Blog Index Exploring the options for Jock Explorer in Kruger

It was with great excitement and longing that I recently visited the Shamwari Group’s concession, Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park, to begin the task of exploring options within the concession for the location of the ‘Jock Explorer’.

Having not been in the Lowveld region for some years, my mind was racing with all of the amazing sightings, bird species and just the feeling of gazing out across the Kruger National Park with its endless horizon.

On the first morning, Louis Strauss, Jock’s General Manager and I set out on many adventures……..

Within five minutes of setting off we had walked into a black rhino sleeping, luckily the oxpeckers on its back were also dozing; otherwise we would have been in serious trouble!!!

After a great days walking were we saw – apart from the sleeping black rhino – a huge herd of elephants and a further 4 white rhino, we came across an amazing setting for the future Jock Explorer…..the picture speaks for itself –

This amazing Jackalberry rests on the banks of the Biyamiti river where one can easily imagine a Bedouin style tent providing shade with lanterns hanging from it at night whilst a fire roars……….

This area lies close to the Biyamiti River on the concession’s western boundary near to an active windpump with a water reservoir close by – animal sightings will be guaranteed in the dry months. Walking in we saw evidence of many elephant, buffalo and rhino wallowing in the mud and being within this riverline…..leopard will never be far away……

The next afternoon I took a drive and within 5 minutes from Jock came across a large male leopard fast asleep in a Jackalberry Tree …….Africa was blessing me.

Having being so blessed, I returned to camp – there was nothing that could better that sighting.

The next morning was spent again walking in the Biyamiti looking for more areas to possibly put the Jock Explorer – the next image shows the sense of space, isolation, and wilderness that will be encountered at Jock Explorer once it opens next year……

On the way back to Camp we came across a old 'retired' elephant bull who was very relaxed and allowed us to watch him in all his sentient glory…..what a privilege!

That afternoon we went in search of the Jock pride – a pride of lions that are usually found in the concession following the herds of buffalo that migrate through this area ……we found them lazing in the riverline and it has to be one of the best lion sightings I have ever had……….as the moon came up the 2 pride males sauntered in behind us to lay claim to the pride and to the concession……

Jock Explorer promises to be reminiscent of a bygone safari – pioneering footsteps within the Kruger National Park – I will continue to update on the progress of this amazing walking safari.

Once again my thanks to Louis Strauss and his dedicated team at Jock who go beyond every effort to ensure every guest at Jock Safari Lodge leaves a friend with amazing sightings, encounters and very special memories………..

Geran Ellish 
Shamwari Group specialist Guide

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