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Wanda & Mark

Had to catch up from way way way way back, but what a trip! Leos, Spots and my fav loads of birdies!

Every picture is just stunning! The most awesome stunning variety of sightings, you guys must had the best time ever!

Thanx for sharing, just stunning!

I would like to add my thanks to those of wanderw, for all the comments and feedback. Sorry about the delay, but here goes.

After an awesome GK stay, we headed back south via Nossob to Urikaruus. Some highlights from this part of the trip. A pair of Secretary Birds; we saw a number of these, sometimes in groups of up to 10. It is great to see that these birds are doing so well in the KTP, since their numbers outside the parks are dwindling.


A juvenile Gabar Goshawk at Kwang giving us an inquisitive look.


Ground Scraper Thrush in Nossob camp, which had a scramble of forumites taking pics.

We were in a queue at the gate at Nossob to go out on a game drive – KDU and Francolin in the 1st car, then Wanderw’s sister and brother-in law, then us. All 3 cars were going south and Wanderw’s sister was on gate duty and walked to the gate to open it. KDU and Francolin pointed and shouted “cobra”, which was slaloming between the gate struts . Wanderw’s sister calmly stepped away from the gate and the cobra then continued across the gate and disappeared south. Thanks KDU and Francolin for the heads up !


Sunset near Rooikop.

Arriving back at Nossob, we noticed a lady casually taking pics of a cat. We screeched to a halt, and she commented about the nice domestic cat! Cameras were out and we started taking pics of the AWC (seems to be resident at Nossob), with KDU and Francolin and others soon joining in. The AWC remained untroubled by all the attention and posed for long enough for all to get pics, then moved off on the hunt.

Heading down to Urikaruus, we came across a camper stopped just outside Nossob. We pulled alongside to ask what they were looking at. They explained that they had stopped to watch a pair of juvenile PCGs, and one had hopped onto the roof of their car. Everytime they pulled off slowly and drove on, then stopped to check if the PCG was gone, it would reappear on the roof. This had been going on for about 200m. The PG was now in a position that they could not see, and they asked us to check if it was still there, and here it is, hitching a ride south.

Eventually the PCG hopped across to a nearby tree and they were able to drive off. At Marie se Draai, we rediscovered a family of Spotted Eagle Owl’s from the previous evening.



A large kudu at Kaspersdraai with the tip of one horn broken.

Crossing the top dune road, evidence of the recent fire.

A female Northern Black Korhaan that posed instead of running for cover.

Back into the Aoub, a recent lion kill at Kamfersboom – lots of vultures including Lappet-faced.

One very happy jackal almost climbing inside.

Three lions sleeping under a tree nearby.

Then on to Urikaruus....?

Mark & Wanda........thank you for such a nice and Stunning TR and photos

oups Cape Cobra close by

not only Cheetahs use car for hunting, but also PCG
nice to see a happy Jackal

it's a mode... bird with the head upsidedown

thank you

Love the birds!

The juvenile Gabar Goshawk photo should be in every chiropractors' office. Guaranteed to increase business

I am also one who is tasked with gate duty. I'd like to think I would have reacted calmly in a similar situation, but there are no guarantees

Love the bird photos. They all seemed to pose nicely for you

Thanks Mark,

especially for the spotted eagle owl chicks, the cute AWC and the stunning sunset - Sigh

That Rooikop sunset is dramatically beautiful!!!

And I had a good laugh at the hitchhiker.

Great pics all around, Mark.

Lots of interesting encounters
cobra, domesticated cat,hitch-hiker, kill, vultures etc etc....

I just had another look at the UE picnic spot lion again and found
that he's the one that I for my own purposes named Clarence.
(Although it doesn't look as if he is really cross-eyed, judging by
your photos. I only got pics of him with his left eye being bound
inward...) We saw the very same guy on the 28th October,
5 kilometres north outside GK. When did you stay in GK? He
had walked quite a bit inbetween our respective stays.

Stunning images of the storm, well done

Can't believe I missed your report but after reading and looking at all the image all I can say is superb!!

Oops had some catching up here . What absolutely amazing sightings and awesome pics of All.

Wonderful landscape pics very special.

Sunset pic is breathtaking.