Africa Wild

The previous day we had heard that the H3 road between Skukuza was closed for repairs and we might need to drive to the S3 and go via Pretoriuskop which would add a few hours to the trip so we wanted to get past Skukuza to see if it was still closed .When we got to Skukuza we decided to not go in but drive past and go see if the road was closed and then stop in at the Golf club .As we drove up to the junction the rangers were just removing the tape blocking the road and opening it up so we could use the shorter route again much to our relief .We went to the golf club road but it was closed so we went back to Skukuza and just stopped in to the toilets quickly . We left on our way to Malelane and found a lovely Fish eagle on the way .


We then found an ellie with lovely tusks but could not get a nice angle for a picture .


At Qwaggaspan we saw some movement in the distance and there came a Hyena stolling to the pan walked into the water and out the other side and carried on going








We thought it would come out and walk right by us but at the last moment it swerved off and walked away over the road passed the traffic jam that had formed to see what we were watching .

We carried on and SO called stop .I reversed a bit and we found this Bird of prey .


A bit further on an Ellie crossed the road ahead of us I could swear it was the same that we met in the rain previously but could not be sure


We arrived at Malelane gate to check in only to be told that Malelane camp had been closed as the water pump had clogged up with mud and they rebooked us into Berg en Dal while this was not our favourite camp we decided to carry on the trips theme and go with the flow instead.

At the check in they gave us a view unit on the fence line and gave us the speech about the walking trail around the camp going right past the unit

We arrived at the unit and unpacked then went to have a look around .The first thing we noticed was the walk was washed away and there was actually no fence to the side of the unit





We wondered if the office actually knew there wasnt a fence left .

We went out for a quick evening drive .We did not see much but found a tree with some interesting inhabitants


This woodlands was not happy with the other birds on its tree


And this is the reason why


We went back to camp and started our braai .Some kids came walking past and SO asked them to stop .The parents eventually caught up they had also been told about the walk around camp and had just been watching hippos around the corner .We told them about the missing fence and that the kids were about to walk out into Kruger

While we waited for something interesting to arrive all evening while we braaied nothing turned up to take advantage of the missing fence apart from two of the camp bushbucks that left then came back later .We went to bed to get ready for the next days drive back to Durban.

seems to be an African Hawk Eagle... nice one, but normely they are in pair

magnificent, pix and sightings
well done

As Nan already said, the raptor is an African hawk eagle and if Richprins tries to convince you that it's an Ayers hawk eagle, don't believe him

Did you have a pic of exactly the same place where the fence had been washed away?

A pity that nobody came for a visit, taking advantage of the "no fence", e.g. a couple of lions

Nice photos of the hyena

Definitely a wet trip

A fascinating day all round, Rog!

Love the strolling hyena, Ayers' Eagle, and how shocking the fence gone like that!

Kruger sure had some repairs to do, it is almost worse than previous floods!

nan wrote: ↑Sat Sep 02, 2023 9:26 pm seems to be an African Hawk Eagle... nice one, but normely they are in pair

magnificent, pix and sightings
well done

thanks for the ID nan

Lisbeth wrote: ↑Sun Sep 03, 2023 12:02 pm As Nan already said, the raptor is an African hawk eagle and if Richprins tries to convince you that it's an Ayers hawk eagle, don't believe him

Did you have a pic of exactly the same place where the fence had been washed away?

A pity that nobody came for a visit, taking advantage of the "no fence", e.g. a couple of lions

Nice photos of the hyena

Definitely a wet trip

The pic with the fence was what was left it gave the impression of still being there but just after the last post it was gone .

Richprins wrote: ↑Mon Sep 04, 2023 5:50 pm A fascinating day all round, Rog!

Love the strolling hyena, Ayers' Eagle, and how shocking the fence gone like that!

Kruger sure had some repairs to do, it is almost worse than previous floods!

seems to have been allot of more focused damage in the south from the floods where the other floods were more general damage

The following morning we packed the car and left for a last quick drive before heading home .

We left camp and drove down the S110 tar around to the H3 Tar as all the sand roads were all still closed .On the H3 we found a few cars that had got ahead of us stopped and soon saw the cause a Pride of Lions was lying blocking the road .



There was only a small part on the far side of the road to get passed and it caused quite a bottleneck as most wanted to get time next to them as well . The one car came around us and the occupant opened their window and pleaded to go past as they were late for work so we allowed them to pass another car immediately blocked them as they assumed they were jumping the queue . And then low and behold a Audi driver decided they had a 4x4 and drove past the side and stopped on the grass opposite the pride . Unbelievable .


We eventually got our turn and took a few pics and drove off




A bit further we found another Hyena on the way home


Another eagle maybe its an Ayers this time


and a ground hornbill still waking up


A Kingfisher


We turned around and headed back towards the gate to leave . Arriving at the lions there was no traffic jam left a couple of cars had parked and traffic could flow freely .We managed to get some more nice pics the one Lioness had a damaged eye .







They all lay down again we decided they were not going to do anything else but be true Lions for the rest of the morning so we left to drive home

Thanks Roger,

love all the different raptors, the hyenas and even lots of lions

Flat lions are not that interesting anyway

The usual hyena coming home after a tough night

Is this the end, Rog?

If so a wonderful farewell!

Ja, the traffic jams must have been crazy with so few roads!

It is not an Ayers' Eagle!

again magnificent sightings and pix
except this one on the grass

the raptor could be a Tawny... but not sure... sorry, if you have another picture to help...