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10th – 16th November 2008

I have had this trip report in my draw since last year and had never got around to posting it. I then felt it was too late. But seeing other reports still being posted from last year, i decided it was never too late for a trip report so here we go. Arrived in SA on the Saturday and got all the shopping done on the Sunday. All ready for our trip to the Kruger

Monday 10th November Day 1

We decided we wanted to be at Malalane Gate for open time so we left Johannesburg at 01h00. Due to poor weather (fog) we only made the gate by 5.45am.


All the formalities were done and we were through the gate. Drove up the H3 to Afsaal for breakfast, the weather cloudy and cool with plenty of water around and the bush turning green.
Saw Impalas, giraffe and a small group of buffaloes lying quite deep in the bush.

We stopped for a large African snail and tortoise crossing the road.


We protected them by keeping the car across the road so the speeding delivery vehicles wouldn’t run them over.(we had seen many as early Monday morning) At Afsaal had to try the pancakes really delicious the site was lovely and quiet
.
We were told that lions were seen just north of the rocky outcrop further up the H3 so we carried on up to see, but we couldn’t find them. The sun was out by now it was very humid so I’m sure the lions were already deep in the shade. We did find this dwarf mongoose

We decided to make our way to Bergendal via the S120, S110, the scenery was really lovely, came across a small herd of elephants with a tiny baby.


We had to reverse, as Mummy was not impressed with us being so close. Stopped at the Matjula waterhole, water lying everywhere so need for the animals to come down to drink so we carried onto camp ,stopped for impalas and there was a baby it was so cute.


Arrived at camp and checked in, very courteous and efficient.

Decided to book a sunset drive hoping it would be with Lourens. We went to sit at the restaurant as we were still too early for our key. Kept amused by baboons and vervets playing at the dam. One huge baboon came over the fence and was trying to open a bin, eventually chased back. When we went back for our key Lourens was at the desk, introduced ourselves and found he was taking the drive, we were so happy. Go to our Chalet no51 perimeter view, by now we just needed to cool off and sleep which we did.

Went to meet the game vehicle and it was just 4 of us it was going to be a fantastic night. The following taken from Lourens report 11th November. 2008
“Last night on my Sunset Drive we drove to the waterhole, went on the S110 over Steilberg and back on the tar road. We saw lots of Elephants at the waterhole and on the S110 2 Common Duikers, and at the Steilberg turn off lots and lots and lots of Giraffes. Everywhere you could see just Giraffes.

From where we were view the Giraffes we spotted 2 White Rhino's down in the valley. Just before we reached the tar road we had a break at the view point and the stars started to show and the sky colours were so beautiful.

Lourens and myself and
Sorry i can't remember the 2 girls with us that night. It was their first safari and the were so excited.
Just before the tar road, we spotted a Puffadder crossing the road and it was a bug night last night. We could hardly stop for anything, then they are in your eyes, in your pants, crawling up your arms and legs, it was bad!!!

On the way back on the tar road we saw some Bushbaby, Hippo's, a huge, telling you, huge Mosambican Spitting Cobra, Genets, Scrub Hares, White Tailed Mongoose, and no Impala lambs. “

We didn’t see any cats; Lourens hadn’t seen his king of the jungle for a week.. Lourens spent time explaining the stars and we just enjoyed the whole experience. We got back to camp at 8pm too tired to eat. A great start to our holiday in the African bush.

Day 2 11th November

Couldn’t believe we only woke up at 7am missed our planned early morning drive and had to be out by 9am. Went out via reception had a walk by the dam. Monitor lizard was being chased off by Egyptian geese. Hammerkop was busy by the water. The weather already hot and sunny



Off to Skukuza. Took the S110 main road out of Bergendal and our first sighting was Louren’s King of the Jungle lying in a bush next to the road. We had him all to ourselves.



Further up the road stopped for the Warthogs, babies so cute.


