SANParks.org Forums

Ouch, rhino experience sounds scary! The only black rhino we've seen in Addo ran away!

On a brighter note the leopard piccies are great. Also love the hippo's. Still waiting to see a leopard anywhere!

Kaapsedraai, that must be one of the best disguised Lion logs I have ever seen . Their camouflage is just amazing.

Lovely

PetraJ - thank you, hope I will do justice by adding value through my TR

hilda - SO spotted the kudu and was unigue, and we were lucky with another 11 lion sightings on our trip. An observation picked up is that you and barryels will be visiting Kgalagadi and Kruger the same time and both from Pretoria . Thank you for comments

Trrp-trrrrrrrr - appreciate comments

Sheenaugh-Lee - not sure about pigmentation on kudu, but the next posting will have lots of painted ones AND the slow-walking guy with rolling eyes you so protective about...

Soft Top - thank you and we had a magnificent leopard sighting during our stay in Satara...

Meandering Mouse - agree with lion logs, some of the real logs makes one . Thank yo for comment

When in Kruger one lost track of time and which day it is, I guess this is partly why a Kruger experience is so unique in a way. Our first stop, as we left Skukuza for Biyamiti, guess where…Lake Panic of course!

Whilst occupying the corner, trying to capture those blue waxbills busy building a nest, a gentleman was busy setting up his camera with a massive lens (poor birds – ‘tongue in cheek’) – on a tripod and taking photos with a remote device. Here I am with a 400 mm lens, just admiring his bazuka – wondering how those photos will look like – must be brilliant. Maybe some of you might recognize the feeling … maybe I must leave now…crossed my mind???. But then I thought - no, no need to feel intimidated… ‘one day when I am big….’.

This was our last stop at Lake Panic and as we approached the T junction with H11, a gentleman stopped us and said we must go to the S1 Doispane road…we will not be disappointed . So, we turned right and off we went and just about 1 km from the H11 on the S1, there they were ...running in an effortless and rhythmic fashion down the road, all 16 of them – wild/painted dogs WOW . We followed them for a few hundred metres when they suddenly all stopped and decided it is time to rest. This was time to get up close and personal with them… photo shoot time!


it is time out time...I got 14 of the 16 in this shot.


A taxi came past and ran them all over.... just jocking, they were all sleeping or are they playing dead hoping we will all go home?


It was just so interesting to see how they get on with one another - "if you rest your leg on my body, then I am using yours as a cushion".


Jik, he was letting it all out and once done rolled in it and then started to eat it again...


With this face, one is tempted to put him in the boot and take him home...


Heading towards Biyamiti on the H3, we met Adoons and family, but this guy, the main man, had other things on his mind – it makes one appreciate what such an animal can do with those teeth .


Further down the road we spotted this ‘trap-suutjie’ (verkleurmannetjie of is dit ‘n verkleurvroutjie?) or translated chameleon. I have read Sheenaugh-Lee's concern for them in B.B.B.B.B’s thread, hence thought – a must inclusion. This was 1 of 3 sightings of these ‘rolling eyes – guys’.


Heading towards Biyamiti, we first did a brunch-stop at Afsaal. Although it was hot, we tasted some amarula coffee –“as Jan Spies used to say – mmm koffie kapitaal”. I did not spot the owl in the trees at the time of visit – wondering if the owl is still there – perhaps someone could advise, please. Then we were off to a spot that I had fond memories of - Biyamiti Weir!

To do justice to this unique spot, I have clustered all my sightings in one as we visited the area twice over the next 2 days. Look out for my next posting – where I will also share why I fell in love with this spot – Biyamiti Weir..coming up next…

Awesome sightings Kaapsedraai .

The kudu with the skin pigmentation is something special

Awesome doggie pic's .

Thanks for sharing

That's because barryels is my SO Kaapsedraai! He is not allowed to visit any Park without me!

Wow! But you hit the Wild Dog Jackpot! Stunning pictures of them, especially the shot with 14 out of the 16 in one picture! Very well done!

It really looks as if they are playing dead in the next picture!

This is not the first time that I read about them vomiting, rolling around in it and then eating it again! Disgusting! But I wonder why they do that?

"This face" looks so sweet and kind, but those EYES give everything away! Fierce!

Yes, that Baboons teeth will shred one into pieces! Very dangerous!

Love the Chameleon! They are very special!

Biyamiti Weir .... what a wonderful, peaceful, BEAUTIFUL place!

Too true .... ...Would it not be wonderful if the time would just stop, for a longer stay.

Wow!!! what a special sighting of the Wild dogs.... ....amazing pics... can hear your camera clicking away.

Won't mess with that Baboon..looks fearce.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks a lot Kaapsedraai
I do like your pictures
Your doggies are stunning
I haven't seen wild dogs for ages !
I wish I could next time in august

great baboon shot...and all those dogs...

john

Kaapsedraai, I love your style very entertaining.

What a fantastic experience. I still think that nothing beats the excitement of Wilddogs on the move... and playing dead, of course.

Kaapsedraai, thank you for bringing Kruger into my home

Ok Kaapsedraai Jy het my jaloers gemaak I have been looking for the wild dog since 1998 en elke keer wil hulle nie vir my gesig wys nie ek hoop jet daai kar se registrasie neergeskryf dat hy my volgende keer kan help LOL ... Dankie vir die vekleermannetjie pic LOVE THEM have you ever put a chameleon on a smartie box its hysterically funny the poor bloke doesn't know what colour to turn, don't feel embarrassed about your pics they are STUNNING thanks for the Great TR

Thank you to all - barryels & hilda (enjoy KTP ), Trrp-trrrrrrrr, Goronta, john n poppy, Meandering Mouse, Philip1, Sheenaugh-Lee. I really appreciate everyone's feedback

On the wild dogs matter, it might be approprate to share this experience: We were in Kruger 2009 & 2010 and never seen wild dogs. 2011 Dec we headed north starting 1st night at Sable hide and our friends that were with us parted half-way as they were heading south and we north - whilst in Punda Maria they sms-ed us they got wild dog sighting ay Crocodile bridge on their way out.
Impulsively we decided that we must go south as our last camp was Letaba and planned to exit Orpen gate, we contacted Satara and they got an open bumgalow so we extended our stay with another day. Now we can from Satara spend our time exiting south in the hope to see wild dogs. Last night at6 Satara, less than 2 hours before gate closing, heading west towards Orpen gate, entered the S39 Timbivati road and few kms up the road we noticed a bakkie flashing lights at us. As we got closer - there they were - pack of wild dogs - our first wild dog sighting! Our extra day paid off!!! Here is one of the guys showing teeth.

Kaapsedraai,

Wow!!!! Stunning.

FANTASTIC Kaapsedraai! Theextra day indeed paid off!