As one of the new members of the team, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. Leaving a corporate job in the city of Johannesburg to follow a childhood passion, I was soon to realize that from the second I arrived in this magical place my life would change, for the better. I expected my senses would be heightened, my daily routine refigured and that I’d have the opportunity to meet a wonderful group of like-minded people, who love to work in the bush, excited me beyond measure.
Joy and myself, Nick, forming a new and exciting tracker and guide team at Londolozi
What I didn’t expect was the incredible relationship that I would form, and continue to grow, with my new friend and tracker, Joy Mathebula. He trained through the Tracker Academy in 2016 and has been working as a tracker here ever since. A newly formed team – assembled with Joy’s 6 years of experience, patience and knowledge of the wilderness area combined with my new guiding eagerness – we are ready to tackle any challenge that may lie before us.
The Art of Tracking
“The Art of Tracking may well be the origin of science. After hundreds of thousands of years, traditional tracking skills may soon be lost. Yet tracking can be developed into a new science with far-reaching implications for nature conservation.” – Louis Liebenberg
Joy admiring a herd of elephants in the afternoon sun from the tracker seat
While it has been refreshing to get to know Joy on a personal level, watching him in action is fascinating. The safari experience at Londolozi obviously relies largely on being able to observe and marvel at the beautiful creatures that inhabit the reserve, incidentally they are not always easy to find. This is where Joy plays a critical role in his “office” on the front seat of the vehicle.
Sharing a spectacular sunrise with a giraffe. The mist that settles in the low-lying areas on brisk winter mornings creates an amazing layer for a sunrise photograph.
Joy has a remarkable ability to spot the faintest of leopard tracks on the road as well as the head of a distant giraffe on the horizon. It is important to know that there are many teachings in the ancient art of tracking. As a new guide, tracking animals is still a novelty to me, however, there are a few fundamentals I would like to share with you that I have learnt from the professional – Joy.
Fresh evidence of a leopard that has just walked down the road early one morning. Leopards will often use roads as pathways upon which they demarcate their territory through scent marking and scraping of their hind feet.
Assessing a track
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Freshness
Are the edges of the tracks sharp? Has the track been disturbed by rain, dew or wind? Have other animals or vehicle tracks left their mark on top of the tracks? All these clues help Joy to age a track and therefore indicate what time the animal was passing through the area and
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Direction
Which way are the toes of the track pointing? Are they heading into a thicket or towards a watering hole? Joy will be able to establish the behaviour of the animal by using the direction and freshness of the tracks with terrific skill and this is vital when deciding whether to pursue certain animal tracks.
The crisp edges of a female leopard track crossing a road a tracker’s dream. It takes serious talent and skill to follow these tracks.
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Safety
After the direction and freshness of the tracks are known, as a team we decide what is the safest way to find the animal. Is it safer to follow the tracks into the thicket together? Or should we divide and conquer? This is where Joy will go alone into the bush in order to track the leopard on foot and I will drive along the roads in the direction of where the tracks are headed in order to cut it off or try to find tracks ahead of Joy to help him leapfrog further ahead.
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Other Signs
The track left behind by the animal is not the only clue that can be used to track an animal. Rubbing posts, middens, cat scat (excrement), and impressions on the grass and game paths can be useful.
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Common sounds
Lastly, help from other animals in the bushveld can provide important information on the whereabouts of a particular animal or predator. Some of the common ones are the calls of oxpeckers, alarm calls of squirrels, nyala, kudu and impala, and Tawny Eagle shrieks. These calls are often associated with larger, more dangerous animals.
Tracking often leads to the team spending some time off the vehicle to assess any tracks and signs left behind by the animal.
Taking all the above information to pinpoint exactly where the animal is, requires patience, focus and a great deal of flexibility. I have had to learn these traits from Joy and when done correctly can lead to a thrilling experience for our guests. The excitement of spotting a leopard after tracking it all morning is something Joy and I look forward to every time we go out on a drive. One particular afternoon was no different as we managed to find the Ximungwe Young Male up in a marula tree after following his tracks for a while.
