SANParks.org Forums

We were 1st to collect our permit and had th honor to unlock the main gate to the park. Yes please!!! I know small things and all that..lol. Ok so we head up to Leeudril first to find a Leopard or the Cheetah family. We found a pair of Secretary Birds.


CO9E3455.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

And this Hartebeest in beautiful light.


CO9E3459.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

It was very quiet so we turned around at Leeudril and made our way back to Samevloeing. A small herd of Gemsbok were around and I tried to make the most of what photographic opportunities they presented seeing that we still had good light.


CO9E3490.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

On the dune road it was stop and go, stop and go as we shot the birdies This Scaley-feathered Finch played along nicely.


CO9E3497.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

We dropped down into the riverbed and stopped for one of many Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters.


CO9E3551.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

It was still reasonably quiet but a family of Suricate provided plenty of fun.......tbc as soon as the page turns again.

Bonus pic to help move the thread along


CO9E3287.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

Thanks for the teamwork in getting the page turned. As I said previously, we stopped right next to a Suricate lookout. He didn't even look our way. It wasn't long before the whole family came above ground and started to forage for roots and grubs.


CO9E3567.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

This little guy was so small and was frightened by every small movement of the flowers and plants. It was really funny to observe the behavior of the clan.


CO9E3572.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

This was the relief lookout, who opted for a higher vantage point.


CO9E3637.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

We eventually moved off, but had to make a quick stop for another first for me in the KTP. I think it is an Acasia Pied Barbet. I only managed to get one frame before it flew off.


CO9E3645.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

We checked in at Urikaruus, had lunch and headed north again. The afternoon was quiet with the following sightings.

Slender Mongoose in Dalkeith Loop.


CO9E3751.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

One of two young kudus near the Dalkeith waterhole.


_MG_0474.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

We headed back to Urikaruus......tbc

We had spent our last night in the KTP in Urikaruus, packed our bags, said our goodbyes and headed North for a final look at what KTP wants to show us. We stopped for a few birdies like the STBE.


_MG_0484.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

This Marico Flycatcher.


CO9E3847.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

In Veertiende loop we came upon no less than 18 Black backed Jackals on and around a Gemsbok kill. WOW!. They were in perfect morning light and the we were all alone


CO9E3897.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

There were also 2 Tawney Eagles scavenging for scraps and provided great photographic opportunities.


CO9E3957.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr


CO9E3971.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr


CO9E3986.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

Back the jackals...as the carcas shrunk, every now and then tempers would flare and fights would break out.


CO9E4000.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr


CO9E4007.jpg by cooper5022, on Flickr

KTP was saying goodbye in style...tbc.