SANParks.org Forums

Isn't kinda funny: In July this year it was the first time ever that
I noticed a bird spreading its wings and basically sunbathing flat
on the floor. Ever since I have seen so many images of this.
How come that this is always the case after your heard of or seen
something for the first time? Anyhoo, like that pic!

And you being you and your dad being your dad, I'm sure you got
treated on that sunset drive.

Bring it on.

Mel, I just love your squirrel picture. What cute critters.. oh dear, rather a sinister pool you have there though true Kruger compilation.. a bit of everything and the humour

Mel, congratulations on your Cammer of the year award. I'm so pleased for you.

Your poor old lion - sad but that's 'the law of the jungle'. Loved the woodhoopoe dust bathing. I haven't seen one of them doing that before.

Hi Mel,
I am trying to catch up on all the TR's and here I am. You had excellent and some unusual sightings

Sad about the Lion but the birdies are beautiful

I am sure your drive on the last evening of your stay was very successful?

Hey Mel!

That croc pic is awesome - almost a puddle, yet the croc remains... it's a little unnerving, and reminds me of Northern Queensland (those crocs are just so resourceful!)

I'm DYING to hear about your final sunset drive - I really hope Kruger pulled out all stops for you!

Hi Mel!

Thanks for another beautiful day in Kruger . Looking forward to the night drive and what you and Dad saw .

Hi to all
Melphs Dad again. Firstly, my heartiest congratulations to Melph68 for her award for the best cammer. I am very proud of her but the main reason for my message is to let her and all of you know just how wonderful her trip report of Africa has been. Every episode superbly illustrated with pictures amd then the written words. It makes me feel that I am in Africa again. I am sure you would all agree that it is a great trip report to date. Melph and I are returning to Africa in 2015 to try and better the first trip. We will keep you all informed of the date for the trip and who knows, we could just run into some of you there. Let's hope - that would be great! Best Wishes to you all for Christmas and the New Year. Once again, to my beautiful daughter - Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Melphs Dad

My congrats to Melps also and a beeeg

So nice to see Father and Daughter so CLOSE together as one. Specially in this modern age

Wishing the two of you a BLESSED CHRISTMAS & Awesome 2013

Hi Melphs Dad!

Have to agree with you on the thank you to Melph for making this such a special TR! But a thank you must be given to you as well! Looking forward to your return in 2015! May you also have a blessed Christmas and 2013!

Hi Melph's Dad,

If there was an award for the "best supporting Dad in KNP" you would have won it! Melph's report was fantastic, the written part as well as the pictures, and you played a great role in it all!

Wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2013 too!

Hello David, nice to see you posting again. Yes, your girl is a clever kid, isn't she.

I have 2015 diarised, just need some finer details closer to the time.

Mel, where are you?????? Enough Christmas shopping now, come and give us a Christmas prezzie of another post.

Blessings to you both for Christmas and hope that 2013 will be a good year.

Hello again!!

And thank you Philip1, Trrp-trrrrrrrr, hilda, bushbuddies, Pumbaa, Lionspoon, Meandering Mouse, Vlakvarkvrou, Melrockson, barryels and chirinda.

I so appreciate you all for your continued interest in and support of this very slowly written TR

But you're right chirinda, it's a very busy time of year! All that Christmas shopping to do
They don't call it the silly season for nothing

Also a big special hello to my Dad!!! Thank you for those lovely words
I'm so glad you could log in again!!! It's wonderful to see you here

Now, I hope you all enjoy the next episode

Orpen Sunset Drive

Dad and I were so excited about this evening's drive and eagerly greeted the 4 other guests and our guide at the safari truck

Our guide asked each of us in turn what we'd really like to see.
Dad and I said leopard
The German couple wanted to see hyenas and the American couple wanted a pride of lions

It was a beautiful afternoon and there were many animals out soaking up the last of the sun




Soon the shadows were getting longer (that's us in the truck )


as the sun disappeared....


Our excitement was growing What would we see in the dark of the African night?

In the fading light we came upon a breeding herd of ellies, with a very little one!


Next up a warthog family that were preparing to bunker down for the night


For a while after the warties it was very quiet. Then up ahead we saw headlights coming towards us.
It was a German couple running VERY late for gate-closing. It was around 7.30pm by this stage
I heard the guide say something about having to pay a fine, and the German fellow said something like "It was worth it."

What was worth it?? What had they seen that made them so late for the gate??

Only a short while down that road and we saw the reason they were late.

Wild dogs!!!

Again!! Our second sighting for the day!!!

As you can imagine, it was difficult to take pics of the dogs in the dark, with people moving the spotlight here, there and everywhere.
Nevertheless I clicked away and was pleased that some of the 100-odd photos worked out OK

About half of the pack were lounging around on the side of the road and the other half were jostling and playing with each other on the tar

I also got a little video clip of the pack
Because I was sitting right behind the guide, my camera microphone was able to pick up her interesting commentary.
You can also hear me moan when she said it was time to go….

Wonderful and sad to see the state of the lion at the kill

Love your 'general game' pics

Gorgeous wild dogs on the night drive and great pics