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Over the last week or two, South Africa has been buzzing with news, gossip and talk about a certain murder case. Everybody is giving their opinion, saying how they will approach it, who's right and who's wrong. Everybody has been playing "detective" through the media...

With this as a backdrop, we left for a short weekend visit to KNP. We left Friday morning from Pretoria. At 13:00 we entered the park. Sunday 13:00 we exited at the same gate. We had spent 48 hours in Kruger.

It reminded me of a show on Crime and Investigation Network... "The First 48". The opening sequence rang: "For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours."

Join the Bushbuddies as they investigate Kruger for 48 hours.

This sounds like your 48 hours spent in heaven were just that Sweet Heaven and Im pretty sure you saw more than plenty can't wait to read it

Sounds like my kind of visit.

Best you get cracking Detective ...... about 21mins have already passed without a suspect

Clever RosemaryH!

Very interesting start to your trip report Bushbuddies! Can't wait to read all about it!

Now lets see what leads were picked up and resolved during this 48 hours .
Waiting with lots of .

I'm in... I'm in... no a big help to search

Well Bushbuddies, you are talking about one of my favourite "Programs" .
Looking forward to your "48 Hours"

It was 48 hours of investigating heaven! And we did see plenty, gathered a lot of evidence, and this should be a good and thorough report!



Hi RosemaryH! This will not be hasty report , don't want to look like a stupid detective on a witness stand when I give my report of the investigation! We INVESTIGATED for 48 hours, the report has to last a bit longer. It makes me relive the wonderful experience, you see!



Hildatjie! How good to see you and your Oom here . These investigations and cases are extremely interesting. Especially if the investigation is all about a place you value highly!



Lots of leads, evidence, interviews and character analysis done. Will start the official report soon!



Hi anne-marie!!! Nice to have a European on board. We met quite a few Europeans on our trip - European Roller, European Swallow - all very friendly, like yourself! Hope you enjoy the report.



A fan of the program - aha! To be honest, I'm not really the biggest fan. My SO is a HUGE fan though... Hope you're going to enjoy this as much as the real thing. It's got a local flavour, with some European summer visitors (birds of course... ), less violence and more wildness!

So who was Sherlock in this investigation??

And what did he find??

Bushbuddies, tell Billy, it was found that "Billyf" do not supply coffee in the mornings anymore

Bushbuddies,

The plot thickens ...what will the detectives find in Oom Pauls Garden.
On board to find out.

billyf - of course - the bushbuddies were the investigators. What they found will be revealed on this report. Stay tuned...



Investigators are inquisitive by nature... Do tell, Phillip1 - what is this coffee incident all about?



Aaah - Trrp-trrrrrr! Oom Paul's Garden is an interesting place - but will 48 hours be enough for the buddy-detectives to crack the case?

Let the story begin...

Friday 22/2/2013 13:00 - Malelane Gate 00:00

After a frustrating drive through the N4 (Waterval Boven-route), the Bushbuddies finally arrived at the scene for investigation. There were serious roadworks on the Schoemanskloof route and all cars were advised to follow the Waterval-Boven route. That meant sitting behind trucks, slower trucks and slowest trucks!

But they put all the frustration behind them. They were at the gate, and ready to roll. It has been a long time since they've been "on the job". The last time they did some investigation in KNP was in Sept 2012 - a long time for an investigator to sit and wait. They were hungry for some action...

Friday 22/2/2013 13:05 - The First Evidence 00:05

Within a few minutes we came across our first findings. We met up with these relatives of some of the victims in KNP. Unfortunately some of their relatives have been murdered in cold blood. This family of 4 has luckily survived, and were taking a peaceful afternoon nap:



We decided to head North to Afsaal, to enjoy a late lunch, and possibly get some more clues from the sightings board there. On our way we noticed that there were already many "reporters" on the scene. Some came as far as from Europe to cover the story!

The European Roller (Europese Troupant):



The female Red-backed Shrike (Rooiruglaksman):



As well as the locals - like this Southern White-crowned Shrike (Kremetartlaksman):



At Afsaal we enjoyed a toasted sammie and some ice-creams. We noticed while we were eating, that the gossip had also started. Typical gossip/tabloid birds - the Arrow-marked Babblers (Pylvlekkatlagters):



And then of course - the king of gossip - old Zazu himself! (Rooibekneushoringvoel):



After leaving Afsaal, my SO stopped and said - "Look another white rhino!"



It was something about the way he said it. "...another white rhino". I picked up the binoculars, and had a good look - then I realised: We had almost missed out on some crucial evidence here! In reality this was actually our second sighting ever in KNP of a black rhino!



The investigation was starting off on a good note. To be continued...

What a frustrating drive, especially if you on your way to Kruger.
The good thing, you made it safely.

Great rhino sightings and not just one, but 2 with both white and black...wow

The bird photos are just as great. Thank you for sharing and look forward to more...

Did you spot the scop owl at Afsaal? I was there mid Dec'12, but did not see it...any investigation done on its whereabouts?

Hi Bushbuddies,

a pity was that we were already in the far North when you were in the Far South

Great rhino sightings especially for the blackie and for sure love the birdies

Great start and I am ready for more