Africa Wild

Tuesday July 13th contd

Heading on from the S25 and up the S108 we decided to detour up via the S26 and S102 to Mpondo Dam as we had never been there before. The roads up were quiet, but we were greeted by some terrapin at one of the dam overflow ponds



The dam itself is huge - much bigger than we had been expecting! There was a mix of game including impala, waterbuck, wildebeest and zebra dotted around which made for a nice peaceful scene.





Heading back past the end of the dam we saw some spotted movement in a tree







This appeared to be quite a young leopard - we heard that later in the day it was seen wandering along nearer the dam with its mom. With no-one else around we just enjoyed watching the youngster and its inquisitive nature



It got up to shift to a slighting better vantage point











It fairly soon settled and started to lie down and snooze which gave very little view



Heading back to Lower Sabie, the terrapins were smiling, there was a big elephant hiding, and a couple of white-headed vultures showing off their full crops

What a beautiful young leopard. You were very lucky to see one ( )

Nice terrapins

Aren't they white-headed vultures?

Lisbeth wrote: ↑Wed Aug 18, 2021 9:51 am What a beautiful young leopard. You were very lucky to see one ( )

Nice terrapins

Aren't they white-headed vultures?

Ah yes - you're correct with the vulture id - thanks

Leppie 13!

That dam is very full for winter, Peej!

So I guess you will go back there next time!

Quite unusual to see a pair of vultures like that!

I like the Dick Terrapins too!

What a stunning trip so far!

Jah! only a pity that they missed the leopards

more spots you really did have a good Leopard trip .

Also love going to the dam only think that I wish is there was at least a picnic spot around the area would be a great stopover .

Richprins wrote: ↑Wed Aug 18, 2021 5:59 pm

Leppie 13!

That dam is very full for winter, Peej!

So I guess you will go back there next time!

Quite unusual to see a pair of vultures like that!

I like the Dick Terrapins too!

What a stunning trip so far!

An astounding number of leppies indeed

Lisbeth wrote: ↑Wed Aug 18, 2021 6:03 pm Jah! only a pity that they missed the leopards

We'll find them next time

RogerFraser wrote: ↑Wed Aug 18, 2021 8:46 pm more spots you really did have a good Leopard trip .

Also love going to the dam only think that I wish is there was at least a picnic spot around the area would be a great stopover .

We sure did Roger. Picnic spot there would be fantastic

Tuesday July 13th contd

Our afternoon drive was a very simple plan of again heading up to the Nwatimhiri causeway and back. Near Lower Sabie there was a colourful white-fronted bee-eater



Just past the Lubyelubye rocks there was a huge breeding herd of buffalo. They were on both sides of the road, and kept crossing the road so it took us quite a long time to get through them all







We were quite fortunate to get a gap before the herd again closed over the road behind us. As we continued up the road from the herd, a cat figure appeared at the side of the road… which turned out to be a lioness



A couple more appeared - one missing the end of its tail





With the buffalo herd blocking other cars, it was just us and the lions for quite a while. Fairly quickly one of them caught sight of the buffalo in the distance which got its attention







We wondered whether this could be the start of a hunt, but three lionesses against a herd that size would surely be a tough one. Two had crossed over the road, and this third one started making its way down the road towards us







After walking past us, she had a good look around and then sat down watching the buffalo in the distance

Leo no. 13 was a real cutie pie. Not too old yet. Funny how "tame" they seem shortly after having dispersed and how shy the get the older they turn.

And, woah, what a lion sighting. Too good to be true. That first lioness looks more like a tiger. She's huuuge! But all are very handsome individuals which is not that common I find, in comparison to the Addo or KTP lions.

Would it be possible that it's a mom with two grown-up "cubs" Alas, lunch is too far away

A lovely bee-eater

Cute buffalo calf