The Heat is on and the Lions as well

[Pumbaa]

the size of each specie compared to each other is more than impressive.

Especially when one is pregnant

Amazing sighting, Pumbaa! You don't have to excuse for the many pics

We were so excited all the time whilst standing at that sighting

[Pumbaa]

More lovely shots, Pumbaa!

It really was a once in a lifetime sighting!

Definitely we were soooooo happy

[Pumbaa]

We definitely could not drag ourselves away from the many beautiful zebras





who were extreme playful that morning



and for sure a lot of impalas could be seen as well but overall it was an extreme quiet drive along the S28.



We had another lovely break at Crocodile Bridge Camp and even could buy a coffee there as luckily electricity returned back in time. Although the S28 was far too quiet that morning we nevertheless drove the same route we came from earlier that morning as we also wanted to pay a visit to the Ntandanyathi hide. The short drive along the H4-2 until the turn off into the S28 was as normally again bursting with life as we stopped for lazy wildebeests,



more zebras,



gave a troop of baboons right the way



before we paid another quick visit to Gesanftombi dam where we today only noticed a lonely sunbathing crocodile as meanwhile it already had heated up extremely.



So we definitely found nothing new on our beloved S28 besides the general game we already spotted earlier but most of the herds moved now farer away from the road therefore we wanted to drive into the direction of Nhlanganzwani dam again and we were already nearly there when we already saw from far a massive elephant bull



Even with enormous tusks who stood close to the road and neither was willing to turn around nor to cross same so we stopped in a more than safety distance and admired same.



He was simply such an impressive elephant and turned from right to left and left to right



so we stayed where we stood and after nearly half and hour it looked as if he was willing to clear the road with the beautiful Lemombo mountains in the background

[Pumbaa]

only to decide to now walk along the road into our direction so we turned around



and drove straight to the Ntandanyathi hide which we had most of the time all to ourselves and we soon spotted a grey heron in one of the dead trees there



and another one on a dead bush.



We watched quite a while an African jacana with four extreme very well camouflaged chicks but overall it was not that much to be seen so we did not stay that long



and as we left the hide we noted the two elephants we already saw whilst staying inside the hide but both hung around most of the time under a shady tree after having cooled down at the dam and same were now more interested in a warthog who finally showed up as well.





Only at Duke’s waterhole or better to say mudhole we spotted again something as a warthog appeared with her youngster



who ran straight into the mud



and laid down definitely the best decision one could do on such a hot day.



At least a couple of giraffes could then be photographed





before we again stood infront of our beloved pond where we earlier had the best waterhole sighting ever and now it was rush hour there as now it was even hard to find a parking spot there but also animalwise it was a frequent come and go but first we concentrated on a White-faced vulture who was thirsty.



to be continued...................................

[ExFmem]

WOW, just WOW

Just now catching up after the busy holidays, and boy did I miss some truly spectacular encounters. Thank you for making my day!!

[Lisbeth]

I wonder if it is the same elephant that we met 10 years ago, at exactly the same place, behaving just like yours, and having the same kind of tusks, only smaller....we never arrived at the dam either

Nice pic of the vulture

[nan]

but first we concentrated on a White-faced vulture who was thirsty.

nice Zebras and Ellie pix, I love the Jacana and the Phacochere as well

[Richprins]

Lots to see again, Pumbaa!

That S28 is not my favourite road, hit and miss! But what an elephant! I think Gump and I saw it a few years ago too!

Love the croc and the warthog in mud!

And we saw a whiteheaded vulture at the waterhole too once!

[Pumbaa]

WOW, just WOW

Just now catching up after the busy holidays, and boy did I miss some truly spectacular encounters. Thank you for making my day!!

Thanks so much, ExFmem, we in fact had a more than great time

[Pumbaa]

I wonder if it is the same elephant that we met 10 years ago, at exactly the same place, behaving just like yours, and having the same kind of tusks, only smaller....we never arrived at the dam either

Nice pic of the vulture

Must be the same ellie bull - He was impressive