Sunday 5 June

What a day, left camp at 06h15 to take the S90, this road is hot at the moment. Our first sighting was of a pair of  lionesses stalking a Wildebees, they failed to get anywhere near the Wildebees and went to lie in the long grass where they would spend the day.



Sisters hunting shoulder to shoulder





Wildebees in the distance



After having coffee we drove on and found a huge herd of Buffalo, it is difficult to estimate how many, at least 400 plus, we sat there in awe as they took at least an hour to pass within inches of our vehicle.



Mom and young



We came across the 2nd pride of Lion for the morning at Gudzane east waterhole. The pride was seen drinking and was reported to be 20 strong. We missed the main group but came across this magnificent male only 5 meters from our car, we were alone with him for a while until a car came along with a passenger hanging out the window, the lion got a fright and ran off into the thicket never to be seen again. One person spoils it for everyone.

On the same road we saw Rhino and Elephant to get 4 of the big 5.

We returned to camp and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon before taking an afternoon drive to Girivani waterhole where we had sun downers, just before we were about to leave this Cheetah made its appearance

We also enjoyed watching this large herd of Giraffe around the waterhole, they were very playful, chasing each other and necking in typical Giraffe ways.

What a day, it is days like this that keeps our passion for Kruger alive, and keeps us returning year after year.

New Site Satara

Sunrise 3 June Before canvas up

Sunset after Canvas up

Co-ordinates of our new site S24.39223 E31.77506

Quintin and Celeste, Kim and Peter, the add-a-room is up and waiting for you.


This is a view to show you what you can look forward to, great big site at the fence. Looking forward to braai with the Hyenas patrolling alongside, we have already seen a variety of game from the fence. This is the best site we have had in all the years we have been coming to the park.

Nothing really exciting on the game watching side, will do some serious spotting next week. 
Satelite dish is up and will be enjoying the sport this weekend

I also want to congratulate Smug's on winning the "Ryder Cup", I saw the results on CNN, this is despite not having your number one player (me) available, well done!
I also want to wish you all good golfing and friendship on your tour to the Wilderness, I am so sorry that I am missing the tour. I will be watching the local press for the results and any misbehaviour at the taverns and nightclubs.

Waiting Patiently

At last, we move tomorrow to our site against the fence which we have been waiting patiently for 4 nights to be vacated. Coincidentaly the present occupant's were at Letaba the same time as we were last year. They know Bill and Yvonne as well as Pat and Gale we were all in a larger together and had a lot of fun.
We have already moved a few things across, table and chairs, gas bottles, dish washing rack, all to secure the site and make sure nobody sneaks in on us. We will be hooked up and standing by at 06h00, they plan to leave at 06h30.



Our Temporary site, nice but have to get to the fence to show the visitors





Sadlebill with juveniles on the S90

Satara 30 May to 30 June 2011

Steadies up at 05h45 on the road at 06h00 in the hope of getting there early to get a good site at the fence.
Arrived at Satara at 07h50 only to find the fence sites occupied with no one leaving, drove around hoping that someone would pack up. Got a great site with a lot of privacy in front of the Frenkel cottage.
We took a walk along the fence and asked when people were leaving, a great site is going open on the 3 June which we have secured and will move some of our things on Thursday and the caravan on Friday.
We have put up very little and only unpacked the essentials, but hey if we have to wait for 4 nights to secure a good sight for the rest of the month. Quintin, Celeste and Natasha are joining us from the 9th June for 5 nights,  Kim, Peter and Stella are Joining us from the 21st June until we leave when they will stay on for a while and park the caravan, so it is important to get to the fence. We cant wait to see our family and grandchildren.

We took a late afternoon drive to Nsemani dam, at the dam on the side of the road we found some Lion, A bit further on there were more Lion lying in the middle of the road causing a huge traffic jam. Every thing happens at Satara.
Met up with the Vrystaters who we had not seen since last year, also went to greet our neighbours from Lower Sabie who had moved up earlier. It is amazing that every year the same groups of people all meet up somewhere in the park, nothing planned just passionate about nature and conservation, after a short "how are you " the conversation quickly changes to bush tales and sighting reports. Great to meet up and see everyone again.
Satara does not have 3G like the other camps and is still working at the snail pace 2G so the uploading of pics is going to be limited to the really special ones as it takes forever.

Our last daty at Lower Sabie.

Left camp at 6-15am to go for our last morning drive.  As we turned onto the road from camp, a few paces down we saw these two Hyena's carrying a piece of meat, stopping to nibble on it every now and then...the one grabbed and started to run away with the meat and the other one running and whining behind him.

We drove on pass Sunset Dam towards the S21 to go and have our coffee and rusks at the little pan for the last time....but we never got there :) 3,5 klm from Lower Sabie these Lions came running onto the road, we had them to ourselves for at least an 1/2 hour before another car came. The Lions were on the hunt...they first chased a Buffalo but it managed to run away from them....then they saw a Kudu, chased it but it ran towards the river into the reeds. They then decided to carry on strolling towards Lower Sabie all the while looking for prey. They then decided it was rest time and veered off towards the river edge and lay down while looking around for prey. We had our coffee and rusks while they were resting.  Wow what a nice "last" morning drive at Lower Sabie.

Lion early morning protest march they had the right to the road

We came back to camp at 8 and started to pack. Nonnie decided to go and look for them while we were packing. She saw one of the males take a impala..she is sure that they took down more impala's as she could hear the destress call of the impala's.

After we packed and showered we took a last drive to go and see if we could see them again. They were resting on the other side of the road now' all huddling together. Maybe we will hear them roaring tonight.

Had supper at the Take Away. Nothing to rave about....a bit dissappointing :(

Leaving early for Satara tommorrow.

Africa Day 25 May

Great day, it was also the first day that we saw all of the Big 5 in one day/morning drive.

Left at 06h00 to do our favourite road the S21, true to form just at the beginning of the S21 we found a pair of mating Lion.
Had some coffee and rusks and carried on along the S21, at the N'watimhiri windmills we found the Leopard on the rocks.
Turned south along the S114 and took the S23 Biyamiti Loop along the river where we picked up the Buffalo and elephant.
Returned to Lower Sabie via the S26 Bume road to the Tar H4-2 turned onto the S130 on the northern side, where we found the Rhino at our favourite Pan.

mud bath



Road rage in Kruger

Road rage in Kruger

This is what this noobab thought of me when I drove past. Thanks for the photo Kerry.



snoobab

 A more relaxed mother and child with another youngster

Can the Birders out there help us identify this bird?
Two of these arrived with the other at the water bath we put out and were with some Laughing doves, we thought that it is a variant of the Laughing dove but they would not tolerate them anywhere near, it seems to have a different beak and completely different colouring.





 

Can't hold any more crossed leg







Bombs away





The one elephant is not happy with the other having
a mud bath and is trying to lift it.





Reflections early morning