I've got a feeling of a hot summer in Kruger

[Pumbaa]

Then as already expected not much came across and also at Girivana nothing was hanging around so we soon reached Nsemani were a green backed heron was looking for something for lunch.



We drove slowly back to camp and luckily now zebras were hanging around



as well as a couple of kudus even with little ones



came across and the little one was such a cutie with those large ears so Timon took lots of shots.





Impalas and even a duiker suddenly also appeared and luckily same stayed longenough for a couple of shots and did not run straight away.





Back in camp we were a bit hungry and once again had lunch at the restaurant and afterwards paid another short visit to the shop then we still had enough time to relax a bit on our verandah and once again had a great time in photographing a lizard



and even the scimitarbill appeared as well but in the beginning same was too speedy for a shot but today an African hoopoe was active in searching for something on the ground





and finally Timon was also lucky in capturing the scimitarbill once again.

[Pumbaa]

We were not really in the mood for an afternoon drive, however, as it was our last day in Satara we forced us for a short drive into the direction of Girivana again. Either the same from earlier that day or another green backed heron could be seen at Nsemani



on the drive along the tar road we did not see anything. A Wahlberg eagle a bit too far away and then only at Girivana a group of baboons was hanging around



as well as the obligatory Egyptian goose.



Whilst driving back to Nsemani a lone elephant bull appeared



and besides a grey heron a bit far away at Nsemani we in fact were entertained by the many white faced ducks



who could be seen relatively close.



On our way back to camp suddenly lots of giraffes appeared





obviously on the search for dinner





as well as warthogs but they were too fast for a couple of shots as they were running around between the long legs of the giraffes.



Back in camp we enjoyed our last evening in Satara with a cold one on our verandah until it was time for the bed.

to be continued………….

[Lisbeth]

OK, you had lunch at the restaurant, but did you skip dinner completely and only had a cold one, or have you forgotten?

Cute little big-ears and also the duiker

It seems to me that it's the first hoopoe

The last pic of the green-backed heron is lovely

[Pumbaa]

OK, you had lunch at the restaurant, but did you skip dinner completely and only had a cold one, or have you forgotten?

Cute little big-ears and also the duiker

It seems to me that it's the first hoopoe

The last pic of the green-backed heron is lovely

Lisbeth, it was a late lunch so we skip normally dinner then but had some fruits or veggies or sometimes even toast but no braai Simply love those big ears

[ExFmem]

Always enjoy your TTs, and especially the incredible variety of birds you see each trip. Great pics, keep 'em coming

[Richprins]

Very nice, Pumbaa!

The normal game in the green setting makes for some bucolic photos.

So many ducks together!

Was the restaurant food ok?

[Pumbaa]

Always enjoy your TTs, and especially the incredible variety of birds you see each trip. Great pics, keep 'em coming

Thanks so much -We simply love our feathered friends

[Pumbaa]

Very nice, Pumbaa!

The normal game in the green setting makes for some bucolic photos.

So many ducks together!

Was the restaurant food ok?

Yes, it was good could in fact not complain

[Pumbaa]

Tuesday, 22. February 2022 – Satara - Olifants

Explored roads: H1-4 – H7 – S39 – H1-5 – S89 – S92 – H8 – S44 – S93 – H8

With heavy hearts we packed everything together as it is always not easy to leave Satara on one hand and on the other hand it means as from now on our days are numbered and are ticking down even faster, at least it always felt so but for sure we were so much looking forward already to the North as same is always amazing and a visit to Kruger without the North is feeling not complete.

So after our morning coffee we again left with gate opening time and continued our way to Nsemani dam. It was still quiet as so often that early morning but an elephant bull was already in action.



Soon we reached Nsemani dam and on the island in the middle of the dam lots of water dikkops, spurwinged goose, white faced as well as knob-billed ducks were bustling and even a hippo emerged from the water to enjoy the morning light. We were all alone at the dam and stayed quite a while as it was so peaceful there.





Finally we continued and came across a Wahlberg eagle



as well as magpie shrikes



and more elephants



until we got stuck in a huge buffalo herd out of which most of the buffaloes were about to cross the street





lots crossed already the road



and finally we were trapped between them so we had a lot of time in looking around and taking pictures as all of them were so relaxed

[Pumbaa]

and some even were still lying in the high grass as it was obviously far too early for them to get up.



As always when stuck between buffaloes they were extreme curiously



eying us and so were always offering nice portrait shots



and all of them were so gentle. After finally most of them decided for one side we continued and turned into the S39



were we stopped for some nicely posing yellowbilled hornbills



as well as kudus in the dense vegetation



and giraffes.



Compared to the rest of the park where rivers were flowing the Timbavati was nearly bone dry so we often enjoyed the views into a dry riverbed interrupted by meetings with an elephant herd,



wildebeests



as well as impalas who often hung around in masses close to Leeubron.



to be continued………………