July has been a pretty cool month, with the mercury dropping to a minimum of 7° C and rising to a maximum of 31° C during midday. We have experienced a fair amount of wind, and the wind chill factor was quite high, creating the need to layer up on warm clothing whilst out on drive. The mighty Zambezi has not dropped all that much this month, and it still draws scores of wildlife to its banks.

The smell of the potato bush in the cool evenings has slowly been replaced by the wonderful fragrance of the flowering woolly caper-bush. With the influx of elephant bulls in the area we have found that they are concentrating on eating the green torchwood plus the ana trees. The eland have started to do the annual 'trimming' of the Natal mahogany tree browse-line.

An expected ever-increasing population of elephant is now gracing us with its presence on and near the floodplains of Mana Pools. Here, on the western boundary, is no exception and the need for constant awareness of the presence of the 'long-nosed lumberjacks' is paramount. Hippo have also been very active in the area, and we have enjoyed viewing them out of the water as they bask in the warm sun.

With reference to the predators, the lions have started to show themselves in and around the camp, even going as far as to steal an impala kill from the leopard that hunts regularly around the camp area. Both felines have been seen on more than one occasion from the boardwalk.

The drama has continued as the two Ruckomechi Males (3-4 years old) move between different groups of females: our regular pair of mother and daughter and occasional visiting females that come in from the eastern boundary. Interesting times lie ahead as we wait with anticipation to witness what unfolds. We have not seen cubs for some time now and are concerned. 

Wild dog have made fewer appearances but stole the show recently by taking down a kudu cow near the camp just moments before a game drive vehicle arrived to witness the happenings. As usual, the feeding session was rapid and only miniscule scraps remained.

Eland in herds, kudu and other common antelope are also more numerous now ensuring that there's always something to look at.

Nocturnally, honey badgers, civets and porcupines are stealing the limelight.

The visiting flocks of red-billed quelea are just getting bigger and bigger. The flocks have reached enormous proportions already, resembling dark clouds at times. As expected, a myriad raptors have arrived to take advantage of the abundant food source. We have enjoyed watching a variety of goshawks and falcons assault the masses of quelea.

As mentioned in previous Ruckomechi Newsletters, we have had the pleasure of having Ted Maberley in camp, taking up slack and filling the gap wherever or whenever needed. A big thanks to Ted. We said farewell to him on Wednesday 31st July, 2012 and wish him all the very best in his further studies and future.

We also said good-bye to Erica who will be doing further training throughout various other Wilderness Camps in Zimbabwe.  We thank her for her time and contributions in assisting Ruckomechi during the past six weeks and wish her all the very best with her further studies in the hospitality industry.

"Wonderful scenery, great game, wonderful accommodation."

Managers: Carel, Juliette, Gavin, Mina, Sandy and Dan.

Guides: Gadreck, Kevin, Champion and Dharmesh.