Christmas Trees in the Kalahari KTP May 2012*

[GavinW]

The rest of Day 3


We left Melkvlei and headed back to Twee Rivieren via the Lower Dune road and Auchterlonie, and made a note not to repeat the trip again in the foreseeable future. It just seemed a very long way back

We did see this herd of springbok at Kij Kij,



as well as these rooi hartebeest along the way.




At Samevloeiing we met up with our feathered friends from Cape Town again, before another fleeting visit to TR .




And a stunning martial eagle



The road back to Rooiputs was quiet. We were content, and then we came upon this juvenile martial, hiding in the shade of a large tree, concealing his supper from us!





For the third night in a row, we were blessed with a stunning sunset at Rooiputs





We slept well that night, looking forward to what day 4 night hold in store for us!

[GavinW]

Day 4 Rooiputs


The next morning we set off in the direction of Samevloeiing, in the hope of spotting our leopard again. It was our last full day at Rooiputs before heading north to Nossob, so we wanted to experience what the lower Nossob River had to offer..


We got to Samevloeiing just too late to see this martial take out one of the Gypies…



He also proved to be pretty elusive and ducked off (Ha Ha ) pretty quickly up into a nearby tree


And proceeded to watch us with one eye from above……




That's better!





He eventually flew off leaving us all alone


We did however still have the comfort of this stunning sighting of this Gemsbok at the waterhole.





With not too much happening this morning along the Nossob river, we set off over the dune road to the Auob side..

We were rewarded with sightings of this pygmy falcon,



and this juvenile PCG





And a few male lions hiding in the shrubbery







But our day had only just started...................tbc

[GavinW]

Four beauties on Day 4


Whilst we were watching very sleepy lions, we met up with a friend from Cape Town, Tony and his SO who kindly told us that 4 cheetah had been spotted about a kilometer back towards TR, and that they were looking pretty alert and (hopefully) hungry!

The lions weren’t going anywhere so we set off in search of the cheetah.


The cheetah were high up on the ridge and behind some shrubbery.



We watched them for a good while until they decided to move….



Only to the shade of a nearby camelthorn tree..





There they spent a good part of the day, as did we.


Occasionally we would take a chance to see if the lions had moved.



I really don’t know why we bothered, but you know what it’s like…. Greener grass etc etc


Eventually our patience was rewarded and Mommy cheetah felt it was time to make a move.



She started off down the dune with cubs in tow.



There were a few buck nearby which had her attention.


She came down off the dune, and crept alongside the road, whilst the cubs waited obediently






After a while some idiots in nearby cars got too close to her and interrupted her stalk.

To say that we were annoyed is an understatement!!


We did however manage to get a few stunning pics of the family.











With the plot lost the 4 went over the riverbed and lay down under a tree.

Time was running against us and we were forced to carry on to Twee Rivieren.

[GavinW]

Our last evening at Rooiputs

We returned to Rooiputs that evening via Twee Rivieren, and had a really pleasant evening in camp.



Watching the sunset,





Planning next years trip (Which HAD to include at least 4 nights at Rooiputs again)




And enjoying a quiet braai, along with a glass or two of wine.


Then at about 8pm Debs said…. “Gav isn’t that a hyena?”

“Where?”

‘There man….how many wines have you had?”

She was right, lurking just in the shadows was a spotted Hyena,

which quickly disappeared once we turned on a torch. It moved up to campsite no 4, who must have also seen it judging by the amount of torch beams flying around up there!!

We went to bed that evening very happy, wondering what the next leg of our holiday would hold in store for us….. Could it get any better?

[GavinW]

Thanks everyone for the kind commets yet again.

Day 5: Rooiputs to Nossob


We had decided the previous evening not to try and start packing up camp the night before leaving for Nossob, but rather to worry about that in the morning, and we were glad we did.

As a result we only left Rooiputs at about 8 am, an hour after “gate” opening time.
Having missed the opportunity of being alone on the road we decided to head off to Nossob straight away and not to see what was lurking at Leeudril that morning.

