Flutts, The Brat and Mommo: Back in the Bush*

[Flutterby]

Day 5, 2/9/2015, Olifants - Skukuza

A large buff herd not far from the carcass.



Anti-poaching patrol.



There was a lot of bird activity at Gudzani Dam.

Marabou Stork - don't think I've ever seen one in water before.



There were lots of Saddle-billed Storks around.

© Bush Brat



On the S100 we came across a Tawny Eagle with a kill and a Hamerkop trying to steal it.

© Bush Brat

The Tawny eventually got fed up with the Hamerkop and took off, and while it was in mid-air a Martial Eagle grabbed the kill from it!



Still on the S100 we then came across our first lions of the day...4 sleepy males.



© Bush Brat

© Bush Brat

© Bush Brat

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Day 5, 2/9/2015, Olifants - Skukuza

After the lions on the S100 we got back onto the tar and headed towards Tshokwane. It wasn't long before we came around a corner and found this in the road...and we were the only car there!

© Bush Brat

© Bush Brat

There were another two lionesses next to the road and they were all walking with a purpose.

© Bush Brat

Another lioness joins the first.



Suddenly a herd of impalas stormed across the road about a 100m in front of the lions, so they also decided to cross the road.

© Bush Brat

They were very alert and obviously keen on following the impala.

© Bush Brat

One last look and then they disappeared into very thick bush.

© Bush Brat

We were alone with the lions for most of the sighting, but at the most there were only 4 cars there. However, about 3kms further on we came across a big traffic jam! There were two lions on a kudu kill next to the road but the bush was thick and it wasn't easy to see them. We eventually found a clear view - our third lion sighting of the morning!







There were apparently more lions and cubs in the riverbed close by but we didn't see them.

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Day 5, 2/9/2015, Olifants - Skukuza

We left the lions and found a fairly decent tusker, but of course he wouldn't turn around!



Not far after Mazithi Dam we came across another traffic jam...more lions! They were in a very open area about 100 metres in but there were lots of small bushes close to the road which made it difficult to get any good pics!

© Bush Brat

When we arrived some of the lions were in the riverbed, apparently feeding on a carcass, but they all eventually moved into view. We counted 20 including quite a few cubs, and we assume this was the Mazithi pride.









We stayed with them quite long hoping they would move closer to the road, but eventually we had to move on.

Five well-hidden precious ones.



On the H1-2, we found another lion! This time a lovely black-maned male!



Then some birdies...a nice change from lions!



A pair of Pied Kingfishers at the low-level bridge near Skukuza.





We eventually arrived at Skukuza after a fantastic morning and unpacked and relaxed.

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Day 5, 2/9/2015, Olifants - Skukuza

So, we checked in at Skukuza where we had booked a BE3 bungalow. These bungalows have had alterations done to them in the form of bigger verandahs, but absolutely no thought was put into this. The braai is on the opposite side to where the steps are so you have to walk around the verandah to get to the braai, and at night it is pitch dark as there are no lights...par for the course!



They have put the fridges inside...at last , but with no consideration for aesthetics! The fridge has simply been dumped in front of the little shelf and juts out into the room. It would take minutes to remove the shelf so that the fridge can be pushed back against the wall - if we'd had a screwdriver we would have done it ourselves!



Each bungalow now has its own baboon/badger-proof recylable and non-recyclable bins.



For our afternoon drive we decided to go up the H1-2, take the Marula loop, cross over the high-level bridge and back to camp. The weather had taken a turn and it was getting quite chilly, so we didn't see much.

A handsome nyala bull.

© Bush Brat

A Sacred Ibis with two Little Egrets.



A Tawny Eagle with an early supper.



A hopeful Bateleur looks on.



My dad braaing right next to our neighbour's car!



Pork rashers and lamb sosaties for dinner.

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Day 6, 3/9/2015, Skukuza

So, we woke to an overcast morning for our last full day in the park. We decided to head down the H4-2 to Lower Sabie and then take it from there.

A Purple-crested Turaco There were two but we only managed a pic of one.



A little further on we came across a first for us in the park - a Trumpeter Hornbill! Unfortunately it flew off before we could get any pics! There wasn't much to hold us up and when we got to LS we decided to have breakfast at the Mugg & Bean.

This squirrel was making a lot of noise at the entrance to the restaurant.



After ordering the food I went in search of birdies.

Southern Boubou



Black Crake



Not sure of this LBJ.



Cape Robin-chat



I was trying to get a shot of the parrot but the ellies also wanted to be in the pic!





Mommo ordered a traditional brekkie and the Brat and I had omelettes. The food was yummy and the service was great....except for one problem. I'd ordered a leopard with breakfast, and they didn't bring it!!

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Day 6, 3/9/2015, Skukuza

We left Lower Sabie and decided to head up the H10, across the S29 and back on the S128 in search of cheetahs.

Ground Hornbills on the H10.

© Bush Brat

It was cold and windy and the H10 and the S29 were very quiet. We turned onto the S128 and I told the Brat to scan all the anthills and mounds for spots. After about 6kms I saw something and told my dad to stop....



2 Cheetahs on a mound!

© Bush Brat







We were the only car there and we decided to stay until another car arrived as they were very hard to spot. Eventually we saw a vehicle approaching and told them the good news. They were so happy as they hadn't seen any cheetah and this was their last day in the park. We left the cheetahs and headed back to Lower Sabie.

Waterbuck, croc and lots of thick-knees at Sunset Dam



A peaceful scene...



...and not so peaceful!



A bit further on and we found a black-maned lion.



At Lubylubye we found 12 of the local pride but they were quite far away and not active so we took a pic and headed back to camp.

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Day 6, 3/9/2015, Skukuza

SO.....

For our last afternoon drive we decided to head towards Kruger Gate, take the S3, cut across on the S4, then up the S1, onto the S65 and back up the H1-1. Before leaving camp we stopped at the shop and found a group of pre-schoolers having fun around the kudu statue. I put this pic on a FB group and was stunned at the heated discussions it caused! I know we all like peace and quiet in the park but it was great to see kids being introduced to the bush at such a young age.



Brown-hooded Kingfisher



Black-crowned Tchagra



A collared ellie on the H11.



These White-crested Helmet-shrikes are impossible to photograph but I did manage to get this one mid-scratch.



At N'waswitshaka Waterhole some ellie bulls were having a drink.

© Bush Brat

Pssst...we can still see you.











The rest of the drive was very quiet and we were back in camp early for our last night in Kruger.

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Day 7, 4/9/2015, Skukuza - Johannesburg

We normally leave through Phabeni gate but this time we decided to head down the H1-1 and exit via Numbi.

A cold and windy Transport Dam.



Two sleepy hyenas near the dam.



A herd of buffs keeping warm.



A huddle of horns.

© Bush Brat

We soon came across a few cars watching a hyena feeding on an impala carcass right next to the road, with another one skulking around in the background.

© Bush Brat

This youngster kept poking its head out of the den to check us out.

© Bush Brat

© Bush Brat

© Bush Brat

Another one arriving with the legs.



© Bush Brat

© Bush Brat

And that was the end of our trip.

In 6 days we had seen 20 different lion sightings totalling 84 lions , 3 leopards, 5 cheetah, a honey badger, a Pel's Fishing Owl, loads of ellies and lots of birdies!! What more could you ask for?