Kgalagadi 2025 – At World’s End

[Karin Mitton]

Wednesday 29 January 2025

I had to postpone my trip by a few days at the last minute, but finally the day of departure arrived. I left home at about 05h00. As I was driving, I could see the black sky behind me turn from black to purple to pink. An hour after I left home the sun rose in the most brilliant orange. I thought of the previous time I headed west on the N14 to visit KTP for the first time.

I was so excited because I knew the trip would be amazing. But there was also a bit of nervousness mixed in with the excitement because I wasn’t a hundred percent sure what to expect.
Today I was just as excited as the first time. Once again because I knew the trip would be amazing, and also because I now knew what to expect.

Because I had to postpone my trip I had to drive straight through to Twee Rivieren. It was a very long drive, but regular stops and some birding along the way (Abdim’s Storks, Martial Eagle, Kestrels etc) made the drive bearable.

I arrived at TR at about 16h30, and as I walked to reception I could burst with excitement. After settling in at the chalet I walked to the hide. It was extremely hot, and I couldn’t stay in the hide for very long. On the way back I stopped for a bit to watch the antics of a family of Ground Squirrels.
I had dinner at the restaurant. But the long day had taken its toll, and I was in bed by 20h00 – it wasn’t even completely dark yet!
I’m not going to do a full trip report – I just saw too much! But I will focus on the highlights of every day.

Thursday 30 January 2025

The gate opening time in January is 05h30, but I did not rush to leave. I had a cup of coffee on the patio outside my chalet and listened to the beautiful song of the White-browed Sparrow-weaver in the tree in front of my chalet. After a quick call with my son, I was ready to go.
Later I thought about the fact that I took my time to leave and the impact it would have on my day. Because, well, you will see …

It is hard to describe the joy I felt when I drove into the Park. It was appropriate that the first animal I saw was a Cape Hare – the happy way he bounced and hopped across the road matched my mood.

I stopped above the Samevloeing Waterhole. Many cars did not linger. It was still a little dark, but I noticed two shapes in the grass.



They were eyeing a few Gemsbok, but they were soon spotted. The lionesses got up and one went to lie under a tree and the other settled in the grass. The sunrise was gorgeous.

[Karin Mitton]

I drove to the bottom of the waterhole. The lioness in the grass looked lovely in the early rays of the sun.



I saw the cutest thing ever between Samevloeing and Leeudril – there were a few young Cape Foxes at a den site.





I had only seen one of these animals before, and that was at night, so this was a real treat. I made a mental note of the location for when I returned to Twee Rivieren.

Looking for animals is always about timing. And my later start and various stops contributed to this perfect moment. As I approached Leeudril I saw him walking towards me.



There were no other cars around, and I had him and his queen all to myself. They came to drink water at the waterhole close to the road.

[Karin Mitton]

They looked beautiful in the early morning light, even when they picked up a scent they did not quite enjoy!





It was the first time I had seen a black-maned Kalahari Lion up and about and he was gorgeous.





I spent some time with them until the male walked away. A few km further I had my 3rd lion sighting of the morning of another male and female, but they were walking fast and were not close to the road, so I did not take any photos.

I was surprised and delighted at how green it was between Leeudril and Kij Kij. The Devil’s Thorn flowers were everywhere.

[Karin Mitton]

The animals and birds looked spectacular against the green back drop, even the Cape Crows.







As I approached Kij Kij I noticed a small gaggle of cars just past the waterhole, I went to have a look what it was all about and found another gorgeous black-maned lion. He was with a pride of another 5 lions, but I could not see all of them. My 4th lion sighting in the first 2 hours of my drive!





There were more of the usual antelope as I travelled north, as well as this stunning Martial Eagle. When you see these raptors up close you cannot help but be impressed by their size.


My 5th lion sighting of the day was at Cheleka. Two lions were hidden between the trees and the water tank, but one lioness was lying under a tree. I don’t know if she was really interested in the Gemsbok, but the Gemsbok was not fooled.

Other lovely sightings along the way included a few White-backed Vultures and many Vlei Lilies.



During my first trip in 2023 I did not see a single Secretary Bird. I was therefore very excited when I saw one just before the first turn off to Marie’s Loop. He was a little far, but I was happy, and even happier when I saw the other one on the other side of the road!

