When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

Well it was wet extreme wet – We already experienced rainy days with torrential rain and road closures during our previous trips from time to time but that was nothing compared to this year’s flood. I know that one day we might experience a flood as we are always in the park during the rainy season and now I hope that the next flood will only occur in a couple of years. Temperaturewise each morning we had already 23 degrees with a lot of humidity and consequently it was already extreme sweltry. The temperature rose nearly each day up to 33 degrees so it was not that comfortable with the humidity and it never cooled down by night. One day we even had 38 degrees but on that day it was extreme windy and not that humid so it was more bearable for us.

We had to change our booking for Biyamiti and Lower Sabie as both camps were not reachable during the time we were in the park and the first sand road we could drive was the S100 all other sand roads in the South were closed.

Despite the road closures and consequently the traffic on the tar roads our sightings were in fact not that bad although must say that the lions were a bit rare during that trip and we never experienced it before that a single giraffe or a single warthog can cause traffic jams!

The positive things were we luckily never got stuck everywhere, we never had the whole day torrential rains but also sunshine, the staff at the reception of Berg en Dal as well as Pretoriuskop where we had to change our bookings for the not reachable camps were extreme helpful, patient and did everything they could to satisfy not only us but also many other visitors who had to change their bookings as well. Finally we could also spent 2 nights in the only main camp we never stayed before, Pretoriuskop, and the best thing of all is nevertheless to be back in the park is simply the best and we even spotted a couple of lifers as well. So ready for our wet adventures?

[Pumbaa]

Thursday, 09. February 2023 – O.R. Tambo – Malelane

Although our flight was delayed by one hour due to problems with the luggage we arrived quite early at the airport, picked up our rental car and drove straight into the direction of Malelane and luckily arrived without any traffic jams or closed road safe and sound in Malelane and after the obligatory shopping marathon finally also at our booked lodge at the Crocodile river. During the drive I already noticed a couple of waterfalls coming down from the mountains but they did not look dangerous I was simply happy that there must have been enough rain and consequently the park must be lush and green. At that time we did not know that the park experienced another flood and that a couple of roads had been washed away that must have happened in fact overnight whilst we were on our way to South Africa.

Today we even arrived already at our lodge around 15.00 o’clock and so had enough time to relax from the flight as well as the long drive until it was time for dinner as we had booked a table in the restaurant. The Crocodile river looked extreme full but we saw same already that full two years ago so nothing to worry about and same even dropped at least until the evening slightly whilst we were enjoying the view as more and more tufts of grass as well as sand island could be seen in the river.

We made ourselves comfortable in the chairs on our verandah with a prime view into the river and soon discovered already a hippo in the water.



We were simply so happy to just be back so we enjoyed the presence of a laughing dove,



or simply from a bush after the bird we were watching took off for sure due to the water level we did not expect any sliding elephants today and although in the beginning it was a bit quiet we were simply satisfied with what came across



even if it were just bushes or



fruits.



After a while more and more birds appeared and we were even possible to capture a bronze mannikin



as this bird is not that willing to pose for us as this specimen



although we often do hear them.



Branches were cracking and we noticed a bushbuck close to where we sat but same soon hid under the closest bush.

[Pumbaa]

A bit farer away we notice hadedahs on a bridge



whilst we tried to capture the many black smith plovers who flew by.



Right above our verandah we could watch into a fig tree and whilst looking up we were already eyed by a green pigeon.



Spectacled weavers appeared as couple



and we caught also a yellow fronted canary with kill



and now also a black eyed bulbul was busy in eating figs and even



a very hidden speckled mousebird was willing to pose.



Now besides its flying buddies a black smith plover close to where we sat could be photographed





whilst on the other side of the river now a hippo walked extreme slow and in its own speed down to the river.





to be continued…………….

[nan]

wow I'm ready to catch this bus

Great start... just a mix between Weaver and Canary...
love Green Pigeon and Mousebird and Laughing Dove and of course Bronze Mannikin

[Lisbeth]

Now I must be careful not to get mixed up A great title

A lovely cocktail of different birds

[Pumbaa]

wow I'm ready to catch this bus

Great start... just a mix between Weaver and Canary...
love Green Pigeon and Mousebird and Laughing Dove and of course Bronze Mannikin

At least the birding was already more than fantastic

[Pumbaa]

Now I must be careful not to get mixed up A great title

A lovely cocktail of different birds

The previous trip report is nearly finished - finally Definitely a more than nice cocktail of different birds

[Pumbaa]

Same obviously looked for a nice quiet spot



where the river was not flowing that strong.



After a small visit to the close by pond at the parking area where normally also lots of birds could be seen but today same was deserted we returned to our verandah and noticed again the yellow fronted canary



and a couple of black eyed bulbuls.





Now cattle egrets flew by



and even practiced the formation flight



whilst a lone helmeted guineafowl paid a visit close to our verandah





and even was willing to pose quite long for us as normally these birds soon disappear in the grass on the roadside when seeing them in the park early in the morning.



We had fun in watching a black eyed bulbul busy with a spiderweb





and now also a couple of white faced ducks flew noisily by.

[Pumbaa]

Although mostly birds today could be photographed we were extreme happy with our yield and that view was simply fantastic too,



a black eyed bulbul now presented itself on a flower bush



whilst now also the Egyptian goose flew by.



After nearly 3 hours we spent at our verandah the sun started to set





whilst we got ready for dinner in the restaurant. The food was as always brilliant and even a larger group was celebrating a 80th birthday there whilst we heard thunder and noticed lightning not far away. We just returned to our room when it started to rain torrentially for around 30 minutes and we called it a day as we meanwhile were extreme tired.

Friday, 10 February, 2023 – Malelane – Berg en Dal

Explored roads: S110 – H3 – S110 – H3 – S110

During the night we heard already the sinister sound of rain sometimes same came down torrentially and sometimes only slightly but when the alarm clock went off it was again raining torrentially and our verandah was under water so we drank our coffee in our room and hoped that the rain might stop shortly which luckily came true although it was still drizzling the whole morning and so our start into our Kruger adventure started with grey and low clouds but it started finally.

We only paid a short visit on the bridge across the Crocodile river as not much was to be seen maybe because the river was flowing strongly but as already said two years ago the water level looked similar. The check in at the gate went fast and smoothly and finally the barrier opened and we were back.

First animal this year was a wooly necked stork followed by a wet Wahlberg eagle



a nice surprise was then already this duiker lady who luckily did not run straight away but allowed a couple of shots



where we admired her little thatch between the ears which is always looking so cute.



No idea here with the id but I will ask one of the experts as all the raptors we saw that morning when drenched



same, however, soon decided to take off



and that African hawk eagle in a tree looked at first sight like a duck so soaking wet was same



and the eagle even started to shake and all the water drops were swirling around.



to be continued……………..

[Lisbeth]

I am perfectly happy with birds

The helmeted guineafowl must be one of the most ridiculous looking birds in the world and from the front with the legs crossed....

Do you put on the alarm every morning? even when it's raining

Lovely view on the river

Could the raptor be a common buzzard