Browns in Kruger - August 2017 (JHB Clan)

[Supernova]

RP: Agreed, those Ellies see a lot less people and traffic

[Supernova]

25th August 2017 - Continued

For the afternoon drive we went the opposite way S23 / S13 / H3 / H2-2 / S114 loop back to Biyamiti, with a stop at Afsaal. Most of the drive out was quiet and when we stopped at Afsaal for a bathroom break. Afsaal was already closed, so I waited outside while the girls used the bathroom, there was only us and another family there.

I was chatting to the other guy while the families used the bathroom, when his eyes suddenly got larger…

He softly said something to me, that I did not get, so I asked him to repeat and he answered in an animated tone “THERE IS A HYENA STANDING BEHIND YOU !!”…

It took a second or two to register what he said then I spun around, and the Hyena was about 5 meters away from me, but not interested in me, just wanted me to move out its way so that it could scavenge the days left overs. It strolled through Afsaal and went straight to the bins at the back.









Landscape on the drive back to Biyamiti



At the Biyamiti weir, the Crocs and vultures were settling down for the night








And more Owls on the Biyamiti road





25th August 2018 – End

[Flutterby]

Exciting hyena encounter!

[Richprins]

The hyenas seem to be regulars there now...

The clouds are scenic during winter, hey?

Nice owls, SN!

[Supernova]

26th August 2017

To exit the park, we were going out the Malelane Gate, so took S114 straight down to Malelane gate. The road was badly corrugated and there were not many sightings, we always hope for a great sighting to end the trip !

At S114 / S118 junction there is a small pool that had a Hippo in it and there were quite a few cars there. We went straight past and as we crossed the low water bridge, I noticed something moving out of the reeds… Leopard!!



None of the other visitors had noticed it right in front of them, so we pulled onto the bridge and he walked across the bridge and stopped for a drink.







Posing for a close up shot







At this point there was chaos on the bridge as only one car can fit on at a time and that was us… We gestured to the car that had come down from the other side that they should reverse as the Leopard was heading that direction. Of course, they did not listen and kept coming onto the bridge.



The Leopard finished his drink and headed up the opposite bank, which caused a flurry of activity and all the cars in front of us were now trying to reverse… had they just listened they would have been in the prime spot to see the Leopard.



The Leopard climbed the tree on the opposite bank and lay down, we eventually crossed the bridge and headed to the tree where there were now about 20 cars, so we u-turned and happily continued on our way to Malelane gate.



26th August 2017 - Continues

[Flutterby]

What an awesome way to the end the trip!!

[Richprins]

Yililililili, SN!


Great to see it yourself, and also interesting that they use the elephant holes!

[Supernova]

26th August 2017 - Continued

We continued down the S114 and just before the S114 / H3 junction we saw two cars stopped and there next to the road were about 5 Cheetah







They must have just fed as they had bloodied faces and were quite chilled





The Cheetah were scattered across the opening to start with but grouped together for a family photo.



As we joined the tar road before the gate, a car full of tourists were parked trying to read the map book, we pulled up alongside them and told them to take the S114, they looked confused and asked why ?? we just answered, “Do it and you will find a few great sightings”, so they took the S114

The end of this trip had a sad side as Granny announced that this would be her last trip to KNP, as the travel was getting too much for her…

Also this was the last time that we would stay in the park, having experienced what it could be like staying outside the park compared to fighting for the broken down accommodation in the park, we agreed to stay outside from now on. This way we can have all the family together in one house and actually enjoy the time together. We realized that there would be a stuggle with the gate every day to get into the park and we would no longer see the sightings that we were used to… but chasing sightings has become less important than actually enjoying the time together.

When looking at the prices of accommodation inside the park for the 7 of us compared to outside, for our normal 5-day trip:

Sanparks – Guest House (which is never available) – R36,000
Sanparks – Bungalow – R27,000
Marloth Park – R21,250


Below is the comparison of what you get for a far lower cost:

Sanparks vs Marloth



End of 2017 Trip report - Thanks so much to all that followed and commented on the report


Lastly, I see that TinyPic is closing down in 2019, so can only assume all my TRs will disappear

[Richprins]

What an ending, SN!

I wonder if it is nother supermom cheetah?

Very good summary of the costs involved, and food for thought indeed...

Maybe Granny will have a change of heart?

I think Roger has found a way around keeping existing pics, remember photobucket shut down their free service years ago? Touch wood...

Thanks for a great report and catchup as always!

[PJL]

Great sightings to finish your trip supernova

Having also just stayed outside the park we're now torn. I think if we're camping we would continue to try be inside the park, but otherwise outside is definitely much better value and quality for money