As a rule, we rarely see much when we move between camps. I suppose that really depends on what you call “seeing much” - That probably refers to the larger predators, but to say that we didn’t see much on any one given day in the Kgalagadi is really not true.

Today was to be a day for the little guys… (Well mostly)

On the section of road before Kij Kij, we came upon these delightful suricates up on the ridge,




A tortoise was on the side of the road,




And this ground squirrel was diligenty guarding his home and watching us with interest




The road between Melkvlei and Dikbaardskolk was the pits. We saw quite a lot of general game along the way, but the highlight was definitely this Cape Cobra next to the road. The snake reared up and displayed it’s hood as we approached. Probably a bit unhappy with the sound of an Isuzu bakkie being rattled to bits as we approached. We managed to get a photo as it was starting to calm down a bit.





Keeping in with the snake theme, Debs also got to capture this snake eagle taking off.









We got to Nossob at about 2pm and set up camp





The afternoon was spent in camp chilling and catching up with a very special Kalahari Moose whom we hadn’t seen for over a year!


We had an early supper that evening with Anna, and then went out on the night drive…..

In past night drives at Nossob the most we had ever seen was a baby barking gecko (a bit of a standing joke between Debs and I), and we wondered what tonight would reveal.

The drive started off well with various barn and spotted Eagle owl sightings.





As well as some bunnies (Sorry no pics)

As we were approaching Maries, Anna commented that there were hyena tracks in the road, and a bit further on some pasting.

This was really special to see as the brownies mark their territory by marking the prominent grass tufts on the edge of their territories. Brown Hyena pasting can be differentiated from spotted hyena pasting by the additional brown paste on the grass. All really interesting stuff whilst seeing the real thing.

Then at Maries we saw the real, real thing

A proof pic, but a brownie nevertheless.

[GavinW]

Day 6: Fighter pilots of the Kgalagadi

The next morning we were up bright and early and were in the hide waiting for gate opening time. We had arranged to take Moose out for a short morning drive, as she never really gets out much during the day, and it gave us a chance to catch up a bit as well.

She met us in the hide and at 7am we set off and headed north…

On the way up to Langklaas, we happened upon these wildebeest at Kwang,






and these gemsbok at Bedinkt



Otherwise we just reveled in the beauty and tranquility of the Kgalagadi..

As did this juvenile PCG



This soon changed once we got to Cubitjie Quap!!


We started off watching these sandgrouse collecting water for their young,




And then the fun started :dance:

The Lanners arrived








Well we were fascinated. The raptors held regular blitzes on the doves and finches drinking at the waterhole, which provided some great photographic opportunities.



My comparison of the lanner falcons to fighter pilots really was apt, as they came in time after time causing havoc.

No kills, but lots of fun

We eventually had to leave in order to get Moose back to Nossob to resume her duties!

Once back in camp, we spent the afternoon doing all those household chores usually done by my myself, but delegated to my SO as I was also on holiday.
I must admit, he spaced the clothes pegs out perfectly

That evening

A sunset drive of a lifetime!!!

TBC

[GavinW]

Day 6 cont… A sunset drive of note!!

After a busy day in camp, we were booked on the sunset drive that evening which was departing at about 5pm.

We were joined on the trip by an English couple David and Catherine, who were on a pre-wedding “honeymoon”, and Anna as our guide.



Anna at work.

The first part of the trip was quite with only the usual general game around

We headed south down to Maries se Draai, and drove the loop in reverse.



Catherine told us of a cheetah sighting they had had that afternoon on the loop, and we all hoped that they were still around.

The cheetah had been in the riverbed, so all our attention was focused there. But whilst we were looking for them, they were watching us



Well spotted Debs!!!!


The two soon disappeared into the darkness, and we watched a stunning full moon rise over the Kgalagadi!



We carried on and whilst I was busy pointing out an owl in the riverbed, there was this load gasp from the front of the vehicle.

This chap suddenly appeared out of the darkness walking down the road. He passed right next to the van and walked past and behind the vehicle.



Sorry about the pics, but it was dark and everything was moving!

