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9. October 2006

Coming from Keetmanshoop/Namibia, we drive to Twee Rivieren, to visit Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. We make it to the border post in time and turn to Rietfontein. Roads were getting worse with every km we drove – due to heavy rainfall in the ast days. Sometimes we nearly get stuck in puddles on the road (“can we really call it a road???”). Thanks God, after nearly two hours driving we reach the tarred road to Askham and stop for a rest and a snack roadside. The YR flies and on it goes.


The road to TR is under construction, lots of workers around, all waving smiling as we pass by – maybe next year going to KTP will be easier?

Arriving at the gate is like coming home;

the guy is friendly, asks where we are coming from and wishes us a pleasant stay in the park. Next we turn to reception and stay the first night at TR (Chalet no. 14, one of the new paraplegic adapted ones, quite comfortable).


We finish the day with a nice dinner at the restaurant.

10. October 2006
Next morning we stock up in the shop and then start to Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp. The road to Nossob is closed, due to heavy rain during the last days. So we start the dune road to Mata-Mata and then along the Auob River bed.

Sightings along the way are the obligatory Gemsbok high on a dune,

some Springbok


a lonely Black Backed Jackal

and, sitting in a bush on the road a Pale Chanting Goshawk.


At Auchterlonie we leave the road and drive up the dune road to reach Kieliekrankie.

The first look at the four units is wonderful,

the way into ours is a safe heaven (are there really wild animals around???)

and inside its “gemütlich”, as we say in German.


But the best is yet to come: the view from the terrace, overlooking the waterhole and the sand dunes.


Our day ends with a braai, nice wine and lots of African stars.

... to be continued.

11. October 2006
Sorry to say folks – but we stayed “at home” this day, no driving around and looking for game – just sitting in front, reading and enjoy the view. We watch the resident Black Backed Jackal



or the Secretary Birds



coming for a drink. In the afternoon weather becomes worse, a thunderstorm is coming







and dinner is inside today (too much sand on the plates….).

12. October 2006
Going for a drive today, back to TR to stock up some food, bringing along a coke and milk for the tourism assistant, Nika, who looks after us and the other guests at Kieliekrankie. Along the road we see a big herd of Blue Wildebeest in the dunes,




Meerkats,



and Cape Fox.



In a tree a Pale Chanting Goshawk.



... a bit more to come....

13. October 2006
We have to leave Kieliekrankie today. So, after packing the car, we start along the dune road to KijKij. On our way we see Blue Wildebeest again


Springbok

and coming down to Nossob River bed, we meet a ranger who just took away the Road Closed Signs. That means we can go to TR along the Nossob River Valley.

But first we start north and follow the river bed to Jan se draai. We don’t see so much game, just Oryx

and a Leopard Tortoise

is crossing the road in front of us. And again a bird which I cannot identify

– maybe a Tawny Eagle?!

After turning around we go on and just some km after Rooiputs see several cars stopping. There they are: some lions resting under a tree. Our first lions in KTP at all, so we stop for quite a while and watch them. But they are really lazy, just occasionally turning their heads or move their tails. (Sorry, pics have to be uploaded... I'm working on it...)

Sociable Weavers Nest in a tree on our way south


Then a BBJ stands on the road, enjoying a drink from a puddle.



Eventually we reach Leeuwdril. We see more: Mr and Ms Lion, resting under a bush. He is sleepy and she is watching his sleep.


Some bushes south: another lion, resting.

Continuing our way to TR we come across a Secretary Bird

another Black Backed Jackal

Ostriches


Arriving at TR we sit in front of No. 14 and watch the Yellow Mongoose wandering around.


If you want to know about the night drive on this Friday 13th you can switch to Christelsabines TR - I told everything already there.

14. October 2006
We have to leave TR and KTP to Upington and get an early start. Road is worse than it was on Monday, no workers today, it’s Saturday and obviously their day off.

Our journey ends for this time, but we will be back, next year or the year after! Bye bye South Africa!


THE END

... like some more??
Especially for you, Gwen:

... and for you the one with the bird: