Extended KTP Trip oct 2013

[Lisbeth]

I have always wondered why there are so many juvenile bateleurs around even though behaving like adults Do they keep their brownish colors for longer?

[Tina]

wonderful pictures again

[Bushcraft]

Sjoe, stunning pics once again

[Kesheshe]

Day 10 - 12th October - Continued

The rest of the drive from this point onwards until we arrived at Nossob at 10.45 was quiet.

On arrival at Nossob the fun and games began myself and So were now gatvol of bees after having this for 6 days therefore we decided to see if we could change accommodation instead of our plan of 2 nights camping. Peter was very helpful in between us trying to decide where we wanted to go and Peter having to open gates for guests going to bitterpan and doing fuel (he was a very busy but helpful man). We eventually came to a decision and took a chalet at Nossob which was a pure luck as people had left early. This allowed us to continue the trip as planned as we had had intended to use Nossob to repower equipment and specifically drive to Cubitje in the morning and Marie se draai in the afternoon.

While SO was sorting this out I took these at reception and wander through the sightings which was very worth while and boy is there some nice photos there.







I still had more than enough fuel therefore I just pumped some from the back tank.

We were more then happy with the decision when we got to the chalet as it was more then we expected. Our previously experience of the guest house at Nossob had scared us from ever taking a unit at Nossob. This has changed our mind and the unit was perfect for what we require. We eventually checked into the chalet at 12.30pm and unpacked and organised lunch. i had salmon sandwiches and SO had tuc biscuits and cheese.

We then rested as per normal for about 2 hours from 1pm and 3pm.

[Kesheshe]

Day 10 - 12th October - Continued

We got up at 3pm and repacked the van with cameras etc and headed out south to marie se draai. We sat there for about 2 hours with just general game to entertain us and one very cute starling sitting on our wing mirror for an extended period of time and if given half the chance would have got into the vehicle.

















On our return drive we ran into 1 male lion about 500m from camp right in the riverbed at around 6.45pm so therefore the light had basically completely disappeared and we did not attempt to get any photos.

After unpacking we decided on hamburgers with onion, chips and a sauce with some toast for dinner which worked out really well. While dinner was cooking I decided to download the photos and also back them up onto a second hard drive to avoid the risk of losing precious shots of our trip. SO’s rash and swelling had got worse so we applied cortisone cream as a last resort our final decision point was that no improvement seen overnight we would be forced to drive to Uptington. We eventually hit the bed hard after a very long stressful day at 9.30pm. I woke at 11.45pm as the room was by now a sauna. I struggled the rest of the night SO did not have the same problem.

[Lisbeth]

Nossob is not my kind of place

[Kesheshe]

Day 11 - 13th October

Got up at 5am after an extremely hot night in the unit. The unit is very nicely apportioned but seriously lacks any type of ventilation in the middle bedroom therefore making for an extremely hot sleeping conditions.

SO made coffee and we sat outside which was quite chilly as the wind was up and blowing but pleasant all the same. The cortisone cream appears to be having the right effect as SO’s swelling and rash are significantly better and bit smaller in area. We talked about what to do and decided to continue applying cream and to monitor the situation on a daily basis but for now we would continue with the trip as planned. We packed the normal items into the car i.e. cameras, snacks etc. and departed for reception at 5.55am. It felt like Kruger as it was the first morning we have stayed in any of the main camps and the queue at the gate was rather strange. Also surprising was the fact that every vehicle left and travelled north not one single vehicle went south.

We stopped at Cubitje Quap and spend an hour and 20 minutes having a fantastic time photographing interaction between doves and jackal. Sorry let me rephrase that jackal looking for breakfast doves on the menu. SO did a fantastic job of capturing this but unfortunately just as her concentration was lagging the jackal managed to snare a dove.

[Lisbeth]

The daily ritual at Cubitje Quap The doves are soooo pretty

[Tina]

I like the doves drinking side by side

[Kesheshe]

Lisbeth you are correct it is a great waterhole to just sit and watch. On all the trips we have missed the resident honey badger.