SANParks.org Forums

DD.

If there is one thing I have learned on the forum it is that we all have our own personal preferences and opinions, based on our individual experiences.

EG. When in the KNP last year July, we saw a Leopard 900 m south of the Olifants turn-off. I know as well as anyone else, that that Leopard will probably have moved on, or worse.

Based on this, and the desire to experience different places, I will be camping at Balule come end April (29 and 30). You can bet that I will be spending some time, however futile, looking for that Leopard again.

This BTW, is on the H1-4.

There are so many options and alternatives, it's scary.

It is also an interesting occurence when you decide in the morning to follow a particular route only to find no game. Then you discover later that your neighbour went the alternative route that you were thinking about, and he saw it all. Has happened to me more times than I would care to recall.

Another eg. is to take the S100. I swear by thisroad and have seen some really great things on it. Others would strongly disagree (Bush Baptist be one of those).

When traveling between Satara and Olifants we always do the S100 - S41 - S90 - S92 route.
On all the roads except the S90 (up to the hyeana den) I've had good sightings. But the S90 itself? So far nothing yet... Well, a few ellies in the distance, that's it.

Always? Like in twice?

Like in 4 times so far.... 2009 is still far away...

I like there H1-4, s90, s41, s100 (contrary to WTM ) loop. A quick check at N'wanetsi is also a must

WTM ........

Not that anyone has influenced me or anything
but i think i will stick with the h1-4 this time around... maybe some other time will i do the s90...

Thanx DQ

I once saw a Temmink's courser on the S90, and not much else....

...if you're saying so ..

Hi dotdan -- think the H1- 4 is a good choice. Keep a look out for the hyena den just before the S89 turn off -- they are often at the waterhole too (Ngotso north).
That is also an option -- take the S89 and go over the low water bridge at Balule (another hyena den just before Balule from that direction), quick pit-stop at Olifants, and then back onto the tar to Letaba (via the lookout and the high level bridge).

Time to awaken this topic from its 2007 slumber

Tell me, tell me,
what are your experiences on this dirt road from Balule to Satara??
Have you seen many aMiNals? Anything special?

It is the only road I havn't driven in the Central region But I scheme that will change in December

We travelled the first stretch of this road from Satara a few times in Jan this year. Fabulous for birding. Saw yellow bishops, a secretary bird, usually good for ostrich and kori bustard as well. We've also seen lions along there on occasions. Further up nearer to Balule we've seen hyenas and once, an AWC. I don't tend to do the entire road though as I prefer the S89 and H1-4.

I just love the s90 i drive it everytime when i am in satara.iwill be there next week.
Lots of lion and buffs.
one of the s90 lions

Thanks Saraf
An AWC Super! Always nice to see kori bustards and ostriches North of Satara

Thanks Esto
Super lion pic
In satara next week Can we expect a Trip Report? Or at least update the satara sightings topic

I have driven the s90 stretch from the H1-4 to the S41 twice.
Saw these two big boys drinking all to myself


Also nice ostriches, jackal and general game

Some people reckon the stretch up to Balule seems too dry ... however it might be a better road after the rains