Not what we expected KTP Dec Jan 2017

[GavinW]

Our last evening at Urikaruus

As promised, here are a few more photos of the cheetah kill:



It appeared as if the cheetah got two meals for the price of one.

The springbok ewe which they had caught had clearly been pregnant and the unborn calf is clearly visible in these pics
Really sad, I know, but then that is nature










We were with them for about an hour and a half before we left them under their tree



On the way back to camp we saw this Secretary Bird bathing in a puddle of water



Once we were back at camp, Debbie decided to start packing up in preparation of our move to Rooiputs the next day, while I took Eric to check on the pump on the other side of the riverbed



When I got back, I took the opportunity of taking some photos around the camp and in particular of unit no 1










We decided to stay in for the evening and met up with friends from Cape Town, Rob and Glynis for some sundowners and a bit of a catch up.
After that it was a matter of a braai whilst watching the resident owls, and bed.

[nan]

sad ... but is nature like you said
love the wet Secreary Bird
went too, to the pump just before Lions come and stay around for 24h
Rob and Glynis

[Lisbeth]

Never seen owls walking around

The cheetahs are still wonderful

[GavinW]

We say farewell to Urikaruus

As usual we were up bright and early as we had decided to go for a last drive up to fourteenth borehole and back before setting off for Rooiputs.
First up for the morning were some bat eared foxes out and about. The light was still pretty bad, so we only managed to get one usable photo



The predators had all disappeared for the morning giving us the opportunity to spend some time with this journey of giraffe



This one having a drink from one of the puddles in the road





A herd of wildebeest grazing in the riverbed created a really peaceful scene



We turned around at Fourteenth and besides meeting up with Rob and Glynis on their way up to Mata Mata and this Jackal Buzzard in a tree the drive back to Urikaruus was uneventful



Back at camp, we loaded everything into the bakkie, had a shower and said farewell and thank you to Eric and set off for our next port of call. Rooiputs for five nights.

Near Kamqua Debbie spotted a group of four Southern White faced owls in a tree







They were pretty inquisitive and probably were wondering what we were looking at





We were really pleased with this sighting.
However an even more memorable sighting was waiting for us just down the road.

[nan]

wow four Southern White-faced Owls

juv PCG

nice to see Giraffe in the puddles in golden hours

[Lisbeth]

So many owls together and even awake

[Mel]

Hanri and the gang

Is it really? I haven't compared spots yet, but there are obviously only two youngsters and by January Hanri was with four.
I'll check for Corinne eventually

[nan]

Hanri and the gang

Is it really? I haven't compared spots yet, but there are obviously only two youngsters and by January Hanri was with four.
I'll check for Corinne eventually

Mel... made the same mistake somewhere else ... yes please check

[GavinW]

Thanks everyone once again for all your input into this travel tale. I really appreciate every comment

Mommy, Mommy where are you??


Travelling south, we soon enough arrived at Rooibrak.

There were no animals at the waterhole besides a lone baby wildebeest calf. And I mean baby.

It’s umbilical cord was still red and attached.

We pulled up to have a look at it and the calf immediately made a bee line for our vehicle
It proceeded to try and feed off our vehicle, licking the rear door and nudging the back wheel under the wheel well. All the time it was whining pathetically.

It was pretty disturbing to say the least.

The calf would not leave our vehicle alone so after a while, Debs, in desperation banged on the side of the door.
The calf reacted, and I took off, getting out of there as quickly as possible


Ok fine. So now we had made our getaway, but we had one very distraught wildebeest calf charging after us as if its life depended on the milk in our wheel well.

The puddles in the road were no deterrent to the calf as it charged after us.
As you can imagine all this was quite stressful.



After about a kilometre of speeding down the road, we eventually lost the calf.

Only, to find a herd of wildebeest in the riverbed.
Ok so what to do.

I decided to reverse and see if the calf was still following us. It was, so we waited for it to catch up and slowly led it down the road.
You cannot imagine how happy we were when once we caught up with the wildebeest herd, a wildebeest came charging out of the line of wildies and was reunited with her VERY thirsty calf






I am sure that that tasted a whole lot better than dust and rubber!

[Lisbeth]

What a sweet story