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We enjoyed the 3 days at Shingwedzi, except for the last day when a cold wind was blowing.

We drove to the Red Rocks viewpoint. We were there for quite a while before we realised a klipspringer was standing on the rocks below.
He was so small, we almost missed him.



Impis also near Red Rocks. They make such beautiful photos!!!







The ostriches always look so out of place in KNP. It certainly is not their natural habitat?



We stopped on the Shingwedzi bridge to watch an ellie digging for water.
Amazing how they can smell the water under the sand.







More ellies near Shingwedzi.








On our way to the Red Rocks we saw 2 hyenas lying next to the road.








On our last night we had 3 visitors! Well, not at the same time ……







This beautiful little buck came to say goodbye before we left for Skukuza.

Super Mongoose: It is very sad how humans destroy the natural habitat.
I think it is a Sharpe's Grysbok. The first one I have ever seen. It was great to see this beautiful little buck.

Hilda:
When I first saw him he was lying down. One can easily think it is a rock!


Philip 1: The ellies are amazing animals. Love to watch them!!

Pumbaa: I am so glad you mention the little Sharpe's Grysbok. I was so excited, but was not sure if it was a Sharpe's Grysbok!!! Thanks!!!!!!

Barryels: Absolutely!!

Hilda: Thanks for the reminder!

Trrp-trrrrrrr: Thanks again!!!

Sharifa:
He is the best!!!!

Chip: Yes, indeed!

Skukuza and surroundings:

We wanted to stay at LS for the last few days. Fortunately we could change our original plans and stay 5 days at LS and 2 at CB. That meant we were booked at Skukuza for the next two days.
Actually only sleeping two nights and one day for driving around.

Near Satara:





While driving to Skukuza we saw a few cars at the Mazithi Dam. All we could see was a few hippos, an ellie standing with his trunk over his one tusk and a few warthogs playing. While we were passing the cars I looked back and almost screamed: Wait!! I think there are lions!!!
Well, no way to go back. We were way past the action!!! But we were able to see some great action. We counted 4 lions. At one stage one of the lions charged at the warthogs. No luck for the lion and he came back.
Quite unbelievable but the warthogs came back to the water. It seems that the warthogs were not aware of the lions so near the water. Then we saw the four lions all looking in the direction of the warthogs. Suddenly one of the lions charged the warthogs, but again they were too quick for the lion and the lion came back. Maybe there was a kill and the lions were protecting it. Sadly at that point we had to leave.









Chasing the warthogs away!







Not far from the Mazithi Dam a traffic jam …. looking at …..??? Five lions!!
It was impossible to take good photos. This photo was the best I could manage. At least we saw the five lions.
There were too many cars and some of the lions moved away.



We saw ellies with babies crossing the road causing another traffic jam!

When arriving at Skukuza we were tired. We decided to have dinner at Selati Restaurant. The food was good, we enjoyed our own company, we had good wine, Excellent was once again our waiter, but …… we missed the children. The last time we had dinner at Selati the children were with us and we had a wonderful time. Life is all about making memories.

Selati Restaurant:

Skukuza and surroundings:

The next morning we took the Doispane Road and missed a leopard by a few seconds!!! On the S65 we were fortunate to watch two steenbuck playing and running. They were very close to the car and were not afraid.









A cold wind was blowing. For the first time it felt like winter. Still driving on the S65 we saw 2 lions. Apparently they were walking in the road before they decided to rest. They were not too visible, but when the wind brushed over and flattened the grass we could see them.





(27 Lions to go)

Near the Transport Dam we saw a Striped Sandsnake ( ) on the road, beautiful kudu, waterbuck and zebras.











At Skukuza we visited the museum and the cemetery for dogs, the Little Heroes Acre.

Always man’s best and faithful friend.
I was surprised at the dates on the stones. So many dogs have done their "duty" in the Park.

Lower Sabie:

We have only 7 days left at the Park. The next 5 days we stayed at LS and the last 2 days at CB.
During our wonderful stay at KNP we had witnessed extraordinary sightings.
Now that our holiday is coming to an end we were so relaxed and could enjoy just being at KNP.
We were amazed that after 31 days at the Park we were still extremely fortunate with wonderful sightings.