The lion was a beauty, and we followed him (In reverse) whilst he sauntered along the road……. And got a whole lot of bum shots.



We eventually let him wander off on his way, and continued on towards the waterhole.
Along the way, we spotted this Springhare



As well as this Spotted Eagle Owl



And then we came upon this roadblock.



The two lovers were not moving and Anna advised us that to try interfere with a mating lioness is not a clever idea.
She was best left alone so we had no alternative but to turn around and retrace our steps.

We weren’t complaining, but it did put a bit of a time pressure on us to return in time for the night drive.

We went around Maries a bit quicker that on our way out, and after a while came across big daddy again. More bum shots until he moved off onto the dunes to the north.



We then headed back towards Rooikop……………tbc

[GavinW]

Thanks everyone for all your input. We are so glad that you are enjoying re-living our holiday with us!

I don't have the time to comment on each reply, but REALLY they are all appreciated.

Rooikop rocks!!!

Ok after our previous experiences on Nossob night drives of baby barking geckos (OK conveniently forgetting last night’s bonus brownie) we were totally stoked at the evenings proceedings thus far.

As we were going over the hill, inbetween the entrance and exit of Maries, Deb’s joked “Now all we need to see is a leopard”

Ha Ha Ya really, Debs that’s pushing it.


Well the Kgalagadi was about to throw some red sand straight into my face,

because just after Rooikop this lady was walking down the road!!








Oh my hat!!!!!!!!!!



Like her feline friend earlier in the evening, she presented us with loads of bum shots

Before she lay down next to the road and put us on ignore!!






All to soon we had to return to camp so that the night drive could go out...( they also saw the princess, only she faced the cameras for them )


But who cares!! We had had a drive of a lifetime, as Debs said "Ok We can go home now!!"


NO!! So NO

[GavinW]

Day 7: Maries delivers ……Again


We woke up on Monday 7 May hardly believing that our long awaited holiday was already one week old!!

On the bright side we still had another two weeks to go, and we were in Nossob about to head south to see what Marie’s se Draai had to deliver…

After last night’s game drive do you blame us!

Whilst waiting for the gate to open Debs noticed that we had a mouse in the house!! -O




All was quiet as we travelled past Rooikop…. No leopard this morning, lots of cat tracks in the road, but no cats.

Until.....


We turned into Maries and within the first 100 meters we spotted these two cheetah on the move.




Unfortunately, they were quite far off and moving away. We watched them till they were out of sight and decided to carry on…

About a kilometer further on down the road, we happened upon this African Wild Cat trying to get warm…






A really special sighting.

[GavinW]

Day 7 cont... A “rest day”



Marie's decided that we had seen enough (for now) so after travelling around the loop, we decided to head up north to Bedinkt and back.

At Kwang, we came across a crowd all looking for their mid morning drink.







After that we spent a good bit of time watching the Lanners at Cubitjie Quap again.






Never a dull moment!!



I also tried my hand at taking a few pics, which turned out OK (I think anyway)





And on the way back to camp we spotted these Swallow Tailed Bee-eaters.




(my pic)

And a Marico Fly catcher (?)



We got back to camp to find that our friends Kelly and Chris had arrived.
We spent an enjoyable afternoon in camp with them and the kids, and after a stunning steak braai, I went on a night drive along with Chris and Kelly, whilst Debbie decided to stay in to have an “early” night!!

Night Drives in Nossob in early May 2012 were no longer quiet affairs!

As I was given “torch” duty and Debs wasn’t with us, I never took any photos, but Chris has kindly supplied a few of his images of the evening:


This spotted Eagle Owl in flight (especially for Bill!!)




The cheetah we had seen that morning were still around



As was a lion near Rooikop.. (Sorry no pic)

And these Cape Foxes we spotted on the way back!!



(Not to sure what it was about the border markers that day, but anyway

Thanks Chris for the photos
We got back to find that the crowd we had left behind, Debbie, Don and Den (Chris’s parents), all still on baby sitting duty, and not complaining :dance: