Hi guys, sorry I have taken so long to reply...school is such a bore!
nan - Thanks nan!
pooky - It was great, and Day 4 is still to come!!
Sharifa - Thanks so much for following! Appreciate it!
2 Oct. 2010 - Lower Sabie – Part 1
We awoke to our last full day in Kruger, full of anticipation. We had decided to head down to Nkuhlu for another breakfast and would then plan the rest of our route from there. Sunset Dam had the usual suspects, but there wasn’t much else around on Eloff Street that morning. We eventually saw some cars stopped up ahead and approached slowly, hoping for leopard. No leopard, just his breakfast, which looked very fresh.
We turned off at the N’watimhiri Causeway – a place we have often seen lion. Johanna spotted a “big bird” which turned out to be a Burchell’s Coucal.
Just after the causeway there was a car stopped. They called us forward and told us that 3 lions had crossed the road about 15 mins before, and that they could still hear them calling. We turned off our car and listened…..there was that unmistakable grunting!! But we could here they were moving further away, so we moved on. We carried on to Nkuhlu, not seeing anything on the way. One of the LS morning drive vehicles was at Nkuhlu and we chatted to the driver for a while – they had also seen nothing.
We got busy preparing our breakfast and feasted like kings, while trying to dodge all the sweeping hornbills and sneaky vervets! -O
Some birds that we found there.
This little croc was enjoying the morning sun.
From there we made our way down and onto the N'watimhiri Causeway. After driving for some time, we turned a corner and saw it in the road...that unmistakable figure of a male lion! As we got closer we saw that he was joined by one female and another male!
He walked down the road with the wind blowing throwing his mane – what a lovely beast!
He then, very thoughtfully, flopped down right next to us with not a care in the world!!
Of course we were now watching both sides of the road – family rated on the left, PG 16 on the right . The traffic was building up now and His Highness was blocking the road, yet we still had the prefect spot!
We soon found another traffic jam, and managed to find 4 lions in the shade , but they were not very easy to see and no good for any pics. We sat there for a while, but the heat eventually became unbearable so we headed back to camp for a dip in the pool!
Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
- Lisbeth
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Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
The photo of the croc is great!!
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
nice episode... again with Lions
it seems the Croc love surfing
it seems the Croc love surfing
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Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
Love the lion with his mane blowing in the wind, he looks stunning
Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
Fantastic pictures and stories, Bush Brat
The blonde male Lion is quite impressive not to for get the paw
The blonde male Lion is quite impressive not to for get the paw
PuMbAa
Please visit our website: www.photomaniacs.de
Please visit our website: www.photomaniacs.de
Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
Thanks for the really great comments Pumbaa, Sharifa, BC, nan and Lis! Really appreciate them and thanks for tagging along!
2 Oct. 2010 - Lower Sabie – Part 2 - FINAL EPISODE
After our swim we had to plan again. Rex and Johanna were not ready for another drive just yet, but we were – it was only 11.30 and we didn’t feel like staying in camp. So back into the tank with plans to fetch them at about 3.30 for an afternoon drive.
Heading out my dad asked where we wanted to go. I ha heard that the S128 and Salitje were a waste of time but I had really been looking forward to doing that route – so, off we went.
We turned on to the S128, which did not look very welcoming – dry and dusty.
Anyway, we soldiered on, not finding much to look at but, trying to keep spirits up. About ten minutes later we saw a few cars stopped, and I just knew……
What a sighting….four of them! I was in raptures. They were quite far away and squashed under the only green tree around for miles! They were obviously very hot and could not get comfortable. One started digging, probably trying to get to cooler soil, while another one sat on top of one his mates. -O Every time they got up we hoped they would come closer, but they would look around and then flop down again. We stayed with them for about half an hour, and then decided to move on, as they did not seem too keen on leaving the only shade to be had. Just a pity that Rex and Johanna had missed out again!
We turned onto the Salitje Road and saw very little, but we did see a UNICORN!!!!
We crossed the high level bridge, seeing the same thing we saw last year…..about 8 Bateleur (juveniles and adults) in the river bed – a lovely sight even though they were too far for a pic.
We decided to try the Causeway again, but no lions this time, just some baboons who kept us entertained for a while.
What you looking at?
Grandma…what big teeth you have!
There were lots of ellies and buffs keeping their cool in the river all the way back along the H4-1.
And then, at Sunset Dam, we found that species seen too often in Kruger – Homo Stupidus - strolling around, passing drinks to each other.
We got back to camp at about 3pm, and excitedly told Rex and Johanna about the cheetah. We had decided to take them back in the hope that they would still be there.
So, back out the gates, across the river and onto the S128. Again there was not much around, but we soon saw 2 cars stopped – they were still there!
