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Bume River

In late December 2002 the N'watimhiri river came down in a flash flood during the day. Also some of the tributaries that one crosses. The roads were closed but some cars were actualy on them in the flood - it was scary by all accounts. The river from the high level bridge on H4-1 was a deep, churning seething, muddy mass and later it was distinctly visable from Lubyelubye (Sabie river) and also turned the dam in front of Lower-Sabie chocolate brown. Eventualy the overflow also showed signs of mud but most of the silt was caught in the dam. Eventualy this dam will become an alluvial floodplain with a river running through which will be great(er) than ever for wildlife from the camp but that's digressing.
I think most of the other rivers in the central southern area , like the Vurhami , Bume , Mbyimiti were also in the catchment area.

Hi All.

Im Wild Dog expert and this road is hotspot for them.

How do you like the road

Is it Busy

What have you seen on it

Thanks

My family drove this road in June and as I recall they didn't see anything significant on it but really Mark it is all about the right place at the right time and I never like to discount any road in Kruger.
I would drive this road any time I was in the area and it suited my agenda.

I agree with Elsa on both counts, Mark. According to my sightings log,the only thing I saw on this road in May was a BBJ . But I'd likely drive it again next time, because you never know ...

I have travelled the S26 between the S25- and S108-junctions 6 times since 1987. My records show that this piece of road is 2.1 km long. In other words I have done a total of 12.6 km on this short piece of road and I have seen the following during all my trips:

2 Vervet monkeys
1 Baboon
4 Zebra
2 Duiker
5 Kudu
24 Impala

The part of the S26 between the S108- and S102-junctions was driven 4 times and once I turned around after doing 2.9 km of that piece of road. My records show that the total distance between the mentioned junctions is 10.2 km. My total distance travelled on this piece of road was 46.6 km and I have seen the following:

15 Zebra
1 Bushbuck
2 Duiker
7 Kudu
195 Impala
1 Steenbok
2 Wild dog

The part of the S26 between the S102- and S114-junctions (also 10.2 km in distance) was done 3 times (a total of 30.6 km). I have seen the following on these occasions:

1 Zebra
1 Honey Badger
2 Reedbuck
10 Impala
2 Warthog

My experience indicated to me that the S26 is not a road where you should expect lots of game. But it has proven to be one of the roads with some extraordinary sightings. Wild dog is always nice to see and my sightings of these special animals have been rare. The honey badger I saw was the one and only one in the park I ever saw. The reedbuck was one of only three sightings of this rare antelope I have seen in Kruger.

Therefore, although not one of my favourite roads, I have some good memories of the S26.

Had lovely sightings of male lions and wild dog on this road.

Can I follow you next trip?

Arks wrote



Wish I knew when that would be.

The male lions were lying in the road on Christmas Day and we sat watching them for ages - then 2 more cars joined, so we didn't have a traffic jam.

Another day : The wild dog were in the road and some lying in the grass, also few cars around

Those were 2 memorable sightings, but others in the past as well.

Me too — and I have a LOT farther to travel than you

I will try my luck soon and give a report back.

You see Elsa and Arks. It is a Wild Dog Hotspot

Dont mess with the Wild Dog expert

If you need help with wild dog hotspots for your next trip just PM me

The S26:

I have always found this road to be rather slow, even in the impala stakes, but have, after many miles, hours and years, the following "large" sightings to report:
1. Wild dog (2x)
2. Lions (4x)
3. Caracal (1x)

I have mentioned it before in the forum, but I find the S102, which links the S26 with the H5 through Mpondo dam, to be a richly rewarding road. On this 9 km stretch, I have in the past couple of years (since 2003) seen:
1. Wild dog (2x)
2. Lions (4x)
3. Leopard (3x)
4. Cheetah (1x)
5. Jackels and hyeana
6. Rhino, eles, buff and the rest
It really does seem to be a bit of an "oasis"!

What is a BBJ? The large version of a LBJ?

Black Backed Jackal, I think Frederik.