When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

Perfect shots of so many different birds

Traffic jam for a warthog Must have been because of the colour of the mane or for the tusks or for the lack of something better

I guess it was because of the lack of something better and so many cars were on their evening drive

[Pumbaa]

What a birding day, Pumbaa!

The oriole is special!

And love the warthog traffic jam!

Endless rain!

At least the birds did not let us down and yes endless rain

[Pumbaa]

For sure one of the many lilac breasted rollers had to be captured



and were really concerned about the water level in the small river close to Afsaal as same was extreme high. As it was getting late we finally turned around and could also now inspect the hyena close to the roadside we already noticed before but did not stop as too many cars were hanging around



now it was much more quiet and we even noticed that the hyena was suckling an extreme small pup.



After we got our shots we headed slowly forward but for sure stopped one of the many woodland kingfishers



and enjoyed the sunshine and so did also a large group of impalas



as well as the zebras



who somehow were invisible during the rain.



A giraffe at the turn off into Steilberg also caused a traffic jam and same first climbed over the road block only to turn around with a shake of its head and to climb back where same came from



at least we had a great laugh whilst watching that.



Nearly at the same place we already met yesterday the black bellied korhaan we met same again also today



and then we were back in camp where we soon lit the braai and luckily today it stayed dry and also no potato thief showed up.

Wednesday, 15. February 2023 – Berg end Dal – Skukuza

Explored roads: S110 – H3 – H1-1 – H4-1 – H12 – H1-2 – H12 – H4-1

Sometime during the night we awoke and noticed it was again raining torrentially obviously the noise of the falling rain raised us indeed no good expectations especially when it comes to the bottleneck at DeLaPorte but we stayed optimistic. When finally it was time to leave it still was raining torrentially and in order not to get soaked whilst packing the car we simply waited a while and slowly the rain got less and nearly stopped so we took the opportunity and packed everything into the car and drove to the gate. It felt as if waited one hour but after all we left camp only 10 minutes later than gate opening time. Where two days ago the buffaloes were lying in their mud or water holes today everything was flooded and also to the road itself only a couple of centimeter were missing as otherwise the road would have been flooded as well.

Luckily the rain nearly stopped but it was still extreme quiet until we reached the bridge across the Matjulu which looked today that way.......indeed scary as we thought it meanwhile rained enough already!



Anyway as it got brighter with each minute we continued but did not come far as from far already we noticed a lone lioness walking on the road into our direction and far too soon she turned off into the bush



but luckily came out again onto the road as the bushes or the grass must have been far too wet for her liking.

[Pumbaa]

The road itself was also still extreme wet but she preferred to walk on the road and on closer inspection we even discovered a small injury on her hind leg.



As she did not limp and walked steadily into our direction we supposed that she was not disturbed by the wound



and that she must be the mother of the three small cubs we already saw a couple of days ago although we did not notice any cubs that day.



Besides one OSV we had the lioness all to ourselves and whilst we meanwhile got enough shots we continued our drive whilst she still continued her walk persistently. Nevertheless we were extreme happy to having seen her again although she looked in a couple of shots a bit angry.





The more North we drove the brighter it got and it was the complete contrary to yesterday where it was the other way round. We stopped for a very wet brown snake eagle,



noted an African Hawk eagle a bit hidden and for sure stopped for a group of impalas.



The general game appeared more and luckily was willing to pose such as this elephant bull,



wildebeests,





and an extreme curious giraffe.





to be continued.....................

[Lisbeth]

The continuous rain is a real nuisance also sightings wise At least you can have a good laugh looking at the wet snake eagle

Great shots of the grumpy lioness. I wonder what she was doing all alone on the road

Also the giraffe is He looks very tall

[Richprins]

Yoh, the water is smashing down that river, Pumbaa!

Lots to see though, and glad you could make a braai!

Like the giraffe headshots, plus the lioness on the wet road, very good!

[RogerFraser]

Lovely shots of the Lion and lucky to be only one OSV with you during the time when all the roads were closed.

Looks like we were lucky to have got to the North by this time as it was still raining allot

Nice Elli bull

[Pumbaa]

The continuous rain is a real nuisance also sightings wise At least you can have a good laugh looking at the wet snake eagle

Great shots of the grumpy lioness. I wonder what she was doing all alone on the road

Also the giraffe is He looks very tall

Believe me we had enough of the rain although I love it when it is raining but in the park it can be definitely a nuisance

[Pumbaa]

Yoh, the water is smashing down that river, Pumbaa!

Lots to see though, and glad you could make a braai!

Like the giraffe headshots, plus the lioness on the wet road, very good!

We were so surprised to finally see that river that full although it was simply logical after all the heavy rain

[Pumbaa]

Lovely shots of the Lion and lucky to be only one OSV with you during the time when all the roads were closed.

Looks like we were lucky to have got to the North by this time as it was still raining allot

Nice Elli bull

Obviously it was still far too early and rainy so not many cars decided to start their drives in the rain