Wild 4 Field Diary

A YEAR IN THE KRUGER PARK !!!
Regular Updates from Kruger such as sightings, condition of the bush, rainfall and current natural phenomena.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR 2007 DIARY

JANUARY 2008
Rainfall in January was very good indeed and some storms were incredibly powerful - one hail storm produced hail stones the size of Golf Balls !! The bush is already starting to thicken up quite nicely which is heaven on earth for the grazers and browsers but it does make the photography a little more challenging :)
A highlight during this time of year, which is brought on by the heavy rains, is the emergence of the flying termites. These are the reproductives which the queen termite specially produces before the rains begin. After a heavy shower, small slits are made in the ground by the workers from which the reproductives emerge. This is of course a time to feast for a wide array of animals. Everything from birds, mongooses, monkeys and Jackals wait patiently around the termite mounds for the flying termites.

FEBRUARY 2008
After great rainfall in January, February was decidedly dry and quite a few waterholes and pans have already dried up totally !! this usually only happens around May / June. Hopefully there will be more rain to come in March which would go a long way in helping create more favourable conditions for the animals during the dry winter months.
One highlight from the month was watching a pride of lions at Mazithi Dam. One of the Lionesses began to stalk a group of Zebra that were approaching the waterhole to drink. Unfortunately she was spotted by the Zebra and gave up and returned to the rest of the pride.
After 20 mins or so a herd of Elephant came down to drink and stumbled across the lion pride. A very irate mother elephant with a 2 month old baby in tow decided to chase the Lions off and they scattered in all directions.

MARCH 2008
During March, most of Kruger had average rainfall except the central parts which recieved only a little rain. Experimental burning has taken place in some central areas of the park and so a new flush of green grass has appeared, something which the Zebra and Impala especially enjoy.
The migrant birds are preparing to leave the Kruger and were frantically trying to enjoy their last feast before their long journeys northwards. European Rollers were all over the place, and in Central Kruger you could find one on every third bush ! !
The European Roller is a migrant, making its way to Africa from Eurpoe and is a bigger bird than the resident and more colourful Lilac Breasted Roller. The European Rollers do out muscle the Lilac Breasted and mid air chases are common to see at this time of year.

APRIL 2008
The first part of April, just like 2007, produced a last burst of rainfall which covered many areas in the South and Central sections of Kruger. The last of the migrating Carmine Bee eaters were seen in the first few weeks but had all dissapeared by the middle of the month.
April was a good month for Lion sightings especially near Lower Sabie Camp in South Eastern Kruger. Large herds of Elephant were sighted along the Sabi River where the vegetation will remain green and lush throughout the year.
One of the highlights was a sighting of 3 male Cheetah on the H10 road heading north from Lower Sabie Camp. The three were obviously looking out for their next meal and soon gave chase after a male Impala who managed to escape. They then continued looking for an opportunity and soon enough found one. A group of Waterbuck with two youngsters were spotted and chased - one baby did not make it.

MAY 2008
May turned out to be a really good month for wildlife sightings in the Kruger National Park. Along with seeing a family of 5 cheetahs, a leopard with a kill and 24 lions on the S100 near Satara in one day, the highlight for me was photographing an Elephant mother with twins !!
The weather was for the most part clear and beautiful during the whole month. There were however a few overcast days and a couple with rain. This must be the last of the rain for now as the bush enters into winter.
The vegetation was beautiful as the fall / colours were appearing and the grass has started to dry up and shorten. A number of waterholes that were dry at this time last year are nice and full and will no doubt attract numerous visitors as we get further into the dry season.

JUNE 2008
Weather in June was mostly sunny and clear but the early mornings were cold on the open safari vehicle - blankets, woolen hats, jumpers and hot water bottles came in handy !!
June is a beautiful month to observe the changing season from late summer into Autumn (fall). The colours of the leaves especially up in the Mopani shrub areas of Northern Kruger were spectacular.
The highlight for the photographic safari in June, had to be the number of sightings of different rare species we had. Firstly, 2 Black Rhino near Lower Sabie, then Sable Antelope of which there are only a few hundred in the entire park. Further up in Northern Kruger we also spotted the rare Tsessebe Antelope, but the highlight (for the guide at least) was an extremely rare sighting of a group of Roan Antelope, which in the Kruger number less than 100 !!

JULY 2008
Being the middle of the year and our Southern African Winter, July does bring with it cold mornings and chilly evenings. Luckily though the midday temperatures heat up nicely leaving the day time mild and pleasant.
Now the bush has become a lot drier and most of the leaves have fallen off the trees leaving the landscape a dry grey yellow colour as one moves away from the permanent water sources.
One of the highlights for the photo safari in July was photographing a Lioness with two cubs that had just killed a wildebeest. After feeding foe a short while, the Lioness proceeded to try and bury all the evidence left behind at the site of the kill. She continued to scrape dirt over the site of the kill and once she had finished she dragged the wildebeest into the shade of a nearby bush to hide from other predators and scavengers.

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About Kruger Park

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WILD 4 PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS - KRUGER PARK PHOTO SAFARI SPECIALISTS 0027 (0) 13 757 1268