Kruger - Balm of the Soul *

[Katja]

4th August 2011

The evening before Matthias and Johanna had decided to sleep a bit longer the next morning, so it was Denise and me going out on our own. We went towards Kruger Gate and wanted to be back at about 8.30 to pick up the others.

The drive was very quiet and the only animals we spotted were some Ellies having an early breakfast.



We enjoyed this sighting for a while and moved on, hoping to find a leopard. Well, there were no predators in sight, only this Swainson’s Spurfowl crossed our way.



At a low waterbrigde we noticed this gorgeous Green-backed Heron, which seemed to love its own reflection.



On the way back to camp we saw Kudus and a Bushbock and several smaller birds. We had a quick coffee and decided which road to take today. Off we went to Pretoriskop. It wasn’t a good decision, as the grass around this camp was really high and it was difficult to spot anything. Nevertheless we enjoyed the drive and on the way we saw a lovely Zebra herd.



The little one was so cute, but nearly got hidden by some downfalling bombs, much to our amusement.





Furtheron we noticed some cars, we approached slowly and looked into the direction all other visitors were looking. There they were ... lions with a kill. Again they were far off and gladly one of the lionesses got up. Snap!!! We only saw this lioness in all her beauty, as the others were hiding in the grass. As more and more cars arrived we continued our way.


Soon after this sighting we spotted a Black-shouldered Kite hovering in the air and some Ellies in a distance. What a shame that they were so far away, as they looked like Tuskers to us.





We much enjoyed the landscape around Pretoriuskop and remembered a road where we missed a LIT on our last trip. Looking everywhere and especially in the trees we only found this Dark Chanting Goshawk.



It was time for lunch and a loo stop at Pretoriuskop. The camp was really empty and soon we got our orders. A Black-collared Barbet watched us all the time, hoping for some leftovers.





After having filled our bellies and a good leg stretch we continued. Some Buffalos were peacefully grazing in the early afternoon and a Korhaan just allowed us to have a short look at him. We turned in to Shitlhave and surprised a herd of Waterbucks.



I felt guilty, as it seemed they got a fright. Soon after they stopped and relaxed again an Ellie arrived at the waterhole followed by a small herd. It is always amazing to see those huge giants, so protective to their little ones. They quickly quenched their thirst and vanished into the bush again.



to be continued „Transport Dam – where the Hyenas still there?“

[Katja]

Finally the turnoff to Transport Dam came in sight and we were excited, if the hyeanas were still around.
Slowly we approached and ...... there they were. Well actually it was the little male again and another little hyeana, which looks as it was the same age.



Again there were no other cars around and we could enjoy these gorgeous sighting all on our own for a while. The little male went to his favourite hiding place again and only his nose was to be seen.



The other one decided that a place near the tube was more comfortable and surely better for us to take pics. We just loved the different facial expressions of it.









After a while the other one joined the „poser“.



Unfortunately the tiny hyena didn’t show up, but we were happy nevertheless. As other cars arrived we continued our way back to Skukuza.

Usual game such as Impalas and a few zebras crossed our way and at a little puddle we found two Kori Bustards. One of them was drinking while the other one slowly vanished into the bush.



A little Terrapin was on its way to the puddle, well it looked like it already had a swim before.


We came pass the kopje again where we had seen a Klipspringer before and were again fortuned with its present.



Back in the camp a lovely colored Sunbird entertained us for a while before I started uploading the pics taken during the day.



Suddenly I heart someone calling my name and it was Hayden with his family. It was a wonderful meet and we immediately had a conversation going as if we had known each other for years. The kids were playing inside the cottage, even though they couldn’t understand each others language and Johanna was really happy to have made new friends. The Cow and Hayden showed us the leopard kill they had seen on their way to Skukuza and explained where to find it. Well, as it was on our route the next day we definitely wanted to have a look for the leopard. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye much too soon, as Hayden had the braai fire going. Well I bet he had to put on some more wood.



... to be continued „not for sensitive viewers!“

[Katja]

05.08.2011

We woke up to a beautiful morning, the usual hippo serenade was going on and I heart a lion roaring in a distance.



It was our last full day in the park and after packing all the staff in the car we were on our way to the final destination ... Biyamiti. As Hayden told us about the leopard kill, we were keen on finding the spot and hoped that the leopard would still be around.

On the way a Grey Heron warmed up in the first sun’s rays.



and some Brown-headed Parrots were having a morning chat in a nearby tree.



Again we saw plenty of usual game, especially Bushbocks seemed to be quite common in this area. We enjoyed every single minute, as we all knew that we had to leave this magical place soon and somehow everything was even more intense that day. Around a corner a breeding ellie herd was on both sides of the road and we admired their rituals. A little one was always close to its mum and played peek-a-boo with us, it was so cute. Meanwhile mummy had a quick snack.