Watching a leopard leap from branch to branch in a marula tree is a special sight! Our guest, Rob Shanahan, managed to beautifully capture the Ximungwe Young Male mid-leap.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
So I encourage you to look out for the tracking signs and sounds of the bush next time you are on a game drive at Londolozi and don’t hesitate to ask your tracker to show you the tracks as well as explain the direction and behaviour of the particular animal of interest!
Congratulations on your new position and I hope your tracking lessons will bring you many successful sightings going forward. I’m always amazed by the skills of the tracker on any drive and always look over the side of the Landy to see if I can spot what they’ve seen – sometimes yes, mostly no!
Thank you Denise. The experiences and lessons I have had in the bush so far have been nothing short of incredible. It amazes me how Joy is able to pick up on the faintest of tracks on the road!
And absolute Art and rewarding skillset! it opens your senses to a higher level making one to absorb, listen and sense more.
I couldn’t agree more Gawie, thanks for the comment.
Great post! Just spent a week at Londolozi with Nick and Joy and together they delivered an exceptional experience in the bush! Had many amazing sightings and learned a ton along the way!
Thank you, Thom. Joy and I enjoyed a wonderful experience with you a few weeks back!
While tracking is a skill which can be learned it takes patience and experience to master . Having a good tracker would be indispensable in the bush veld of Africa. I am a novice who only learned a little over the years so I admire good trackers. Thanks for the update Nick.
Thanks William! We are very fortunate at Londolozi to work as a guide and tracker team, which is something very unique.
Nick you have certainly made the right choice from changing your career from a corporate world to the bush world. You have so many opportunities know and with Joy by your side you two are going to be a formidable duo. Good luck in your guiding abilities and may you enjoy every moment of guiding, and learning tracking abilities from Joy.
Thank You, Valmai. I am looking forward to learning from Joy and the adventures ahead.
We have had 2 great experiences with Joy, impressed with his professional growth from the first to the second. (Sean & Greg)
Please tell him hello from us and ask him how his golf game is improving.
Joy is a pleasure to work with and his tracking gets better every day. I will pass on your regards to him!
Great article, Nick.
Thanks Christa.
I was very interested in the methods used to determine the age of animal tracks. I never thought about those crisp edges or blowing twigs and or their detritus commented on. Thank you again for the education
It’s a pleasure, Carolyn. The skill that trackers have to age tracks is terrific!
This is an incredible blog. I have never been less than in awe by the Trackers at Londolozi. The interaction between the Tracker and the Ranger is a sight/sound to behold. All the best for much success.
Thank you very much, Jeff. I have learnt a great deal from Joy already and I just know there is so much more to learn.
Tracking is hard work, art, psychology, science, animal behavior, storytelling and ultimately, MAGIC. Last year, on safari, we tracked Hosana for 3 days…..3 long hot days of trying to think like a leopard, and feel like a leopard and act like a leopard. Finally we found him!! What a relief, what excitement, what a sense of acccomplishment!
Hello Lisa, Thanks for sharing your exciting experience tracking Hosana. You have highlighted the essence of what a tracker aims to achieve and there is no better feeling than tracking and finding a leopard!
I just had the extreme privilege of having Nick & Joy as my guide and tracker during my 10 day stay at Founders Camp & I can attest to their devotion and persistence in ensuring that I got not only the opportunity to view the big 5 exhibiting a variety of behaviors but they both focused on positioning the truck in such a way to give me the best photographic angle to capture the animal. As a photographer with a keen interest in getting the “money” shot I truly appreciated their efforts. While I have some experience in capturing wildlife I really appreciated Nick’s input and suggestions in maximizing my shot.
This is my second visit to Londolozi in 2 years and I’m already planning my 2023 visit and will definitely request Nick & Joy to be my guide & tracker.
Thank You Di. It was an absolute pleasure driving you at Londolozi and what an amazing 10 days it was. Joy and I are Looking forward to your return soon.