Wednesday 23rd August (continued)
Heading out on the S127 Lyca found this gruesome scene...
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There are also wasps in Central Australia that kill large spiders. Terrifying.
Also on the S127 some stationary cars informed us that we just missed a Cheetah crossing, but we continued on since it seemed like it was just travelling and so not likely to reappear.
Back on the H1-4 much later than expected we pressed north, seeing very little of note. Again I couldn't find a LIT in the Nyamarhi area despite trying hard. I had wanted to try the new S147 one-way road but decided we did not have the time so we stayed on the tar. The Ngotso North area was pretty busy with general game such as Impala, Wildebeest and Zebra but the light was harsh so we didn't stop for pics.
Soon we arrived at the little piece of paradise that is the Olifants River and stopped to take in the stunning vista. What a mighty river!
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Today was meant to be a birding day, so Lyca took the opportunity to try and add a few species to the list. There were certainly some notable birds around such as SBS, Maribou Stork, Pied Wagtail, Common Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, and many Little Swifts overhead.
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Mammal-wise there were Elephants (of course!), Impala, and a restful Waterbuck.
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The resident African Rock Python was nowhere to be seen, but its pile of driftwood was by now in full sun so we reasoned it had probably retreated to a cooler location. We decided to check for it tomorrow on our way back south.
On the bridge we got chatting to a nice SA couple who were heading south. We shared some info with them and they in turn informed us they had seen both resting Wild Dogs and LIT not far from Letaba that morning. Our faces lit up.
We were heading to Letaba for the elephant museum and some campground birding after lunch. Lyca was desperate to see the doggies and the LIT sighting sounded too good to be true. Surely one of those sightings awaited us?
When no further new birds could be found we piled back into the car and drove up to the H8 and into Olifants for lunch.
