SANParks.org Forums

Great pics and TR Love the Warthogs

Enjoy sunny SA

Poor lioness as that eye is indeed not looking that well

Thanks Val

Val, Lovely start to your TR.

Poor Lion, eye does not look good at all.

Super pics ...the little bee eater colors are magnificent.

4 glorious months of super sightings awaits.

Amazing episode

The Lioness eye does not look good at all , hope it does not have any permanent damage on her.

Great pics all round

Hi Val, awesome pics, love the long neck and bee-catcher! Poor leo, hope she recovers!

Crested Val you are in
and I'm at home... again

thanks for the reports and pictures... I will run with you

Thanks Elsa, Philip, Kallis, Trrrp, SM, Pumbaa.

Anne-Marie...........lovely to have you on board............glad you're home safe and sound, though I expect you would rather be here!!!

Day 6 (Nov 5th)

Our original plan today was to have a quiet time unpacking, and familiarising ourselves again with the cottage. However with the power still off, and the temp rising to the mid 30s, we decided to head for the park, and give ourselves a quick blast of aircon every so often!!

We called in at Sable Dam, which was surprisingly quiet, and then headed for Letaba.

We stopped at Erfplaas, and were delighted to see our old friend the dassie in his crevice, soaking up some sunshine.............what a little sweetie he is!!

Then between there and Letaba, we saw very little (we found during our stay here last year that some days were like this, and others we saw so much!!)

We arrived at Letaba, and headed straight for the restaurant.
Two toasted chicken mayo sarnies and two bottles of orange juice..............yummy!!

Then we drove back to Phala, and we were relieved to fnd that the power had just come on!!!

Now I could charge my phone and laptop............we could put a load of washing in the machine, and catch up with Sky News!!

I love the bush, but a few mod cons helps..............when you're here for 4 months!!

Chicken hotpot and a baked potato was our evening meal...........all washed down by a few glasses of wine.

Then it was an early night, after a large glass each of Amarula!!!

Day 7 (Nov 6th)
Today was what yesterday would have been, a day at home to get ourselves finally straight in our new home for the next four months.

To be continued...............

again a Dassie... in Kruger


oh yes, if I could, I would prefer to be there

Dassie in Kruger is very special.

I do love your little dassie

I know the feeling.

Crested Val, thanks for Dassie and Kori

Relax, take it easy and post lots of pics

Anne-marie, Trrp, MM and Philip that little dassie is an old friend from last year!!!!
he is cute isn't he!!!


Day 8 (Nov 7th)
Today we had a tentative arrangement to meet Normana53 and Torticat at Mopani. We had no specific plans, but we were hopeful that we would find them, so we set off early for a slow drive up to the camp.

Mopani is 75kms from here, so we estimated that with stops for all the doggies and cheetahs, that we would see along the way, it it would take us about four hours!!

By now the gate guards recognised us, and had a friendly chat as they checked the car for alcohol, and then we were on our way up the H9, and pretty son we branched offf up the H14.

We had only gone a few kms, when there in the bush was this beauty.
We were being so lucky with lions!!!
She was in no hurry to move off, and we ended up spending about 30 mins with her...........totally alone!!












We were so thrilled with this experience, that we didn't really care whether we saw anything else that day, or not, but not long afterwards this lovley giraffe came to say hello.





Then it went very quiet until nearer Mopani, when this large herd of Buffs were intent on crossing the road. This little guy was very inquisitive.





We eventually arrived at Mopani, and the first thing we saw was a car with a huge yellow mirror cosy and a red ribbon. Even if it wasn't Norman it would be a forumite, so over I went and knocked on the window. I gave the drfiver such a fright, she nearly jumped out of her skin..............but when she wound the window down, and we started chatting, I found that I had tracked down Torticat, and that Norman was not far away!!!

We arranged to meet for lunch and in no time I was giving Norman a big hug, and thinking yet again how wonderful these forums are!!!

He had brought me a present........a fillet of Alaskan smoked salmon!!!! I was so gobsmacked at such a generous gesture, especially as Dungy and I love smoked salmon!!!

We ordered lunch and chatted like old friends, until eventally it was time to head back to Phala. Sadly none of us thought to take any pictures............we were too busy talking!

On the way home we saw a few animals and birds, and I particularly ,liked this little fellow.

We of course tried the salmon when we got home.............absolutley delicious with some lemon juice, black pepper and a few slices of avo!!!
Somehow, I don't think it will last long!!!

Then we cooked our evening meal of roasted pork steaks, and afterwards sat with an Amarula and coffee, reflecting on the wonderful day that we had had.




Day 9 (Nov 8th)
Poured with rain all day, so another day at home!!

To be continued...........

Crested Val Must be nice to meet Mites outside a Reserve, but it must be awesome to meet them inside
Great LL (Lion Lady), Giraffe, little Buff and Terri

So nice when you have lion/s all to yourself. Nice pic of the youngster buff.

You caught up writing much faster than I could catch up reading Val! You have had so many wonderful sightings! Cant think that you have only just started on your four months' trip!

I also love your Dassie! Very cute! And what a beautiful Kori Bustard!

Thirty minutes alone with that beautiful Lioness is pure bliss!

I am so glad that you managed to trace Norman and Torticat! Must have been wonderful talking to them in real life!

Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to more!