The not a trip report - trip report

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Dzombo
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The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Dzombo »

I have a huge amount of work to do before the festive period, so may not have time to do a full trip report.
But I thought I would share highlights from my trip, thoughts and experiences. And if I have time, will do a full trip report.

We were in Kruger from 14 to 19 November
Entered Melalane Gate
1st night Skukuza
2nd night Lower Sabie (drove from Skuks up to Tshockwane and then down the H10 to LS)
3rd night Satara
4th night Satara - including a morning drive up to Olifants
5th night Skukuza
Left via Melalane Gate

I think a Kruger trip at the moment isn't "normal" due to the drought.
The South is starting to green up nicely. Up to about 5km south of Tshcok.
North up to Olifants was like a nuclear waste land, with a few small patches of green here and there, but not much.
Some big dams dry: Molondozi, Girvana, Nsemani. Many others are only a tiny percentage full.

Browsers seem to be doing ok.
Grazers not so. And Hippo and Buffalo taking big strain. Saw lots of emaciated specimens of both species.
The veld is littered with skeletons

Had some good sightings, but did a huge amount of driving - 1,450 km in the 6 days.
And sightings were a bit different to normal trips.
Saw loads and loads of Giraffe south of the Sabie.
And also never seen this many Nyala along the Sabie.
The south eastern side from Nkumbe to Croc Bridge was the most productive.
Drove from Satara to Orpen and back without seeing a single Wildebeest or Zerbra.
Aslo very few elephants in the Satara area.
Had some good predator sightings. Helped I think by the lack of long grass and thin bush.

Before the trip, I had set myself 3 "target species" to try and see
Sable, Yellowbilled Oxpecker and Violetbacked Starling.
Of the 3, I only saw the oxpecker. 1 bird on a Bufallo on the north section of the S28.
Did see a Caracal which is a first for me.

I found birding to be a bit slow.
I only added 10 new species to my Kruger list to take the total to 172. Was dissapointed by that.
But saw quite a few "specials" - lots of Ground Hornbills, Saddlebilled Storks, Vultures and Eagles.

It was nice to go out of school holiday time. It was nice and quiet. Was at a Lion sighting on the H4-2 with 1 other car.
But the OSV's are a problem. The minute one of them turns up at a good sighting, they radio their colleagues who then descend within minutes. And try and squeeze the ordinary cars out. And are rude and aggressive if you object to their behaviour

By contrast, I found the staff at reception in the staff at reception and in the camps very friendly and helpful
We would often arrive before the official 2pm check in - generally from 12:30 bto 1:30. I asked to be allowed to check in, and in each case was given the key, with a request that if the unit was still being cleaned, to please not go in until they had finished - fair enough.

Will post some photos soon


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Flutterby
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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Flutterby »

Hey Dzombo 0/*

Congrats on the caracal sighting! ^Q^ Very jealous! 0'

I can imagine it must be very depressing to see the park in such a bad state! :-(

Looking forward to seeing your pics. 0()


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Mel
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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Mel »

I like your title... funny lol

Sounds like a mixed bag for your sightings - but I'm sure there'll be some nice highlights ^Q^

The thought of the OSV is giving me a headache already now, thinking of our Kruger visit next year O-/

You didn't got to SA for only 6 nights in Kruger I suppose? What else did you do?


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nan
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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by nan »

I'm ready... trip report or not ;-)

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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Lisbeth »

I hope that you have a pic of the caracal O/\ O/\

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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Richprins »

Jolly good, Dzombs! Nice about the staff letting you in early, very good practice from them! \O :yes:


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Dzombo
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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Dzombo »

Flutterby - Thanks

Mel - Thanks
The main reason we went to SA was for a close relatives wedding. Which was on the first weekend.
And it was an uncle's 70th last Sunday. No point in spending a week in Jhb, so we went to Kruger :-0

Nan - I will see what I can do

Lisbeth - Yes, I do have photos. Will post them when I get a chance

RP - with kids it was very usefull. Otherwise we would have had to try and keep them occupied for 1 to 1 1/2 hours


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Mel
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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Mel »

Makes sense, Dzombo and good choice lol


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Dzombo
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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Dzombo »

A few photos:

The cheetahs on the H3
IMG_1818.jpg
IMG_1825.jpg
The Caracal on the H7
IMG_3529.jpg


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Re: The not a trip report - trip report

Post by Pumbaa »

WoW to the cheetahs and on top a caracal, Dzombo \O :-0

I still have to find my very first caracal in Kruger :shock:


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