Not what we expected KTP Dec Jan 2017

[nan]

wow nice, super nice.... stressful like you said ... but a very good ended

[GavinW]

We return to Rooiputs

After the emotional roller coaster ride we experienced with the wildebeest calf we were elated at the outcome of the episode as we carried on to Twee Rivieren

On the way down we spotted this Martial Eagle hiding in a tree



And a flat lion under a tree near Houmoed.



We got to Twee Rivieren at about mid day and surprisingly enough managed to get petrol this late in the day

After stocking up with wood and ice we left for the next part of our trip, based from Rooiputs
At Leewdril this ostrich family were having a drink





And a bit further up the road this tortoise was crossing the road



We arrived at Rooiputs and after setting up camp in campsite no 1 we couldn’t wait to go on an evening drive up to Melkvlei and back.

We think that this snake is a mole snake as it is not the usual yellow colour of a cape cobra. In any event it was one of only about three snakes we saw in the entire three weeks of our trip.





Kij Kij again delivered with feline predators that evening with this stunning male lion parked off under a tree not too far from the road.








After a while we left him and went up north as far as a very wet Melkvlei before returning back to camp for our evening braai and chill

[nan]

a new lake

right must be a Mole Snake
neither I didn't see a lot of Snake, maybe because of the rain

magnificent Martial Eagle
like too the chicks of Ostrich

[Lisbeth]

Finally Melkvlei is up to its name, only that it is water not milk

[GavinW]

Thanks for your comments everyone :D


Thursday 5 Jan The Lion Fest continues

We left Rooiputs early as usual after another good night’s sleep and headed north, as we always seemed to do at Rooiputs, towards Kij Kij

Not far out of camp an African Wild Cat was up on the dune to the right, however the light was still really bad so we didn’t manage to get a pic before it disappeared over the top of the dune

The resident Giant Eagle Owls were still in their tree just south of the Kij Kij waterhole, well the chic was still there anyway, shouting to mom for some breakfast





We arrived at a very green Kij Kij to find His Royal Highness parked off in the clearing just north of the waterhole.



Looking a pretty sight



What a stunning lion in a stunning setting............ Sorry lots of pics







After a while, he roused himself and got up for a drink





Having slated his thirst he moved off



And parked off amongst the flowers on the dune



Quite a few other vehicles had started to arrive so we carried on.

A Bateleur Eagle was perched high up on a branch in-between Kij Kij and Melkvlei





A bit further on we spotted another Verreaux’s Eagle Owl before we arrived at the Melkvlei picnic spot

[nan]

like the Giant Owl... and the Lion
like this waterhole too

[Mel]

Our last evening at Urikaruus

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

Can I have an exact date for this sighting, please?

It's Corinne and her two remaining cubs.

[Mel]

And also for the 4 males on the kill, please

They were the Muskateers

[GavinW]

And also for the 4 males on the kill, please

They were the Muskateers

Hi Mel
We saw the Musketeers on 01.01.17 between 17h00 and 18h30


and Corrine on 03.01.17 at 11h30 till 13h00

We saw them a couple of times more as you will see in our TR in the next few episodes (Unless you want a PM)
Gav

[GavinW]

The small critters take over the show

We decided to head back to Twee Rivieren in order to get petrol (once again!) so after a short break back in camp, we carried on.

Travelling southwards we soon spotted these ostriches up on the dune to our right.




As well as this Pale Chanting Goshawk



I am pretty proud to that pic 

We got to Twee Rivieren and luckily the petrol pumps were still operational, so I was able to fill up the Jap for the last time at TR this holiday.

On the way back to Rooiputs we were lucky enough to see a whole lot of the smaller residents of the park out and about.

Like this baby Rooi Hartebeest



Suckling it’s mom (It is Mothers Day after all )



And an even smaller animal of a similar colour

A slender mongoose taking refuge under a bush





We returned to camp to do some housekeeping and to have a short nap before heading out on another evening drive.
The small critters were still out and about, like this tortoise



And, an even smaller tortoise crossing the road. How it made it up the other side was quite remarkable



Then it was the turn of the birds to entertain us.

It seemed that it was the norm for Giant Eagle Owls to start whining for food at this time of day



I think this is another snipe we spotted up near Melkvlei



This stunning pale tawny was in a tree as we drove back home



And for a change we didn’t just get a bum shot of this Kori bustard



But our evening entertainment was far from over