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Hi hilda
Thanks for your lovely comments always
Unfortunately my dream to hear lions roaring had to wait until Dad and I got to Addo!!

Hi vinkie
As a fellow webcam addictee, I'm sure you can imagine just how wonderful it was to be at the waterhole in person
The only problem with having a view of the waterhole from our bungalow though was that I hardly slept a wink for looking out at it all night!!

Hi Barry
Thank you for taking the time to check in again
I know how busy life can be, especially when you are writing a fabulous TR of your own!!

A very big welcome to TheMiggies

Gosh, I'm glad your boss didn't catch you reading all 52 pages at once!!
It's great to have you on board and I hope you enjoy what's to come

Hi Heksie
It was a weird feeling sitting at the fence in the dark by myself
I knew that I was safe, but even when a friendly kudu walked past I got a bit spooked


Now, I hope you will all sit back and enjoy our final day in Kruger

Orpen and surrounds

After peeking out at the waterhole all night, I can barely describe how tired I felt when I woke up

BUT, this was our last full day in Kruger so we had to make the most of every minute we had left.
We were up and out the gates by 6.30am

I have heard people on the forums mention how Kruger can often save the best until last.
We still hadn't seen a honey badger, serval, python, cobra, mamba, cheetah, wild dogs or a lion kill.
I knew it was greedy to ask Kruger for all that in one day so I crossed my fingers for cheetah, wild dogs or lions on a kill

First up out the gate I was delighted to see some black-backed jackals warming themselves in the sun


Followed shortly thereafter by a cute dwarf mongoose keeping an eye out for danger


Then up ahead we saw some cars and dark shapes in the road
I couldn't make out what they were but as we got closer a feeling of intense elation started coursing through my body. Could it possibly be???

OMW yes!!! WILD DOGS!!!




After nearly 2 weeks in Kruger, finally we set eyes on these incredible animals
Forgive all the photos. As you can imagine I was clicking away like mad!


At first they seemed quite relaxed…


Until, after some imperceptible signal from the boss the atmosphere of the pack changed in an instant.


Then all of a sudden they were running TOWARDS us!!


I didn't notice until I went through the photos that I caught some of the dogs in mid air!!


And just look at those teeth!!


Just before our car they veered off the road and disappeared into the bush, leaving 2 Aussies sitting there like stunned mullets

Funnily enough, all traces of sleepiness had disappeared and I almost wept with the gratitude I felt to have experienced this amazing sight

What a wonderful start to the day!!

Mel,

How awesome was that???? Congrats!!!

Daron

It indeed was an extremely successful start to your day!
Surely, the wild dogs must have been the most thrilling experience during your KNP visit!
Those encounters in Addo are a different story.

Curious to learn if there were more sightings from your bucket list to be ticked off that day.

Oiyoiyoiyoiyoi
Now its my turn to be I've never seen dogs on the road like that, and so many - another item on my wishlist. They've always been tucked away under a bush or sleeping on the side. So the bag attracted them ????? I'd better keep the cheetah bag for you



Aug/Sept 2015 duly noted.

WoW doggies, Mel

and I can very well imagine how fast the tireness disappeared after such a thriling morning gift - adrenaline was rushing through your venes

Fab photos - so glad you got see them (One uneducated KNP visitor commented that he was not impressed with the "scruffy dogs" seen in the bush little knowing that it is almost a once in a lifetime sighting for some ) We were privileged to see WD on our first visit to KNP many many moons ago and it ws also near to Orpen!
Waiting for more please

And there you have it Mel, Kruger did indeed saved something special for last . Those doggie photos are stunning . Thanks for sharing

Mel, I have spend the best part of today soaking up all your amazing sightings, great reporting, highs, lows and comments, enjoyed every minute with you and your Dad

It would be a crying shame if I did not let you know what an awesome time I have had. As this seems to be your last full day in KNP on this TR

You have amazing pics and the memories will live on for ever, this will help ease the withdrawal symtoms a bit. It is so that you can your Dad could enjoy this experience together.

I loooooove the Orpen cams Have been following my family of warties with 6 little ones from December, watched them grow.

Roll on 2015 !!!!!!

Oh wow Mel, Wild dogs on your first visit. How amazing is that! Still yet to see them.

Only 19 more sleeps

Orpen is one of the best camps to see the dogs, I saw (probably) the same pack last November. Did you try to count them? I saw 14 and it would be interesting to know if they splitted up and if they are all doing well
But I'm sure that wasn't the only outstanding sighting of your last day