We Won An MZNP Game Drive

[PJL]

The kids loved watching them

Only the kids?

Lovely pics of jackal and zebra

The black wildebeests are very particular

Maybe not just the kids

What crisp pics, PZL!

And a nice set of wheels there!

Just when one thought those wildebeest couldn't get any uglier...bloodshot eyes!

Thanks RP
Those wildebeest are funny creatures. Chasing themselves around in circles at times

Those Antelopes are much more hairs than in the Kgalagadi, especially Kudu, Springbok and Oryx

still have to see these Black Wildebeests

Interesting nan. I wonder how much of a temperature difference there is between the 2 places.... gets pretty hot in MZNP in summer as well

Awww... those squirrels ARE cute

We didn't do Umngeni in April; still too traumatized from last year Although I will have to agree on the fantastic scenery.
Loved that part of the journey a lot. Not as many animals though as you saw.

But we did Juriesdam Loop for the first time. With great success... got my first black rhino EVER and it was a pretty good
sighting too

I must admit Umngeni gets the adrenaline pumping in a few spots. There's always a slight concern on the higher sections that the car might end up grounded on some of the big boulders
Nice that you got great sightings on Juriesdam... I've often found it quite empty but there's always the chance of seeing cheetah right at the end of the loop

Some really lovely pics..as usual!

Flutts

What a great variety of bokkies you saw, PJL,

awesome shots plus cute squirrels and wonderful raptors

Thanks Pumbaa. We saw many more raptors this time around than any of our previous trips... there are a few interesting ones coming up

[PJL]

Back at camp we had a tasty braai for lunch and then decided to stretch our legs on the camp hike. Not the full loop this time, but just up to the top sections which have such stunning views



The essential family selfie... our kids have definitely lost a few more teeth and grown taller since the last similar pic







The kids somehow snuck a swim in whilst I swapped our newly repaired tyre with the spare back at the chalet. We decided there was time before our night drive to do an afternoon trip around Kranskop loop which takes you right up into the mountains. The density of game drops somewhat, but the scenery is spectacular. On the first upper sections we saw zebra and a very proud-looking jackal buzzard. Anyone know why they're called 'jackal' buzzards?





Right up in the mountains we were lucky to spot some grey rhebok in a couple of places





Towards the end of the loop we pulled in at Doornhoek dam which was a very peaceful scene



On our side of the dam was a young reed cormorant and some shelduck ducklings





On the far side was the resident fish eagle, and whilst we were enjoying the view a couple of raptors came cruising overhead - booted eagles in their pale morph I believe

[Lisbeth]

Its name refers to the jackal because its call is similar to that of the black-backed jackal, which is a common resident in the South African countryside.

Have you ever seen the park in summer? Some more green would not hurt

[PJL]

Its name refers to the jackal because its call is similar to that of the black-backed jackal, which is a common resident in the South African countryside.

Have you ever seen the park in summer? Some more green would not hurt

Well done Lis... I was hoping the question might be trickier for some
I haven't ever seen the park looking green. But it must happen for a few weeks of the year

[Lisbeth]

At what level is it? (from sea level)

[PJL]

At what level is it? (from sea level)

It's about 1000m above sea level at the lowest point... going up to almost 2000m at the back of the park in the mountainous sections.

[Lisbeth]

[Richprins]

What brilliant pics again, PZL...each one a keeper!

Hey, not many forumites have man-childs, so well done!

Personally I think the Jackal part comes from Jakkalsvoêl, the generic Afrikaans for buzzards, and the English just got lazy, as this one is endemic!

(Afrikaners were stoically unimaginative regarding naming animals, apart from a few strokes of brilliance! )

[Lisbeth]

And why is it called Jakkalsvoêl?

[Pumbaa]

Amazing shots from the jackal buzzard, PJL,

plus grey rhebok - You had incredible luck with your sightings