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The yellow ribbon has been packed. We will leave Germany this evening to start our roundtrip in Windhoek.
Our report about KTP will come during the first days of April.
For now I would like to thank everyone for all the great information and pictures we have found in this forum.

After having a wonderful round trip thru the south of Namibia and the South African part of KTP, we have came back home yesterday.
We have greatly enjoyed the days at KTP and have been very sad when it was time for us to leave this fantastic place. The decision to come back is made already.

Day 1 – 20. March 07 Twee Rivieren

When arriving at Twee Rivieren around noon, we had a little problem with our rental car. The extra tank was leaking a bit and loosing some of its fuel. The friendly people at the workshop there could fix it right away, but we could not drive around for the rest of the day because the adhesive they have used had to get hard first. So our onliest chance to see some animals this day was the sunset drive offered at Twee Rivieren. We have been very happy about there was still some space available for us. At the reception we have also asked for Jannie, but unfortunately he was not around for the rest of the week and there have also not been enough guides for a morning walk during the time we have stayed at KTP.

We have spent the afternoon at the campsite. While just relaxing there we enjoyed watching the ground squirrels and yellow mongoose.

The sunset drive did start soon after 06:00 PM. We have been a group of about 10 people on the game drive vehicle. Our guide Allister gave us some very interesting information about the parks animals and plants. Actually it turned out to be a very efficient game drive.

On the first stop right in front of the fence we have found a group of suricates at the waterhole.



When driving a bit further we could see a Springbok in the best late afternoon light.



The sighting of the day have been three lions around the waterhole right at the conjunction of the two rivers. We have stayed with them until it got dark. It was fun to watch how this strong animals fear to step into the water.



Later on during the drive a porcupine was crossing the road right in front of us, lots of spring hare and a family of 3 porcupines have been seen. Back at the camp we have looked for a while to the amazing sky with its billions of stars seaming so nearby before we went to sleep in our roof tent.

Day 2 – 21 March Twee Rivieren – Nossob

We have left TR soon after 07:00 AM to drive towards Nossob. This should give us enough time to drive slowly and stop for all interesting sightings.



Soon after leaving the camp we have seen some Oryx, one of them just doing its nature’s call. As we have seen quite some animals while doing this, we decided to name this trip the most shi..iest trip we have ever had .



It did not take very long until we have seen this African Wildcat. It was the first one we have ever seen, think it was somewhere near either Leeuwdril or Rooiputs.



After the cat had gone its way, we have noticed some nice green birds sitting on a bush next to the road of which we wanted to take a photo from. While my SO was returning the car, he has noticed two Honey Badgers being attacked by a raptor right in back of our car. Oh wow…..is Kgalagadi making up for the problem we had with the car and showing us this morning everything we might have missed the day before? By the time the car was in the right position, they have been running off a bit to far away to take real good photos. So the best pic of this sighting is only burned into our personal memory. As men has not developed any techniques yet to display it here, we can show you only what we could catch with our camera



Continuing our way to Nossob we have seen lots of Oryx, Springbock, Ostrich, Wildebeest, Hartebeest and of course BBJ. There have been also some Korhaans, and raptors like the Pale Goshawk, Tawny Eagle and Falcons. Here a photo of a Secretary Bird.



We have arrived at Nossob soon before 03:00 PM. After a short break at the campsite we went for a late afternoon gamedrive near around Nossob, but besides some Springbock and Hartebeest we did not see anything special. After we had our Braii we went to the hide where we could watch some Bat Eared Foxes at the waterhole.
It was a great day for us and we have been totally happy with what we have seen.

Will continue on our report tomorrow. Once everything is complete, Diannet will also get a word document of it. Please excuse my English is not perfect, hope you do understand anyway what I am trying to say.

Thanks to everyone for all the friendly comments.

@Katja: Those Meerkats we have seen on our first afternoon at KTP have been the onliest ones we have seen there. We went several time to that waterhole, but did not find them again.

Day 3 – 22 March – Nossob

We have left the camp around 07:30 AM. There is a map outside of the reception where visitors can put pins at the locations of their current and previous days animal sightings. The pins have differenct colours, like red for lions, blue for meerkat? and so on. The day before there have been lions seen at Kwang. So we went up north, hoping they are still there. Of course they have not been there anymore. After waiting there for a while, we went up further north. Huge herds of Wildebeest, Springbok, some Oryx and Goshawks have been our sightings so far. When we arrived at Kausant, there have been two cars infront of us. They just had a short look at the waterhole and left right away, as there was nothing there. We decided to wait for some minutes and have a look thru our binoculars to make sure we will not oversee anything special. From far away we could see something brown walking towards the waterhole. When coming closer, it turned out to be a Brown Hyaena. Oh, how lucky we are! More than a year ago I was reading the book “Cry of the Kalahari” by Mark and Delia Owens. Science ever then I was hoping to see some nice day one of those Hyaenas. BTW this is one of the best books I have ever read about animal behaviour (mainly Lions and Brown Hyaenas). It is not only informative, but also very exciting to read. And today was one of those very nice days! The Hyaena came closer, but stopped when seeing us there. I have really feared she would turn around and walk away. But she came closed by to drink for about 15 minutes at the waterhole. Few minutes later a BBJ came by and drank right next to her. She couldn’t care less about his company.




