Page 37 - Kyalami Issue 2 2021

have been well trained in their respective
duties with the chef in particular providing
excellent cuisine. That evening at dinner
Sue was presented with a birthday cake
and the staff sang their local version of
‘Happy Birthday’.
The early morning game drive was at six am
and sightings included African Goshawk,
Rudd’s Apalis, Black Cuckooshrike, Yellow-
bellied Greenbul as well as Grey Duiker,
and many more elephant. At breakfast
on Christmas morning each guest had
a present beautifully wrapped and laid
on their respective table compliments of Crested Guineafowl
the management. There was also a huge
Christmas cake that one could partake of
throughout the day.
That evening after a superb three course
meal another guest’s birthday was
celebrated with a cake and the traditional
local birthday song.
Gorgeous Bushshrike
At Tembe, guests are driven around the
largest elephants in the world. Tembe lies in park twice daily and on our various drives
an area of rare subtropical sand forest which we had excellent sightings of Gorgeous
also occurs in the Amazon basin in South Bush Shrike, Grey Waxbill, Bearded
America, and the vegetation throughout the Woodpecker, Purple-banded Sunbird,
reserve is rooted in a light-coloured sand. Woolly-necked Stork and Black-bellied
Crested Guineafowl wandered around the Starling. We often heard the Eastern
reception area and Sombre Greenbuls, Nicator calling but, in spite of Philemon’s African Green Pigeon
Red-backed Mannikins, Violet-backed perfect mimicry of the Eastern Nicator’s
Starling, African Green Pigeon and Purple- call, we were unable to coax it out of hiding.
crested Turaco were seen nearby. The
accommodation under canvas is very well We drove very close to prides of lion which
appointed and one is completely secluded sometimes obliged by posing for the
from one’s neighbours. camera, and we were treated to the sight
of an elephant wallowing in mud which
In the afternoon on the day of our arrival, it does for only a few seconds at a time
we went for our first game drive with so as not to strain the heart muscle. This
Philemon, who was our designated driver particular elephant then decided to rub
for the duration of our stay. The ten-seater off some of the mud against our vehicle
vehicle carried only six guests in order to which prompted Sue, who was on that side
conform to COVID regulations. Soft rain fell of the vehicle to jump on my lap, (not that
and we were issued with light protective I minded of course). We kept very quiet
rain gear, one of the many thoughtful and the elephant then moved off quite
touches at Tembe. We had excellent contentedly. We all breathed a sigh of relief
sightings of lion, elephant, red duiker, but were overjoyed at this unique bush
Klaas’s and Black Cuckoo, and Black- experience.
chested and Wahlberg’s Eagle. Philemon
was extremely knowledgeable and had Alas the time came to say goodbye to
a talent for mimicking bird calls such Philemon and to the other guests on our
that some birds came to investigate this vehicle, George, Alice, Kathy and Karen,
perceived intruder in their territory. whose company we really enjoyed and who
we got to know very well over the three days
The Tembe staff are all local residents that of our visit. Crowned Hornbills

The tourists are back! Kathy, Karen, Sue, Anthony, Alice and George

Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 2021 35