Carried on and took the H3 to Afsaal road very quiet some buffs in the distance. Had coffee at Afsaal and checked the sightings board. Wild dogs seen on the S114,up from the H5. We decided to take the S113, S23 then follow S114 all the way to Skukuza. Keeping our eyes peeled for the wild dogs. Came across a breeding herd of ele’s,

they were very calm with small babies and let us take photo’s and pass them. More buffs, impala and zebra. Saw large group of vultures circling in the distances,


Must have been a kill not far way
but no wild dog this time. We heard later they were seen on the H5 next to the road. The area was going browner and little sign of spring as we were travelling north.

I had never stayed at Skukuza but was the only place we could get accommodation so we checked in and went to our guest cottage no 218



very nice view of the river near the old train bridge. It was a lovely part of the camp, very quiet and didn’t feel like we were in such a large camp. The clouds were rolling in and it started raining, I love that smell in the bush with the first rain. We had lunch went for a swim in the rain, couldn’t get any wetter; it was very hot and humid but no thunder.

We then decided to visit Lake Panic.

We saw plenty of hippos, goliath Heron, grey storks and Egyptian
geese. The weaver birds were very loud and busy making nests






Made our way back to camp, saw these damp Nyala male and female.



Went for a walk along the river front then made our way back to our cottage.







Braaied quickly the rain starting again. Yet another fantastic day

I forgot this photo of the upcoming storm from the previous evening



Day 3 12th November

Woken up suddenly at 01.45 with a huge thunderstorm, the rainy season finally had arrived. So much rain and so needed. Sat outside on the stoep with coffee, watching for a while, then back to bed the alarm set for 4.30. Up by 5am still raining, beautiful, everything shrouded in cloud,




packed up slowly to leave for Orpen by 6am very long drive ahead.
The original plan to go to orpen via S36 was changed due to wet sand road. New plan to take the H1 towards Satara and have breakfast at Tshokwane . Plenty of wet animals next to the road, buffalo, Impala, zebra and plenty of Kudu and Bateleur eagle.

the cutest baby vervet



wet birds all looked the same





The green of the new shoots standing out against the dry still sandy ground.stopped and had a lovely breakfast

We then continued up H1-3 did the N’waswitsontso loop. Giraffes, many raptors drying out very difficult to identify wet. After the loop came across Ground Hornbill in tree.






spent a while trying to identify but being wet made it so difficult. Any ideas would be welcome?


The rain had gone awsy so decided to take the S125 sand road a very pretty drive, saw elephants, more raptors, impalas by the dozen, zebra, steenboks, waterbucks and Kudu.





The closest we got to a leopard this trip



Took the S36 stopped at Muzanzni picnic site for coffee and walk around. Very quiet. Lovely picnic site.


Continued on to the H7 to Orpen the area getting dryer and dryer doesn’t look like there had been any rain. Checked in at Orpen 13h30 stopped raining again very warm and humid hoped for more rain tonight. Went down to the fence to see the cam, egrets only. Then went for a swim and did some shopping. Tried to change our next booking to stay at Orpen but Orpen still full too try again the next day.
Took a late afternoon drive up Main road visited Rablias hut, two Tawny Eagle in tree.


Some Impala and giraffe and wildebeest and this guinea fowl to end the day.



Back to camp lit braai, doing toasties drops of rain quickly finished the rain now hard and feeling chilly. Went to bed fell asleep to rain, Woken at 1am with huge storm, beautiful rain badly needed.

Day 4 Thursday 13th November
Slept in and had a leisurely breakfast on the stoep,





everything seemed to have come alive after the rains it felt as if you were watching the grass growing and changing colour. It was Cloudy and humid again this morning. The waterhole was quiet, no need for the animals to come to drink. we had already noticed how green the waterhole had become in the couple of days we were there.



We left camp after 9am as i had waited to speak to my family in UK as it was my birthday. We managed to swop our accommodation to stay at Orpen till Sunday am. Should have been going to Pretoriuskop a bit sad but didn’t want the long drive. I love Orpen camp, watching the waterhole, using the swimming and these day needing the air-conditioning (in summer) Only do camping in winte. What more can anyone want.

