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Monday, 14 may 2007 Johannesburg ? Berg en Dal

At 8.00 we left Tambo airport in our rental car (VW Sharan) and at 12.15 we arrived at Malelane gate. Back again, time to enjoy.
When entering the park we again made a bet what animal we would see first. Mark thought a giraffe and I thought an impala. When Mark told me that an impala was to easy, I changed it for a warthog. Our first sighting was: an impala on the right and a warthog on the left.
We went straight to Berg en Dal. On our way we didn’t see many animals. Impala’s and a white rhino in the distance accompanied with zebra’s.
At Berg en Dal we checked in (bungalow nr. 74), booked for a sunset drive, had lunch and did some shopping. After bringing our suitcases to the bungalow we went for a short ride. We saw baboons, impala’s, giraffe, and at Matjulu waterhole some elephants.







At 17.00 we went to the parking place for the sunset drive. Our ranger was Lourens and he did a great job. He told us a lot and was very entertaining. We saw a warthog, a herd of buffalo’s, 3 spotted eagle owls, scrubhares, elephants, a lot of impala’s and 11 white rhino’s, of which 7 at Matjulu waterhole. Lourens stopped for a while on the bridge showing us the stars. Very nice.
For Lourens

Sightings:
impala, warthog, zebra, white rhino, elephant, giraffe, vervet monkey, baboon, buffalo.
Route:
Malelane gate, S110, Berg en Dal, s110, s120, H3, S110, Berg en Dal.
------------
trip report 2006

Tuesday, 15 may 2007 Berg en Dal ? Biyamiti

We left Berg en Dal at 6.00. We took the gravel road and saw a lot more animals than yesterday. At Afsaal we had a cup of coffee.
As we couldn't withdraw cash at the airport the day before, we had to leave for Skukuza and try there. On the way we saw a lot of common game, white rhino and a klipspringer. At waterhole De Laporte it was very busy. A lot of impala's, kudu's, a giraffe and an injured buffalo.



After the successful cash withdrawal at Skukuza we left for Nkuhlu, to have our lunch.
A few km before Nkuhlu near a loop was a family ground hornbills. We didn't see them very well, as they were behind some bushes. But we could hear them, especially the youngster. Suddenly the male walked up to our car and stopped just a few meters in front, with his wings spread out a bit. It looked as he came to size up the situation. He stood there for a while. When we came closer, he just walked back to his family at ease.



Nearby we saw a hippo with young.


At Nkuhlu were a few vervet monkeys and baboons. They caused us no problems.



At sunset dam we saw an elephant coming for a drink, a lot of hippo’s, crocodiles, a grey heron and a jacana having a bath.





We stopped for a while at Lower Sabie for some shopping.

On our way to Biyamti it was a bit quiet with game.





At Biyamiti we checked in (cottage nr. 12) and walked a bit along the fence.

Sightings:
Impala, buffalo, elephant, zebra, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest, white rhino, waterbuck, kudu, klipspringer, baboon, vervet monkey, hippo, bushbuck.

Route:
Berg en Dal, s110, s120, H3, Afsaal, H1-1, ~Skukuza, H4-1 (s79), Lower Sabie, H4-2, H5, s108, s25, s139, Biyamiti

Wednesday, 16 may 2007 Biyamiti

At 6.00 we had to open the gate ourselves for leaving the camp. At that moment an animal came running along. It was a bushbuck. Fortunate bushbucks are not that dangerous, so I didn’t have to hurry to get back in the car. Just before the gate it disappeared in the bush. We couldn’t find out, why this rush.
On the Biyamiti road it was very quiet. At the Biyamiti weir we only saw a black crake and a small crocodile.



On the s23 was a waterbuck with a young.



During our breakfast at waterhole Muhlambamadvube was a lot of game. Warthog, impala's, a giraffe drinking, wildebeest and a white rhino.



Afterwards we drove to Afsaal where we spotted the scopsowl and had a cup of coffee.
We took the s114 to Skukuza. On this road it was quiet too, until Renosterkoppies dam. There was a lot of game. Warthogs chasing each other, impala's chasing each other, wildebeest, giraffe and dwarf mongoose. We stood there for quite a while, as it was lovely to watch them.





