The Heat is on and the Lions as well

[Pumbaa]

Lovely hippo pics

The warthogs look blissfully happy in the mud: “ploup, ploup!”

The S28 is one of my favourite roads. Unfortunately, the Nhlanganzwani hide is no more if I don't error

The Nhlanganzwani dam is definitvely destroyed but nevertheless the view there is always lovely. The Ntandanyathi hide had been re-built meanwhile after same had been destroyed by fallen trees I think - The hide is lovely

[Pumbaa]

Ah, sitting at a waterhole is my favourite pastime, Pumbaa!

Normally they are a waste in summer...shows you how dry it was!

Great warthog shots and the hippo spot is a nightmare to drive into, as you say!

Luckily during this time we definitely had some of the best waterhole sightings we so far ever had Last year it was a waste of time as the whole park was wet and flooded - With luck you will find birds at waterholes during that time of the year

[Pumbaa]

After quite an enjoyable while we spent there we headed forward only to stop on a causeway along the S137 which is normally flooded in wet summers but this year also here only a small muddy puddle with a bit water was occupied by a juvenile saddle billed stork





busy in searching persistently for something for breakfast.



Shortly behind the S130/S137 crossing there is normally a nice larger waterhole on the left hand side when driving into the direction of Lower Sabie and as already expected this year this waterhole had the fewest water level we experienced so far besides the year of the drought a couple of years ago. Nevertheless we also here parked and waited but not long as a group of kudus neared the waterhole extreme tentatively



only to be chased away by impalas and wildebeests who now arrived in masses to quench their thirst



and followed by even more animals, it was an endless row of wildebeests.



Also here we were the only car and again we enjoyed the view we had with a lot of close ups



and also lots of little calves could be admired. The kudus were still peeping from behind some bushes onto the whole spectacle and far too soon the invasion was over and all the antelopes had gone their way.



Not long and the waterhole was visited by lots of glossy starlings



as well as wattled starlings who either quenched their thirst or took a bath.

[Pumbaa]

As Lower Sabie will be our next camp we already made a plan to return to this waterhole again whilst staying there and believe me two days later we had one of the best waterhole sightings we ever had so far whilst staying in the park.

On our further drive to Lower Sabie we stopped for a steenbok who luckily did not run straight away and same was feeding on the higher grass in that area



we captured a paradise whydah



and had fun in watching a couple of bathing elephants who even arranged for a traffic jam on the tar road. For sure we also watched them quite a while as there is nothing better than watching bathing elephants on a hot summer’s day especially when noting the great joy they always have in the water.





Obligatory we first stopped on the Lower Sabie causeway from where we soon noticed one of our beloved pied kingfishers,



and luckily soon also a giant kingfisher.



A couple of turtles on the rocks could be discovered as well as many hippos



and crocodiles who took a sunbath.



After a while we even detected this hippo a bit hidden to escape the fast flowing water there



and a troop of baboons had occupied some large boulders there as well and we stopped only shortly at Lower Sabie camp as it was again time for an ice cream.



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

[Lisbeth]

Lots of turtles

Nice pics of the bathing starlings

Waiting for the great sighting at the waterhole

[Flutterby]

Lovely pic of the whydah and lots of activity at the waterhole!

[Richprins]

Ooh, Pumbaa! My and Dwarf's favourite hangout is that pan with all the wildebeest!

If one is lucky there is even a bit of shade on the northern corner!

Those terrapins look huge!

Nice pics all round, I love the steenbok in the green...

[Pumbaa]

Lots of turtles

Nice pics of the bathing starlings

Waiting for the great sighting at the waterhole

Definitely never saw that much turtles together and the sighting we had two days later there will be unforgettable for us

[Pumbaa]

Lovely pic of the whydah and lots of activity at the waterhole!

Yes, last year all waterholes were abandoned but this year due to the heat and the lack of rain we had great luck at nearly all waterholes in the park

[Pumbaa]

Ooh, Pumbaa! My and Dwarf's favourite hangout is that pan with all the wildebeest!

If one is lucky there is even a bit of shade on the northern corner!

Those terrapins look huge!

Nice pics all round, I love the steenbok in the green...

Yes, that pan is also for us always a must and we saw it completely filled up to the road so far and completely dry in the year of the drought so always worth to stop there