I so remember very well those full rivers one day they dropped and the other day they were again fuller than before
Really great bird sightings you had
the water changed daily
Re: Wet and Wild Kruger floods trip February 2023
Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 8:03 pm
by RogerFraser
The next morning we awoke to clear sky over Malelane it had rained during the night .We packed quickly and left for the drive .As we drove SO checked online WARNING Sever weather alerts for Kruger Then the report on the radio heavy rain over Central kruger
We found some Giraffe on the main road not far after the Malelane road turnoff
And as we pulled off it started to rain . Within the space of a km it had gone from rain to pouring cats and dogs water running across the road .We carried on driving focusing on getting past the section of road near Delaport dam where we knew the road had been closed .As we were driving a SANParks range vehicle came past us then stopped then carried on we kept catching up to them then we realised why - they were assessing the rivers and roads to decide if they should close them down
We decided to get ahead of the ranger vehicle and at their next stop to check on the rivers we took a gap and pulled in front of them sticking to the speed limit but as it was pouring we did not expect to see anything much on the roads .
But we were wrong as we approached close to the H1-1 intersection we were met by a massive bull who had other ideas of us getting anywhere quickly and soon had us backtracking bad weather or not
We did manage to get clear of the area of road closures and did not see anything else .Our next point of call was Tshokwane where we found all facilities closed to ironically a lack of water . We carried on and stopped in at Satara where we had a Pizza at the restaurant .
We left Satara and turned down the H-7 the weather was clear now and we came across this monitor close to Nsemani
The Timbavati was flowing strongly but we managed to find a darter on the side tributary
As we got close to Orpen we found a mini traffic jam with some lazing Lions again the same place as last time we were at Orpen
They were out cold and not leaving the shade anytime soon'
We left them with the plan of checking in them coming back out later in the afternoon when they would hopefully be more active
Re: Wet and Wild Kruger floods trip February 2023
Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 9:37 pm
by Pumbaa
Thanks Roger,
nice lazy lions and also love the huge monitor - Remember very well those torrential rains but also the sunshine a couple of hours later and the many water on the roads and the road close to DeLaPorte Luckily around Orpen it was finally dry
Re: Wet and Wild Kruger floods trip February 2023
Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 5:59 pm
by Richprins
Fascinating, Rog!
And quite a difference in weather from Skuks to Satara!
The darter is a night heron, I think?
Great leguaan shot!
There was no water at Tshokwane last yer when we were there either!
Lions!
Re: Wet and Wild Kruger floods trip February 2023
Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 6:57 pm
by Lisbeth
It sure rained violently
The elephant looks rather calm, but you never know..... Once I met one quietly eating at the roadside, like yours, but each time I tried to go past he moved into the middle of road. It continued like that for quite a while and I am sure that he had great fun
It's not easy to see what kind of heron it is, but I'd go for green-backed if it wasn't for that strange red spot