All in a sudden both animals looked at the same direction. We have done the same, but couldn’t see anything there. Soon after both of them left in different directions, and we continued our way up further north.

When arriving Grootbrak there have been two Wildebeest near the waterhole. Again, we decided to wait for at least the length of a cigarette smoking. We noticed the wildebeest got very nervous. Half joking, half hoping I said to my SO: “next minute a lion will walk down that dune overthere”. Just finished saying this, when he saw the first Lion coming by.



It was a group of three young males. Those guys must have had a very good meal. There was still blood around their mouth and their bellies looked well filled. They also took a good 15 minutes until they’ve finished drinking. After that they walked about 50 meters away to rest beneath a tree.



Can’t put in words how happy we have felt after this morning sightings. We decided to continue our game drive as far as Lijersdraai. Everyone we have met on the way there and back to Nossob, we have told about the Lions at Grootbrak. They have still being there beneath the trees when we came back from Lijersdraai. On the way back to Nossob we have seen some Oryx and lots of Springbok finding shade beneath some big trees.

For the afternoon game drive we went to Marie se gat. I’ve really like the Marie se draai loop because of the wonderfull landscape. There have been no bigger animals at Marie se gat. Only a BBJ was walking around there. With the binoculars we could watch a Buzzard eating his prey, looked like it was a mouse.

Again, we have seen a brown animal coming closer by. Could it be that we will see again a Brown Hyaena Wow it really was a Hyaena! Unbelievable how lucky we have been today. It was kind of cloudy this afternoon and soon before sunset, so the photos did come out a bit dark.



to be continued….

Day 4 – 23. March 2007 – Nossob Morning Drive

Our gamedriving started with a huge herd of Wildebeest at Rooikop.



On the Marie se draai Loop we have seen 6 Ostrichs. There have been Springbok and Oryx at Marie se gat and of course also BBJ as almost everywhere.




On a tree nearby we have seen this bird. We are not sure what kind it is, maybe someone can help to identify.



When we arrived at Kwang there was a Steenbok and soon after Springbok, Oryx and a Korhaan came to drink. We have stayed with them for a while before we went back to the camp for a break.

Day 4 – 23. March 2007 – Nossob - Noon

Coming back to Nossob there was quit some activity at the waterhole. There have been several Hartebeest, some Wildebeest and many Springbok. It was really nice to watch them.






Later on I have walked around in the camp to take some photos of Ground Squirrel and Yellow Mongoose..

Day 4 – 23. March 2007 – Nossob - Afternoon/Sunset

We were going to drive a few km at the public road towards Mabuasehube, just to see how it looks like. Our map was promising a beautiful dune country at the first 20 km. Although it looked really nice, we have turn back soon because the road was very sandy and also bumpy, so we really had to go very slow.



We went up North again and found a vulture at Qubit’je Quap. Unfortunately he did not want to pose for us, instead he flew away as soon we have stopped the car. There have been no animals at Kwang.

At Bedinkt we have found another big herd of Wildebeest with some young ones. We have stayed quite some time with them before we went back towards Nossob.



No cats or anything special today. Still we have been more than satisfied with what we have seen today and the days before.
When arriving Nossob, there was a spectacular sunset with wonderful colours. To us this was really very special and we enjoyed it just as much as any big cat sightings.






to be continued….


@Michele: Thanks for identifying the Rock Kestrel. We did not take any animals with us, they are still there waiting for you Will keep my fingers crossed for you to find them out there.

Day 5 – 24. March 2007 – Nossob - Urikaruus

We left the Nossob Camp at 07:20. Driving the Marie se draai loop we’ve seen Wildebeest, Oryx, BBJ, Korhaan and even two male Kudus. They’ve been running across the road infront of us, when they felt to be in a safe distance, they stopped running. Unfortunately this was a bit far away, so the pics did not come out too well.



After stopping for a short break at Dikbaads Kolk, we took the Dune Road to Urikaruus. The landscape there was really nice and the road much better to drive as the road along the Nossob.



Our sightings have been Pale Chanting Goshawk, Ostrichs, Steenbok and Oryx.



