Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Get some useful tools, tips and ideas that can help you spot those elusive creatures
User avatar
Mel
Global Moderator
Posts: 28221
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Germany
Location: Föhr
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Mel »

Amoli wrote:Many a time I have read of sightings where the people KNOW EXACTLY where the dens are?

Is this information a 'little bit' classified - or may I ask where do I go to find a mommy animal with her cubs.. ;-)
Is it seasonal, do they find new dens each year?
I can't speak for Kruger really, but in my experience it's mouth to mouth from either visitor to visitor
or people who work in the park and who gathered intelligence by either themselves or - again - from
other visitors. \O


God put me on earth to accomplish a certain amount of things. Right now I'm so far behind that I'll never die.
Duke

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Duke »

Lots of good tips here All \O
Mel wrote: 'Anything will do'-attitude. So, I firmly believe that
I don't find the critters, but they find me if I'm supposed to see them. -O
Have no expectattions \O they will find you :-)
Richprins wrote:
Priorities also change for some...now I just want peace and quiet, and avoid busy roads, for example! But a lion or leopard still completes my trip, make no mistake! -O
\O Just to be out in the bush on the quiet roads. A leopard is a bonus, and feathered friends :-)


User avatar
Flutterby
Posts: 44150
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:28 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Flutterby »

Amoli, on our recent trip in August, and last year in October, we found hyenas at their dens south of the Olifants high level bridge. I think they have been in that area for years, and I think early morning and late afternoon are the best times to find them there. We came across another den on the H1-2 around the Kruger Memorial Tablets. Hyenas love using culverts as their dens so look out for them. ;-)

With regards to wild dogs, I think they move their dens quite often. Last year before our trip I had been keeping an eye on the sightings groups and saw there was a den on one of the Pretoriuskop loop roads, but they moved just days before we got there. Twice now we've seen the EWT's truck tracking wild dog on the S114. We never saw them but they must be in the area. \O


User avatar
nan
Posts: 26304
Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 9:41 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Central Europe
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by nan »

like already said... patience... patience... patience
let animals/birds coming... no need to make a pursuit 0*\
and "read" all the little indices... could turn to be a great sighting ;-)

O/\ O/\ O/\


Kgalagadi lover… for ever
https://safrounet.piwigo.com/
User avatar
Flutterby
Posts: 44150
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:28 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Flutterby »

\O


User avatar
Sonel
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:09 am
Country: South Africa
Location: Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Sonel »

:-0 @ Heksie's tips.
-One lekker cup of coffee with a generous dash of Amarula
-Maybe a second cup to bring with just for in case
-100g of droewors or biltong to snack on when you drive
-1 packet of menthol cigarettes and do remember an ashtray as we frown upon stompies in the Park 0=
-absolute no music in the car
I will be sure to remember that as I only smoke 'mentals'. =O:
Don't know about the Amarula though. I might mistake a lion for the car or something at a later stage. ;-)

Great tips everyone and thanks for sharing. :-)


The more I get to know people the more I love animals.
User avatar
Toko
Posts: 26619
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
Country: -

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Toko »

Heksie usually does very well with this strategy and finds the big five almost every day, so you should really consider =O:


User avatar
Sonel
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:09 am
Country: South Africa
Location: Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Sonel »

:-0 Toko! Then I will have to go and buy a bottle and biltong immediately. =O:


The more I get to know people the more I love animals.
Heksie
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:25 pm
Country: RSA
Location: not where I want to be...
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Heksie »

Toko wrote:Heksie usually does very well with this strategy and finds the big five almost every day, so you should really consider =O:

Hahaha =O:
I forgot to add that i bring 500g of beef fillet to drag undernesth my car, that is why Im so lucky with the cats O**


2016
18-23 March Sabie Park

8 -11 July Tsendze
12-15 July Satara

30 Sept-4 Oct Lower Sabie

27 Dec-7 Jan Satara
User avatar
Flutterby
Posts: 44150
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:28 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Member's Tips on do's and dont's of spotting

Post by Flutterby »

Ah...the truth comes out! O**


Post Reply

Return to “All you need to know about Game and Bird Spotting”