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Another great sighting, showing the lion's will to survive . Thanks for sharing . Hope the lizard research will go well .

Hiya Mel!

That is a sad but interesting sighting Mel - I like Heksie's comment - it is a very "educating sighting..."
It would have been quite spectacular to see all those vultures in the one place, I could imagine it would be quite intimidating to the lion...

Still loving every instalment of your travel tales Mel

Incredible sighting, Mel. Loved the pictures of the vultures together.

It is difficult to see certain things in the bush. We are no longer used to death. Very good post.

Never nice to see a sickly animal. But I guess that is all part of nature. Still not a nice sighting...

Hey Mel,

What a great sighting, but as you say, leaving lots of questions. One thing about lions is that they can look pretty unhealthy and still pull through - that's what I'm hoping at least

Hi - so glad I did not have to wait 8 months to read your TR!!
I have just spent a super couple of hours reading from your first page - it was so amazing to "feel" the excitement you and your Dad have had and to follow each day - thank you, it has been great. Your photo's have been super too. Many thanks for sharing and so glad you had a great time and hope you are back before 2015! We are so spoilt to visit Kruger once a year and Addo is on our doorstop!

Just caught up again....sad lion and amazing flock of vultures.....

Thanks for entertaining report with plenty still to come

Amazing sighting ...the Lion looks very ill to me...nice video

Hello again!!

Apologies for the lengthy delay in posting the next installment
I've been out of action for a few weeks

Thank you Trrp-Trrrrrrr, norms, Super Mongoose, hilda, Philip1, Lionspoon, Pumbaa, Heksie, barryels, Melrockson, Meandering Mouse, Bushbuddies, PJL, hoyle, RichardJ and vinkie for your insightful comments

You have all helped me answer a lot of questions I had about that lion sighting

Back to Orpen camp

Dad and I left our lion with heavy hearts
I hoped for his wounds to heal and his health to improve so that he could mature into a strong fit king of the African bush

As Dad and I were both rather in need of a pitstop, we headed for the Timbavati Picnic site.
On the way we got our Impala Pic of the Day


As we drove we came to a low water bridge.
I was amazed that even in the smallest amount of water there was generally always a croc lurking



This was our second steenbok for the day


Followed by some more of the “general game”




They may be “general game” to some, but as our time in Kruger was drawing to an end, I knew just how much I would miss seeing all the kudu, longlegs, zebbies, impies, wildies and warties when we had to leave…

For days I had been trying to get a roller in flight. Dad was so patient
This was the best I could do on our last day


And then our wildebeest friends formed a guard of honour on the last stretch of road before Orpen


We arrived back at camp around 2pm and while Dad had a snooze I downloaded and recharged cameras and the computer.
I also tried to pack a little bit so we didn’t have so much to do in the morning and could spend a few more hours in Kruger before heading back to Joburg

But still, this day had many hours left in it
We were booked on a sunset drive departing at 4.30pm

On the walk to reception to meet our guide we saw some dust-bathing wood hoopoes


And a squirrel tucking into a very big nut!

Mel and "Dad"

Thank you for the lovely sightings, photos and TR ("Dad" being a Gentleman)

Hi Mel
Another day filled with wonderful sightings and super pics.

Nice capture of the LBR

Squirrels are always so cute to watch especially when they are eating.

Thanks again for sharing

Your Impala pic of the day was indeed a very special sighting!

You Roller in flight came out beautifully! And I love the Giraffe picture!

Looking forward to hear all about your sunset drive!

Nice sightings of the general game! I can just imagine how you must have felt. I always feel sad to leave Kruger - and chances are good I'll be back within the next year (in most cases I don't even last that long...). Hope your last sunset drive was super-special!

Love your sunbathing hoopoe and the squirrel, mel

During our last hours I soak everything in and as you said will miss especially the "general game" as well extremely and the stops for them in the beginning and even more in the end of a trip will last longer and longer