In Search of Some Good "Spots"

[Mel]

Brilliant coucal shot

And some impressive ellies and tusks

[Richprins]

One of my favourite spots there at Nkaya!

Anything drinking there?

That second ellie may be worth putting on aat's tusker thread, doesn't seem too old!

[Pumbaa]

Love the Nkaya pan shot, Ratel,

the magpie and the burchall's coucal too

[Ratel]

"to enjoy the atmosphere".... with Crocodile

Dramatic atmosphere!

Nice general sightings!

Thanks FB. So much diversity to appreciate in a place like Kruger.

Lovely place the Nkaya Pan

Lovely Burchell's coucal

Too true Lisbeth, we could have spent much longer at Nkaya. I will pass the Burchell's compliment on to Lyca as it is her beautiful picture.

Brilliant coucal shot

And some impressive ellies and tusks

Thank you Mel. Couldn't get a pic of the biggest tusker we saw which was in the same area, but stoked to see a few other up-and-comers.

One of my favourite spots there at Nkaya!

Anything drinking there?

I can see why RP. So relaxing to just sit and observe. There were Impala and Wildebeest drinking when we arrived. They took no notice of the basking croc as they walked past.

Love the Nkaya pan shot, Ratel,

the magpie and the burchall's coucal too

Thanks Pumbaa, I love that you appreciate the birds as well as the mammals.

[Ratel]

Thursday 24th August - Tshokwane to Lower Sabie

The last leg of our epic journey would be down the H10. It was unlikely that we would have time for detours along the way, however I was plotting to reach Lower Sabie by 5.30 so we could spend a half hour on the H4-1 looking for Leopards.

Lyca was very excited to be finally nearing Lower Sabie. For sure she was looking forward to the game viewing the area offered, but more than that she had been dreaming for days about getting to the Mugg & Bean! She was dying to get some good quality chow!

Some of the regulars made appearances - Kudu, Impala, Waterbuck, Zebra and Elephant - but none presented great photographic opportunities so we pressed on. A few newies popped out to say hi though, and we gladly added Klipspringer and Black-headed Oriole to the trip list. A male Black-bellied Bustard was a highlight, and photos simply had to be taken even though he was a little distant. We had only seen a female previously.

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We were making great time so my plan to hunt for Leopards was firmly on the cards when we rounded a bend and came upon a roadblock!

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There was nothing more to do than switch off and enjoy the experience. Who knows how many had crossed already when we arrived, but another 200-odd slowly made the crossing while we waited patiently. Since nobody was going anywhere anyway another car pulled up beside us to enjoy a front-row seat at the show. They were a really nice European couple with a teenage daughter. As I was saying hi I looked down and noticed their front tyre was nearly flat. What a terrible time and place for such a thing! I politely pointed it out to them and since we were now not far from Lower Sabie I advised them to drive really carefully back to camp. They thanked me profusely and indicated they would do just that.

Soon the caboose of the Buffalo train came and went and it was clear for us to proceed on. We had eaten into our spare 1/2 hour quite a bit but we still had over 15 minutes before gate closing as we crossed the glorious Sabie River and turned right onto the H4-2. Passing Lower Sabie and then Sunset Dam and beyond we crawled along the H4-1 with eyes darting left and right in search of spotted treasure. What appeared was somewhat unexpected but no less satisfying; I caught the movement of a Lioness proceeding with haste along the riverbed. She was certainly on a mission! At the next available side-loop we turned in and in the dying light of day watched her until she was out of sight. Magnificent!

"Welcome to Lower Sabie" I said, beaming from ear to ear!

We were all out of time now so we puled a u-turn and headed back to camp, entering the gate at 5:58pm. Check in went smoothly and we were soon on the way to our accommodation. While driving through camp a Lesser Bush-baby made a cameo appearance on a directional sign right beside Lyca's window, launching like a 'jack-in-a-box' into the nearest tree when we put the torch light on it. They are such fun little critters! We saw several more on the walk to the restaurant for dinner. The room was basic as expected, but we didn't care much as we only planned to be there for sleeping.

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Our friends with the flat tyre greeted us from an adjacent table at the Mugg & Bean, informing us of their safe arrival at camp. They continued to thank us profusely and told us how they had changed the tyre ready for their drive back to Johannesburg Airport the next day. What wonderful folks they were! The Mugg & Bean lived up to its reputation and we had a great dinner recounting all the wonderful things we had seen that day. It was hard to believe it was the same day that had started with Pel's Fishing Owl all those hours (and kilometres) ago!

[Ratel]

As a footnote, this day also produced our first Kruger Rhinos!!

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What a privilege it was to see these precious ones. We are so saddened that anyone would harm such beautiful animals. Thank you to all the rangers and other people working tirelessly to protect these unique creatures.

[Lisbeth]

Those horned roadblocks can be quite long, especially if they stop for a while to have a good look at you while munching the last collected bunch of grass

[nan]

magnificent Rhinos

new paint in the room, I like the green one

[Richprins]

This is very good, Ratel!

Your enthusiasm and relaxation both pulse through!

The buffalo are like cows, no incredible danger unless you are walking, or between mother and calf? No attacks on roads ever really recorded, except one out in the far bush many years ago, relating to the second, re vehicles.

I like how you copy members' tones a bit re "plotting" and "for sure"

[Flutterby]

It's always nice to see a big buff herd! And rhinos...precious indeed!

Glad the H4-1 produced for you...hopefully spots will make an appearance the next day?