After a while the hide and seek game got boring and the little one had a good scratch.



Other cars had arrived at the scene and kept a good distance to the ellies, except one car. As we looked back, a young ellie was crossing the road just in front of their car and showed his aversion. The woman in the car didn’t look too happy that her SO didn’t reverse. -O Gladly the ellie moved on!
I love the gentle giants a lot and to take pics of their warm eyes.





We could have watched them much longer, but they moved into the thicker bushes and so we continued as well.

After some kilometers we noticed four cars and approached slowly. First we didn’t know what they were looking at, but soon spotted this.





There were no predators in sight and we wondered who had made this kill.

... to be continued.

[Katja]

The carcass was on the left side of the road and the innards a bit further off the road.
We ask the other visitors, if they knew who made the kill, but they didn’t know either. We decided to wait and see what might happen. Well after 10 minutes the two cars left the place, little did they know what after another 10 minutes would come out of the bush.

Suddenly to our surprise three Wild Dogs appeared and started sniffing and eating. We had a good place to watch this happen and couldn’t believe our luck. It is amazing to see how fast they are. The doggies dragged the antelope from the left side to the right side of the road while munching away. Other cars had arrived, but everyone had a good sight and no one disbehaved. After a short while one of the doggies came closer to our car and showed interest in the innards, which were just besides of us. I believe you all can imagine the commotion in the car, we were absolutely flabbergasted. Even Johanna, who is really sensitive, enjoyed this sight. Sure she felt sorry for the antelope, but knew that the doggies need to hunt for survival.
It was over all too soon and it is incredible what was left of the antelope. The Painted dogs thought it might be okay to leave something for us. So one of them approached our car on the right side, turned around itself several times and made a poo. The other two decided that they should mark their territory and peed near to this spot. After the dogs left the place, you could see all smiling faces in the car.
Here are the pics which tell the story. Oh, nearly forgot the last two pics shows the difference of what an adult and a child captures in pic.





































to be continued...

[Katja]

After this special Painted Dog sighting we continued towards Nkuhlu, as we wanted to find the spot where Hayden had seen the leopard the day before. On the way a lovely Kudu family crossed the river.



At the junction to the H12 a huge Baboon family kept us entertained for a while. It was so funny and again we learnt that they aren’t that different from human beings.

These two little ones were playing so cute, but soon mummy arrived at the scene and wasn’t impressed. So she stopped the play, got hold of one of them and got him down.





The little ones were quite angry about this and expressed this loudly. Well mum was quite resolute!!!!





After the baboons left, we drove on as well and a gorgeous Nyala, as well as a Dwarf Mongoose showed us how to have a little scratch.





We found a new bird, but still cannot identify for sure. I think it could be a Ashy Flycatcher.



Just before the picnicspot we found the leftovers of the impala, but no leopard was to be seen. Only a lone Hyena was having a rest nearby.





Other cars stopped as well and we told them that this kill happened the day before and showed them the hyena. At Nkuhlu we made a quick loo stop and ate some rolls. Soon we were on the road again, still in hope to find the elusive leopard. Instead two lionesses appeared for a few seconds. We hardly spotted them first, as they were deep in the bush, but gladly one of them decided to show her beauty for a pic.





As soon they appeared they were gone again, but still we were happy. The rest of the drive till Sunset Dam was quiet. At the dam itself we watched all the locals. A Waterbuck was grazing near our car and hippos were sunbathing. The birdlife was incredible again, so many different species, WOW! We enjoyed this scenery a while and stopped off at Lower Sabie again.

Sure the Speckled-Mousebird was busy again.



to be continued.....

[Katja]

After our stop at Lower Sabie we continued towards Croc Bridge, S25 to Biyamiti.

On the way we saw a lone Dagga Boy resting in the shade, but too far off for a good pic. Well this gorgeous Steenbok didn’t mind posing for us, it even showed us as many an animal before how good a scratch can be.





It was quite hot that day and the animals seemed to hide and rest. So the drive was really quiet for a while. Suddenly Matthias stopped the car and pointed to a tree. There she was a wonderful Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.



Another car stopped next to us and we showed them the Owl, but they were not interested at all and drove off. I bet they thought we were crazy watching a big bird.
It is much more interesting also having a look for the smaller critters in the park, they can be so awesome and moreover are really entertaining, such as this cheeky Squirrel, which was sitting in the tree having a quick lunch.



A Warthog family was on its way to Croc bridge as well and we accompanied them for a while. They are so funny and during the whole trip we always were happy to spot one.



A little bit further a White-headed Vulture was preening itself.



