Not what we expected KTP Dec Jan 2017

[GavinW]

Christmas Day

We woke early (at 4.30am ) on our first Christmas Day away on holiday, alone since we had been married, exchanged gifts from friends, said farewell to our overnight companions and set off into the park.
While all this was going on, the sun was also getting ready for the day



First up in terrible light were some Cape foxes up on the ridge. We stopped to admire them but couldn’t get a decent photograph.

A bit further on, we saw this African Wild Cat, obviously a bit peeved with life on the account of not having received any Christmas presents.



We arrived at Kij Kij to find a lion lying next to the road. He duly got up and went for a drink







After quenching his thirst, he got up and returned in the direction from which he came, and wandered off into Botswana



We decided to carry on northwards in search of other sightings.

Our trip up as far as Kransbrak and back provided very few sightings, the pick of the bunch probably being this Secretary bird



We returned to camp at mid before heading off to Twee Rivieren to make contact with our family and to wish them all a Merry Christmas (and to say we were having fun)

It was very hot as we returned to Rooiputs at about lunch time, and all sane animals were well hidden from the blazing African sun.

Back at camp, we chilled, (ok not the right word), relaxed, for a while before going out again at about 4pm.

[Mel]

Foxies (even without phoots) and two cats ain't bad as Christmas pressies? Although that lion definitely needed a meal. Still in good shape, but if that's to stay that way food would be helpful

[Alf]

That lion looks skinny

[pooky]

Great Christmas day sightings
but best of all the kitty kill. Well done with that one.

[GavinW]

Let sleeping lions lie:

As I mentioned earlier, we spent a few hours on Christmas Day, relaxing around camp.



I put out some water in the hope of attracting some of the locals. It sort of worked.



After a while, we felt the need to get out and see what else was on the move, or not, and more importantly to go and have sundowners at Kij Kij.

A mating Ostrich pair showed us what they are made of. Don’t you just love the red legs on the male?



We arrived at Kij Kij and made our way to the tree on the southern side of the waterhole to park in the shade.

After a while I noticed that a couple of cars which were parked near the directional sign had not moved



Eventually curiosity got the better of me and I ventured over to see what the attraction was
Our lion of the morning, which we had thought had headed off to Botswana, obviously had changed his mind and was now a very flat addition to the signboard.






Chatting to some of the people at the sighting, we realised however, that one car, occupied by four youngsters, was not going anywhere. As hard as they tried, the car would not start, and they were not getting too many offers to push start their vehicle.

Sitting at the sighting, waiting for His Majesty to do anything, we noticed some clouds moving in, (as one does when there is not much else happening!)
Debbie said that she felt that she was sure that they were bad news and that we had a storm approaching.
Was my firm trust of the yr weather forecast was about to be broken?



With time running out, we bade the 4 youngsters farewell, knowing that their predicament had been relayed to Twee Rivieren, and that we hoped that they would enjoy their free night ride.

With one last look at the flat feline next to the Twee Rivieren 38km to go sign, we set off for Rooiputs.

The nocturnal animals were keen to get out and about once again, and this Giant Eagle Owl was still in it’s tree



And this scrub hare was out looking for some early evening snack.



The BBJs at the intersection were still flat and out due to the heat



But just before Rooiputs we spotted our second kill of the trip.

A Pale Chanting Goshawk had caught a mouse or something and was having dinner.





Back in camp the sunset, as usual was spectacular



However the wind that had picked up challenged both our tent and my braaiing skills that evening



Being Capetonians, in the middle of a serious drought, when the rain started later on that evening, we danced in the rain

[Alf]

Dancing in the rain

[GavinW]

Dancing in the rain

Use your imagination

[pooky]

Your rain dance didn't bring relief to Cape Town, Gavin

[giraffee]

love traveling with you guys. Beautiful photos.

[Mel]

Those animals look rather tired and / or hot and bothered

And I think even the humans with their tent must have felt the heat...

Is it just me, or are two out of three vehicles at the lion sighting off road