The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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Pumbaa
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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

Post by Pumbaa »

Besides the bushbuck there was also an elephant bull as well as more and more impalas at that idyllic spot and now even the bateleur landed there

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followed by a juvenile one.

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After that exciting day we had already it was now time for a longer break at Tshokwane but that was not so easy in the first step as a huge elephant bull stood right there. It was meanwhile noon and consequently a lot of people were running around as well. For usre a lot people took selfies with the elephant but we kept in the beginning in a safe distance.

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Mr. Elephant stood under one of the large trees in the shade and finally broke a huge branch from the tree

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and started to feed on same. We in between made ourselves comfortable with a freshly brewed coffee and hot croissants and watched the spectacle obviously the elephant enjoyed the attention he got and was used to the people.

After finally the best parts from the branch had been eaten he walked over the parking area and started to feed on some bushes between the tar road and the picnic spot and there he still stood when we left the picnic spot.

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As already expected it got quiet due to the heat and we never saw the N’waswitsontso river that empty at least the views along the tar road there are always lovely but luckily at Mazithi dam there was still a bit water left where a great number of waterbucks gathered around, some were lying at the edge of the water in the heat whilst others were feeding or drinking.

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The egyptian geese were noisy

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whilst meanwhile also zebras joined the masses of waterbucks at the dam

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and at the other end of the dam even a couple of buffaloes were lying in the water.

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Although the S86 is only a short loop we do love that little detour from the tar road and we discovered a kudu bull a bit hidden in the vegetation as well as zebras and nearly at the end of that road on a large koppie we came across a group of banded mongoose

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and whilst already most of them ran away some were simply too curious and checked us out.

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Pumbaa
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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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At Kumana dam now an elephant pool party was in full swing and whilst some of them were already enjoying the water

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others quenched their thirst

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and we had difficulties where to look first as there were so many elephants around for sure also a lot of younger ones were around

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and finally between the grey masses also impalas finally arrived although they most of the time stayed in the background.

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It was so nice in the water that even the ears were pleased

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and whilst a mother and her little one enjoyed the time at the waterhole in the background others had a dispute

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the rest had the best time in the water

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and another dispute can also happen in the water.

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This one kept away from everything.

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


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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

Post by Lisbeth »

A very successful day at the dams with lots of animals ^Q^ ^Q^

Elephants of course have a waterhole all to themselves, taking advantage of their size; they just don't like to share lol

All this frolicking was most likely also because of the heat.
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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

Post by Richprins »

An idyllic spot indeed, Pumbaa! :-0

And what a guest at Tshokwane! :shock: :shock:

I would have thought the two dams would be dry, they are small and evaporate quickly! \O

Lots of action, and nice mongoose there, they are not common in Kruger at all!

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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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I've never seen so many waterbucks together :-0 and the elephants frolicking in the water are always quite entertaining O/\ .

...to be cont... 0() more please


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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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Lisbeth wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 1:26 pm A very successful day at the dams with lots of animals ^Q^ ^Q^

Elephants of course have a waterhole all to themselves, taking advantage of their size; they just don't like to share lol

All this frolicking was most likely also because of the heat.
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Definitely but we had our fun and joy in watching them O/\


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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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Richprins wrote: Sun Apr 06, 2025 5:53 pm An idyllic spot indeed, Pumbaa! :-0

And what a guest at Tshokwane! :shock: :shock:

I would have thought the two dams would be dry, they are small and evaporate quickly! \O

Lots of action, and nice mongoose there, they are not common in Kruger at all!

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I also thought they were dryer but luckily around Satara it was compared to the other park a bit more wet but definitely not that wet as during "normal" summers \O


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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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ExFmem wrote: Mon Apr 07, 2025 12:51 am I've never seen so many waterbucks together :-0 and the elephants frolicking in the water are always quite entertaining O/\ .

...to be cont... 0() more please
We also never saw that many waterbucks together it was fantastic O\/


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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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Kumana dam indeed attracted such a great number of elephants that made it hard to leave as we so enjoyed watching them. At least before we left we changed our position

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and between all the elephants white faced as well as knob-billed ducks could also be seen but they kept in the background away from all the grey ones.

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Next stop was then only at Nkaya pan where we were greeted already by warthogs either outside

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or already in the water at least with the toes.

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Luckily also there a larger puddle was still left

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so that also buffaloes and a pair of saddle billed storks could be seen as well.

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It was the hottest time of the day and in the sun it must have been meanwhile unbearably so we were that happy about the saddle billed storks,

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warthogs

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as well as buffaloes as the water in the puddle must have been everything but cold.

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Although there was no shade for us we spend a nice time there

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before we finally reached Satara camp where we could move straight into our bungalow G177 for the next four days. The best thing we noticed was that the air condition from anno 1975 or so had been renewed by a modern and far more quiet one so at least our sleep was guaranteed. After everything had been packed away and we cooled a bit down Timon simply had to stroll a bit around in camp where he spotted this lizard who was extreme good camouflaged

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and also a female bearded woodpecker

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was busy in finding something juicy in the holes of this branch.

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Re: The Heat is on and the Lions as well

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As it was still unbearably hot we decided to pay at least Girivana a short afternoon visit so we left relatively late and soon were held up by another impressive elephant bull who enjoyed the shade under trees.

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It was one of those very relaxed ones and it was such a pleasure in watching him feeding

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and on top he was quite a good poser.

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We were happy in detecting a black shouldered kite

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and at Girivana a troop of baboons were hanging around

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as it was still that hot but luckily the light was again brilliant.

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As always in the late afternoon in summer a lot of carmine bee eaters were around who were hunting for insects whenever flying over Girivana dam.

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As we only left Satara late it was already time to return back to camp and on our way we stopped for another red-backed shrike,

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a lillac breasted roller

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and for sure that magical sunset rounded up that incredible day we had today.

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Back in camp soon the braai had been lit and although it was still extreme hot we enjoyed our dinner on our verandah but today we drank the rest of our cold ones inside as it was far more comfortable under the air condition.

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


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