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First full day in the park
in the far north. We departed the camp
at the gate opening time of 05.30 am!
We headed north along Mphongolo Loop coming
across a big bull Elephant 10 meters from
the car, luckily he was feeding peacefully
on the Mopane trees and paid us little
attention.
Near Babalala picnic site, we found 8
buffalo at Boyela Waterhole who after
giving us some rude looks, decided to
move off into the bush.
B/fast at Babalala with a hot cup of coffee
to combat the cold morning.
Winding our way back down the Mphongolo
river, we came across a young female leopard
who backed off into the river. We patiently
waited as quietly as we could and after
20 mins or so she showed herself again
and crossed the road in front of our vehicle.
Whilst waiting for the Leopard we became
aware of a small group of White Fronted
Bee Eaters that were flying about and
managed to get some shots.
Before leaving on the afternoon we photographed
a Crested Barbet at its nest in the Camp.
It was still in the process of preparing
the nest which is typically built inside
a tree trunk. Our PM drive took us along
the Kanniedood Dam well known for its
bird life, crocodiles and hippos. One
of the highlights were two Nyala bulls,
antelope that are most commonly seen in
the North of Kruger.
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Female Leopard
on the Mphongolo Loop crossing the road in
front of our vehicle |
White Fronted
Bee eater taking off from its perch |
Crested Barbet
clearing out its nest in a tree in the camp
grounds |
Nyala Bull,
mostly seen in the North of the park.
Nyala's are easily recognizable by their "orange
socks" |
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We
woke up to soft drizzling rain, the rainy
season had arrived, much earlier than last
year.
Despite this we drove out at our usual 5.30
start, this time heading south along the
Red Rocks road. Zebra, Giraffe, Impala and
Waterbuck made up our sightings for the
morning before we ended up at Tshanga view
point. From there we visited a large dam,
which was teaming with bird life. Fish Eagle,
Saddle billed Stork, Yellow billed Stork,
Open Billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Brown
Hooded Kingfisher,Pied Kingfisher, Egyptian
Goose, Three-banded plover and Chestnut-banded
plover to name but a few.
After enjoying our delicious packed lunches,
we left the dam and headed back towards
camp where we came across 7 lions in the
Shingwedzi riverbed, enjoying the cool weather.
5km past the Lions we came across a leopard
with a kill in a palm grove. The female
leopard lay in the open for a while before
returning for a feed. Today was definitely
a cat day !!
A Green Pigeon and Brown Headed Parrots
greeted us before we returned to camp in
the late afternoon. |
Brown Hooded
Kingfishers hunt most of their food away
from any water but they
do also dive into water after prey like
the other Kingfishers. |
A pride of 7
Lions in the Shingwedzi River, enjoying a
rest on the cool river sand |
The female Leopard
who had a kill stashed in a palm grove
about 500meters from the turn off to Shingwedzi
camp |
Green Pigeons
are fruit eaters and are often found in
Fig trees along the bigger rivers |
Brown Headed
Parrots utter a very distinctive screeching
call and
usually travel around in small groups.
They are specialized seed eaters |
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As
soon as the gates opened on our 3rd morning
we went to see if the leopard was still
there and sure enough she was still protecting
the kill in the palm grove. We sat with
her for a while and then decided to head
towards our next destination. Letaba camp.
We came across a beautiful juvenile Bateleur
Eagle on our way. The Eagle was right next
to the road and posed for some great photos
before taking off.
We reached Letaba just before lunch time.
After lunch we stayed in
camp to photograph some of the bird activity
which is always excellent in the camp, especially
during spring time when the birds are nesting.
Some highlights were a Scops Owl and a Kurrichane
Thrush feeding newly hatched chicks. |
The young Bateleur
that we found next to the road.