14th June 2012:

Near LS one lazy lion.


So good to be at Sunset Dam again!









It was difficult to see the python.


Before returning to the camp lions on the riverbank.








The baboons with their babies at Sunset Dam.

Lower Sabie
15 June 2012

We are not early risers , but this particular morning we were awake very early. It was still quite dark when we left LS. The car in front of us suddenly stopped. Maybe I was not completely awake because I was not prepared to be confronted with mr Lion so suddenly!! I had the wrong lens on my camera and there were no time to swop lenses. Mr Lion was so close marking his territory and I could not decide what to do .....
It was only a few minutes (it felt like seconds!!) and Mr Lion was gone.
I was stunned!! I had a great opportunity and I blew it!!!
I have deleted almost all the photos, except these:











We had great sightings the rest of the day.
(but I keep thinking about the lion and the terrible photos!!!)

Lower Sabie:

16 June 2012:

Today was once again a day of big surprises!!
When we saw the traffic jam we knew it must be cats. When there are so many cars at the same sighting one is greatful for the opportunity to see some of the action. We saw 5 beautiful lions. They were lazy.

















After the beautiful lions left we saw another male lion. He was not too handsome ....




An ellie with a thorn in his foot. We watched as he "pulled" it out!!!




A very, very big ellie!!!


Watching the Bokke against England at LS. The Bokke won!!! It was a good day!!!!

Lower Sabie:

17 th June 2012:

What a surprise! An ellie at Sunset Dam. He enjoyed his bath, then decided that the crocs were right in his way. The impi also alert and watching ....
The crocs disappeared into the water ….. What a great performance!!!






















My favourite photo!!!! They are so cute!!!

Lower Sabie:

18th June 2012:

Our last day at LS. It is always sad to leave LS. Fortunately we will leave with great memories.

LS saying goodbye with a leopard-sighting. Although he was not very near we could see that he was limping when he moved. I do hope it was not too serious. He reappeared, but too many leaves blocked our view.
We were thrilled: leopard nr. 3.











Beautiful Bateleur.




Ellies rushing to the water!

Lower Sabie:

18th June 2012:

A few more highlights of our last day at LS.

Crocodile Bridge.

19th and 20th June 2012.

We spend our last two days and nights at CB. What a beautiful camp. Everything so clean and neat.
The ablution blocks were definitely the cleanest. I would love to come back to CB.
How sad that we will soon be leaving this paradise!!



It was entertaining to watch the warthogs in the camp.
It looked as if they own the camp!!





CB is a good place for animal viewing, especially at the Gezantfombi Dam.











We watched a pair of hamerkoppe building their nest.


The strangest aspect of Hamerkop behavior is the huge nest, sometimes more than 1.5m across, comprising perhaps 10,000 sticks and strong enough to support a man's weight.







Somebody is inspecting the building site!!!


Ellie grazing on the other side of the fence at CB.

Crocodile Bridge.

19th and 20th June 2012.


While driving on the S28 the car in front of us suddenly stopped. The next moment a lion appeared. We could not believe it. Lions with babies crossed the road!!! Ten lions in total. They were in a great hurry. We think they were on the move. A few minutes and they were gone!










This photo is so precious to me. The cutest little lion!!!


We saw a “no entry” roadsign a few meters from where the lions disappeared into the bush. We stopped to see if by any change they will cross that road. To our amazement that is exactly what they did.
Wow, that was good timing. They stopped and looked our way. Then they crossed the road and in a few seconds they were gone …… It was too far for good photos, but this time I did not care. It was so great to see them again!!!













Other Crocodile Bridge sightings:















Tomorrow morning we will leave the Park. We plan to exit the Park at the Crocodile Bridge Gate.
When I started this TR I wrote that we saw 68 lions, 6 cheetas, 4 leopards.

So far we have seen 63 lions, 6 cheetahs, 3 leopards.
Something wrong with my calculation? Maybe …..? We will see …..

