A Day in Marakele *

[Sharifa]

After our two nights in Nylsvley we had a night in Marakele National Park. This was our first trip to Marakele.





Marakele is divided into two sections. Thre is a gate dividing the two sections under the highway. You just have to press a button to open the gate. Beyond the gate in the photo below is the predator section and Tlopi Tented Camp, where we stayed for the night.



Tlopi Tented Camp overlooks the Tlopi Dam. There are only 10 units and the setting is beautiful.

Kitchen


Bathroom


Braai and view






We had a few wilderbeest come to drink across the dam


and a warthog

[Flutterby]

The accommodation looks lovely! How do the prices compare with Kruger?

[Sharifa]

Thank you Lisbeth, Bushcraft, nan, Mel, Sprocky, Toko and Flutterby
The setting was straight out of a magazine

The unit cost R990 Flutterby, but was not falling apart

On entering we drove on the Tshungulu Drive and saw

Ostrich- Dad and little one




The family




We also stopped at Bollonoto Dam, where we saw Kudu and Nyala

[Sharifa]

Thank you Dewi, Toko, Lisbeth, Mel, Bushcraft and Pumbaa

The nyala are really so elegant I enjoy watching them too.

The landscape as we drove on Lenong Drive to the view point to see the Cape Vultures









Our destination - those towers up there


You can just about see the road we still had to travel


The road was narrow and winding and the towers on the top left of the pic is where we were heading.


and we saw this Klipspringer couple


The view all around us

[Sharifa]

Thank you Lisbeth, Toko, Dewi, nan, Richprins and Mel

A very beautiful place indeed especially when you get to the top, you have great views and proteas





The Cape Vultures were riding the thermals in the distantce



and this one did come closer. Marakele has the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world but I thinkGiants Castle is a better place to photograph them.





The proteas attracted the Malachite Sunbirds (non breeding male pics below - also called eclipse male)

[Sharifa]

Proteas coming up later Lizbeth and Toko, I also have a household to run and sleep is important

The last of our pictures from Maralkele

BBJ


For you Pumbaa


Violet Backed Starlings - just a little too far


Tsessebe


Spotted Flycatcher


Not sure about this one and could only get one shot - Immature Lanner????


Southern white crowned shrike

[Dewi]

Great photos again Sharifa.

Love the Jackal one.

Great pic of the shrikes.

The raptor is one of the accipiters - Juvenile Gabar Goshawk maybe?