Africa Wild

Duke wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:42 pm We checked in at Malelane and the camp was rather quiet on the Thursday night (20 March). We were out at 5.30am on the Friday morning. There was only one option as far as drives go and that was the H3. Before the Renoster Pan turn we saw a lion and lioness walking on the road. We approached slowly but they headed for the grass.








The H-2 was closed but these lads were on the entrance to that road

Duke wrote: ↑Tue Apr 01, 2014 7:02 pm

We found a hyena Mom on the road and these little guys on the side





A Lifer , The Levaillant's Cuckoo was not sitting still but we got some photos.

Duke wrote: ↑Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:16 pm So we approach the cars thinking it will be the two males but are pleasantly surprised

They had made a kil and there was not much left of it when we got there but one or two were still busy with the scraps. Splendour in the Grass









We returned to Malelane. On the afternoon drive we had another awesome sighting not far from where the dogs were

What a day it was turning out to be. Kruger Magic.

Duke wrote: ↑Thu Apr 03, 2014 4:02 pm Well there was only one route to take for our afternoon drive, the H3 North

Not far from where the wild dogs were, there were 3 cheetahs, far from the road, in the long grass.





Just as we were about to move on, they got up and crossed the road










Lions, Wild Dogs and Cheetah all within about 3km of each other at different times of the day

Duke wrote: ↑Sun Apr 06, 2014 11:34 am

The second morning finds us on the H3. We see the usual suspects but just before Afsaal we see the doggies



They are on the move and we spend the next 90 minutes with them, right till Jock Camp, a distance of about 8 km. They are on the road, and in the grass.







They stop to pose




and this is how you take care og the long grass Lis





When all the troops are accounted for, they move again

Duke wrote: ↑Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:27 pm

We were the third car on the scene. The other two overtook us along the way as we stop for most things. The number of cars started building up after about 20 minutes but the dogs were spraed out and on the move so there was no congestion and people were allowing others to pass. We were happy not to be right in front as this allowed us to have doggies in front of us and behind us. These pix will give you an idea.

steamtrainfan wrote: ↑Thu May 29, 2014 2:08 pm

While I checked in Joan went on walk about and came back with the news that she had overheard one lady telling another about a leopard in a tree with its kill near Afsaal. After unpacking we made some quick calculations - it is now 14:45 and Afsaal is 35 km's away and travelling at 35kph would take us until 16:45 to do the return trip and gates close at 17:30. This allows us 45 minutes allowance for any other sightings and to find the LITWK. Decision made and so we set off.

Un fortunately Joan could not hear any further information on exactly where this LITWK was but relied on the fact that there would be a pile of cars there so spotting it would be a cinch.

Some of the sightings on our way up to Afsaal.

Sandgrouse - now why does this name bring a smile to my face.



Close to the turnoff to Renoster Pan, which is closed, we came across a hyena den. The S118 is also closed.

This adult looked as if he/she was on lookout duty.



But he/she was just keeping on eye in this youngster who came running out of the grass to greet us...............



..............and lay down next to our car which caused much shuffling of cars around us.



One guy really brassed me off. We were heading north on the H3 and the den was on our right hand side so I pulled over to the right hand side of the road staying on the tar facing on coming traffic. This dweet heading south parked right in front of me, radiator to radiator so to speak, with his left hand wheels off the tar. We were still watching when he decided that he was finished and then came forward and passed between us and the den - all 4 wheels were on the dirt. I do not think he saw the entrance to the den or how close his left hand wheels were to it. He must have missed it by inches. In my wicked mind I kind of wished that he had landed up in it but then I thought of the hyenas that might have been it so I contented myself by just blowing him a raspberry as his window was mere inches from mine.

We moved on up the H3 and arrived at Afsaal without seeing the LITWK. We then thought that maybe it was north of Afsaal so we decided to drive up to the S113 and if we did not see it we would turnaround as time was marching on.

A few km's north of Afsaal we saw a likely looking LITWK tree so stopped for a closer inspection. We did not see a leopard but we did see this little fellow checking us out.



Who then called his wife out to have a look at these strange animals staring at them.



After giving us the once over she got bored and returned to the comfort of home. Maybe there were youngsters in there.



We told a passing car about these brown-headed parrots but all we got was a dirty look and they roared off.

steamtrainfan wrote: ↑Fri May 30, 2014 2:36 pm

Saying farewell to the parrots we turned around and headed back down the H3 in search of our LITWK. Had we missed it somewhere , but surely we would have seen a pile of cars in the road, or was it a lady with a tale?

A rather nice photo of my favourite bird.



We passed Afsaal and I was beginning to become very disheartened about ever seeing our first LITWK.

At the junction of the H3 and H2-2 there is a tree on the left hand side that looked like a good candidate. I slowed down when Joan shouted "STOP".

" I'm sure there is something in that tree."

"No way - it is just a branch. Lets move on."

"Wait, pass me the binoculars. I just saw the branch move."

This is what we saw without binoculars, except it was a bit darker as it was now 16:00.



Joan said very calmly " Yes, there she is."

"Where , I cant see anything"

We then moved onto the H2-2 where we could get a better view.

Not another car in sight.

We could move into any position and found a place that gave us the best view.

Our first LITWK - the goosebumps flared up all over and the shaking began.



She seemed to be trying to get the carcass into a more secure position.



There was not much left of the carcass - basically just the head and a leg from what we could see.



We watched her for 15 minutes when suddenly out of nowhere four cars suddenly appeared.

We took a last photo and moved on.



We stopped at hyena den for some final pics.

The adult was still keeping watch.



Once again the youngster came out of the grass and posed for us.



Overall we would say this was a very successful day.

We decided to do this route again tomorrow morning and pop in and see if the LITWK would still be there.

steamtrainfan wrote: ↑Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:42 pm

Found some ellies enjoying themselves in a lush river bed.



Breakfast at Afsaal and the on the road again.

Nothing much to be seen on the H3 but decided to stick to it instead of our original plan to take the S113, S114 to Renosterkoppies dam.

Just before Kwaggaspan one crosses a river with a high bridge. There was a bakkie stopped there and a ladies hand was gesticulating wildly. We could not see what she saw so drove slowly past them and waited in front of them. Joan suddenly said "Leopard" and there he was striding out from bushes around the river with a real purpose towards the water hole. He then settled down for a short drink and then walked off.







Four leopard in three days - a record for us.