My 2014 Kruger Highlights

[Alf]

Beautiful dark spots

[nan]

no more superlative....

[Heksie]

THank you guys for your replies, sorry but another cat episode is on its way...

Harrys
Lisbeth
RP
BC
Nana
Alf
Toko
Flutts

[Heksie]

Episode 20 Leopard Madness Part 1

I have been very lucky with those spotted beauties the last few years, it is strange though, I only saw my first leopard when I was 25 years old after coming to Kruger and Sabie Park numerous times. But I believe after you see it the first time the sightings just keep coming…
Here is some highlights of my trips…
September 2013
I think this month is the best month for cats, we had leopard everyday and the year after when BC came with his family he had just as many cat sightings… Just a thought.
When we were on our way to Lower Sabie to book in we got our first spot, the resident Lubye-Lubye leopard:





And then we heard as we were pitching tent that there were an older cub were just 2km from LS towards Croc Bridge. We were on our way and saw a huge traffic jam so decided to turn around and drive the Muntshe loop. And then we did the Ntwamhiri causeway and got some brilliant lions next to the road so we decided that just before gate closing time we would check out the leopard cub…





As it gets dark very early the light was very bad, but a sighting nonetheless. We went to camp very happy with all the spots. The next morning we decided to go check out if the cub might be there, we were back in the line and as we turned left people were driving very slowly down the road and we saw a long white thing going into the bush thinking it was a stork on some sorts. As we passed th car in front they asked us if we saw the leopard? And it dawned upon us that it wasn’t a stork but the tail of a leopard… EIsh… We drove on, and couldn’t believe our luck, two cars parked exactly where we were the3 previous night, and voila the cub on exactly the same spot.




WE sat there for a little while and then we saw a huge herd of buffalo coming to the river from the opposite side, the cub also checked them out.



We were there for about fifteen minutes and then moved on as it was getting crowded. We went to Skuks to have lunch with BC and family and almost didn’t make it back to camp in time that afternoon so couldn’t check if the leppie was at his usual spot.
The next morning we didn’t see the leopard again and the south was crowded with cars so we went to Tshokwane, Orpen look-out point and then take all the quiet dirt roads to camp. It was very cold so we were driving the whole day and then just before getting to camp we went to check out the leopard, and to our surprise a few metres further a car was parked next to the road, and we were treated to a great sighting when we arrived…









It was our last night in Kruger and it was a great way to end it. The next morning we packed up and just for luck went to check this area again and you wouldn’t believe it…







To be continued…

[Lisbeth]

Fantastic!!!!

[Richprins]

Yoh, Heksie!


Good pics! You like getting leopard and other big 5 in the same shot!


Almost late after a lunch with BC? Nevah!

[nan]

super super

[Alf]

Unreal

[puppy]

Wow, Heksie, I am catching up on trip reports and yours had me hanging on every word and photo. What amazing highlights. Just love all the leopard sightings and the python was incredible. Love the way you relate your tales.

[Heksie]

Firstly I would like to thank all of you super awesome people for all my wishes yesterday

All was good in Heksieland and then I got the flu last night so full of snot this morning I had to write an episode as I promised to finish this TR before I go on my next trip on Thursday... Gonna try my best hey

Thanks for all your replies and great to have you on board puppy, I try to let you guys feel what I felt with some super excited sightings of mine

now for the next group of cats...