At Skukuza we had lunch. After that we went back to renosterkoppiesdam. Now there were only wildebeest, which left shortly after.
At Mpondodam were 2 lions lying on the bank. It was too far for a decent photo. As we drove further we came along the bank and had a better look at one of the lions.



When we drove on the s25 near the bridge, Mark looked in the driving mirror and saw an animal walking behind us on the road, about 20m back. When we had a good look it appeared to be a leopard. Unfortunately he was a bit shy and moved into the bushes/grasses. We could only watch him for a moment, but it was great.

On the Biyamiti road we had to wait for an elephant to cross.



We decided to go back to the camp instead of going further on the road, which first was our intention. A good decision, because there was a herd of elephants in the river just in front of the camp and someone showed us a python, next to the fence in a tree. This was the first time ever we saw one.



We watched the elephants until it got dark.



Sightings:
duiker, impala, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, giraffe, white rhino, wildebeest, steenbok, zebra, lion, baboon, leopard, elephant

Route:
s139, s114, s23, s113, H3, Afsaal, H2-2, s114, H1-1, Skukuza, H1-1, s114, H5, s102, s26, s25, s139, Biyamiti

Thursday, 17 may 2007 Biyamiti

We had booked a bushwalk for this day. When we were almost ready to leave, someone came telling us that ranger Benjamin got sick and they had to cancel the walk. We were promised that they would try to have one for the next day.

We had a great start on the Biyamiti road. There were 3 white rhino’s. On the s25 a hyena crossed (a bit in a hurry) the road.



Further we saw common game and birds, enjoying the first sunbeams.



There were a lot of white rhino’s on our way to Afsaal ( s119 – 6 ; s118 – 2 ; H3 – 3) . This day we saw altogether 15 white rhino’s. The south is undoubtedly rhino area. One of them had a very tall horn.

s119


s118



When we were on the s118 we saw some people of the park close to a herd of elephants at the other side of the river.



At Afsaal we again spotted the scops owl and had a cup of coffee. On our way back to Biyamiti we didn’t see much game, it was a bit quiet. At Biyamiti we rest for a while, had lunch and took a walk.
In the afternoon we left for Crocodile bridge, On the s25 we met elephants, warthog family, a warthog bathing, impala’s and a tiny leopard tortoise (+/- 10cm) on the road.



At the hippo pool the ranger took us for a walk to the river. What a lovely view over there. As the ranger hardly saw any tourist that day, he left the place at the same time as we did.
Along the road near the hippo pool we saw a dead body of a young hyena, all shriveled up.

A kurrichane trush at Crocodile Bridge


At the Gezantfombi dam was scarcely water. When we were there last year, there was plenty of water. Now it was very dry.

October 2006

May 2007


At 17.00 we were back at Biyamiti and enjoyed the view till dark.



Sightings:
impala, white rhino, duiker, elephant, hyena, vervet monkey, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, kudu, giraffe, hippo.

Route:
Biyamiti, s139, s25, s119, s118, H3, Afsaal, H2-2, s114, s139, Biyamiti, s139, s27, Hippo pool, Crocodile Bridge, H4-2, H5, s108, s25, s139, Biyamiti.