We have arrived Urikaruus at 11:45. The friendly tourist assistant gave us the keys for cabin No. 3. The sight to the waterhole is really good. After camping and driving around a lot during the previous days, we really enjoyed the comfort of the cabins. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a nice balcony. A wooden stairwell leads to the bedroom with a separate room for shower and toilet. There is also a smaller balcony infront of the bedroom. So you can even watch the waterhole while laying in the bed. Compared to the campgrounds this was really luxury and perfect to relax.

While sitting at the balcony we could see Ground Squirrels and Yellow Mongoose right in front of us. Wildebeest, Springbok and Secretary Birds came drinking at the waterhole.



In the late afternoon we have left for another game drive. At the Dertiende Boorgat we have found three giraffes. We have seen giraffes before in other parks, but here infront of the red dunes they looked very special. Will show you some pics along with the report for tomorrow. We went further to the Vertiende boorgat and Dalkeith. No animals there at all. At Dalkeith we have talked to a family which has visited the park for several times. They said, Dalkeith is a very good place to see lions. There have been lion tracks in the sand, but they have not done us the favour to show up there again.

During the last days it always became very cloudy in the afternoons. Today there was even some lightning and we could smell there was rain in the air. Our fire was just right for the braai, when the first rain came down. It was a heavy but short rainfall. After it stopped, we just managed to burn up the fire again and complete our braai, before it started to rain again. Again it did not rain for very long, so we could still sit outside at the balcony for a while until we went to bed.

to be continued....

Day 6 – 25. March 2007 – Urikaruus Part 1

Although it was raining yesterday evening, this morning it was nice and sunny again. We have decided to drive to Mata Mata for game viewing and also to do some shopping at the camp.



The Giraffes have still been at the Dertiende Boorgat.





Near there we have also seen this Ludwig’s Bustard.

Day 6 – 25. March 2007 – Urikaruus Part 2

While waiting for the big cats at one of the next waterholes, we have paid attention to the birds around there.





We have also seen bigger animals like Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Oryx, Steenbok and Springbok when continuing our way to Mata Mata.





When arriving at Mata Mata the shop was closed for the next 45 minutes. We just discussed where we should spend the time untill the shop opens up again, when a women came by asking us very friendly wether she should get someone for us to open the shop. Few minutes later a young lady actually came to open the shop for us and another person waiting there. We have been very surprised and of course greatly appreciated this kind of customer service.

When checking the board at the reception, we noticed there have been Suricate sightings near Mata Mata. We left the camp driving very slow to look for them, but could not see any.

Day 6 – 25. March 2007 – Urikaruus Part 3

We went back to Urikaruus to relax and enjoy the special spirit of the Wilderness Camp.
There have been again Secretary Birds and Springbok coming to the Waterhole, while Ground Scquirrel and Yellow Mongoose playing there right in front of us.









Before we left for the afternoon game drive, we did ask the assistant for any special sightings today. He was telling us about a cheetah killing a springbok earlier today at Kamqua. Guess where we went to? There have still be lots of Springbok, but we did not see the Cheetah. So we tried our luck at the Dertiende and Veertiende Borgats, Besides our friends the Giraffes, no animals there. We have spent quite some time at the Veertiende Borgat waiting on something, hopefully cats showing up. But only some BBJ came to drink, we got a bit nervous about the cats may be at the next waterhole while we are sitting here. So we went further to Dalkeith. No luck there either.

Little bit sad about still not seeing any Cheetah we went back to Urikaruus. For this evening we had planned to prepare our meal inside the kitchen. This was a wise decission because soon after sunset it started to rain again. It wasn't a heavy rainfall, but it did last for about 2-3 hours.

to be continued.....

Day 7 – 26. March 2007 – Urikaruus - Twee Rivieren Part 1

We got up early this morning to pack everything back into the car. It was around 07:30 when we left Urikaruus.

On the way to Kamqua we have stopped several times to take pics from Forktailed Drongo, Crowned Plover, and Springbok – like almost every dayJ.



Soon before coming to Rooibrak we have stopped again for a raptor. But es so often, the bird flew away before we could take a nice pic. We’ve noticed a car was pulling off the road just about good 100 mtr infront of us. Did he find something interesting Maybe not, because he already drove further on his way. When we got there, we noticed several cars must have stopped there before. We looked around and my SO did see the leftovers of a dead springbok just very few meters next to the road – and SO was about ready to move on, when I have seen just another 2-3 meters further between the small bushes a Cheetah lying there as well He did not even move, for a few moments we have feared he was also dead. But than the tail was moving a bit and finally he raised his head.



The Cheetah got up and – unbelievable – went to its kill for feeding so closed to us.





We have stayed with him for about 30 minutes, no car came by during this time, it was only the two of us and the Cheetah. What a wonderful morning, we have enjoyed every minute with the Cheetah. When he finsihed eating, he crossed the road and went to the other side of the riverbed.



