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Nice pics. Glad you could experience the kalahari.

No lions?

Thanks for the comments, it is appreciated .

Really did enjoy the trip with you and LQ .

I am struggling to open Photobucket to post the first leg of day two .

DAY 2: 4 March 2013
First leg of day two:

What a disastrous start to the day we had. It was decided that we will leave at 06:30 in the morning, however with all the driving from Pretoria and then to Mata-Mata, as well as the unbelievable chatting that took place in the evenings, the body and soul of the Else did not combine that well between sleeping and being awake. When we woke up it was already 06:00 and we still had to pack and make coffee for the road. We never overslept before. Maybe it is old age.

Our guardians on the other hand were ready to leave, however they insisted that they will wait till we are ready. We left Mata-Mata at 06:50, filled with anticipation, because picnic and LQ heard a lion roar in the riverbed.

Our first sighting for the day was this little steenbuck.



Then we saw this Black-backed jackal against the dune to our right.



Our next sighting was six giraffe just passed the Sitzas waterhole. They look a shade lighter than those in KNP .





Next sighting was another first for us. Although a bit far for a good close-up, at least we can say that we saw a Bat-eared Fox.





Next were these vultures waiting in a tree for something to happen.



Just before Craig Lockhart waterhole we came across our first lion sighting of the day. It was a couple lying in the shade of a tree.



We drove closer to the waterhole and captured this Black-backed Jackal busy quenching his thirst.



As soon as he left the waterhole the lioness decided to also have a drink. Here is a sequence of events that followed since they arrive at the waterhole.











The following sequence clearly shows who the boss really is. The female left the waterhole and Mr lion who still wanted to have a look around, decided that it is best to follow as quickly as possible.

Second leg of the day:

After this great sighting we continue to Dalkeith waterhole where we found these two youngsters to the left of the road. This was our second lion sighting of the day.



Further down the road LQ showed us a AWC in a tree.



We also saw some birdies along the route.





This birdie is especially for you again VVV.



At veertiende Boorgat we came across these Gemsbok



One of them was busy scratching the ground to get to the salty portion of the ground.



We saw a YR from the front and stopped to have a quick chat. It was Jen who will be at the cricket.
It was 09:30 and already 34 degrees outside.

Just have to take pic’s of these springboks. They are so perfect and beautiful to see.





Further along the road we came across these friends who decided to stay together.



Close to Dertiende Boorgat we met up with some Red Hartebeest and some birdies







Just before Urikaruus we had our third lion sighting for the day. This was a lioness all alone.



We just could not ignore the stunning scenery along the way. Here are some pic’s again.





Although we did not see a leopard yet, we at least took a pic of a leopard tortoise.



These are again some birdies we wish to share with the ‘mites.









We had brunch at Rooibrak and had to say goodbye to our guardians till tomorrow night. They could not get a bungalow at Twee Rivieren and had to stay at Mata-Mata for the night .

What wonderful sightings you had.

I think we saw that same lion couple at Craig Lockhart last year!!!!

Lovely birdies.

barryels wrote:

DAY 2: 4 March 2013
First leg of day two: Our first sighting for the day was this little steenbuck. Then we saw this Black-backed jackal. Our next sighting was six giraffe. They look a shade lighter than those in KNP .
Next sighting was another first for us. a Bat-eared Fox. Next were these vultures waiting in a tree.
Just before Craig Lockhart waterhole we came across our first lion sighting of the day. It was a couple lying in the shade of a tree. Black-backed Jackal busy quenching his thirst. The lioness decided to also have a drink. Here is a sequence of events that followed since they arrive at the waterhole.

barryels wrote:

Second leg of the day: This was our second lion sighting of the day.
Further down the road LQ showed us a AWC in a tree. We also saw some birdies along the route.
At veertiende Boorgat we came across these Gemsbok.
We saw a YR from the front and stopped to have a quick chat. It was Jen who will be at the cricket. It was 09:30 and already 34 degrees outside.
Just have to take pic’s of these springboks.
Close to Dertiende Boorgat we met up with some Red Hartebeest.
Just before Urikaruus we had our third lion sighting for the day. This was a lioness all alone.
We just could not ignore the stunning scenery along the way. Here are some pic’s again.
.......we at least took a pic of a leopard tortoise.
These are again some birdies we wish to share with the ‘mites.

Wow, what a Stunning Adventure, with Awesome photos and TR like this. Thank you

Wow you did have a great view from that angle at the waterhole!!!

You forgot to say how well behaved the people n KTP are at a lion sighting......... ........we were more than ten cars at the waterhole and every one had a place to sit and watch and take photos, with no-one getting impatient. Okay CL does have the advantage that there is lots of parking place two sides of the waterhole!!!

and ja the grapevine is correct, we did make a quick getaway to the park for the past weekend. What can I say we're hooked!!!

Barry & Hilda,

Wow!!! what a great start to the day...Those lions make one handsome couple.. super pics. ....Oversleeping paid off else you may not have had this great sighting.

Awesome sightings with stunning pics of All.

Gorgeous pic of the Springbuck.. . they are such beautiful bokkies.

Beautiful of the Red Hartebeest.

Wonderful to see the Landscape of KTP.

Thanks for sharing.

Just caught up with your TR. Wow, you did see some sights, didn't you. I am so at your pangolin in broad daylight. He looked like quite a big fellow. Nice lions, nice birdies, lovely jackal blending in with the colour of the dunes - what a wonderful trip you had.

Lovely sightings and lots of lion luck, and like LQ says no trafic jams Love the pics of the springbok too.

Thanks so much for sharing

Loving the TR, and great photos

And I'm not at all surprised to hear that Hilda has already picked dates for next year. The red sands do seem to have that effect on people

What a lovely morning drive down from Mata Mata

Great sightings, lovely kiekies

Wonderful sightings I have so enjoyed catching up. Fantastic

So glad that you feel so much better to even have posted another two episodes of our trip report SO!

Those Lions were beautiful!! And do you know what? Those people at the Lion sighting were so well-behaved, I never noticed how many cars there were! I was so impressed with the beautiful pair! Thank you for pointing that out Lion Queen!

What a pity that the Bat-eared Foxie was so far away! But next time we will get a close-up!

And the beautiful birdies .... just awesome!

Maybe we could put their IDs in after the Ducklings' challenge?

Love it! Love it! Love it! Especially the Bat-eared Fox!