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Tuesday Day 10

We woke up at 6am, at least I woke up a couple of times during the night to the sound of trashcans being trashed! It was quite cold, so I did not investigate any further, reasoning it was probably a Jackal. When we got up, the temp was -3C This was the coldest morning yet. So on with the balaclavas and gloves and out of camp as the gates opened. There were Springbok all over and also Wildebeest.
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Just before we got to Dalkeith, we came across a group of 5 Giraffe browsing.
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We watched them for some time, then moved on. We did the loops at Dertiende and Veertiende Boreholes, where there were Springbok and Wildebeest. Just past Urikaruus Borehole, we fount the Hyenas everyone have been telling us about. There were 2 adults and 2 cubs. The one cub was very active, climbing all over the adult.
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We went to Kamqua Picnic Site for brunch. There were a lot of Springbok around, not at all put out by the people at the picnic site. We turned around and went back to Mata Mata. Just before the turn-off to Urikaruus Camp, we saw these Pygmy Falcons. Another Lifer for us.
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Before we got to Craig Lockhart, we saw a Cheetah on the far slope of the dune. It was too far to get a decent Photograph, so we watched till it disappeared. Returning to camp, Ann had some washing to do, so I cleaned out the inside of the bakkie, which was getting somewhat dusty and then I saw another Crimson Breasted Shrike hopping about. I stalked it for close on 30 minutes, trying to get a clear picture and this was the best of the lot.
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We went as far as Dalkeith for the afternoon drive and here was a young Giraffe with the others.
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Not much further on, Ann yelled at me to stop and here was an AWC, coming toward us. I managed to get 3 pictures, before it disappeared into the long grass. Although we waited, we did not see it again.
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So on to Mata Mata. We got into camp minutes before gate closing time and headed to the shop for some supplies, OBS at the top of the list! There were 4 vehicles at the garage, so I skipped filling up, there was enough fuel in the tank for the next day.

Wednesday Day 11

This morning the temperature was -4.5, even colder that yesterday. At 3am, I woke once more to sound of trash cans falling over. This time I got up and out of the tent with my headlamp. At about 30m from our there was a BBJ calmly picking through the neighbour’s trash, not at all intimidated by my presense. I left him to his meal and got into bed, it was -2 at that time. We were early and 1st out of the gate that morning. The sun was right in front of us and as I didn’t fill up last night, the windscreen did not get cleaned either, so I used the washer. What a disaster, the water just froze on the windscreen and I was forced to stop and wait for the ice to melt. There we were and all the other cars were passing! Well, eventually we moved on, another lesson learned and not to be forgotten.
Even this Lilac Breasted Roller was puffed up against the cold.
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Just a bit further, we saw this Melanistic Gabar Goshawk, another Lifer.
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We did the loops and went as far as Montrose, before turning back. There were plenty Springbok, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest and some Red Hartebeest to be seen.
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At Craig Lockhardt we saw another Cheetah, but also in the far distance. People said there were two of them. There was a Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl in a tree, but was well hidden.
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This being our last night in the park, we headed back to the camp. I filled up the bakkie and found out: 1. It is Wednesday. 2. It’s the 1st Wednesday of the month. 3. The price of diesel has increased considerably. Now I know why there were 4 vehicles filling up yesterday. Well, we were having such a great time, that dates and days did not exist for us.


Thursday Day 12

We got up early and started breaking camp. Today it was from Mata Mata to Augrabies and we would like to get an early start. At Dertiende Boorgat we saw herd of Giraffe, they were both sides of the road and the largest concentration we yet saw.
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When we got to Samevloeiing only this South African Shelduck was to be seen. The road to Nossob was now open and as it was only 10:45, we decided to go as far as Leeudril. On the way there, we saw this Springbok in the tree, but although we had a good look, the Leopard was nowhere to be seen.
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At Leeudril, the road was still to muddy to drive in, we had to travel on higher ground next to the road propper. We turned round and headed to Twee Rivieren.
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That ended our stay in KTP, but we will be back for sure. The thing we missed most was not being able to take a night drive at Nossob. I hope that next time it will be available.

James

Thanks Michele.
Yes, & yes.
The choice of route or even the time factore of 5 mins earlier or later can make foe a difference in experience, even in KTP with less route choices than KNP.
Meeting up in the park, well I am positive we will do that again for sure.

James