The Rooikop waterhole was a hive of activity as far as birds were concerned. A young Tawny Eagle was drinking, but as soon as he flew off the little birds descended.



There were Lark-like Buntings, Cape Sparrows, Grey-backed Sparrow-larks, Namaqua Doves and a Shaft-tailed Whydah.

[colbol]

All those wonderful sightings-sunrise included, on your first drive thus far

Stunning photos

Butterflies behind the Cape Crow

Cheers Karin

[Pumbaa]

WoW Karin,

definitely sometimes it pays off to leave camp a bit later after taking ones time - In fact quite a lot of lions you saw and brilliant shots you got

Also love the raptors especially the martial and the cutest thing are in fact the young cap foxes

[manicwalker]

Karin,
What a beautiful sunrise, and the lioness in that early morning light is spectacular
You had some super lion sightings on your first morning, and staring a little late certainly was worthwhile
Lovely bird pics, I do like the one of crow and butterflies
I look forward to sharing more of your journey

[Meandering Mouse]

WOW, that sunrise. You must have been stoked by the stalking lions as well. The image of the lioness in the early sun.........................just fabulous.

I love the little fox family. Ithink that I would also make a note to return.

That is a very handsome couple.

I love the Crow and butterflies. It must have taken great skill to capture that.

I think that your juv Tawny sighting is very special. Those broekkies are pretty awesome.

[RichardJ]

Pleased to have found your TR.

Excellent start, excellently captured

You saw more Lions in your first morning than we did the whole month ... all about timing.

[kids@camping]

Awesome first drive with amazing sightings

The KTP definitely delivered on Lion sightings

On your first Secretary bird sighting in KTP..

[t-bal]

Hi,
A Kgalagadi trip report. To much sightings so only the highlight. Now that sounds like a successful trip . Very long drive, understandably that you had un early night.
Those lionesses seem very interested, lucky for the gemsbok it spotted them. Unlike many other cars
Great sunrise, you can tell its going to be a hot day for sure.
Well spotted regarding the cape foxes. The adults are smaller then I first imagined.
Your timing was perfect. Now that looks like a big impressive kgalagadi lion . Not shy to have its photo taken either!
Hard to imagine that the park is so lush and green. I have only been in October and it was bone dry. I would just like to state that 4 lions sightings within 2 hours is taking the…Only joking , but I think it took me 10 days to have 4 lion sightings in the park .
Your raptors are impressive
Great start

[gannet]

beaut sightings & shots
Samevloeiing sunrise, Martial, Tawny, black-maned Kgalagadi Lions

[Jan van Wyk]

Take a bow....what a perfect start........ stunning images of the Black main Lions ..for sure dream images plus love all the other images ......

Thank you for sharing .......

[Cape of Storms]

That sunrise photo took my breath away – nature’s way of rolling out a golden carpet for your adventure! And those Cape Fox pups? Pure Kalahari magic. Clearly the lions knew you were coming – five sightings before breakfast is the park’s way of saying "welcome back!"

Your crow-and-butterflies shot is frame-worthy. Who knew a grumpy old crow could look so poetic mid-flutter?

Can’t wait to see what other treasures your lens captured in this green wonderland. The KTP clearly saved its best for you!

[Karin Mitton]

All those wonderful sightings-sunrise included, on your first drive thus far
Stunning photos
Butterflies behind the Cape Crow
Cheers Karin

colbol, my first day was incredible. That Cape Crow photo is one of my favourite photos.

WoW Karin,
definitely sometimes it pays off to leave camp a bit later after taking ones time - In fact quite a lot of lions you saw and brilliant shots you got
Also love the raptors especially the martial and the cutest thing are in fact the young cap foxes

Pumbaa, 5 lion sightings by the time I arrived at Nossob. And that was just the start – the cat extravaganza would continue for the remainder of the trip!

Karin,
What a beautiful sunrise, and the lioness in that early morning light is spectacular
You had some super lion sightings on your first morning, and staring a little late certainly was worthwhile
Lovely bird pics, I do like the one of crow and butterflies
I look forward to sharing more of your journey

Manicwalker, as you know more often than not wildlife sightings are all about timing, and on this morning my timing was just right!