Each week, ranger
Richard Pearse shares images of some of the wildlife sighted at the
Pumba Private Game Reserve , along with a peek into his Ranger Diary.
Rangers Diary
22nd February 2010
The week’s sightings have been very interactive, with all taking place while guests have been on drive. On two occasions the Breeding herd of Elephant had been seen chasing the two male Lion out of thickets, with the one occurring after the lion had killed a warthog which they were feeding on.
Our dominant Elephant Bull, the direct descendant of the world famous Hapoor from the Addo Elephant National Park approached a watering hole were one of the rhinoceros was wallowing. Much to both of there surprise, the rhinoceros leapt out of the water in order of avoiding a confrontation.
The Buffalo on a very hot day were observed wallowing in Eskom Dam which was a most welcomed sighting for guests entering the reserve for their first time. Buffalo tend to be very secretive in habit on the reserve, having originated from the Addo Elephant National Park, they have the tendency to associate more with the thicket vegetation, were they have adopted the habit of both relying on sustenance from grazing and browsing, which is unheard of in the family of bovines.
The Cheetah were seen along our eastern boundary were they encountered the White Lioness, only to leave the area very quickly. It is this very occurrence which often results in mortality amongst Cheetah, as the super predators are always in continual conflict for both space and food.
A highlight of a guests stay is a sundowner at the Birdhide straddling Cariega Lake, being watched by our pod of Hippopotamus, who are often seen either displaying or foraging on the adjoining banks. Hippo play a very important role in maintaining water courses, by preventing reed encroachment, as well as keeping under water channels open for fish migration, this is very typical of large lakes and river courses. If it not spotting the Hippopotamus from the birdhide, then it is from the endless decks of our Water Lodge, which overlook Cariega Lake.
Richard Pearse
(All images courtesy Pumba Private Game Reserve. All rights reserved)
Eastern Cape Luxury Safari Accommodation at Pumba
In the malaria-free Eastern Cape, Pumba Private Game Reserve provides an intimate African experience never to be forgotten.
The reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5, as well as white lion, hippo, hyena, cheetah, giraffe, wild dog, antelope species and an abundant 270 bird species.
Pumba offers a variety of accommodation at luxury game lodges.
More about Pumba.
To book accommodation at Pumba please contact Portfolio Collection.
