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WOW, Another fab episode there Val.

I really enjoyed it. Shingwedzi is a camp where Lion Roars are commonly heard followed by Hyena laughs. To be honest, All my years and years of visiting Kruger, I have never been to Pafuri picnic spot, and crooks corner , and to think of it, I only used to stay 45 mins from Punda gate.

With your wonderful words of story telling, Now I feel that I have even seen Pafuri. Really enjoyed it.

Cant wait for more

Shame, such a skinny dog. He must have had a rough life.

The great grey-green greasy Limpopo ... sad to see it dry.

I am fascinated to see all these buck with muddy horns. Wonder what they are up to to get them so coated.

Gorgeous crested barbet, Crested Val. No wonder you love them so much, they are such characters, and quite beautiful. I also think the ground hornbills are beautiful, especially if you see them flying. And their call is an African morning for me, very early, before it is quite light.

Val, another super day in paradise, just so sorry about that poor doggie, sad. I just love the fever trees. Thanks for sharing.

Hey Val, that is WoW, I'm so jealous!

Been busy lately, but from tomorrow afternoon all the deliveries are done and I can catch up on all my forum friends!

Poor domestic doggie and indeed a strange sighting

Although that part of the park is always like a trip into a fairytale

Thanks Val

Hi Val love that Nyala from the previuos episode. Looks like he has had his horns in a termite mound.
That poor dog, but maybe we should find his master and find out the whole story.

Val, had some catching up to do.......the last 2 episodes where from a special place in the Park for me, with wonderful sightings and super pics

The Mahonie Loop is a lovely drive + Pafuri area must have the most magical drive between the fever trees and along the river in the whole Park, ....for me like another world.... just stunning.

Poor doggie

Oh no Val! I feel absolutely heart broken about that poor domestic dog! He looks so thin and must have had a very bad experience before he died!

We would have been the first ones to visit you at your brand new cottage on Baobab Hill! That I can assure you!

Your pictures are all fantastic! My favourite ... the Crested Barbet!

That is a huge Croc! And he looks hungry!

Thanks for another lovely episode!

Hi Val,

After a week of unexpected work at the office and a "lightning fast internet connection " I am back on board .
Thanks for keeping us up to date with all the encounters in Kruger . Lots of beautiful sightings .

Thanks for sharing .

I'm so behind with all my reports!!!

Last of the 4 night trip will hopefully be tomorrow, then I must do quick reports on this week's day visits...............mostly uneventful, until today.....watch this space!!!!

Thanks you all you wonderful friends for your continued support and lovely comments!!!

Not to worry, with all the stunning pics ans Tr you already shared with us, we will wait.
Ps. Nice photo of all with Daron

Elsa, RayK, Kallis, Chirinda, Carol, SM, Pumbaa, Sparrow, Trrp, Hilda, Barry and Philip.............many thanks for your lovely comments!!

Day 45 (Dec 15th)
Today we packed up, and left camp by 6am. It was a sunny morning, so we knew we wouldn't have brilliant sightings.

We crossed the causeway, and were delighted to see our Openbill again, and a small croc, who had his mouth open, displaying a very yellow inner lining!!

The water was just like glass, and with the trees reflected in it, it made a wonderful sight and photo opportunity.

I have always loved this causeway, in all seasons, as it always has plenty to offer.

We decided to see how the Giraffe carcass was doing, and wondered what might be there, having a feast............Jackals and maybe Vultures?

We were disappointed to find nothing at all, though there still seemed to be plenty of flesh on the upper legs!! Perhaps we had just called in at the wrong time?

We saw our family of six Giraffe again, only this time they had increased to nine!! However they were all spread out, munching on the leaves of various bushes, so no good photos.

We also saw some Warthogs, Nyalas, a Steenie and a few Ellies, and then we were very excited to see a family of Banded Mongooses...........too quick for a photo, but a first for all of us!!

We joined the main road, and motored at a steady speed to Mopani, with very little to see, though at one of the waterholes we did see a huge breeding herd drinking thirstily from the water tower, and there was one Ellie who was intent on having a really good scratch up against a tree trunk. He looked so comical, and reminded us of Balou in the Jungle Book film!!

We had another delicious (early) brunch at Mopani, and chatted to the manager, who is really on the ball, and making his mark there. Well done Adrian!!

Then it was home time, and as it was now midday and very hot, we decided to drive at a steady 50 back to Phala, as we didn't think that we would see much.

We had only just left Mopani, when our daughter shouted......"I think it's probably just a rock, but...............stop Dad!!!"

Well it's just as well we did, because flopped down under a tree, was a magnificent male Lion!!! It was not the best of views, but a male Lion is a male Lion, and another first for the kids!!

We saw a few of our regular friends on the H14, including a huge dagga boy, and we were very amused to see a "headless" Giraffe!!

We arrived home mid pm........exhausted, but very happy with our four nights into paradise.

Too tired to cook, we ordered a Take Away from the pub, which was delish, and we squeezed the last of the Amarula out of the bottle, and reflected on our time in the far north of my beloved park!!

So many "firsts for the kids" and they had loved it all..........and a return for Dungy and me, to our land of mystery, enchanted forests and hidden gems!!

We will be back!!

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

Beautiful sightings with awesome pictures Val and Dungy! Great shots of the Open-billed Stork and the Croc waiting for something to touch his tongue!

What a magnificent scenery picture taken on the causeway! And that Ellie really itched all over!

Awesome male Lion, Dagga Boy and I LOVE your "headless" Giraffe!

More great pics Val and I just love the ellie getting down to a very good scratch!
sure the tree will never be the same again.
Glad the kids got to see a lovely male Lion.

Once more you have delivered a wonderful episode of super sightings and awesome pics.

Great that the family had their Lion sighting.

Just a stunning picture of the river view ... just love the reflection perfect.

What great shots of the Ellie...really enjoying the old scratch.