S.K.P. EXPLORER WITH S.T.F. AND J.R. TOURS.*

[steamtrainfan]

Sunday 18 May 2014 - Skukuza to Pretoriuskop - Part 1/2

We decided to duck out early and do the H4-1, H12, S83, H1-2 round trip and then back to Skukuza for breakfast.

Nothing much to be seen until we crossed the sand river on the Maroela Loop where we saw Bushbuck.



On the Sabie River low level bridge we spotted this fish eagle.



Nyala ram just before Skukuza.



A quick bite to eat before leaving for PK via the H1-1, H3 and H2-2.

This ellie held up the traffic by walking in the middle of the road for about 20 minutes before he took a nibble off a tree on the side of the road with a giraffe looking on.



Once again it was very quiet. Only saw this kudu on the H2-2.




We were too early to check in so we rode around the myriad of roads around PK.

We saw a family of dwarf mongoose playing on the side of the road and this one posed quite nicely for us.



To us it looked like this one was feeding a youngster or what was going on?????????????




Still too early so we took a drive to Shitlhave Dam where we saw some waterbuck on the dam wall.



Coming up next - In and around Pretoriuskop.

[steamtrainfan]

Sunday 18 May 2014 - Skukuza to Pretoriuskop - Part 2/2

We had never really walked around Pretoriuskop before so took the chance today. Has always heard about the lovely swimming pool.



On the gate to the swimming pool Joan saw this huge stick insect.



I managed to get a shot of this butterfly, can anyone ID it for us as our knowledge of butterflies is non-existent.



I had heard Purple-crested Turaco's calling in the trees somewhere so I spent some time tracking them down as I have yet to get a decent photo of one.

At last one sat still long enough for me to get a few photos but it was into the sun.





We then went for a drive on those roads around the camp.

At one river crossing Joan got this shot of some lovely water lilies.



On returning to camp this fellow had torn down half a tree just before the gate so we had no option but to wait for him to finish.







He kept us and whole bunch of other folks waiting for 20 minutes before he decided to amble off into the bush.

We had heard that there were wild dog on the Albasini Road so that is where we are off to tomorrow.

[steamtrainfan]

OUR LAST DAY - Monday 20 May 2014 - Part 1/3

Going to look for the wild dogs on the S3 then continue S1 and H1-1 back to P.K.

Dawn just outside PK.



A few of the pics Joan took on our way round.







No wild dog to be seen.

At Transport Dam.





The one on the right does not seem to have his front teeth.

A very short episode tonight I am afraid as nothing much to report on.

[steamtrainfan]

OUR LAST DAY - Monday 20 May 2014 - Part 2/3

On our way back to camp a this kudu came bounding out of the bush.



Followed by some more.



After having lunch we went back to Transport Dam.



We sat at Transport Dam just savouring the peace and quiet.

On the way back to camp some boisterous ellies crossed the road.



Coming up next - in and around Pretoriuskop.

[steamtrainfan]

OUR LAST DAY - Monday 20 May 2014 - Part 3/3

Our last afternoon drive and overnight stay in Kruger. Hearts very .

Back in camp for lunch I did a walkabout looking for PCT's but found this Groundscraper Thrush.



A pretty butterfly.



I managed to capture this monkey starting his leap over the electric fence to get into camp. They use the support cable for an electricity pole, run up it and then leap over the electric fence into a tree. Clever little tykes.



Some dwarf mongoose were running around the bungalows.



After lunch we took a ride around the ring roads. No animals around so we concentrated on the small guys.

Could this be a Yellow-breasted Pipit???????? Looking at its status map it is not found in Kruger.



Black Crake.



Yellow-fronted canary.





Joan has never taken a photograph of a frog before so when I asked her to take a photo of this guy all she said was " WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT????????" I said to her that it would make quite a nice photo. My request was granted.



Well that is it for our last day in Kruger.

Tomorrow we head home via Albasini Road and out at Phabeni gate.

[steamtrainfan]

TUESDAY 20 MAY 2014 - On our way out - Pretoriuskop to Phabeni gate.

We took the Albasini Road up to Phabeni gate.

Some of the photos on the way.

This mommy and her very tiny baby at Mestel Dam.



A couple of dagga boys crossed the road in front of us.



This ellie hogged the road for two kilometres before going off into the bush. He had built quite a queue of traffic behind him and had cars reversing in front of him.



Finally for this TT but not in Kruger a first for us. Taken near Nelspruit.

A nice clear view of a Long-crested Eagle.



All in all we would say another very successful Kruger trip.

A huge thank to everybody that stayed on board, popped in now and again for all your contributions and for the wonderful comments.