Africa Wild

9 June, Joburg - Satara

The Brat is currrently home from Italy for the summer holidays. The last time he was in Kruger was in April 2017, so he was dying to get back again. I was in Kruger in January with my brother and dad, and just knew that if we went with my dad the Brat would not have fun, as he has become very hard work. We booked 2 nights at Satara and 3 at Crocodile Bridge, and then told my dad that friends, who have a place at Marloth, had invited us to spend a few nights there. Not nice to lie, I know, but it was the only way. It did feel strange going without him, but it was a very easy and relaxed trip, without the normal tensions my dad seems to cause.

SO's one request was that we didn't drive through the night, which we ageed to, so on Sunday, 9 June, we left Joburg at 6am. We had a very easy drive, and even the roadworks around Belfast and on the Schoemanskloof road didn't hold us up. The Brat was looking forward to some hot weather, after the Italian winter, but it was cold and we actually had some rain during the drive down. We had originally decided to enter at Paul Kruger Gate but as we got closer, we thought it was just silly to drive past Phabeni and drive outside the park, when we could be in already. We had already filled in the entrance form so went straight to the boom, as we've done before, but were told we had to go to the office first....why can't they have a standard procedure? Anyway, check in was quick and we were soon in the park, with the Brat behind the wheel.

Since the Brat is studying Film and Photography, he now knows how to use his camera properly and only shoots on Manual and was keen to teach me. It took me the full five days to learn all the ins and outs, but I think my photos did get better as the trip progressed.

Our first sighting was impala, followed by zebra, kudu, wildebeest and giraffe. There were lots of hippo at Nyamundwa, and the resident Fish-eagle was there but on the other side of the water instead of in his normal tree.


We saw more Wood-hoopoes than we've seen before, all over the park.


This kudu was having a nap in the cool weather.


Interesting rocks somewhere along the S1.


Even though we're not big fans of the hides, we decided to take a look at Lake Panic, and there was quite a lot going on for a change.


African Darter


Squacco Heron and Juvenile Green-backed Heron


There were lots of hippos, in and out of the water, making lots of noise.

© Bush Brat


African Jacana


Adult Green-backed Heron

SANParks has too much bureaucracy at the gates, especially for day-visitors

Nice rocks

Funny pic of the two herons

and the hippos are great

I love the Lake Panic hide, but only if there is nobody else there

Flutts!

I thought you were on a trip somewhere!

Interesting the abundant woodhoopoes, they are not that common!

That juvenile heron is very camouflaged!

I like the Wood-hoopoe clan on the tree

Good start to the bush trip

Nice pics of the Hippos -I dont remember ever actually seeing any out the water at lake panic when we have been there

Another trip

Great start, Flutterby,

Lake Panic was good to you with the variety of birds you had there but I really love these hippos shots Very well captured

A very wise decision to cover the distance within the park instead on the outside
And some nice sightings right away. Like the water birds and the hippos

Aw...SO special you two getting to spend quality alone time together in the park. He (and you) will forever cherish these interactions and connections with both Nature and each other. So special - warms my heart