Lying overthere in the shadow of a tree, he was no longer visible for humens eyes.


@Anne-Marie now you know how he looks like, go find him

@Batsman: Wow, how lucky to see a Cheetah while having breakfeast. About the Kudus we also heared they are very rare in KTP, especial south of Nossob.

Day 7 – 26. March 2007 – Urikaruus - Twee Rivieren Part 2

On the way to Auchterloni we have seen lots of Wildebeest and Springbok. There was also a Northern Black Korhaan very closed to the road to allow taking some nice pics.

We drove up the hill to the Auchterloni picnic site and had a look into the little museum there. It was quit interesting but even more we enjoyed the great view over the dunes and the Auob riverbed.



Soon after we left from there we have seen this pretty Ground Agama.



Further sightings this morning have been lots of Oryx, another NBK and a Tawny Eagle.



Not far from Twee Rivieren there was a snake on the road. The first and onliest one we have seen during this trip. We drove carefully around it to have a look and take some photos. It was a really small snake not longer than +- 25 cm. Checking our snake book it looks pretty much like a Horned Adder, however the horns are hardly to see. Maybe a young one?



After seeing so much during the morning drive, we stayed for some hours at the campsite. We have been using our Notebook to save copies of all the photos both of us have made, and of course we also wanted to see how they came out.
For the afternoon we went only for a short game drive just as far as Rooiputs. We had a nice Secretary Bird, many Ostrichs, some BBJ, a Bee-Eater and several Oryx sightings.

After having such a special day at KTP, we felt really unhappy about this was our last night here. Our vacation has passed by so quickly, from tomorrow on it will be only 3 days until we have to fly back to cold and rainy Germany.

Not only that we want to come back to KTP, it seems KTP wants us to come back as well. Just wait and see what happened on our last day in the park…….

Day 8 – 27. March 2007 – Twee Rivieren Part 1

There was very little rain before we went to bed last night. This morning the sand was still wet, so there must have been some more rain during the night, however we have not heared anything in our rooftent. For this morning we have planned to drive toward Kij Kij and than take the dune road to Auchterlonie before returning for a last time to TR. First we went to the waterhole near the conjunction to see if the Lions are there again. They were not there, besides two ducks there were no animals around. So we went to Leeuwdril. There have been some minor water ponds on the road caused by the rain last night. But no problem to drive thru.

Besides the usual animals we have not seen anything special so far. There was a Pale Chanting Goshawk sitting near enough to take a pic.



Soon after this, if I remember it correct it was somewhere between Leeuwdril and Rooiputs or even soon after Rooiputs, three cars have pulled aside the road. Some nice people have been telling us there was a Leopard hidden in the high gras. So of course we stopped as well, hoping the Leopard would come out and maybe climb up on the next tree.
It took a while and there was still nothing to see. In the meantime few more cars came by und stopped there as well. I was wondering whether the Leopard was still there , knowing those animals are masters of camouflage and hiding, he might have moved away without anyone seeing him. Little while later part of his head popped up for a moment, and soon after again – this time he was looking around for a few more seconds. Finally he got up and walked thru the high grass and bushes there. How exciting! We have not even hoped to see a Leopard, because we knew one needs to be VERY lucky and be at the right time at the right place to see a Leopard.. And now there he was.



It was a beautifull big Leopard. Even he was only very few meters away from the road, mostly we could see only part of him. It was difficult to take a pic because of the vegetation and him always trying to walk behind the bushes or high grass. It only took him less then a minute until he had reached a death tree lying there.



Only seconds later he was hiding so well, that we could not see him anymore at all.

In the meantime 9 cars have been around looking for the Leopard. We have waited a little bit longer on him to show up again, but he didn’t. So we went on towards Kij Kij. It was funny, all the days in the park we have not seen one turtuise. By the time we reached Kij Kij, we have met three of them. Of course all of them have been Leopard Turtuises. This one had some holes at the carapace. Just wonder where they came from.




to be continued…..

Day 8 – 27. March 2007 – Twee Rivieren Part 2

To us the scenery around the dune road from Kij Kij to Auchterloni was one of the most beautiful part we have seen from KTP. We have stopped at the Lookout Point nearby Kij Gamies. The 360º view is just fantastic. We have sit there for a while just enjoying the silence and the beauty of the Kalahari.







Our sightings have been many raptors, 3 x Steenbok and a nice group of Oryx.



At Auchterloni I have picked this pretty little flowers for you to say thanks for all the friendly comments and your patience in waiting on the instalments of this trip report.



Between Auchterloni and TR the usual mammals. When we arrived at the conjunction of the two rivers, we have been kind of surprised to find 2 Herons there.

Now the time has come to leave this wonderful place. We really had a great time there and try to come back as soon as we can.