Kruger Drought/Dry Seasons and Dam Levels

[Dzombo]

So there have been 3 rainfalls (maybe not heavy but some nonr-the-less) over the past 10 days.

How long until the grass starts responding and starts growing?

[Richprins]

It can start growing immediately, Dzombs! Minimum temperature is a factor, but that should be ok?

But it takes a few days at least...

But buffalo still need to drink twice a day, so until pans, pools, streams and dams start filling, they are constrained by that, like hippo to a lesser extent. No sign of that happening yet, and could take a month but that could change overnight in certain areas!

Then everything buggers of into the bush for months!

[leachy]

It can start growing immediately, Dzombs! Minimum temperature is a factor, but that should be ok?

But it takes a few days at least...

But buffalo still need to drink twice a day, so until pans, pools, streams and dams start filling, they are constrained by that, like hippo to a lesser extent. No sign of that happening yet, and could take a month but that could change overnight in certain areas!

Then everything buggers of into the bush for months!

don't you mean "buggers off" ??????

[Dzombo]

Then everything buggers of into the bush for months!

Typo aside (Leachy )

What do you mean by this?
The game lives in the bush?

Forecast is for more rain over the weekend.

[Richprins]

As soon as pans and streams are available they rush off into feeding areas which were previously waterless! They then escape the predator concentration and there is much more food, untrampled and unovergrazed. That is why one sees far fewer animals during the wet season, as most tourist roads follow water-sources.

Hundreds and hundreds of ellies move back to the Mozambique Park (Transfrontier) for example, as perennial water is almost non-existent there, but plenty of food.

[Dzombo]

As soon as pans and streams are available they rush off into feeding areas which were previously waterless! They then escape the predator concentration and there is much more food, untrampled and unovergrazed. That is why one sees far fewer animals during the wet season, as most tourist roads follow water-sources.

Interesting.
A bit off topic.
But my last few trips to Kruger have been at the end of December. One often hears that winter(dry season) is a better time in Kruger, yadda yadda yadda.
But tbh, I really had fantastic sightings on each trip. So..............

[Flutterby]

Our best trips have always been at the end of winter before the first rains.

[Dzombo]

I have heard there was a widespread soft soaking rain today

[Richprins]

Nothing yet from Phala and north...

[Alf]

Still no rain......

The wind is cold though