I've got a feeling of a hot summer in Kruger

[Lisbeth]

So nice to have the bushbucks around

Lots of waterbucks

Maybe the elephant thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence or just wanted company

[Richprins]

Catching up, Pumbaa!

Such a gorgeous selection of pics!

Beautiful birdies all round, I like the dust-bathing birds!

Ja, 36 degrees is getting a bit unpleasant!

More rhino, with horns!

I love the walk to the dam and the wildlife around camp. Nice braaiing with the ellies!

[RogerFraser]

What a great first day and then to spend time so close to the Ellie is very special .

[Pumbaa]

So nice to have the bushbucks around

Lots of waterbucks

Maybe the elephant thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence or just wanted company

I am sure he just wanted company it was indeed amazing - He was so peacefully munching his grass whilst we enjoyed our dinner

[Pumbaa]

Catching up, Pumbaa!

Such a gorgeous selection of pics!

Beautiful birdies all round, I like the dust-bathing birds!

Ja, 36 degrees is getting a bit unpleasant!

More rhino, with horns!

I love the walk to the dam and the wildlife around camp. Nice braaiing with the ellies!

There is always something to be seen on that walk along the fence even when it is that hot

[Pumbaa]

What a great first day and then to spend time so close to the Ellie is very special .

That said our neighbours from our bungalow as well that ellie so close is indeed something very special

[Pumbaa]

Saturday, 12. February 2022 – Berg en Dal – Biyamiti

Driven roads: H3 – S110 – H3 – S118 – S119 – S25 – H4-2 – H5 – S108 – S25 – S139

For sure before we left we enjoyed our obligatory morning coffee on the verandah and after it was time we packed everything together although feeling a bit sad to leave already that area but as always were looking forward what the park might have in store for us that day and for sure on all the following days.

As it was a Saturday we already noticed a long queue at the gate and on top most of them turned into the direction of Matjulu and so we did and until we reached the second causeway to be crossed it was completely quiet but right after that causeway we were soon caught in a traffic jam and despite the many cars in front of us we noticed the silhouettes of a couple of large cats right on the road.

It was a large pride with only females or better to say consisting of lions without a mane as during the whole sighting we never noticed the big boss, however, we already realized from where we stood one smaller cub as well as a couple of larger cubs so we only hoped for a better view onto them as from where we stood in the beginning we were unable to take pictures as the cars did not moved forward and the lions got out of sight but obviously the luck was with us as now the whole pride turned into the veld and we already thought that was it and they will move deeper into the bush but some of them simply needed a break also from the many cars around them and where they settled now each car could park on the roadside and had a fantastic view onto the lions.



Some moved to another resting place and some took a rest behind a bush but we immediately fell completely in love with the little cub.



Overall I counted more than ten lions





but we had in the beginning mostly only eyes for the little cub who had to follow its mom whilst others already took a break.



Meanwhile all of them decided to lay down in the grass and to eye all the cars watching them suspiciously



and somehow we accidentally had the best spot to photograph that gorgeous little cub close to mom.



The lions looked as if they enjoyed the time they spend together whilst the little cub tirelessly needed time to play



and we already thought that the pride might carry on but one of them simply needed another place to rest



so it got overall quiet besides the little cub



as same still carried on in playing



whereas the others turned into resting mood again.

[Pumbaa]

We were so happy to have found already during our second day lions and even that much of them and extreme close and not hidden plus that cute extreme small cub.





Now it was also time to make funny faces





and after quite a while whilst already many cars carried on whilst others came along later and it got a bit quieter carwise the lions returned back to the road as obviously the grass was too high for them and now finally carried on.



We again had luck as the cub as well as its mom now appeared right in front of us and although we only got a back view from them it was more than entertaining to watch the little one first hunting mom.



and later to keep up with her



whilst the rest of the pride was already a bit in front.



Luckily all the drivers in the cars had the presence of mind to leave a small gap in the middle of the road so nearly everyone following the pride could watch them or photograph them.



What a difference in size – Obviously still a long time until the little rascal might reach the size of its mom.



It was now time to follow the pride this was meant for mom and her offspring as well as for all the cars around



and meanwhile all were in move either lions or all the cars.



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

[Lisbeth]

Strange that there was only one cub with all those females At least you only had to keep your eyes on that one

[Richprins]

What a superb sighting, Pumbaa!

Nice to see lions moving about, and of course the cub!