Thursday 4 June 2009 - They say the early bird catches the worm, so we are up and out by 06h00, on the road heading to Maloutswa Bird Hide. After a quick detour, well what can I say, no fault of Sandras, the place wasn't very well signposted or how could all four of us have missed it.
The empty hide is situated next to a serene waterhole, the area is a hive of activity yet is somehow calming and tranquil. Through the trees we watch the birds flit and the animals arrive for a cool drink in dappled shade. We see baboons, impala, warthogs and mongoose. One lone impala ram is sporting a rather nasty broken leg, yet bravely negotiates the muddy banks to reach a well deserved drink. Despite his injury, he is in pretty good nick, which make us think his injury must have occurred recently. Although currently in good condition, we fear his days are numbered, easy picking for a predator in his weakened state.
The empty hide is situated next to a serene waterhole, the area is a hive of activity yet is somehow calming and tranquil. Through the trees we watch the birds flit and the animals arrive for a cool drink in dappled shade. We see baboons, impala, warthogs and mongoose. One lone impala ram is sporting a rather nasty broken leg, yet bravely negotiates the muddy banks to reach a well deserved drink. Despite his injury, he is in pretty good nick, which make us think his injury must have occurred recently. Although currently in good condition, we fear his days are numbered, easy picking for a predator in his weakened state.
Having had the hide to ourselves, we are not best pleased to be joined by a small family which incidentally is sporting not one but two cameras of epic proportion, feeling a tad inferior, we decide to head back to base before serious lens envy sets in.
Back at Sandras, it is time for breakfast and we take advantage of the sunny patio as we complete our feedback session.
In the afternoon, we head out of the Park to another GVI project Venetia, a private game reserve owned by De Beers, who are better known for their diamonds than work in conservation. After being shown around base camp, we head out to check on the boma containing wild dogs which are awaiting release, then out onto reserve in search of a collared lions. Picking up a good signal, we try to annihilate a few bushes with some serious off roading through dense mopane, hell you have to keep your wits about you too, in an open vehicle one of these branches could seriously take your eye out! Finally we find the handsome Blade lazing in the sun surrounded by his harem of lionesses. Sitting there for some time, watching a flick of a tail, a yawn maybe......... This certainly beats being at home in front of the telly watching Coronation Street!
As the light fades, the warming sun disappearing, the open vehicle suddenly loses its appeal as it becomes seriously cold, and colder still as we dip down hill and hit pockets of cold air. Lucky I have a slight distraction, armed with a strong portable spotlight I scan the darkness for eyes. I find a herd of impala, black backed jackal and a couple of scrub hares. I am vigilant looking for elephant for I am under strict instructions, to turn off the light quick quick as they do not like the brightness and have a tendency to charge (no pressure then!!). Finally back at base, after saying our farewells, I am happy to jump back in the Quantum to thaw out. 