21st June 2012.
CHANGE OF PLANS!

We were ready to leave when my SO suggested that we took the H4-2 to LS, then the H4-1 to Skukuza and then the H3 to exit at the Malelane Gate!! We will still have enough time to be in Gauteng before dark. What a wonderful change of plans. Another few hours in the Park!!!
On condition that it will be a “drive through”, and maybe we can stop for a minute or two!!

Our first sighting near the Gezantfombi Dam were 2 lions!!!







Near LS a traffic jam. There were 2 lions, but we only saw 1 male.



A few km further a big, I mean BIG traffic jam. We could not see anything. I asked someone to please just show me where to look!!!
There in the tree: a leopard. A LIT!!!! I only had time to take 2 photos.



Then on the H3 another big traffic jam. Two busses blocking the road. Without seeing anything we waited for almost 45 minutes. Eventually the busses moved. Apparently there were 2 lionesses with cubs. But they have moved and we only had a glimpse of 2 lions.





Now the numbers of the cat sightings are correct: 68 lion, 6 cheetah, 4 leopard!!!!!

On this special last drive we saw lion, leopard, ellies and buffalo and we hoped to see a rhino to complete the Big 5. No luck.
But we were so happy to leave the Park seeing 4 of the Big 5.
We were very, very blessed!










It is time to say goodbye. Maybe I will write another TR someday. Who knows. It was amazing to share our stories.
Thank you for staying with me on this trip. Thank you for being great company.

There were days that I thought I would not be able to complete the TR. I was so heartbroken. On our way to Kruger we visited my brother in Gauteng. Returning home we stayed for another 2 weeks with my brother. He was terminally ill with pancreas cancer. I wanted to be with him on his birthday, 5 July. He died on 9 September 2012. I am so glad I was able to continue writing the TR. I would like to dedicate this TR to my only brother. Like the rhino he has suffered immensely. Although he lost his battle I hope the rhino will somehow survive.

Pics as promised if you look at the one male lion you can see the same 3 dung drops further behind him in the sand. We saw both males. We came from Skukuza so we saw the leopard when there were only 2 cars. Saw the 2 males at LS got onto S28 saw nothing the saw cubs on the steps went to CB at the cubs again someone told us about 3 cheetah on the S28 1km into S28 we saw them just as we onto the H4-2 again another 2 cheetah on a kill all in the same morning.

Mposthumus: Thank you for reading my TR and your condolences. I appreciate it very much.

Hilda:
Thank you for your kind words and condolences. I do appreciate it very much.
I am so sorry to hear about your sister. To see a terminally ill loved one suffer is beyond description.
He was a fighter, I had to finish the report!

Philip 1:
That I do know! We will miss him, but there is no more pain.
Thank you for being on this trip!!! You have become a special friend! I will always look out for you on the Travel Reports!!!

Trrp-trrrrrrrr: Thank you for your sympathy. Also for being a great companion on this TR.

Pumbaa: I hope we will be able to go back to Croc Bridge someday. Thank you for your condolences. I appreciate it very much.

Meandering Mouse: You have no idea how much I appreciate your reply. Thank you for your kindness. The little mouse must feel very safe in the hands that hold him so protective. A great lesson!!!


Spotted Cat: So good to “see” you again!!! Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for reading my TR. Yes, the Punda Maria lions was something very special. A once in a life time experience!!!

Barryels: Thank you for being with me on this trip. Your comments were very much appreciated.


Vinkie:
Thank you for your replies. It was good to have you on this trip!!!
It was a great privilege to dedicate the TR to my brother. He suffered immensely.


Super Mongoose: Thank you for your special reply. It was not always easy to write, but when I made the decision to dedicate this TR to my brother it somehow made me feel better. We were so blessed. We had such a special trip, while he was fighting his last battle.


Now it is time to say goodbye. Many, many thanks to every one who stayed with me on this special trip.
I have made new friends!!!

It is impossible to choose a favorite photo because there are so many!!
I will end this TR with 6 photos that show the amazing animals that are in Kruger.













Tot siens Goodbye Au revoir Auf Wiedersehen