Krugertripping this Summer...

[Heksie]

Perhaps you'd missed the leopard, Heksie if you had been out at gate opening

Love the grysbok photo and the sunrise

I don't think like that Toko, I think that maybe I could've spent more time with the leppie then always glass half full

[Heksie]

Very far South for Grysbok, Heksie!

Like the hornbill pic!

Lovely landscapes!


Only 4 of the big 5 that day...?

I had seen a Grysbok more South on the S39 about 10km from the H7 in Dec 2013, and I've heard from someone that they have been seen on the H7 as well, I think people drive past them mistaking them for steenbokkies.
I know, I can't see the big 5 everyday I do try my best RP but sorry to disappoint you

[Heksie]

Grysbok and leopard

Thanks nan, they were super great sightings

[Heksie]

Wow! Lion and Leopard, and then a beautiful sunset to end the day off!

THanks BB, I didn't see as many leppies as I wanted this trip but it was great even having them for a minute or two.

[Heksie]

Another leppie and really good close ups of the lions, even if they had sad faces.
Although my interpretation was that I would have rather gotten out of there because
those eyes don't look all too trustworthy.

The grysbok is my fav nevertheless.

Hahahahaha sad faces? I have never thought of a lion that could be sad for me, especially not sad enough for me to want to get out and cuddle with him.
I do agree after the rockjumpertjie I love the grysbokkie, their big nose are just too cute

[Heksie]

Lovely grysbok and of course the leopard

Thanks Lis, it was great seeing both that day, definitely highlights

[Flutterby]

I had seen a Grysbok more South on the S39 about 10km from the H7 in Dec 2013, and I've heard from someone that they have been seen on the H7 as well, I think people drive past them mistaking them for steenbokkies.

Was just thinking the same thing...better watch those steenbokkies more closely!

[Heksie]

Day 24… exploring the roads around Satara
3 January

Woke up a bit earlier this morning as I wanted to wake the entourage early enough so we can leave the camp when the gate opens and by 4:30 we were on the H1-3 towards the H6, and decided to then do the S100 back to camp, then down towards the S126 and via the H7 get back to camp so we can relax the afternoon.
First thing we saw this morning, was the sunrise of course and it was the most beautiful colours for me, the best sunrise for the whole trip




We weren’t even far on the H6 when we got a bit of a roadblock…





It was the same three menere of the previous day and they were all chilled in the road, not having a care in the world







After about 40 minutes more cars were coming so we moved on, we also had a huge herd of buffies, but they were far off so you could only see black backs over the grass in the horison



We got to see another kori bustard for mamma heks, who absolutely adores these little ostriches



And a hyena walked up to us on the S41



We came upon a car that was parked next to the road, telling us we just missed a leopard walking in the road with mere minutes, and they were searching for it as it walked into the grass, we also searched a bit but didn’t see anything except a breeding herd of ellies, and after a few kiekies we moved on.
Then on the S100 we had a lot of general game again, just a road that would never let you down sighting wise. A sentinel in a tree…



Waterbuck lying in the grass



And giraffe



Then on our way to the S126 we got a dungbeetle rolling next to the road



The Sweni road didn’t have a lot of game but we did get to see some birdies,
White stork



Carmine bee-eaters



And a tortie crossing the road



Then on the S36 another slithering snake, I was very excited, but mum-heks got the heebie-jeebiees. I have looked in my snake book but I can’t ID this snake, I think maybe it is an olive coloured boomslang but this is a huge guess





Then we also got to see another bug platter with birds everywhere, here we were able to take a kiekie of a Wahlberg trying to get some lunch



And a bit further on, drove into PetraJ, we had a bit of a talk and then I heard these birdies, it was a bush full of Southern white-crowned shrikes



We got to camp just after two and then were chilling there the whole afternoon, I showed mum and sis the brown headed parrots, blue headed agama and the rock monitor in camp and they were elated, running after these critters with their cameras. It kept them busy for a while, whilst I enjoyed my book and a cold KPA in camp. We waited for heat to fade and only left camp by 16:30. I knew we would never have enough time to do the S90 route so we repeated this morning’s drive. We had another bug platter, and the grass were full of birdies, there were a fish eagle as well but he flew off before we could take a kiekie, I got to take another Wahlberg pic



And then when we arrived at the first causeway on the S41 we saw a teeny-weeny croc on it. First I thought it was a water monitor but it was a super surprise seeing this small crockie.





And our last sighting for the day was some zebbies,



The afternoon drive wasn’t full of as many sightings but still lekker, and we arrived at camp just in time. We had to buy some ice at the shop and then at our camp we poured some Amarula when I started the fire. Tonight it was some gemsquash with grated cheese and sweetcorn with lamb chops for dinner. We had a visit from the hyenas tonight and sis was very happy, as she never experienced them at the gate. It was her first time camping in Kruger so everything was a first for her actually. Tomorrow would be our last full day at Satara so we planned to go to Orpen camp in search of the wild dogs.
To be continued…

[Flutterby]

A stunning sunrise! And lions again! We've always seem to find tiny crocs at that causeway...must be a nursery!

[harrys]

Awesome sunrise....wow that's beautifull and then Lions again and a lovely Crockie