Friday, 19 may 2007 Biyamiti → Skukuza

At 6.00 we left the camp for the bushwalk. The rangers were Dingan (I don’t know the correct spelling of his name) from Crocodile bridge en Elias. We were just the 4 of us. A private bushwalk, great. We drove to the bridge. While parking, one of the tyres got hit by something sharp and was flat in a second. Before changing tyres, we first walked. When we got out of the car a buffalo stood nearby. He gave us the message, by shaking his head, that he saw us and that we shouldn’t come closer. Fortunately we went the other direction.
During the walk we were taught about several things such as tracks, trees and of course animals. We met impala’s, banded mongoose and ……lions. When we had our breakfast stop Elias went for a look in the river. He came back excited and said to Dingan what he had seen. We knew it must be something special as we had to pack up our bags fast. We went to the river. At first we didn’t see anything but when we walked some 20m we saw a movement on the bank behind some bushes. We could see 2 lions. They were growling. Wow, what a sound. That was very impressive. Dingan told us that they gave us a warning for not coming closer, or else…. We stood there for a moment listening and watching them and then we returned. Back at the vehicle Dingan and Elias changed tyres, which was not that easy as the jack didn’t fit well under the vehicle. Somehow they managed. We were back in camp at 9.15. Shortly after we left.
On the Biyamiti road we saw elephants and a leopard for a few seconds. We could just see him going down to the river.
On the s25 to Crocodile Bridge was a dead impala next to the road. There was not any scavenger around.



We went to Lower Sabie on the s28. Here we saw a lot of zebra’s and a big herd of buffalo’s in the distance. At Nhlanganzwani dam were many hippo’s.



At Lower Sabie we had lunch while enjoying the view over the river.



After that we took the s30 to Skukuza. It was a bit quiet over there. Except for impala’s and some birds.





On the Marula loop was a troop of baboons, which is always nice to watch.



On and near the lower level bridge:





At Skukuza we stayed in bungalow nr. 4.

Sighting:
impala, buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard, white rhino, duiker, vervet monkey, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, kudu, giraffe, hippo, baboon, waterbuck.

Route:
Biyamiti, s139, s25, Crocodile Bridge, H4-2, s28, H4-2, Lower Sabie, H10, s128, s30, H1-2, (s83) Skukuza.

No not nervous. I was very excited. But I was glad to have 2 rangers in front of me.
Thanks Michele.

Saterday, 19 may 2007 Skukuza

At 6.00 we left the camp. It didn’t take long before we saw something nice. On the H11 first elephants and a little bit further hyenas. They had a very small cub with them. It was so cute. Unfortunately someone was in a hurry and passed the hyenas too close and too fast. The little one got scared and run off. There were about 6 hyenas. One of them wore a collar. We watched them for quite a while until 2 hyenas started to treat our car like chewing gum. We then decided to move on. Some 50 m further were 2 other hyenas.



On the S1 we saw a leopard crossing the road. This one was shy too, but I managed to take a picture of him.



On the S1 we also saw a lesser black-winged plover (Senegal lapwing), which we haven’t seen before.



On the s3 was a lot of common game and a herd of buffalo’s coming from the river.



Back on the S1 a snake on the road was picked up by a dark chanting goshawk.


On the same road we were told by the driver of a safari truck that there were lions on the s112. We decided not to go, as it was not nearby and it would be probably very busy with cars. Instead we went to the birdhide. It is a very nice place to be. There were a lot of crocodiles, hippo’s en birds.





Near the birdhide we saw a hippo. It’s weird to see them on land instead of in the water.



After lunch at Skukuza we went to Renosterkoppies dam. Again we weren’t disappointed there. Wildebeest, white rhino, impala’s, baboons, warthogs and red+yellow hornbills. We enjoyed it.





After a while we took the s112 where we found the lions, we were told about. They were lying on a rock, behind bushes. Then we left for Transportdam. Where we saw a herd of zebra’s coming for a drink. They were so nervous. Many times they got scared, ran away and returned again to the water. It was nice watching them.



On the s65 a snake crossed the road and got into a tree. I think it’s a boomslang.



We went to the birdhide until 17.10. On our way back to Skukuza we again met hyenas.

At Skukuza we had dinner in Selati restaurant. What a nice place that is. We enjoyed it very much.

Sightings:
elephant, kudu, hyena, leopard, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, impala, vervet monkey, baboon, duiker, steenbok, lion, white rhino, buffalo, warthog, hippo, bushbuck, wildebeest.

Route:
Skukuza, H11, S1, Pbabeni gate, s3, s4, S1, H11 (birdhide), Skukuza, H1-1, s114, s112, H1-1, s65, S1, H11 (birdhide), Skukuza.

