Decided to eat breakfast out this morning - so headed for Croc Bridge intending to go up S28 to Lower Sabie. There was one problem - the gate was closed because the river was up - but there were no signs on the N4 so I did not know until I got to the locked gate. GRRRRRRRR! Wasted more than an hour as I then had to go to Malelane - never mind the fuel......
Headed up the tar road to Afsaal, but saw very little. A friend had gone in earlier and said there were 7 lions on the road, but I could not find them.
By the time I got to Renosterpan I had a total of 4 male impala , 1 euopean roller, 1 natal francolin, 1 yellow billed kite and 2 grey go-away birds. I have been disappointed with Renosterpan, but decided to try today and had only gone a a short distance when I met these:
They were very relaxed, and I coasted towards them very slowly, getting some great pics. A heavy noisy vehicle went past on the tar and frightened one and it began pacing about which disturbed the other and they went off into the grass. A special sighting all to myself!
On the plains south of Afsaal there were 2 white rhino, one with a large red patch on its side - I could not make out the cause. Also large numbers of impala, zebs and wildebeest.
After a short break I headed back south again - and found the lions! They were in the bushes at the side of the road just north of the S118 turning. There was enough of a dip at that point that I had not seen them from the other side of the road! They were very lazy and not too easy to see and other cars were gathering, so I moved off.
Just after that I stopped to tell someone heading north about the lions, and he asked if I was heading 'over the mountain' to BnD - and if so to be careful as there was an elephant chasing cars. It sounded like my noisy friend from the previous week.
I went over the mountain!!!! Saw 2 eles, and I am sure one was the noisy ele, but he was browsing about 20m from the road and totally ignored me! Suspect he only objects if a car is in front of him.
Also found a small group of young kudu near the turn-off. Just impala after that - although one group were only visible as ears and noses above the grass, showing how difficult game viewing can be at this time of year.
Stopped off at BnD and then headed back to the gate - but was held up for quite a while by these guys....
They had been enjoying a muddy wallow/pool at the side of the road and decided to stop in the road next to it. One tiny calf was having a wonderful time rolling in the dust on the side of the road under the legs of the adults.
And that was that.... a short trip but good sightings. I never did get the breakfast -somehow did not feel like it by the time I got to Afsaal after all, maybe too late by then....
Oh well, means I will have to try again next week......
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