31 January 2014
Today was the first day of a 3-day safari. After a slow
start to get to theKruger Park, we arrived at the gate around 3pm. We decided
to go straight on a game drive and wait with check-in till we would return.
This was a very good decision as within 500 meters we saw a rhino wallowing in
the mud next to a watering hole. And to top off this great start, while
watching the rhino we saw an elephant crossing in front of us at the same time.
We hadn't even got to Numbi Reception yet and already saw 2 of the big 5! Now
if it only would stop raining...
After getting our permit we continued our drive on Numbi road and soon spotted multiple zebra. Continuing on Napi we came across impalas, kudus, a kudu bull that when he spotted us hid in the thick bush, vervet monkeys, 5 more different rhino sightings (all white rhino) and had the pleasure of seeing an elephant relaxed eating his marulas right next tothe road.
All in all a very good start, we'll take the rain for granted!
After getting our permit we continued our drive on Numbi road and soon spotted multiple zebra. Continuing on Napi we came across impalas, kudus, a kudu bull that when he spotted us hid in the thick bush, vervet monkeys, 5 more different rhino sightings (all white rhino) and had the pleasure of seeing an elephant relaxed eating his marulas right next tothe road.
All in all a very good start, we'll take the rain for granted!
1 February 2014
This morning is was an early wake-up to have some breakfast
before the start of the game drive. The first couple of kilometres was booming
with wildlife, spotting impalas, kudus and an elephant close to the road
leaving our rest camp. But then we had a long stretch of no mammals.
However after driving on Napi for a while we came to the sighting of the day of 7 wild dogs on the side of the road halfway into our morning drive. Even though they were just sleeping, we very much enjoyed the sighting. Further on we came across a rhino and hyenas sleeping in the middle of the
road. One of the hyenas was suckling her 2 young and didn't seem to care at all that we were parked right next to her.
Before having a coffee break we continued on Napi spotting hippos,waterbuck, grey duiker, yellow billed kite, tawny eagle, bateleur, zebras,giraffe, a chameleon, lilac breasted and European rollers, woodlands kingfishers and more impalas and kudus.
After a break to stretch the legs, gear up the system with more coffee and getting a break in the clouds to get some sun, we continued our journey towards Lake Panic. At this nice and tranquil spot we saw two pied kingfisher fighting over a fish and dragon flies mate. There were lots of other water birds as well.
While travelling down to Pretoriuskop for our (belated) lunch break we saw steenbok, impalas, kudus, zebra, giraffe, another chameleon and more elephants as well as our first buffalos of this safari.
As it became hot we stretched our lunch and then decided to head to camp to have some rest before the sunset safari this evening. But the animals changed our plans. We had only driven to the gate of Pretoriuskop camp when we come across vervet monkeys eating the marulas that had fallen off the tree. Young and old dived in and it was a great sight. At the same spot the impalas were having their fill of leaves and grass and there was a late-born in the herd, which was still very tiny and wobbly on her legs. Just before we got back to camp there was another rhino very close to the road as well as an elephant just before the gates of our camp. Needless to say our break before the sunset drive was shortened!
With all the new animals of today it was another great day, but hopefully we have some luck tomorrow to spot one of the elusive cats!
However after driving on Napi for a while we came to the sighting of the day of 7 wild dogs on the side of the road halfway into our morning drive. Even though they were just sleeping, we very much enjoyed the sighting. Further on we came across a rhino and hyenas sleeping in the middle of the
road. One of the hyenas was suckling her 2 young and didn't seem to care at all that we were parked right next to her.
Before having a coffee break we continued on Napi spotting hippos,waterbuck, grey duiker, yellow billed kite, tawny eagle, bateleur, zebras,giraffe, a chameleon, lilac breasted and European rollers, woodlands kingfishers and more impalas and kudus.
After a break to stretch the legs, gear up the system with more coffee and getting a break in the clouds to get some sun, we continued our journey towards Lake Panic. At this nice and tranquil spot we saw two pied kingfisher fighting over a fish and dragon flies mate. There were lots of other water birds as well.
While travelling down to Pretoriuskop for our (belated) lunch break we saw steenbok, impalas, kudus, zebra, giraffe, another chameleon and more elephants as well as our first buffalos of this safari.
As it became hot we stretched our lunch and then decided to head to camp to have some rest before the sunset safari this evening. But the animals changed our plans. We had only driven to the gate of Pretoriuskop camp when we come across vervet monkeys eating the marulas that had fallen off the tree. Young and old dived in and it was a great sight. At the same spot the impalas were having their fill of leaves and grass and there was a late-born in the herd, which was still very tiny and wobbly on her legs. Just before we got back to camp there was another rhino very close to the road as well as an elephant just before the gates of our camp. Needless to say our break before the sunset drive was shortened!
With all the new animals of today it was another great day, but hopefully we have some luck tomorrow to spot one of the elusive cats!
2 February 2014
Last night's sunset drive was a success as the guests were
able to see a nice coloured skies when the sun set while enjoying a shot of
Amarula! On the drive they were very successful in spotting the same elephant
and rhino on camp road as we had upon returning from our drive, but also
encountered buffalo and lion!!
During dinner we were pleasantly surprised by a little folklore as a Shangaan dance group performed in front of us. Some of our number were even called forward and bravely learned the dance moves from the chief and danced for the rest of the guests.
This morning we set out bright and early again for our last game drive of this tour. It was not raining for a change, but very misty, so it was still wet. Soon into the drive we spotted our first new animal: a slender mongoose crossed the road in front of us. We were watching vervet monkeys huddle against the cold when the call came in that guide Curtis had found lions. We drove to the spot and were lucky to see those lions lounging around. Five young males were lying in the middle of the road or just next to it. We watched them until one by one they went off the road and into the bush.
We continued our drive to finding more elephants, before spotting 3 cheetahs having a relaxing start to their day! We stayed watching those cheetahs until it was time to return to the gate as the guests unfortunately had to leave the park to continue their holidays.
This last morning was the crown on our already fantastic 3-day safari, as we have been very lucky with sightings! Heather, Paul, Justin and Kate, it was great having you on this safari!
During dinner we were pleasantly surprised by a little folklore as a Shangaan dance group performed in front of us. Some of our number were even called forward and bravely learned the dance moves from the chief and danced for the rest of the guests.
This morning we set out bright and early again for our last game drive of this tour. It was not raining for a change, but very misty, so it was still wet. Soon into the drive we spotted our first new animal: a slender mongoose crossed the road in front of us. We were watching vervet monkeys huddle against the cold when the call came in that guide Curtis had found lions. We drove to the spot and were lucky to see those lions lounging around. Five young males were lying in the middle of the road or just next to it. We watched them until one by one they went off the road and into the bush.
We continued our drive to finding more elephants, before spotting 3 cheetahs having a relaxing start to their day! We stayed watching those cheetahs until it was time to return to the gate as the guests unfortunately had to leave the park to continue their holidays.
This last morning was the crown on our already fantastic 3-day safari, as we have been very lucky with sightings! Heather, Paul, Justin and Kate, it was great having you on this safari!
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