Sunday, 20 may 2007 Skukuza

We took the H1-2 to Tshokwane. Except for an elephant, buffalo’s, a slender mongoose and some common game we didn’t see that much.



At Tshokwane we had coffee and left for Orpen dam, where we spotted hippo’s, crocodiles, a bushbuck and a giraffe in the distance. On the way back to the tar road we saw an impala badly injured. He constantly licked his wound.



The H10 was very productive. There were giraffe’s, zebra’s, impala’s, elephant, 2 white rhinos at waterhole Muntshe, vervet monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and a crocodile near the bridge.







We also saw our first ostrich and secretary bird. The ostrich was too far away for a decent photo. And taking a photo of the secretary bird wasn’t that easy as the bird kept on moving.




We had a quick stop at Nkumbe, where we only saw some zebra’s far far away.
After our lunch at Lower Sabie we decided to go to Renosterkoppies dam again, taking the H4-1 and s21. On the H4-1 we found the klipspringers at their well known place.



When we were looking at a nyala on the H4-1 someone told us that there were lions near the bridge (N’watimhiri). Before taking the s21 we had a look at them. But like often they were lying down in the shade doing nothing.

On the s21 in the river was a big elephant walking towards us. He was calm and we made sure that he stayed that way by moving early from his path.



When we arrived at waterhole Nhlotini there were 2 buffalo's lying in the mud and 1 white-headed vulture in a tree above them. As one of the buffalo’s hardly moved, it almost looked as if the vulture waited patiently for him to die. After a while it appeared that the vulture only came for a drink and flew shortly after away. The buffalo's, one by one, stood up and had a drink. One of them didn't look that well. He walked very slowly, like a very old one.



At Renosterkoppies dam it again was busy with game: impala's, wildebeest and warthogs.



Sightings:
elephant, impala, duiker, steenbok, wildebeest, kudu waterbuck, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, giraffe, hippo, lion, white rhino, zebra, buffalo, bushbuck, klipspringer, nyala, ostrich

Route:
Skukuza, H1-2 ( s83), Tshokwane, Orpendam, H10, Lower Sabie, H4-1, s79, H4-1, s21, s114, Skukuza.

Monday, 21 may 2007 Skukuza → Talamati

At 6:00 we left Skukuza. First we went to Satara taking the tar road. On the H4-1 we saw 4 white-crowned plovers. We have seen them before, during an earlier stay at Kruger, but I never had the opportunity to take a decent photo of them. Now I did manage to take some. At first it was not easy. They flew away a few times when they got scared. At last they got used to us and stayed. The whole time they were foraging by trembling with one foot.



At Leeupan it was very busy with impala’s. I think there were about 100 of them. They were eating, running, jumping and chasing each other. It was very nice to watch. Close to them was a marabou, that didn’t take any notice of the impala’s.







Just before Tshokwane was a big tusker. Unfortunately he walked into the bushes just before I could take a good photo of the tusks. Maybe the emerging tuskers project is interested in bums too.



At Tshokwane we had coffee in the company of a starling.



When we saw several cars at Mazithi we knew that there must be a predator. But when we arrived we only saw an impala and waterbuck. Strange. Then someone told us that there were lions lying in grass on the other side of the water. When we used our binoculars, we found them, two male lions. The impala didn’t see the lions and walked straight to them. At last he noticed the big ones and ran away. Shortly after 2 warthogs arrived at the water and before they had a drink they saw the lions and sprinted away. I think the lions were too lazy to catch one of them, as they hardly looked up.
Just when we planned to move on, 2 elephants arrived. They had a drink, walked into the water and came out the water near the lions. One of the elephants had a good look at the lions but left without making it hard for them.



2 members of big 5


At Satara we had lunch, did some shopping and left for Talamati. On the way it was all very quiet. On the s36 we saw a purple roller.



The s36 was in a bad condition. The s145 wasn’t much better. When we arrived at Talamati, we were both shaken up.

But before arrival at Talamati we saw a leopard. Again a shy one, he quickly disappeared.



