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Hello Mites

Today has come, very long awaited, and we are heading up to the Kruger Tonight we hope to make it to Pretorius Kop, then we spend the rest of the time at Maroela (one of my favourite camps).
I should beable to give a few updates along the way

Thank you for all the wishes

Maybe I will see PetraJ and Kmyburgh

The trip up went well, but we landed up at Berg-en-dal instead We arrived in the golden hours, what a way to be greeted by the bush And the smell of the potato tree is just soo lovely tonight

Evening Mites

It is a bit chilly here at Maroela tonight, but nothing unexpected with regards to the weather.

Today was more of a relaxed day, and we made our way from Berg-en-dal to Mareola half through the park. Some nice sightings With the highlights being Ground Hornbill, Saddle billed Stork and few lions

Here at Maroela, the civet had visited a few time, such an amazing creature!

Untill tomorrow, good night

Hello everyone

We had an early start today, and made our way to Satara. Was great to see many jackals as well as some hyenas. Highlight of the day, a HUGE herd of buffaloes, was amazing too see so many!

Spending the afternoon in camp, with delicious smell of early dinner, yumyum

Have also been reading the book, "The elephant whisperer", absolutely amazing And a very fitting time to read it. When we saw elephants today, I really had a new appreciation for these majestic creatures

Think I am going to read that next Hilda

The past two days have been quiet.... We have seen a couple of interesting things but sightings have been limited. Tomorrow is the last day in the park May we have some luck

Morning mites

We only left the park this morning as we decided to stay another day

Yesterday morning we had a brief, but special sighting And last night I went on a sunset drive. Let's say it was quite eventful I an still a bit shocked! This one I am not going to give away though, you will have to wait patiently

Day 1 in the park

Having spent night at Berg-en-dal as a stop over point, we made our way to Maroela We decided that we wanted to get there soon so we could set up camp, so we drove up to Paul Kruger gate, then did the rest out the park.

To our surprise, our first sighting was a lioness


DSCF7068 by Juslind, on Flickr

Made a quick stop at Afsaal. Whenever we go there, I always make a beeline to say hello to the Scops Owl, but it was no longer there Mr horbill was after our breakfast though


DSCF7070 by Juslind, on Flickr

Straight after leaving Afsaal, we came across a big herd of Impalas...Whilst photographing them for a while, I see this red head pop out. A ground Hornbill Was walking around quite a bit though, but tried my best to photgraph.....


DSCF7074 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7075 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7078 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7079 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7080 by Juslind, on Flickr

Just love these birds, and their beautiful eye lashes

We drove on from the Impalas and ground hornbill. Had some sightings of zebras and warthogs

Just around the corner...there was a traffic jam What could be awaiting us

In the meantime of waiting to see what the commotion was about, I was amused by buffalo that was just too itchy and decided the tree would help him in that department


DSCF7081 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7082 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7083 by Juslind, on Flickr

Eventually, as we moved forward...a lioness popped her head out. She was in a crouching position And Mister Buffalo was standing in the distance She decided against any action, however, and opted to go back to sleep. As we got to see more, I discovered more lions and they were practically sitting in the middle of a buffalo herd Only managed to get one pic, due to the traffic


DSCF7084 by Juslind, on Flickr

So we moved on, and got to see a saddle billed stork Another big 6 bird for the day He was not so keen in showing face though


DSCF7085 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7087 by Juslind, on Flickr

The Blacksmith Plover, not too sure on the new name?


DSCF7088 by Juslind, on Flickr

Thanks VVV Me as well

We were nearly at Paul Kruger gate, where we would exit. Here are some if the pics taken along the way


DSCF7089 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7090 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7091 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7093 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7094 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7095 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7096 by Juslind, on Flickr

All fresh on a new page

Some of these pics are still ones taken at Paul Kruger gate....


DSCF7098 by Juslind, on Flickr

See the fish?


DSCF7100 by Juslind, on Flickr



DSCF7101 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7109 by Juslind, on Flickr

From Paul Kruger, we made our way to Orpen and the on to Maroela


DSCF7111 by Juslind, on Flickr

We were greeted by Mr Jackal


DSCF7112 by Juslind, on Flickr

We set up camp and spent the afternoon in camp, accompanied by a traditional kruger sunset


DSCF7113 by Juslind, on Flickr

Thank you Hilda, Sharifa, Vlakvarkvrou and Cheetah

The first night at Maroela, the civet came to visit.....I think it also got into the camp and raided the bins


DSCF7117 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7118 by Juslind, on Flickr

The next morning, we were up early enough to see a lovely sunrise


DSCF7120 by Juslind, on Flickr

Our first sighting of the morning was a lone hyena, she was walking quite fast, so the pics are nit too great...


DSCF7121 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7124 by Juslind, on Flickr

As we got to see the river, we were greeted by some kudus


DSCF7125 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7126 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7128 by Juslind, on Flickr

One of the viewpoints, was nice to water there for a change....


DSCF7129 by Juslind, on Flickr

First full day at Maroela continued

After watching the Kudus for a while, we stopped another river view point...


DSCF7130 by Juslind, on Flickr


This hyena was also hiding in the grass and enjoying the morning sun


DSCF7132 by Juslind, on Flickr

At bobbejans krans, a hornbill popped by


DSCF7133 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7134 by Juslind, on Flickr

From there on, it was a quite drive, but at Satara I was very glad to see the scopsie


DSCF7136 by Juslind, on Flickr

Back on the road, we saw a ground hornbill


DSCF7138 by Juslind, on Flickr

Love the colours of this roller


DSCF7139 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7141 by Juslind, on Flickr

Then we came across the lone ellie, so peaceful


DSCF7144 by Juslind, on Flickr

Some more pics


DSCF7162 by Juslind, on Flickr

The little one was trying to catch a ride


DSCF7163 by Juslind, on Flickr

Just for VVV


DSCF7164 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7165 by Juslind, on Flickr

This next photo, I find quite unusual....a martial eagle as well as a harrier hawk in the same tree without a squabble...


DSCF7166 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7167 by Juslind, on Flickr

Then a beautiful bushbuck


DSCF7168 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7169 by Juslind, on Flickr

This will be a bit of a shorter one, as the next one will have quite a few pics

Thank you Hilda, Mel, Pumbaa and VVV

This sighting was not too far from Satara, was great to see all the different vultures

Very impressive looking Lappet faced vulture!


DSCF7173 by Juslind, on Flickr

White backed vulture


DSCF7173 by Juslind, on Flickr

Look at that wingspan!


DSCF7176 by Juslind, on Flickr

White headed vulture hiding in the grass


DSCF7179 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7180 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7181 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7183 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7184 by Juslind, on Flickr

More to follow

Thank you Mel, Hilda, Spargs, Radman and Cheetah

I am going to be going a bit quicker now, as I start varsity again next week

Sharing more pics from the vulture sighting......


DSCF7185 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7186 by Juslind, on Flickr

you can see the marobou stork sticking its head out


DSCF7188 by Juslind, on Flickr

Bit of a squabble


DSCF7189 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7191 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7192 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7193 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7195 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7198 by Juslind, on Flickr


DSCF7200 by Juslind, on Flickr