Such an ugly raptor, but interesting to watch. The next sighting was a road block consisting of Giraffes and some Zebras. They were so beautiful and many a car stopped to admire them.




The three-headed-Giraffe

A few kilometers further we noticed a Safari-vehicle at the side of the road. Surely we stopped and asked what they were looking at. The guide was really nice and showed us a LIT. WOW, we were over the moon, especially Johanna. Maybe some of you remember that on our last trip Johanna missed the leopard sighting, as she had fever and was sleeping in the car. So she was really excited and kept on whispering „oh my first leopard, oh my first leopard“. It was a very special sighting for her and of course for us as well.



The young female leopard was quite in a distance and so the pic is not the best.

At the Gezantfombi Dam we saw the all the locals again, plenty Zebras and Wildebeests were present.





This time no lions were around, neither a rhino. We couldn’t stay long, as we still had to get to Biyamiti and we wanted to make a short loo stop at Croc Bridge. Shortly before we reached the camp Denise shouted „Stop“. First I couldn’t make out what she spotted, but then we all saw it, a Rhino resting in a distance.
It was incredible, the first time we had seen the Big5 in one day, plus Painted Dogs.



After our short break at the camp, we continued on the S25 and wondered if we would have such good sightings again as at the beginning of our trip. Well it was not to be, but we had seen so many wonderful animals that day that we were not disappointed at all.

This Slender-Mongoose was so cute and posing for us on a dead tree. Moreover we spotted a Brown-Snake Eagle, which flew off after a few minutes.







The last sighting of the day was again a Giraffe, don’t animals have wonderful eyes!?



We arrived at Biyamiti and unpacked for the last time. I was a bit disappointed, as we booked a cottage with view and there was no view, as lots of bushes cloud the sight. The cottage itself was nice though. We started our last braai and enjoyed the evening, talking about our wonderful sightings of the day with a glass of Amarula.

To be continued „KNP’s farewell gifts“

[Katja]

06.08.2011

The last day had begun and I didn’t feel very happy. While the others still slept I quickly had a shower and discovered what was itching during the night. A tiny tick had a feast on me! Well I decided to have a coffee first before waking the others. Matthias immediately got the tick out, such a greedy little monster. Later the bite got infected a little, but gladly I didn’t get tick fever.
We packed all staff into the car and were on our way to Berg-En-Dal where we wanted to have breakfast.

It was a quiet drive, not only animals wise. A road block of Guinea Fowls cheered us up a bit, it seemed that two different groups met, as they had a little argument on the road.
They all looked a bit cold that morning.



There were still two wishes of Matthias which hadn’t been fullfilled, till we found this gorgeous Saddle-billed Stork. He was wandering around in the drive riverbed, accompanied by the call of a Fish-Eagle sitting in a tree nearby.



Soon the Stork flew off and we admired him leaving. What a highlight for us.



Some usual game showed up such as Impalas, Vervet Monkeys and a very curious little squirrel.







The sun was breaking through the clouds and somehow it looked so beautiful, but as well just showed our mood.



We took a turnoff and drove for a while without seeing anything. Suddenly Denise, yes it was Denise again!, shouted Rhino. Can you imagine when we noticed that it wasn’t a White Rhino. We were absolutely in awe, as we have never seen a Black Rhino before.
All the time it had a little friend nearby, flying around and observing the area. It looked so funny.





From time to time it was hard to see the Rhino as it moved further into the bush. Another car arrived at the scene, made a pic and drove off. I couldn’t believe it, that they didn’t notice what a highlight this was. When the Blacki was too far off, we continued our way with huge smiles on the faces.

A Black Stork was flying above our car, while we watched a really grumpy looking Lilac-breasted Roller.





At the turnoff to Matjulu we noticed some cars and decided to drive there first to have a look what they were watching. First we didn’t see anything and ask one of the visitors. They told us that there was a leopard mum with a cub on the ground behind a tree. Well the grass was really high and it was difficult to spot them even with binoculars. Some of the cars left and we changed our position. There they were! Mummy didn’t even lifted her had and seemed to be far asleep, but the little one showed us its cute face from time to time. It looked so beautiful, but tired as well, as it was yawning and laying down again.





We stayed as long as we could with these beauties, but finally had to go to Berg-En-Dal.
Just before the camp entrance we spotted some Speckled Mousebirds again, soooo gorgeous.





We enjoyed our breakfast and ate verrrrrry slowly, as we knew that there would only be a few kilometers left till leaving the park. A wonderful rhino mum and her calf were close to the road, peacefully grazing. I hope that they both will have a long life and poachers will never find them.





The last animal we spotted was a croc basking in the sun. Bye bye Kruger, we will soon be back.




The End!