After checking in (cottage 7) we decided to go to waterhole Mahlabyanini, instead of staying in camp. We were almost at the junction Talamati road and s145 when 3 wild dogs (with 3 cars behind them) walked towards our car. Wow. One of them had a limp in his walk. After taking some photo’s we immediately turned and followed them to Talamati. 2 dogs disappeared in the bushes, 1 stayed on the road. Suddenly we saw a herd of impala’s crossing the road with behind them the wild dogs. They chased the impala’s on the field in front of Talamati, but didn’t manage to catch one.
When the impala’s were out of sight one of the dogs tried to chase some wildebeest. The wildebeest wasn’t amused and in turn chased the dog. That was funny to watch. Then all became quiet again.







Sighting:
bushbuck, impala, warthog, duiker, giraffe, hippo, steenbok, waterbuck, kudu, elephant, baboon, zebra, lion, wildebeest, buffalo, vervet monkey, leopard, wild dog.

Route:
Skukuza. H4-1, H12, H1-2, Tshokwane, H1-3, Satara, H7, s36, s145, Talamati

Tuesday, 22 may 2007 Talamati

At night we were woken up twice by a bat, which was flittering in our bedroom. When we put on the light it disappeared under the roof. We didn’t sleep very well that night.
When we, still a bit tired, stepped out of the cottage in the morning we got our next “surprise”. The temperature, it was freezing. At least it felt like freezing. Probably the wind helped us feel that way.
On the s145 we saw 4 white rhino’s and a blackbacked jackal. There were a lot of birds and (some) small animals enjoying the first sunbeams.







At leeubron on the s39 was a herd of zebra’s drinking and one of them paddled in the waterhole. After the zebra’s left 2 Egyptian geese used the waterhole as a swimming pool.





The s39 wasn’t much productive for the rest. We had a stop at Timbavati, but as the weather (wind) was unpleasant, we left quickly. At Satara we had lunch together with some hundreds of people. They all arrived in safari vehicles and were frozen. At the restaurant they put the chairs and benches in the sun and when there was nothing left to sit on, they sat on the grass. It really was a mess. We were glad that we just could find a table with bench before the migration took place.
We stayed quite a long time at Satara. When we walked along the parking place we saw 13 safari vehicles and 3 big coaches. And when we left, the next coach arrived.
On the H1-3 we watched a herd of waterbucks. The male made a humming sound. We never heard that. When a female wanted to cross the road in front of our car, the male immediately ran to her while humming. The female went back to the herd. Some 20m further on the other side of the road we saw another waterbuck male. The female probably wanted to make acquaintance.





On the way back to Talamati it was quiet, except for a 2 vultures at a carcass and some common game.
About hundred meters from the s36 and on the first part of the s145 was a fire. Later we were told that it was a controlled fire. Was it?





At 17:00 we were back at Talamati, where we went to the birdhide. There we were told that we just missed lions.
When we went into our cottage, the bat welcomed us in the room. We pushed the door open and put the lights on. At last the bat left.

Sightings:
impala, duiker, white rhino, blackbacked jackal, warthog, zebra, giraffe, kudu, bushbuck, waterbuck, vervet monkey, buffalo, wildebeest, hippo, baboon, elephant, steenbok.

Route:
Talamati, s145, s106, H7, s39, Timbavati, s40, H7, Satara, H1-3, s125, s36, s145, Talamati.

Wednesday, 23 may 2007 Talamati

At 5:30 we had a bushwalk. Again it was a private bushwalk. The rangers were Porscha and Andre. Andre was Talamati's ranger for six years. But 23 days ago he was transferred to Orpen and Porscha (from Orpen) had to take over his place.
We met Andre 2 years ago. It was nice seeing him again, a great and funny guy.
Porscha was very cheerful and enthusiastic.

The lions, which we missed yesterday, were on the field in front of Talamati. Before driving to our walking spot, Porscha parked the car next to the field and we watched the lions for almost a half hour. There were 5 of them 2 female, 2 young and 1 male. The young ones were playing and the females kept an eye on them and us. The male kept aloof from them. At 6:00 the lions left, so did we.