They attain their adult plumage after about
6-7 years |
Scops Owls are
often found in the camps
resting up during the day, this one was roosting
close to the reception area |
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We
drove towards the Mingerhout dam in the
early morning on the lookout for the resident
Lion pride. Along the way we found a rarely
seen African Wildcat in the early morning
light. After our breakfast of fresh fruit,
yogurt & cereal, we headed back towards
Letaba Camp. The recent rains had swelled
a small tributary of the Letaba River and
we spent over an hour with a pair of Saddle
Billed storks, a pied kingfisher, lesser
striped swallows collecting mud for their
nest and a monitor lizard. Lunch was enjoyed
back at camp.
In the afternoon we traveled down the
Letaba River in search of hippo which
we found basking in the afternoon sun.
They provided much entertainment with
their snorting and grunting and we were
also lucky to capture some lovely Hippo
“yawns"
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The original
ancestor of all domestic cats,
African Wild Cats are rarely seen in the
Wild
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These Lesser
Striped Swallows returned time and time again
to the muddy puddle
in front of our vehicle to collect mud with
which they use to build their nest |
Water monitor
lizards are excellent swimmers and are found
near a water source.
The long forked tongue flicks in and out and
is used to pick up
the scent of possible prey |
Hippos in the
Engelhard dam near Letaba camp.
The "yawn" does not mean a hippo
is tired - it is in fact an
aggressive threat display |
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We
departed Letaba Camp at gate opening time
and headed south towards Skukuza Camp, the
headquarters of the Kruger National Park.
On the way we came across a group of Hyaena
lying in the middle of the road enjoying
the morning sun. The youngster among them
was quite interested in our vehicle and
continued to greet the other members of
the clan before her lay down in the road
a suckled from his mum.
A large Elephant right next to the road
provided an opportunity for some detailed
close ups.
On the journey down, we stopped at Satara
Camp for a break and a closer inspection
of some of the big trees in the camp revealed
the future nest site of an African Hoopoe.
The nest was not occupied yet but the male
continued to return to the nest to try and
convince his nearby mate that it was the
place to be !!
At Mazithi waterhole we watched a comical
interaction between a Hippo and Grey Heron
who tried to perch on the Hippos back.
Just before Skukuza we came across an elephant
carcass smothered in hungry vultures. The
biggest of the African Vultures, the Lappet
faced was in charge and proceeded to shout
orders from his high vantage point. |
Young Hyaena
cub near Letaba Camp |
Elephant Tusk
and Trunk detail |
African Hoopoe
near a potential nest site in Satara Camp |
It is rare
to see large water birds perching on the
back of Hippos.
This Grey heron was eventually chased off
by the Hippo who clearly
disapproved of his unwelcome visitor
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Lappet Faced
Vulture on top of the Elephant carcass,
with White Backed Vultures below |
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We
headed further south today towards Lower
Sabie camp and the well known sunset dam.
Along the way near the Nwatimirhi river
we came across a leopard stalking some impala.
After an unsuccessful attempt the leopard
crossed the road behind our vehicle and
wandered down towards the Sabie River. We
headed on to the Hippos at Sunset dam and
then towards the Mlondozi Mountain where
we came across 3 Lionesses and 3 cubs, resting
up in a dry river bed.
A regular hotspot on all the photo safaris,
Sunset Dam near Lower Sabie Camp provided
some excellent bird life, one highlight
was a Three Banded Plover who came really
close to the vehicle.
After lunch we visited a bird hide where
we watched an African Darter fishing and
catching its dinner. A pair of Goliath
Herons were busy building their nest and
African Jacana's, Black Crakes and Green
Backed Herons were all spotted amidst
the constant sounds of Lesser Masked Weavers
building nests.
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The male Leopard
that stalked a group of Impala near the Nwatimirhi
causeway |
Three Banded
Plover with Blue Green Algae covered beak.
The Algae which can be toxic is caused by
the large amounts of dung
and urine that are deposited by the resident
float of Hippo |
Two of the three
lionesses near the Muntshe mountain |
A Lesser Masked
Weaver inspects the entrance to his
newly built nest - hoping it will pass the
female's
quality control test !! |
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We
revisited the bird hide in the early morning
and were treated to a fairly close sighting
of the beautiful Malachite Kingfisher and
the Goliath Herons.
