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In 2006 and 2008 I spend a lot of time in Lake Panic. It's a magical place. Made hundreds of pictures and everytime my big friend was there: a hippo resting under the floor. Does anybody know if he's still there ?

Lake Panic is one of our planned daily routines on our trip next month.
Last year we had 1 day in Skukuza and went there in the evening and morning.
We had a great time in the hide and also our only Leopard sighting of the trip on the road to the hide.

In May'09, I visited Lake Panic alone one early afternoon and spent their the whole afternoon having a ball of a time with the kingfishers chasing one another whilst catching fish - at one time three were fighting in the air and managed to get a multi-shot picture of it (one of may favourite photo's and birds).
I rushed back to Skukuza and get my family and came back to show them what wonderful place this is.
By this time the hippos came closer to the hide and playing around.
The next morning early I came back and what a marvelous sunrise we experienced - everything in shades of orange and right below us - the hippos lying quietly as if they were still sleeping with their babies.
In Mid Sep'10 we go back and our first stop is Skukuza - specifically planned just to experience the wonders of Lake Panic again.

Just for interest, does anyone know how Lake Panic got its name

"Lake Panic is the name that was given shortly after construction was completed about 1975 when, during a major cloudburst, it was feared that the dam wall would give way."

Micetta is correct. The name has nothing to do with the hide. It given long before the hide was built.

See gmlsmit's post here .

Cheers Matthys.

We call it Lake Tranquil!!!

Now that every one has found Lake Panic it is really getting hectic.
Please read the sign at the entrance. "Only 8 vehicles allowed"
If you get to the parking and there are 8 vehicles, please return later.
The hide can only take so much weight before everybody will end up between the hippos.

I were there the other day and there were already 13 vehicles parked.
I didn't even bother to go and have a look how the hide is packed.

Please don't sit there the whole day.
Give the other birders a chance too.
If you are driving a game viewing vehicle, please don't bring all 10 guests to the hide.

LaeveldLeeu, . I agree, it was too terrible when I was there too-13 cars when I left. But still a great place, and great pics. Managed to get this one-in between the people, cameras, tripods and binocs.

My mom and grandfather are in Kruger at the moment.
They've also found Lake Panic to be extremely busy every day; one day they counted 14 cars plus 2 safari vehicles.
They finally found out why.
Apparently a leopard has been coming down to drink every day to the right of the hide.
They missed out on it with a few minutes on their last day at Skukuza.

Spent a wonderful couple of hours at Lake Panic on the 12th of this month and among other lovely sightings witnessed an amazing fight!

This goliath heron had a good catch and flew to the bank to enjoy his meal.


goliath heron and catch by jansp, on Flickr


1012911 341 by jansp, on Flickr



1012911 348 by jansp, on Flickr

Suddenly a fish eagle swooped down and stole the catch but it couldn,t hang on to it and landed on the water.


1012911 350 by jansp, on Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/33471817@N06/6180952001/]
1012911 361 by jansp,

The furious heron rushed into the water and drove the eagle, still clutching the fish, back to the shore. A brief but vicious fight ensued, sadly much partly hidden, before the eagle finally escaped with the fish.


1012911 370 by jansp, on Flickr

1012911 396 by jansp, on Flickr

1012911 424 by jansp, on Flickr

1012911 425 by jansp, on Flickr

1012911 438 by jansp, on Flickr

A short time later, the eagle was back seeming to crow his triumph from a nearby tree!

1012911 489 by jansp, on Flickr

WoW, granjan,

indeed an amazing sighting and magnificent shots

OMW Granjan, what a wonderful and special sighting you could witness Amazing pics

As I opened this topic to see what was being discussed, I saw a photo of a Leopard taken from the Bird Hide, but in Jan 2005.
We were there in August this year & had the same privilege of seeing a Leopard trying it's utmost to find a way to attack a mother & her 3 grey Heron chicks in a nest.
The mother was squawking so loudly that if frightened a small child.
It was an amazing experience to witness.