We started the walk not far from Talamati. Again it was very cold. Porscha told us a lot about trees. On the way we met a jackal, a duiker, impala's and a lot of white-backed vultures.
At 8:00 we were back at Talamati. We enjoyed the walk very much.

We then left for Satara. It was all very quiet. We stopped for a while at waterhole Welverdiend, where some male impala's were challenging and chasing each other and had a drink for a moment.



A monitor was enjoying the sun on the N’wanetsi bridge at the H1-3, not a very safe place to do that.



At Satara it was peaceful again. No invasion of safari vehicles. We had lunch and walked a bit. Then we went to Orpen. The first part of the H7 was very quiet, but the closer we approached Orpen, the more animals we got to see.





At Orpen we had a quick stop. On the s106 we saw a bateleur in a tree. When we stopped we heard a squirrel making such a noise. After having a good look we found the little one. He was in the same tree below the bateleur and kept on making noise. The bird wasn’t impressed. But when another bateleur arrived, he was. While watching the squirrel and bateleur, we heard a bird flying over our car. What a sound that gave. When we had a look we saw another bateleur take a flight and attacked the one in the tree, who spread his wings and flew away with the attacker behind him.







On the s145 someone told us that they saw sables, just 3 km ahead. But when we arrived they were gone.We did see an elephant, bushbuck and a lot of birds.







Sighting:
Impala, elephant, lion, buffalo, duiker, blackbacked jackal, wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, giraffe, nyala, steenbok, hippo, bushbuck, baboon, kudu, warthog.

Route:
Talamati. S145, s36, s126, H1-3, Satara, H7, Orpen, s106, s145, Talamati.

Thursday, 24 may 2007 Talamati

At night we were woken up by a clatter in the bathroom. When we carefully had a look it appeared that some of the wall tiles had fallen. We were glad that is was not some kind of animal, which we would have to release. But we couldn't enjoy a good night's rest anymore.

At 7:25 we left Talamati. At the burnt part on the s145 there was lot of birds, among which a martial eagle and a bronze-winged courser.



On the s36 we saw an elephant, some bids of prey, waterbucks and an African wild cat in the grass. We could watch him for a few minutes, until another noisy car arrived. He then took to his heels.



On Lugmagdam there was a lot of game. When we arrived a herd of buffalo's just left. There were hippo's, waterbucks, impala's wildebeest, warthogs and bushbucks.





The s33 turned out to be an impala road with a Coqui francolin pair.



After lunch at Tshokwane we saw a Spotted Dikkop on the H1-3.



The s33 gave us a lot of common game, 2 tawny eagles and a serval. Although the grass was in the way, we enjoyed watching him.



During our stay we saw quite a lot of guineafowls. But when I wanted to take a photo of them, they were always running or jumping. On the s36 we finally found guineafowls relaxing. This was the change to take a decent photo of them.



At waterhole Ngwenyeni we saw elephants and a lot of waterbucks. Back at Talamati we visited the birdhide and walked a bit in the camp.

Sightings:
impala, steenbok, duiker, waterbuck, elephant, African wild cat, wildebeest, bushbuck, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, vervet monkey, serval, hippo, kudu, warthog.

Route:
Talamati, s145, s36, s34, Tshokwane, H1-3, s33, s36, s145, Talamati.

Thanks Bouf, MM and Skillie




We were very lucky seeing the serval, as it was not close to the road. While driving I saw something that looked like ears, but would probably be made out of wood. But when we reversed we saw it was a serval.


Yes, it looked like posing. Though I was glad that there was a safe distance between us

Friday, 25 may 2007 Talamati → Satara

Again it was very cold this morning. On the s145 it was all very quiet. Around Orpen we found some more game. At Orpens filling station, next to our car, was a white-throated robin. That was a good opportunity to take a photo of it.



On the first part of the H7 there was a lot of game, among witch warthogs,



a grey hornbill



and a sunbathing baboon



At Welverdiend we saw this impala, acting like one of our emoticons.



