A Fantarantulatastic Trip To Kruger - April 2017

[PJL]

Yep... been a bit slow lately

[PJL]

"Lekker" to catch up after being away

Great sightings and stunning pics

Thanks All-Nature - glad to have you all caught up

[PJL]

April 5th Continued

We pulled in at Tshokwane for some much needed coffee, but the queue took ages and we nearly gave up

It all looks quite different now compared to our visit a few years back...





The day was hotting up, and with most animals having ducked for shade we just enjoyed the views on the way down to Lower Sabie. Nkumbe was breathtaking as always



Mlondozi was looking nice and full



On one of the quiet stretches we were treated to a close fly-past from a black-chested snake eagle



Once we reached the low level bridge near Lower Sabie we parked up to see what was around. Naturally there were crocs to be seen which had the kids excited



And the view up to Lower Sabie is always eye-catching



Whilst in the distance a lone buffalo was cooling off in the water



On closer inspection there were a lot more crocodiles further along the bridge so we parked off by them for a bit as they seemed quite active. We heard later that they had killed a buffalo the previous day, so they were now feeding on bits of scraps every so often. This meant plenty of action as they rolled to rip off bits of meat and then popped their heads out the water to snap it up









It was fascinating to watch the crocs in action, but we also wanted to make sure we could get a good table to eat at Lower Sabie so we pushed on and enjoyed relaxing on the deck with its brilliant view





During our break a few animals came down to the water including a bushbuck, elephants and some buffalo

[Lisbeth]

The snout of the croc just out of the water looks scary

Lovely views on the Sabie

[Flutterby]

Lovely sighting of the snake-eagle.

[nan]

How I would like to be there

[Richprins]

Looks like you started relaxing nicely, Peej!

Nkuhlu looks a bit dry...where is the Sabie River?

Tshokwane looks great, I must say!

Any tea to be had at Lower Sabie?

Always some or other carcass there at the low-water bridge, it seems!

[Bushcraft]

You driving from Satara to Lower Sabie and back again I have done Lower Sabie to the S86 and back again and it was a long day

I think you hit a typo with Nkuhlu and meant Nkumbe

Ya, always something dead at the H10 bridge

[Pumbaa]

Love your Nkumbe view, PJL,

as well as the view down to Mlondozi - These are very special Kruger moments - Sigh

[Mel]

PJL

Time for me to get on top of things again here

I did have a peak every now to make myself green over your sightings and to admire your photos,
but mostly I felt too knackered to write something sensible (not sure if I'm able to do that even
if I'm not tired though )

That rough baboon sticks to my memory because we saw something similar. And then the offender got punished by the little one's mum

Then there was that mongoose... again we saw that too and I was thrilled because I usually get to see yellow or slender mongoose, so dwarf is rather
special... but it was available for a photo like yours Plus, the little banded one later in the trip - so adorable

(The photos from that morning are generally great - with the mist enhancing special features, e.g. the sunrise)

How was the second mating sighting received in the back of your car?

Your double cheetah sighting --> (Actually triple, counting the morning one as well...)

Also, fluffy hyenas for D and your brilliant scenery photos - awesome stuff so far

Now I'm curious to learn what you saw in the park elsewhere to us. However there are still a couple of days to go before we enter at all.