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welcome back .
not a lot of time... hurry up

Panekoek! I envy you! Just coming back from Kruger, and you are almost on your way to KTP!!!

I am looking forward to read all about your KNP trip BEFORE you leave for KTP!

Welcome aboard everyone

I am processing as many photos as fast as I can. As you know I am still an extreme beginner at image editing and at photography in general so please bare with me

So let me start by saying that this trip was a trip full of firsts for me.
1. It was the first time that I went to the Kruger without someone older than me. Ie. My parents.
2. It was the first time that I drove there and back.
3. It was the first time my girlfriend had ever been to the Kruger properly and she was very skeptical as to whether she would enjoy it or not.
4. It was the first time that I have ever gone to the park with a yellow ribbon
5. It was the first time that I have ever met a forumite.
6. It was the first time I have ever seen an actual kill (More about that later)
7. It was the first time I have ever seen a certain animal
8. It was the first time I was using my own camera and lens that I bought
9. I bought my first bird book and I tried to make as much use of it as possible

Im sure I will think of more first and will add them later

So we left Pretoria at 2:30am on the way, we saw a serval run across the road We eventually arrived at Malelane gate at 6am and we could not wait to get into the park. I did all the paperwork, set up the camera, and we were in.

The first day was set to be a long one as we we staying in Lower Sabie but we had to drive to Skukuza first to meet a friend. So off we went. Of course, the first animal we saw was:



On the way up to Skukuza we saw 2 (apparently) very rare birds. A sooty falcon and a Madagascar cukoo. The were both unfortunately too far for photos. We carried on and saw our first traffic jam The cause of this jam:






It was the famous Skukuza pack of 20+ dogs. An amazing sighting to get the trip started. We then got to Skukuza, met our friend, I bought my bird book, and we were then off to Lower Sabie.

On the way we were treated to these two ladies chilling on the rocks. They were very far away but a great sighting nonetheless



Nearing Lower Sabie we saw some impala calves feeding



Sooo Cute

We then got to Lower Sabie to start the braai and settle in after a long yet successful first day

TBC...

Hallo Panekoek,
Glad to see you are still here


Your trip started with a bang and I am sure your girlfriend enjoyed it as much as you did

Congratualtions on your wild dogs and the Ladies on the rocks

Wonderful to start your adventure with so many firsts, your own memories to be made.

Absolutely amazing start with awesome sightings....Wild dogs and Lions with super pics

Those baby Impies are the cutest things ever...just too adorable.

Hi Panekoek,

really a very impressive start with wild dogs, lions and gorgeous impalas

a lot of first time
superb start... with Wild Dogs

A long list of firsts for you Panekoek! How nice!

Awesome start to your trip with Wild Dogs and Lions!

Looking forward to more!

Great start to your KNP trip - painted doggies and ladies on the rocks

Great sightings and Tr, Panekoek

You did very well for the First" time

Thanks for all the replies guys

So the next morning we were up at 3:45 sharp to be first at the gate. We were the second car there but it doesnt matter cause that car went a different way anyway

We decided to do the s28 first and on the way there we were greeted by this beautiful couple







What a great sighting it was .

We carried on to the s28. We did not see much for the first few KMs. But on the way down, I saw my first Yellow Ribbon ever And I also met my first forumite ever (I dont think he knows that) It was flying Cheetah! And he was so nice and informed me about the famous lions in trees later down the road We got there but they were so far. But here is a "proof pic"



On the way back up to lower sabie we saw flying cheetah again, this time we shared an incredible sighting! Just the 2 of us. I have not seen this too often





It was really Special! After that, we parted ways and headed back to our respective camps. My SO and I were tired so we decided to have a sleep before a memorable Sunset drive... TBC...

Panekoek great sightings,can't believe those lion in the tree.Have heard about them but never in the 35 years that we have being going to Kruger have I ever seen them. Actually they must look quite funny, not what you would normally look for in a tree

Wow, magic Lions and Giraffe. Surely monkeys will get worried if they got competition in trees?

What a great start to your trip panekoek. Can't wait to see more

Great Lion sighting Panekoek!

So glad you met your first Yellow Ribbon in the Park! That is always nice!

We have only heard about tree-climbing Lions, but still have to see it!

It really is awesome to watch a Giraffe drinking water!

Looking forward to read all about your sunset drive!