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Tsessebe

Thanks Picnic - hope you enjoy your camping trip to Marakele!

Looks like I will enjoy it very much.
First have to get a tent.

Not a problem with a few old sighting. Just hoping to get some resent ones aswell. Spread the word if you know of anyone going. Hope we will be back a weekend in September.

/Michael

Morning all,

Seems the original purpose of this topic was a bit too ambitious to keep it going, so adjusted the opening post somewhat. We need more of the Marakele visitors to give some input, and from some of the other Marakele topics it seems many are going. Don't be shy! This is more a Trip Report but fits well here in my eyes.

Back from another weekend away at Marakele. Arrived late Friday afternoon in time for a quick half hour afternoon drive before gate closure. Enough time for us to spot some of the ever present Rhinos (incl. a group of no less than five), some Tssessebes, a couple Slender Mongooses and a Jackal crossing the road.



In general we saw more animals than we usually do at Marakele. Especially the waterhole at Bontle was busy. Even the Tssessebes were coming and going all day long.


Been suggested that this LBJ seen at Bontle is an ´not so common´ Grey-tit flycatcher (thanks Mel123)

Saturday morning we had a good long sleep and only went for a short 'morning' drive around 10. Added the first of many giraffes, including lots of very young ones, seen over the weekend.



On the campsite we had lots of Ostrich, Warthog, Kudu and Impala. One night on the way to the toilet a long tailed animal ran off from a neighbouring tent. Only caught a glimpse but of course discussed what it could have been, genet, white-tailed mongoose or even velvet monkey was amongst those that came to mind. Tracks seen next morning (if the right ones) had claws, so White-tailed Mongoose?



To be continued

That warthog photo is beautiful...........

Continued from above

Back to the drives. Saturday afternoon we decided to go for the big 5 part. Didn't see any of the big 5, although there is plenty of relatively recent signs of both Rhino and Elephant. First thing spotted after passing the gate was a couple of Klipspringers. Other than that it was Wilderbeast, Impala, Zebra, and Giraffe and Common Duiker.





Back on the non-Big 5 aera , heading back to camp, a Black backed Jackal was watching us next to the road, before we came across a baby Rhino drinking from its mother. Lovely sight in the perfect afternoon light!





To be continued . . .

Continued from above (last bit)

Sunday morning we did early morning drive to check the tracks we saw last time on the Tsessebe loop. Started with a Grey Duiker near the gate, another one was found on the loop itself.



Also found the tracks again fresh from the night. Believe cat tracks, one set +/- 7cm other +/-5cm but sand is very loose so tracks not too good (any suggestions from below photo). Two sets, two sizes, that was what tricked me into believing it was Hyaena 3 weeks ago, not realizing it was two animals. Also both male and female Nyala was seen.



After packing we did the Tsessebe loop again, adding a couple of Dwaf Mongooses to the list.



That was it from another lovely weekend at Marakele!!

All the best, Michael and Margot

Great Dane

It is nice to read a TR about Marekele

Thanks Leana and Lion Queen

Great sightings and beatiful pics! Thanks for sharing - wish I could slip away for a weekend!

Thanks for for the pics. My time will come.

From November 2010

Beautiful kudus! Just love the last pic - seems like the occupants of the chairs made a really hasty exit!

Thanks for sharing!