The Lions of the Kgalagadi (or not!) KTP May/June 2022

[Lisbeth]

[GavinW]

Monday 30 May 2022


It was freezing when we woke up. The tent had ice on it and the bakkie was an ice block!

It was so cold that even the gas heater wouldn’t work, which made for an unhappy couple as they frantically put on layers of clothing (Or so we thought, we later realised that the jet to the heater was blocked)
Luckily the kettle did play ball

Leaving Rooiputs, we again set off in a northerly direction, destination Kij Kij and maybe further
Our first sighting of the day was this grumpy looking PCG

We spotted a cheetah high up on the ridge just before Kij Kij, but it was too far away for a picture, and it soon disappeared into the distance
We carried on to Melkvlei and saw just about nothing, so we decided to return to Kij Kij and see if we could find anything in the dunes
We were in luck


Two cheetahs up on the dunes just before Tiervlei

They also decided that we weren’t going to get any great photos of them as they also soon disappeared from view

[GavinW]

We eventually arrived at Kamqua, and it was time for breakfast

We were joined by these guys

[GavinW]

Returning back to Rooiputs, via Twee Rivieren, the only photos we got were of this Swallow Tailed Bee Eater

And of this finch

[GavinW]

After the busy cheetah filled day yesterday, the Kgalagadi was trying to slow us down, and continued to do so that evening with a blissful sunset

[Lisbeth]

Not every "hand" is a "full"

[Mel]

Yeah, those cheetah might have been leopards as well... Too far off for a proper ID, I'm afraid

Your breakfast set up looks very accomplished

[Richprins]

Amazing how cold, then it looks like it warms up quickly, Gavin?

Cheetah again!

And scrumptious breakfast!

Nice sunset...

[GavinW]

Tuesday 31 May 2022


We had another freezing start to the morning.

Last night we thought that if we wrapped the heater in a blanket, it may stay warm enough to light in the morning
Well you all know what thought did!!!

Anyway meet ET our heater (or not)

We left as early as the gates would allow us and headed north
We travelled up the Nossob River as far as Kransbrak, before retracing our steps

While we saw no big teethed hairys on our drive we did see an assortment of other locals that call the KTP home:

This Steenbok

A Kori Bustard (trying desperately to walk away and give us the traditional bum view)

2 more cheetahs disappearing over the dune just before Kij Kij

What is it with these cheetah and dunes

[GavinW]

We also saw a really pretty black backed jackal

And another black shouldered kite