They were a lot more active in the cooler afternoon air, and the softer light made it much easier to get better pics! Although….I tend to get so excited that I start to shake and then no amount of bean bags can help!!
Eventually they decided it was time to move, and thankfully came towards us. They crossed the road behind another other car and into the bush.
Once on the other side of the road they kindly took up various poses for us!
They eventually disappeared into the bush, but we were well satisfied with our sighting – simply stunning. And as it turned out, Rex and Johanna hadn’t missed out and actually got the best of it. We turned around to head back to Sunset Dam, and got there in time to capture our last sunset before leaving….the most photographed tree in Kruger!
The food had all been finished and the drinks were almost gone...how sad that our trip was coming to an end!
All too soon we were at the gate the next morning, and had to say our goodbyes to Kruger!! But, this had probably been one of our best trips ever, in terms of sightings, and with wonderful company in the form of Rex and Johanna. We were just so happy and grateful that they got to experience the magic of Kruger in all its glory!! I am sure they will go back to England with some wonderful memories of a special place that gets into your heart and stays there.
Thanks to everyone who followed this TT...I hope you enjoyed it!
BB
2 Oct. 2010 - Lower Sabie – Part 2 - FINAL EPISODE
After our swim we had to plan again. Rex and Johanna were not ready for another drive just yet, but we were – it was only 11.30 and we didn’t feel like staying in camp. So back into the tank with plans to fetch them at about 3.30 for an afternoon drive.
Heading out my dad asked where we wanted to go. I ha heard that the S128 and Salitje were a waste of time but I had really been looking forward to doing that route – so, off we went.
We turned on to the S128, which did not look very welcoming – dry and dusty.
Anyway, we soldiered on, not finding much to look at but, trying to keep spirits up. About ten minutes later we saw a few cars stopped, and I just knew……
What a sighting….four of them! I was in raptures. They were quite far away and squashed under the only green tree around for miles! They were obviously very hot and could not get comfortable. One started digging, probably trying to get to cooler soil, while another one sat on top of one his mates. -O Every time they got up we hoped they would come closer, but they would look around and then flop down again. We stayed with them for about half an hour, and then decided to move on, as they did not seem too keen on leaving the only shade to be had. Just a pity that Rex and Johanna had missed out again!
We turned onto the Salitje Road and saw very little, but we did see a UNICORN!!!!
We crossed the high level bridge, seeing the same thing we saw last year…..about 8 Bateleur (juveniles and adults) in the river bed – a lovely sight even though they were too far for a pic.
We decided to try the Causeway again, but no lions this time, just some baboons who kept us entertained for a while.
What you looking at?
Grandma…what big teeth you have!
There were lots of ellies and buffs keeping their cool in the river all the way back along the H4-1.
And then, at Sunset Dam, we found that species seen too often in Kruger – Homo Stupidus - strolling around, passing drinks to each other.
We got back to camp at about 3pm, and excitedly told Rex and Johanna about the cheetah. We had decided to take them back in the hope that they would still be there.
So, back out the gates, across the river and onto the S128. Again there was not much around, but we soon saw 2 cars stopped – they were still there!
They were a lot more active in the cooler afternoon air, and the softer light made it much easier to get better pics! Although….I tend to get so excited that I start to shake and then no amount of bean bags can help!!
Eventually they decided it was time to move, and thankfully came towards us. They crossed the road behind another other car and into the bush.
Once on the other side of the road they kindly took up various poses for us!
They eventually disappeared into the bush, but we were well satisfied with our sighting – simply stunning. And as it turned out, Rex and Johanna hadn’t missed out and actually got the best of it. We turned around to head back to Sunset Dam, and got there in time to capture our last sunset before leaving….the most photographed tree in Kruger!
The food had all been finished and the drinks were almost gone...how sad that our trip was coming to an end!
All too soon we were at the gate the next morning, and had to say our goodbyes to Kruger!! But, this had probably been one of our best trips ever, in terms of sightings, and with wonderful company in the form of Rex and Johanna. We were just so happy and grateful that they got to experience the magic of Kruger in all its glory!! I am sure they will go back to England with some wonderful memories of a special place that gets into your heart and stays there.
Thanks to everyone who followed this TT...I hope you enjoyed it!
BB
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Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
Wow great Cheetah sighting BB
KNP: May be one day again??
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Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
twice four Cheetahs
unicorn and Homos Erectus
Are you sure is not S100... so dusty road -O
nice episode
unicorn and Homos Erectus
Are you sure is not S100... so dusty road -O
nice episode
Kgalagadi lover… for ever
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Re: Flutts, The Brat and Mommo - OUR BEST TRIP EVER
You sure finished with a great sighting
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge