Matamba Camping

17 - 19 September - Matamba Bush Camp, Vaalwater

We had planned a family camping weekend with our good friends Mike and Jenny Bath some time ago and finally the weekend was upon us. We departed early Friday afternoon and met in Vaalwater for a few supplies before heading a little further to Matamba Bush Camp. 

It was our first visit to this well appointed Camp which keeps a small footprint of campers in a few camp sites that are far enough apart to give you ample privacy. The campsites have water and electricity with well appointed and shared kitchen and ablutions (a few are outdoor). This is a walking only reserve, which adds to the overall ambiance and bush experience. It was almost dark by the time we had our campsites setup, got the fire going and a few cold beers and wine for the sundown toasts....

I was up early on the Saturday morning for an orientation walk under clear skies, but a strong and fresh wind which hampered birding a little. I walked to the old airstrip finding a lone Sable bull - these are truly magnificent antelope and are a signature species for Matamba.

Sable (Hippotragus niger)

The old airstrip has now been reclaimed by grasses and I flushed an African Wildcat which was awesome. Actually, it probably saw me long before I saw it..

African Wild Cat (Felis lybica)

This was also a good area for Bushveld Pipit and walking the airstrip, I flushed quite a few - however, only one landed briefly in a tree and I managed to squeeze off a few shots

Bushveld Pipit (Anthus caffer)

There was a water hole adjacent to the airstrip and here I found a pair of Pearl-breasted Swallows collecting mud for their nest inside a Springhare burrow.

Pearl-breasted Swallow (Hirundo dimidiata)

In the woodland surrounding the airstrip, I found a pair of the normally skulking Grey-headed Bushshrike's as they foraged through a few trees

Grey-headed Bushshrike (Malaconotus blanchoti)

On one of the roads, I added Groundscraper Thrush

Groundscraper Thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa)

and later quite a number of BruBru

Brubru (Nilaus afer)

It was then back to camp for a hearty breakfast and to chill and chat until after lunch. Birding in the campsite was pretty good and its amazing how many bird parties pass through, while you are sitting in your camp chair with a beverage in hand. Black Flycatchers were prevalent

Southern Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina)

But a highlight was a small party of Green-capped Eremomela

Green-capped Eremomela (Eremomela scotops)

That was followed by a Grey Penduline Tit that actually caught 40-winks on the branch it was sitting on

Grey Penduline Tit (Anthoscopus caroli)

Later in the afternoon, we had another sundowner walk seeing an Eland on the way

Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx)

We went back to the airstrip to watch the sunset and moon rise and in the hope of seeing an Aardvark - no luck with that, but we enjoyed the clear skies overhead as we walked back in the dark. 

Almost full

Fiery-necked Nightjar's started calling and we were fortunate to come across one on the road with a torch providing the light

Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis)

Another fun evening ensued with good food, banter and not quite as many beverages as our first night. Early Sunday morning I was up early again for a last walk, woken by a pair of Bearded Woodpecker's in our camp.

Bearded Woodpecker (Chloropicus namaquus)

Further down one of the roads, another encounter with a Grey-headed Bush Shrike

Grey-headed Bushshrike (Malaconotus blanchoti)

The male Sable was in the same vicinity as yesterday, but not quite as skittish today - enjoy the few images below

Sable (Hippotragus niger)

I also had a young Nyala male

Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)

No new birds today, but I photographed this unidentified Lizard

Lizard sp.

A Guineafowl butterfly

Guineafowl (Hamanumida daedalus)

Followed by a female Eastern Scarlet (thanks to Steve Collins for the ID)

Eastern Scarlet (Axiocerses t. tjoane)

It was then back to camp for another hearty breakfast after which we had to break camp and be on the road by 10am.

It was a great weekend at Matamba in all respects, but another night would have been preferable, as it is a 3-hour drive from home. We will be back.....