Africa Wild

Our attempts to find the earth pig continued with another day visit last weekend. Sightings of it seem to have been on the first warmer day after cooler periods, and we had a very wet and cold Friday, so I was hoping for some decent weather on the Saturday to bring the pig out of hiding.

Mbotyi loop is where the aardvark has been seen so we started our route along that way, and were very happy to see a steenbok which is very much an Addo rarity



The weather was unfortunately still very wet, but it gave some nice shades to the elephants



The skies were very moody over Harvey's tree



Driving down to Arizona was like driving on snow due to the amount of slippery mud. There wasn't anything much to see so we slip-slided our way back again and found some vervets near the Gorah entrance



The fire base side was also very quiet but the telegraph lines had a brown hooded kingfisher and bokmakierie to brighten the day





Around this point it really started pouring. By the time we pulled in at Jacks, our car was almost unrecognisable with mud plastered all over the place



Driving all the way to the north the rain seemed to stop further sightings until some nice kudu on the Gorah loop who were absolutely soaked



I had given up on seeing the aardvark with the weather being so miserable, but driving south again it did improve and we had an absolutely amazing encounter with Valli Moosa along Ngulube loop. He was browsing at the side of the road and wasn't bothered by us in the slightest, coming to within a few metres of the car at times
He really is a massive elephant bull





Our luck continued as we found Norman and Zwaai resting in the open along Harveys loop. This was by far the furthest south I have seen these 2 males - they were definitely trespassing into the territory of Roy & Nomad so it remains to be seen how that will play out. After watching them for a while, an elephant chased them into the thick bush and it was clear that Norman is still limping very badly. I'm surprised that the park hasn't checked him out properly but I did report it so perhaps they will do something





Our final sighting was a nice buffalo bull with horns shining from all the rain



The earth pig hunt will have to continue another day

All the animals look humid, but not the lions

Lovely scenery with Harvey's tree

Better luck next time, but at least you got the steenbokkie and the lions

Lisbeth wrote:All the animals look humid, but not the lions

I was also surprised how dry the lions looked
Maybe they have umbrellas

or go under ground

Another great day at Addo! Wouldn't like to drive in that mud!

where's the rest Mr PJL

Pfff... I don't even know where to start ... the kingfisher is great, so is the bokmakierie. I like the soaked kudu and am totally in awe of your Vallie Moosa sighting.
Also, there is that really great shot of the steenbok. Very lucky, I think Your car looks like a pig though, just not bush enough

Maybe Roy and Nomad have moved up and returning the favour to check up Norman and Zwaai's territory whily they are gone.

WoW PJL,

really amazing sightings you shared and so many magnificent shots

For sure the bushpig must be awesome plus lions, beautiful birds, gorgeous ellie calves, cute vervets, beautiful landscape and lot of antelopes, buffaloes WoW

Flutterby wrote:Another great day at Addo! Wouldn't like to drive in that mud!

I've never experienced conditions quite like it... so slippery in places, and ABS kicking in every time you touch the breaks
I have to admit I gave the kids a demonstration of a handbrake turn

PRWIN wrote: where's the rest Mr PJL

Ah yes Peter, I think you're referring to another day such as this.....



I'm afraid I'm playing catch-up at the moment

Incidentally I do have something to add to that as well regarding the fences



But I'll cover all of that properly soon