Took the H7 water lying everywhere. First sighting was Impala, giraffe and my favourite bird the Martial Eagle.




Turned off onto the S39 Timbivati road, very pretty road, game very scarce this am water lying everywhere, came across some Ele’s





plenty of Impalas, Kudus, vervet monkeys. We arrived at Timbivati picnic site for brunch. Few people around, lovely view across the river and the resident bush bucks very cute.





Heard that 2 male Cheetah were spotted 2kms up the road, we searched and searched but couldn’t find them. The sun now out and extremely hot we made our way on the S127 towards Satara, saw lone male Elephant



and then just before the main road, 2 Rhinos beautiful big ones walking very excited as we didn't see any in our April trip



Watched for a while then made our way to Satara, coming across more and more zebra and wildebeest and more Kudu.







Stopped at Satara to wave at the webcam, the area still looking very bare but they also had rain.



Did some shopping and checked the sighting board, missed all the cats today. Started to make our way back to Orpen, the clouds building quickly found Buffs, Ele’s, giraffes and zebra.







Arrived back in camp about 17h20 an it was already raining. Cleaned up the picnic stuff and went for a swim, one of the best places to see the waterhole.





Started raining hard but decided to light the fire the rain went off and managed to Braai to celebrate my birthday.

This trip was a practise run for this November when i will be celebrating my 50th wih my family staying at the Stanley Guest house in Satara

Sorry for the delay

Day 5 Friday 14th November

Had a bad night with tummy upset so didn’t feel like getting up early but in the end we were woken up at 6am by thunder, lightning and torrential rain so we stayed in bed until 8.30 when the storm subsided, still not well, got up and sat and watched the world go by, i really enjoy sitting in the camps.

The weather was now cloudy hot and humid. I decided to have a walk around the camp, Bul buls, crested barbets and starlings busy mating and catching lunch Squirrels eating upside down on trees, seem to be picking up the bark, not sure what they were doing, do they eat insects?
Went to reception to find out how much rain- approx 30mls.



Decided by 11.30 I was up to leaving camp, again H7, Impala everywhere eating new grass next to road. First river lookout and there’s water now flowing slowly.




Stopped at Nswmani dam, can’t believe how little water after we had seen it in April. Fish eagles in the trees. Hippo, waterbuck and egrets around the waterhole.





After the dam plenty of Zebra’s, giraffes and 2 dagga boys deep in bush near Satara. Took the H1-3 then H6 to N’wantsi picnic site. Zebra everywhere in the burnt area. A lot of very muddy wildebeest, piggies, giraffe and ostrich.




Went into the picnic area for a pit stop and walk around, very quiet then took the S41 to Gudzani dam the area around here very dry and freshly burnt. You could see there had been rain, plenty of impala, zebra and waterbuck




We looked everywhere for the elusive Leopard that we had seen the previous April but it was not meant to be this time. We stopped on the little bridge a terrapin, fish eagle and plenty of hippos.. At the Gudzani dam couldn’t believe how little water. Saddle billed stork, Egyptian geese, two fish eagles calling, hippo, waterbuck.





Took the famous S100 it was very quiet and dry, normal game and calling fish eagle close to the road and this lizard but don't know what it was




We made our way back to camp on the H7. The water had stopped flowing in the river we were stopped at a road block checking for permits and driving license. The sky had gone very dark and it started to rain. The camp was so quiet when we got back on three chalets occupied (supposed to be fully booked) didn’t have braai, went to bed very early looked like more rain.
It was certainly a day of the fish eagles

Thanks again Sue, love the squirrels, as for the Waterbuck, thay are just such stately animals.

Is the lizzard not a Monitor Lizzard?

Day 6 Saturday 15th November 2008

This morning we actually got up at 6.15, not sure if it had rained. Very cool, cloudy and windy. the clouds were breaking slowly and it was warming up by the time we left camp at 8.30. I know that most people are up and out by the time the gates are open but this Kruger break was a last minute thing and we took this as a rest from the real world and just enjoyed our quiet time.

