Uyai joined the Vuyani Safari Lodge about half a year ago, as a tracker. He may be relatively new at the lodge, but his tracking experience goes back many years on this reserve. In fact he was tracking leopards here long before even I had ever heard of this place. I am convinced that noone knows this large 36,000 acre conservancy better than him. He claims he can “smell” animals and “feel” them before tracking them, and to judge by is abilities to find game, one is somehow inclined to believing him.
He certainly knows the routines and habits of our large and small animals very well, and since he has joined, our sighting numbers, as well as quality, is off the chart. We see big game now on a quasi daily basis, and also many smaller animals.
Uyai is originally from Zimbabwe, and he left for South Africa many years ago, as one cannot find decent work anymore in Zimbabwe. He has many great stories about his childhood in Zimbabwe, and also life in South Africa, where he worked as a hunting tracker for many years as well. So he knows his stuff!
Ask Uyai to tell you the story when his boss was attacked by a leopard, and he single-handedly saved him. After that story, you will know you are in very safe hands with Uyai.
See below a photo that a guest took of Uyai, sitting on his tracker seat on the front of the Landcruiser, nearby the lions that he had found lazing about in the plains of the reserve. First panorama shot on this blog ever!
