Addo Outings 2018

[PJL]

I think it's time I updated this thread somewhat!!

Some highlights from our time staying at Nyathi back in late March...

[Flutterby]

Wow PJL, some stunning pics! I especially like the ostrich chick!

[PJL]

An afternoon trip into the park in early April when Josie and her clan had made a kill on Mbotyi loop













Followed by the evening excitement of the lions facing off with a buffalo herd

[PJL]

Yet more lions the very next day in early April... another hartebeest kill - this time at Peasland waterhole









During the heat of the day we left the lions to snooze and enjoyed the antics of the Hapoor pool party







Followed by some more close encounters with the lions in the evening

[Lisbeth]

Great sightings and pics

[PJL]

Thanks Flutts & Lis

The past 4 months have been extremely busy due to home renovation work which I was managing myself

So we didn't manage many visits to Addo at all during that time. However one weekend in late August we simply had to get away from all the house mayhem so we popped up for lunch at the main camp and then took a leisurely drive through the park during the afternoon. On Nzipondo loop we had a nice bokmakierie up close



Further along the loop at the Domkrag dam lookout point (where you can get out your vehicle) there was an elephant drinking just below the viewing area



A herd of zebra then also came to drink.... there's always one who doesn't follow correct drinking procedures



Gorah loop was all rather quiet, but on the way back down from Carols Rest we found a meerkat clan





Heading south it was one of those quiet afternoons in the park. South of Marion Baree we came across a jackal buzzard devouring something







We scouted around the southern loops in search of cats, but there wasn't any sign of them this time. There were a few buffalo on Vukani loop and then a nicely lit kudu in the evening sun on Mbotyi

[Lisbeth]

When I follow your outings to Addo, I get a terrible itch and want to go back right away

Marvellous bird pics and I love the meerkats. the zebras are not bad either

[PJL]

Thanks Lis

Last weekend we also managed to sneak a visit in to Addo. This time an early start and we were in the park at 7am

We had heard that Melvin & Gibson had been seen on Harveys loop the day before so we took Vukani first in case they had wandered that way at all. There wasn't any sign of lions, but we did find a very cute young mongoose with its mom at their den





Harveys loop was unfortunately quiet until we reached the crossroads where there was a good size herd of buffalo including some big bulls



Lions have been seen quite regularly between Arizona and the Paterson side gate, so we took a trip right down to the gate, but again the cats weren't to be found. At the gate the guard came out to check if we needed to exit, but as he did so a hyena popped out of nowhere! I'm not sure who had the biggest fright... us, the guard or the hyena





Heading north into Wayne's Valley there were a couple of black-backed jackal right out in the open





Further up the main road as we started getting closer to Marion Baree there were a few cars.... and this was the reason



Josie, Dawn & Duffy were lying right out in the open next to the road. As we pulled into a nice spot it was clear that the girls had hunting intentions!



Initially we couldn't see what had captured their attention, but just round some bushes in front of us there were some warthog grazing. This could get interesting...

[Lisbeth]

Yes indeed

Such a cute mongoose

[Flutterby]

That mongoose pup (?) is so cute!

I love the lions in the flowers!