Gorid Steals the show KTP April/May 2021

[Lisbeth]

Great bird show, especially the African Harrier Hawk and the owls.

The meerkats are always lovely to watch

[GavinW]

Wednesday 12th May 2021


It was a case of same old again on our third day at Mata Mata, with the predators still hiding from us

We drove down south and saw some really nice general game along our bumble

First up was a thick-knee in perfect light

Whist driving around the loops we spotted this springbok at the 14th waterhole

As well as some giraffe at 13th

[GavinW]

Just past Kamqua a herd of wildebeest was making their way down the riverbed, with a youngster in tow

[GavinW]

And of course we had to stop to look at our barn owls

Coffee at Auchterlonie was a pleasant affair, and after much debate earlier we found that you do in fact get pigeons in the Kgalagadi

[GavinW]

Our cat drought ended that evening when Caitlin spotted some movement at the waterhole back in camp
Two handsome lionesses came to drink

We went to bed that evening happy, but also saddened at the thought of the children leaving the next day.

[Mel]

I still had to catch up on your wonderful bird sightings on the previous page. Great photos! And I love the curious owls in this episode a lot.

Lions at the waterhole

[Lisbeth]

The barn owl nest is very crowded, when they are all at home

Strange that you saw so few lions; normally you fall over them

[Richprins]

All sorts of things!

I like the dikkop, didn't even know they were there!

And those rock pigeons are also rare, Gavin?

[Mel]

Okay... with some help, well actually a lot of help form the Cheetahs of the Kalahari team, I now know that this one is Maximus.
He's a roamer and hasn't been seen that often. Not sure if he's still in the area

Would you happen to also have a shot of his left flank by any chance?

[GavinW]

Thursday 13th May 2021

We packed up camp and left Mata Mata at around about 7.30am.
Near Craig Lockhart a large herd of springbok were grazing in the riverbed

They were being watched by three cheetah high up on the far dune. Too far away for any photographs
We watched them for quite a while as they slowly approached the herd
The hunt was not to be and once spotted the cheetah disappeared over the dunes.


Some colourful birds kept us entertained for a while later


A Lilac Breasted Roller

A Yellow billed hornbill