Our spotting vehicle called in a pack of
Wild Dogs near the high level bridge over
the Sabie River so we decided to get there
as soon as possible in the hope of catching
a glimpse of these rare and endangered predators.
Luckily for us they had made a recent kill,
the unfortunate victim, a young Kudu bull.
15 dogs were counted altogether and we were
treated to a spectacle as the youngsters
chased each other in and out of the water
while the adults chased off the vultures
that dared to venture too close to the remains
of their kill.
Lunch was enjoyed back at camp and the
afternoon drive took us along the river
road to the doispane road where we came
across a big bull rhino who was spray
marking his territory. He crossed the
road in front of us and headed off into
the bush. Just before camp we came across
a lovely herd of the most common antelope
in Kruger, the very photogenic Impala.
A group of Kudu were our final sighting
on day 8.
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A regular visitor
at the bird hide, the small but beautiful
Malachite Kingfisher is a treat to see |
With recorded
numbers of only about 250 animals in the Kruger
National Park,
the Endangered African Wild Dog, is a rare
predator to see.
This vulture was lucky to get away from the
leaping dog. |
Although very
common, the humble Impala can often offer
great photo opportunities. |
The symbol of the South African National Parks,
the Male Kudu is perhaps the
most beautiful of all the antelope |
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Departing
Skukuza early in the morning, we headed
back to the area where we had found the
Wild dogs and found 3 of them hunting Impala.
They did not hang around though and sped
off into the bush after their prey. We did
however get to see one up close as it ran
across the road in front of our vehicle.
Closer to Satara we heard a report of
lions on a giraffe kill and headed down
the Sweni River to the site of the kill.
Unfortunately we were a day late as the
young giraffe had already been devoured
and the lions had moved off into thick
cover.
Further on we came across 2 secretary
birds on the road and managed to watch
these incredible birds as they hunted
for small prey items in the grasslands
around Satara Camp. We also came across
many Steenbok (Stone buck) and a beautiful
male Waterbuck. Towards the end of our
afternoon drive we came across a family
of Ground Hornbills. The adults were collecting
food for a youngster who would rush up
to the adults every time they found a
juicy morsel. Grasshoppers, lizards, frogs,
tortoises, mongooses, mice and snakes
are only some of the items on this stealthy
hunters prey list.
The open grassland areas of central Kruger
attract the bulk grazers. Zebra sightings
are particularly good in this area and
we came across a group feeding close to
the road.
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Very successful
predators, African Wild dogs use stamina to
run their prey down. |
Secretary Birds
enjoy the open grassland habitat around Satara
Camp
in the central section of the Kruger National
Park |
The small Steenbok
is a hardy antelope able to survive without
drinking water.
All the moisture it needs can be obtained
from the plant material it eats.
The female pictured here does not grow horns
like the male. |
The spectacular
curved horns of a male Waterbuck are used
in defense and during
fighting over mating rights for the females.
They readily flee into water if pursued by
predators. |
The Southern
Ground Hornbill is an endangered bird in the
Kruger National Park
where its numbers are very low. Capable of
killing tortoises and small mammals, their
beak
is used as a formidable weapon. Food items
such as these frogs and lizards are collected
for the juveniles who only obtain the bright
red adult colouring under the throat after
about 5 years |
Zebra groups
are not territorial and consist of a Stallion
and his group of females (his harem) and their
offspring. |
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We
departed the Kruger Park but on our way
to the exit gate we came across a group
of Hyaena walking up the road towards us.
Further on we came across a group of Dwarf
Mongooses who posed really nicely for the
cameras.
By lunch time we had arrived at the big
cat reserve for the second part of the
photo safari. Here at the big cat reserve,
under the supervision of our experienced
ranger we are able to photograph with
more freedom than in the Kruger Park.
Here we are allowed out of the vehicle
and our aim is to focus on the big cats,
Lion, Leopard and Cheetah.
Rhino, Crocodile and Cheetah were on the
cards for the afternoon session but we
started with some bird life at the Lodge.
