leads them away. Resembling a bulldog with large ears rhino babies are one of the most endearing sights in the African bush.

Sightings: 157

October 2009

Rhino sightings were as usual very good. The crashes that we see were out again and Emsagwen waterhole became a dead cert when looking for rhino especially in the middle of the day. Two black rhino, a mother and calf were spotted one morning on the KNP break; they allowed the vehicle a good look at them before running into the Kruger. This is encouraging and lets hope that more will be spotted in the future.Rhino sightings were as usual very good. The crashes that we see were out again and Emsagwen waterhole became a dead cert when looking for rhino especially in the middle of the day. Two black rhino, a mother and calf were spotted one morning on the KNP break; they allowed the vehicle a good look at them before running into the Kruger. This is encouraging and lets hope that more will be spotted in the future.

Sightings: 157

September 2009

The record day for Rhino this month was 23 seen in one day. As the water holes and dams have dried up this means the Rhino either go down to the river to drink or congregate around the few waterholes that still have water in them. Emsagwen waterhole has been very productive for Rhino this month and at time up to 7 Rhino have been seen at this waterhole in one sighting. Rhino were also seen on every day of this month and with no immediate sign of rain this pattern looks like it will continue and our Rhino sighting more and more around the few waterhole around the property.

Sightings: 146

August 2009

Rhinos again were up and down this month. Same days we saw over twenty rhino with the next day only one or two being found. Towards the end of the month large crashes were seen around Emsagwen waterhole, and in the Mlowathi area.

July 2009

Rhino sightings were down this month compared with last month. There were some days when only a single rhino was found. With the drying of the veld it looks as if the beasts have moved into thicker brush looking for lush vegetation and so not being spotted as easily.

June 2009

Rhino sightings like elephant sightings have been very patchy this month. The crashes of rhino often seen around the Mlowathi and the Matshipiri have moved into new areas less accessible to vehicles making them less dependable on for a great sighting. Single bulls are being seen a lot and there are some new young calves in the northern parts of Mala Mala.

May 2009

Sightings of the crash with six rhinos still persist this month, their movements taking them from Matshapiri Open Area up to Buffalo Bush Dam, across to Piccadilly Triangle, down to the New Air Strip and across to Buffalo Pans. A female with a calf barely a year old has also provided consistent quality sightings at the airstrip almost every evening. On a number of occasions fighting bulls have being seen, this being a sighting that can literally shake the earth. Other rhino sightings have been good with them being seen on every drive in good numbers.

March 2009

If the buffalo were plentiful then the rhino were in excess. On most days in excess of ten rhino were seen all very relaxed providing excellent viewing of these prehistoric creatures. The female with the long horn remains in charge of her group of six as they migrate between Matshipiri open area and Piccadilly. The old male with the split right ear is still seen around the Kapen and the notoriously grumpy male from the Emsagwen has even warmed to vehicles. 

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Febuary 2009

Rhino’s had a very strong month in February. Many groupings were seen all through the property concentrating mainly on the mown areas, often groups of four+ were seen feeding together. Many confrontations were also witnessed as males vying for mating rights confronted each other with differing outcomes; young males often went away squealing much to the delight of guests and rangers witnessing these strange sounds coming from such a huge beast.

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January 2009

Rhinos continue to be plentiful on the reserve for January. They seem to favour certain areas and this is understandable for the males that are territorial, however there have been a number of stable female/sub adult/juvenile herds that have remained in the same area for some time. These are very productive areas with good palatable grasses. The group of 4 Rhinos, including the female with the long horn have spent a lot of time in the Piccadilly region and have provided great viewing including the odd interaction with the Styx Pride.