Browns in Kruger September 2019

[Bushcraft]

Yay, you finally started

Hello Cow

[Bushcraft]

20th Jozini Dam to Lower Sabie

I didn’t turn into Chucky at the border post this year and it all went smoothly and we were into Swaziland just after 8am.

The section of road between Big Bend and Siteki is anything but smooth though as it’s now a 40km stretch of dirt road which doesn’t sound too bad, but then throw in massive sugar cane trucks and petrol tankers and it’s like driving through a dust storm and one can hardly see the road. There are also dirt speed bumps that aren’t marked every km or so, therefore the Cow had to play “watcher” and shout each time a speed bump appeared.

My mood improved once through the dirt, but it deteriorated again around 40km from exiting Swaziland as a cop jumped out of a bush and into the road.

“It’s a 60km/h zone and you were doing 98km/h”

Now in SA that’s a serious offence which may get you arrested, so even though my pelican was out, I had to be polite

“Apologies, it’s the main road and this isn’t a town, hence I assumed its 100km/h”

The fine was R60, so I shut my mouth quickly and paid the money. I don’t think anybody actually knows what’s potting in Swaziland with the speed limits as the speed limit ranges from 60km/h to 120km/h on the same road and for no apparent reason that I can see. Some 60km/h areas are out in the bush and a newish section of road and then suddenly its 120km/h around 2km later and the road is stuffed, but the cops only sit in the 60km/h area, hence there’s no logic to it.

We got to Komatipoort at around 11am which is earlier then when we drive straight through from home, so I didn’t hassle everybody too much while shopping and we entered Croc Bridge just after 12:30pm.

Our first animal welcome was a perfectly innocent giraffe having a drink, but he seemed to be “photographing” us which had everybody laughing.

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The rest of the drive up to Lower Sabie produced the normal gang, but we didn’t take pics again until Hawkeyes spotted a gymnogene a few km from camp.

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We decided to stop at Sunset Dam prior to booking in and a Squacco heron hunting got the Cow excited.

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[Pumbaa]

Thanks Bushcraft

for starting another one of your amazing trip reports - I guess leopard sightings are guaranteed

Looks like a lovely place and you even got to see warties, birdies and nyalas

[Bushcraft]

We were staying in the cheap EH huts again which isn’t my scene, but it’s at least affordable and we got the huts we had requested which was cool.

After the unpacking mission I shared a few WhatsApp messages with my boet and he informed me that someone had spotted a leopard on a Sabie weir wall just south of Lower Sabie. I know that leopard and we had specifically looked for him on the weir on the way up and he wasn’t there, however after relaxing for around an hour we headed down south to look for him.

There were no cars stopped on the side of the road at the weir area, so before we even stopped I was moaning that the leopard had given us the slip again, but as we stopped I spotted him parking off, however it took a while before all in the car could see him.

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After 10 minutes the leopard got up, turned and strolled down the weir edge and parked off again in the shade.

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While watching the leopard a few other cars stopped and then I spotted that the 1 car had a yellow sock on the mirror, so I immediately thought of stirring the pot, but then realised it was Heksie and mates, so we had a quick chat and she decided to stay with the leopard and we cruised up towards the H4-1.

The drive to the S79 causeway and back to Lower Sabie didn’t produce much except for the odd usual crowd, a few birds and a hyena.

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[Bushcraft]

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We still had around 15 minutes before gate closing so we decided to head 2km south past Lower Sabie just to make the most of the 15 minutes.

Once I hit the 2km mark I turned and started back for camp, but around 100m later the Cow started waving hands and then loudly squawked “STOP, LEOPARD!”

“@%&**#”

I stood on the brakes in fright, which was a mistake because the leopard was sitting in a small tree 1m from the road and once she realised that we had spotted her she instantly bailed out the tree which caused even more panic, however the Cow managed some blurred pics of her bailing out the tree, but I only managed pics of her walking away after the reversing mission.

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I have learnt over the years that when you spot a leopard this close it’s better to almost bluff that you haven’t seen them and to gradually slow before sneaking back, but in the heat of the moment I forgot what has worked for us many times, however I made a mental note to not make the same mistake again.

Back in camp I quickly started the fire and checked around to see the type of neighbours we had because you are on top of each in the EH huts, so it can become a problem, however our neighbours were the quiet peaceful type so my teeth were hanging out again.

To be continued

[Bushcraft]

Thanks Bushcraft

for starting another one of your amazing trip reports - I guess leopard sightings are guaranteed

Looks like a lovely place and you even got to see warties, birdies and nyalas

Pumbaa

Thanks for popping in already

Yes, a few leopard this trip

[Pumbaa]

As I said already "leopards" en masses

You always do have such a luck with the spotted beauties

[Mel]

Okay, got my seat belt fastened and my race glasses on. Let's do this

Nice warming up at Jozini Dam

No words about those initial leopard sightings ->

Your girls certainly have grown up. Albert certainly doesn't look like 13 anymore
And not sure what you're on about every female's dress style - they all look fab

So, green tea is legal in SA? I personally am not so much into it, but I find it interesting
that you can buy it almost everywhere legally except in our high developed country

[harrys]

Nice start to your trip in side Kruger, wonderful Leopard sightings I hope we see then when we get there in a few days time

[Flutterby]

Great stop over spot at Jozini.

The girls have grown up so much...have you got your rifle ready?

Wow, two leopard already...unbelievable!!