At Satara we had lunch, we walked a bit along the fence and we checked in (bungalow G177).
After that we went for a short ride, beginning at the famous s100.
There we saw a lot of giraffes, a herd of elephants and a buffalo.



On the s90 we found 2 lions mating. Someone told us that these lions were seen in this area for a couple of days. At one moment a jackal dropped by, but after having a look from the male it disappeared. We stayed there for almost a half hour and we have only seen them lying down.



Somewhat further we saw a kori bustard and a very relaxing elephant.





While watching the lions we were told that north on the H1-4 was a very big herd of zebra’s. So instead of going south to Satara, we went north. Some km further there was a lot of cars. We must have misunderstood the people, because when we had a look on the field, we only saw vultures in a tree. That didn’t look like there were zebras. It was more likely that there were lions. But we couldn’t find them. We decided to drive some km, return and have a better look. That was a very good idea, because we then saw 5 white rhino’s.





When we were back at the vulture tree, we had a better look and found a male lion, far away, lying in the grass. When we looked over the field for more lions, we suddenly saw a leopard. That was really great. The leopard walked towards the road. First we thought he would cross it, but he didn’t. He kept on walking on the road with all the cars behind him (Last year we watched a wild dog doing that).





As we were at the back of the traffic jam, it was hard to get in front of it. And we only had 20 minutes left to get in the camp before closing-time. Fortunate we managed to pass the cars. We quickly had a good look at the leopard and we left for Satara, where we arrived just in time.

Sightings:
impala, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, duiker, steenbok, warthog, elephant, buffalo, white rhino, lion, leopard, hippo, blackbacked jackal, baboon, kudu, waterbuck.

Route:
Talamati, s145, Orpen, H7, s36, s126, H1-3, Satara, s100, s41, s90, H1-4, Satara.

Saterday, 26 may 2007 Satara

We left at 6.05 for Olifants, where we had planned to have our lunch.
On the s100 we saw a herd of elephants, waterbucks, impala’s, buffalo’s, kudu’s and a lot of birds among which a burchel’s coucal.



On the s41 / s90 we saw among other things a fish eagle, 3x a secretarybird pair, 1 kori bustard, 2 ostriches





and a crying jackal. This was the first time we saw/heard a jackal doing that.

crying jackal video

Just before the low level bridge we saw a vulture working at building a nest in a fever tree. It flew in another tree, while balancing it collected some twigs and then flew home again.



We went to N’wamanzi lookout, where we stepped out of the car, without closing the windows. Suddenly there were some vervet monkeys, which we hadn’t seen when we arrived. One of them tried to get into our car. Fortunate we were just in time to make the monkey change his mind. The monkey then reacted a little bit aggressive towards me. This was the first time ever we saw monkeys at this lookout. We left shortly after to Olifants. We noticed that the area round Olifants looked very dry.

After lunch at Olifants we decided to go back to N’wamanzi lookout. This time we made sure that we shut the windows. We stepped out of the car and it was not long before 2 monkeys appeared on both sides trying to get in.
Just before we left, another vehicle arrived. The people in it didn’t do anything to prevent the monkeys from stealing. With a little help one of the monkeys succeeded in getting food. Some people still don't take the warning signs not to feed animals very seriously.

We went back to Satara on the tar road. At Ngotsodam we saw 3 lions. Two were lying under bushes and 1 in the open field. They probably already had a good meal, because when a zebra and a wildebeest passed nearby, the lions didn’t even look at them.
On the H1-4 we saw, beside common game, 3x a kori bustard pair, a secretary bird, a giant eagle owl, elephant and again a blackbacked jackal.





As there was enough time left, we went to Girivana waterhole. On the H7 were 5 ground hornbills.



At Girivana waterhole we watched a terrapin using a hippo as a sandbank.



Sighting:
impala, duiker, steenbok, elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, waterbuck, kudu, hippo, baboon, vervet monkey, ostrich, jackal.

Route:
Satara. s100, s41, s90, s91, H8 Olifants, H8, H1-4, H7, s12 s40, H7 Satara.