Day 1, Sunday 9 November : Pretoriuskop -> Maroela.
It was our second two week trip to the Kruger this year and we were hoping for a few more cats than in May when we didn't see a single Lion.
It was also our first Kruger trip with the Off-Road Trailer which proved to be a big change from our usual camping routine.
We had a variety of good days and bad days, including a five day stint at Balule which had us both champing at the bit to see anything other than the usual herbivores.
We also had a very special sighting, which involved the "Crunchy Meat Pie", that we'll talk about for years to come but I'll get to that at the appropriate time
Our first night was at Pretoriuskop on the 8th of November after a journey without any drama apart from a detour in Mahusu, the town near Numbi Gate, which had us traveling around in circles for a while.
After checking in, finding a camping spot and setting up we still had plenty of time for a drive around the Pretoriuskop loops. Unfortunately, the light wasn't much good and there was, as usual for the area, a dearth of subject matter. The only thing worth getting the camera out for was a gorgeous Pygmy Kingfisher - a lifer for the SO and only the second time I've seen one.
Back at camp I found a beautiful moth. EDIT : Toko has identified this as a Cream Cake Moth, which fits perfectly with this TT's theme!
: EDIT
We didn't get up at zero-dark-thirty the next morning. Instead, we woke up when it was light, did a unhurried pack-up and went to the Wimpy for breakfast before setting off on the long journey to Maroela.
While we were packing up, we spied a gang of Dwarf Mongooses in the open area between us and the laundry so I crept up on them and took some pictures.
I also spotted a Laughing Dove taking a sand bath.
Then we were off for what turned out to be a leisurely drive along the S36 instead of the H1 with only a few things worth getting the camera out for.
Mocking Chat
Vultures in the river bed.
And assorted other animals.
We stopped at Nhlanguleni for a coffee break and I found what I think is a Chafer Beetle.
Back on the road, some more regulars including an enormous Giraffe.
We got to Maroela, set up and decided we'd had enough driving for the day so we stayed in camp for the rest of the afternoon.
All I found that night was a Cicada.
