The Last of the camera traps at our safari camp (by Peter Breedveld)

Camera trap at Shindzela Safari Camp

As most of you all will know, we recently put up a camera trap around the safari camp, hoping to catch some of the game visiting us unnoticed. So far, our most regular nocturnal visitors have been Jackal, Porcupine and Hyena. In fact they became so common on the camera trap that I decided it was time to move the camera, not because these animals are boring but let’s face it, variety is the spice of life. My goal was to catch a Leopard on the camera.

I decided that the best spot for this would be the big game path that runs parallel to our river bed in front of Shindzela safari camp. It did not take me long to find the perfect tree, a nice big Mopane, right on the bend of the path – allowing the safari camp camera to get a good shot of anything coming or going. I set the camera up in the perfect position, and for some reason decided at the last minute to switch from still shots to video mode. The next morning I started my day as usual, but I had this urge to check the camera. Eventually I gave in to the urge and walked across the river bed and over to the tree where I had left the trap. I could not see the camera. I was 100% certain that this was the right tree, but still found myself pacing the path looking at other trees.

Finally I decided to stop being silly and went back to the original spot, and as I looked down at the ground, heart sank; I knew what had happened. Oh well I thought, time to do some tracking, and off I went. Fortunately for me, my tracking expedition only lasted about 200 meters until I found what I was looking for – the SD card from the camera. At least I could enjoy the last video the camera took.  So can you guess what happened to the camera? To find out, go check out the last video the camera trap ever took at this safari camp.