Browns in Kruger September 2019

[Bushcraft]

Thanks Alf, Lisbeth, Mel & RP for popping in and commenting

Ja, a few episodes without leopard now, we only found 1 more and it's thanks to Penny for that


28th Talamati to Biyamiti

We were up early this morning as we had a long haul down to Biyamiti and I was meant to meet my work colleague at Skukuza or Lower Sabie, depending on who was where, to load some of his cooler boxes and things due to their blown engine.

We were parked at the camp gate at 5:55am, but there were no other cars waiting, so we watched the waterhole at the hide a few more minutes, then opened the gate, drove out and closed the gate again without seeing another person. I can only guess that the Talamati occupants enjoyed sleeping in, but we often find this when staying in bush camps.

Around 4km down the S145 towards the S36 I hit the brakes again as a large male lion was parking off in the road.

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Eventually he got up and started his scent marking and patrol down the road, but after around 150m he wandered off into the bush.

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Around the next corner we hit the brakes again as a bunch of lionesses were in the road and in the grass next to the road. They initially seemed interested in something up ahead; however we couldn’t see what they were all looking at.

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[Bushcraft]

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They slowly lost interest in whatever it was up the road and relaxed, so we sat alone amongst them for at least half an hour watching their interaction before the next car arrived from behind us.

Minutes later a male lion roared his head off from down in the dry riverbed and this seemed to get the attention of all the lionesses and 2 or 3 of them stood up and looked in the direction of the roar. The male let rip again and this time they all got up and slowly made their way off in the direction of the roar.

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[Bushcraft]

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We moved forward before the last of the lionesses walked off to allow the couple behind us a chance to get a better view and just up the road we found what was initially interesting to the lions.

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To be continued

[Richprins]

What a sighting all alone, Bushy!

The man was calling the womens!

Interesting point you make about the gates at bush camps - very laissez-faire!

[Alf]

That's a huge male lion

[PJL]

Quite a bit of catching up here.... some more magnificent leopard sightings and that sable herd was fantastic

Your Talamati lions are brilliant

[Flutterby]

Just catching up here, BC, Great record of Sausage. When did you first see him?

You certainly saw lots of lions! And that cub was too cute!!

Fantastic sable sighting!

[Lisbeth]

Very obedient wives, the Master only had to call twice

Re the guests at the bushcamps, I think that it is very tempting to stay in camp and just enjoy the bush life without the stress of driving and the disappointment if you don't find anything interesting

[Bushcraft]

What a sighting all alone, Bushy!

The man was calling the womens!

Interesting point you make about the gates at bush camps - very laissez-faire!

Ja, it was fantastic to be alone with the lion, especially after 7 days in the Lower Sabie/Skukuza area

The bush camp gate story worked in our favour when leaving Biyamiti

[Bushcraft]

That's a huge male lion

Ja, he was a big boy Alf