We were going to Olifants. Took the H7 to Satara again not much on this road until after the Nsemani Dam everything turning green very quickly, large puddles of water lying everywhere. Plenty of game the zebras enjoying the new shoots next to the road




I just loved the hair style on this zebra


This Kudu enjoying the new leaves

Stopped at Satara for Coffee really lovely latte, checked the webcam did some shopping and took the main road to Olifants. Stopped by a forum member Niki G who told us there were lion 3km further on at last our cat drought would be ended. We found them lying in the shade. Stopped and watched for a while but they were not going to move, by now the sun was out and it was getting very hot.




Just before Ngotso North a huge herd of buffalo were crossing the road; we switched off and watched there must have been about 1000 they were everywhere.





Followed the road to the Olifants bridge, great to get out and check out the river, few ellies in the distance the river seems to be flowing quite well not sure if it had rained here



Then went up to the view site I love it up there always something to see lots of Hippos.




Made our way up to Olifants. The view site was open again. Was closed when we were last there in April. I could spend hours sitting and watching but time was short already 2.30 and we would need 4hours to get back to Orpen. Not an elepant to be seen !!!!!!!!!!! never had that before.




Look very carefull at the picture above, can you see the baby hippo?



took the Balulie sand road and went over the low water bridge, water flowing quite strong, still no elephants where had they all gone




Had to have picture of lilac breasted roller.

Went to look at the Hyena den site thats been there for years but wrong time of the day and no one home. Took the s89 and we were stopped and told lion again. Great twice in one day, beautiful male and female not too far from the road. Watched awhile but time was marching on




At the main road decided to take the S39 and just aroung the corner we came across this Bateleur and white faced vultures. For us Kruger oldies it was as exciting or more so than the lions.







The road was very pretty, very green around this area very quiet for many kms the a ground hornbill crossed the road



Stopped briefly at the Ratelpan hide but the animals did not need to come down and drink as plenty of water all over the bush



Stopped for pit stop at Timbivati picnic site then took the S39 down to the H7. 10kms before Orpen, Saddlebilled stork was feeding next to a pan made by the rain and saw more groung hornbills 3kms before the camp. Just before the camp gate some impala and kudu. Went for a swim with the impala and kudu watching us.

Our last night, the time as gone so quickly
No rain forecast for tonight.

But be patient the best is yet to come

16th November - last morning and what a special sighting

Up by 6.30 cloudy again. Sat on the stoep and watched the world go by for a while dreaming of the same time next year. I took some photos from
the stoep





Some of the smaller creatures







Packed up and went on a small drive to see Tamboti. Buffs and impala at the water hole. A lovely impala, wildebeest on the drive to Tamboti. Such a lovely camp hope to stay there one day.









And then we are off on the long drive back to jhb. Back through Orpen and out. Stopped at the new gate to have permit check and pack away the cameras!!!!!!!!!.

Seat belts on another trip at an end, sad to leave. We had only gone 2km on the main road when
ALL OF A SUDDEN

We saw a car stopped on the side of the road and could see vultures flying around.

Mad dash for cameras , what could it be !!!!!!!!!!!

The following not for the squeamish



















The pictures say it all. We had just missed the kill (i'm glad). the people in the other car were quite upset, they had seen it all happen on the road in front of them. But to see the wild dogs and in this feeding frenzy was quite amazing.

And that was definatly the end of this Kruger trip.


See you all in November 2009

Thank you all for your kind replies.

This short break to the Kruger was more for a rest than being up and out early every morning. We found Orpen very therapeutic as such a small quiet camp and we enjoyed the atmosphere and the rains and just watching the bush coming alive for another summer.

We are off to Kruger again in November with my parents. I wanted to spend my 50th birthday in the park and we are booked into the Stanley Guest house in Satara. We will be up and out as early as we can and ready to see all gods creature whether big or small

until my next trip