Red Headed Weavers were nest building
and a male Marico Sunbird was feeding
on the Cape Honey Suckle bush near the
dining area. Unfortunately due to the
approach of a large African Thunderstorm,
we decided to postpone our afternoon itinerary
and instead we visited the latest addition
to the reserve, an orphaned Leopard cub
named AMANZA. Although only 8 weeks old
this little guy who is being raised by
the owners of the reserve, put on a great
show of his climbing skills !!
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Three Spotted
Hyaena's came up the road towards on our way
to the exit gate at Orpen |
The tiny Dwarf
Mongoose is one of the two social groups of
Mongoose found in the Kruger Park.
The other one being the much larger Banded
Mongoose. |
Red Headed Weaver
males are striking birds but their
nest building skills are not as delicate as
those of the
Masked and Lesser Masked Weavers.
Instead of strips of grass and reeds, they
choose sticks as
building material , resulting in a fairly
messy looking nest. |
The male Marico
Sunbird is one of the more striking sunbird's
in South Africa.
Here pictured feeding on the nectar of the
Cape Honey Suckle flower. |
AMANZA, the
little male Leopard cub orphaned a few weeks
after birth - pictured here at 8 weeks old |
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Our
day began with a short search for Savanna
the tame Cheetah who wanders the reserve
in search of her own food. Before long,
Chris our ranger had picked up her signal
using the telemetry system and when we reached
her we found that she had only seconds earlier,
caught a male Steenbok. Savanna had the
Steenbok in the customary "strangle
hold" and once the Steenbok had stopped
breathing the Cheetah let it go and began
feeding right in front of us.
What an amazing introduction !! unfortunately
we could not remove the radio collar around
her neck so instead of taking photos we
watched the amazing cycle of life unfold
before our eyes. We decided to leave Savanna
with her hard earned prize and headed to
the Lions instead.
Inside their large enclosure we found the
male and female together and they posed
nicely for some classic Lion portraits !!
After a very enjoyable breakfast we spent
time around the camp again photographing
the weavers and then at about 15:30 we headed
to our meeting with 2 male Cheetah and a
female King Cheetah for some close up adrenaline
pumping photography.
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Male and female
mating pair - it was probably towards the
end
of the females cycle as they did not perform
for over an hour !! |
They were more
keen on resting - possibly after a long night
!! |
Lying eye level
with a Cheetah is something not many people
experience !! |
Cheetahs give
a warning hiss and then they follow up with
a loud throaty cough
whilst at the same time, stamping the ground
with their two front paws. |
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The
start of the day was rather dull and overcast
but we still proceeded to the enclosure
where Jabula the orphaned Leopard stays.
After waiting for the weather to brighten
for an hour or so we decided to go back
first for breakfast and return to the Leopard
enclosure afterwards.
After a delicious breakfast the weather
did clear up and we finally got our shots
of Jabula in his favourite Marula tree.
After Lunch the weather turned again and
so we decided to do a general game drive
on the property to search for the pride
of wild Lions and the Elephants.
The Male Lion proved to be elusive but we
did catch up with the elephant, one of which
proceeded to smash and break trees right
in front of us !!
We had a wonderful dinner outside in the
Boma around a crackling fire and thereafter
enjoyed watching the wild Porcupines being
fed. |
Jabula the orphaned
Leopard - at home in his Marula tree |
It is incredible
to watch the agility of a Leopard as it climbs
with ease in a tree |
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On
our final morning we had a date with Savanna
the tame Cheetah that had caught the Steenbok
on our first morning... although we do want
her to eat - we hoped she had not caught
anything else - as this was our last morning
!!!
Thankfully she had not :) and so we were
able to take her radio collar off and with
help from our very obliging ranger ... Chris
:) we managed to get the shots we were after
- running shots of savanna in action. As
the light again was not as bright as we
had wanted we decided to go with it and
turn down the shutter speeds to get some
artistic movement shots. Its always good
to keep your options open and instead of
going home with no pictures at all, we got
a few good uns !!
Departed from EASTGATE airport back to JHB
at 14:10
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Savanna running
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Savanna Running
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