Africa Wild

First of all let me just tell you that is not a travel tale... it is just a few stories from our most recent trip to the park. Reports need to have a start and an end..it is a well known fact that I never manage to finish a report anymore. Therefore if I just call this a few stories then it doesn't matter whether I finish it or not...

As usual the 26th Dec saw us making our way up to our most favourite place...the Kgalagadi :) Our first night was spent en route at Kalahari Guest house and then 3 nights at Urikaruus. It was quiet ...13th, 14th Dalkeith and Craig Lockheart were all devastatingly quiet. But it was just so good to be back. It wasn't even that hot, there were no bees around ( very important since discovering on my previous visit to Urikaruus that I am violently allergic to bee stings) and we had been given chalet #1. Plenty of reasons to smile.
It was on our second day there that we decided to drive south on our afternoon drive...mostly we drive north.
The drive was quiet..nothing at all...until I spotted this little creature on Doug's side of the road. My heart always soars when I see these little creatures.
Unfortunately the meerkat took one look at us and disappeared. We slowly pulled away but within seconds I spotted some more meerkat on my side and what I spotted this time made my heart soar even more...if that is possible. :)
Yes more meerkat ...with two of the tiniest little ones I had ever seen. They were trying their best to keep up with the older meerkats. They were tumbling over their own feet as they were running along. Even trying to get around bokkie droppings was a mission for them.
What we found most interesting was the way all the other meerkats were fussing over them. There was much scurrying about and there was always one meerkat babysitting the babies. One brought them some food but they were not interested. Maybe too young to take on a huge grub for dinner.
The babies were lagging behind and I think the clan were making their way to their den for the night...so a helping hand was needed.

With that a second meerkat backtracked to pick up baby #2. This meerkat was not managing very well but finally picked it up..albeit by the ear.
I then realised that the meerkat was a male ...I guess they are not as good as the moms when it comes to carrying the babies.
Baby#2 was happy been carried along by his ear and after a bit squirming and wriggling dad dropped it and tried again. This time he got it right...:)
They moved off out of our view.
Well that sighting had already made my trip. Even if I saw nothing else during the rest of our stay I would be happy. Indeed a privilege to witness this little family taking care of the young. :)

Michele Long time no see

Michele Nel wrote: ↑Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:12 pm First of all let me just tell you that is not a travel tale... it is just a few stories from our most recent trip to the park. Reports need to have a start and an end..it is a well known fact that I never manage to finish a report anymore. Therefore if I just call this a few stories then it doesn't matter whether I finish it or not...

That would be a wise decision And maybe you should number it too. Then next time you just choose the same title with the next number

LOVE those ever so cute meerkat shots. Must be the smallest I have ever seen. Or at least the first time that I see a baby being carried.
Very enchanting to watch them taking care of the youngster !

Mel wrote: ↑Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:11 pm Michele Long time no see

Michele Nel wrote: ↑Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:12 pm First of all let me just tell you that is not a travel tale... it is just a few stories from our most recent trip to the park. Reports need to have a start and an end..it is a well known fact that I never manage to finish a report anymore. Therefore if I just call this a few stories then it doesn't matter whether I finish it or not...

That would be a wise decision And maybe you should number it too. Then next time you just choose the same title with the next number

LOVE those ever so cute meerkat shots. Must be the smallest I have ever seen. Or at least the first time that I see a baby being carried.
Very enchanting to watch them taking care of the youngster !

Thx Mel...yes been busy so therefore not much time for forums...:)

Very cute Meercats indeed

Michele!

Those meerkat are impossibly cute, and great pics!

Didn't you go to Tanzania too?

Oh, how cute are those little critters!!

Richprins wrote: ↑Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:44 am Michele!

Those meerkat are impossibly cute, and great pics!

Didn't you go to Tanzania too?

Thx Richprins. :)

Yes I was in Tanzania in Sept...and Namibia in August..then my daughter and grandkiddies were home for 6weeks during which we celebrated 60th, 30th and 1st birthdays..now you know why I don't get to travels tales that often...:) :)

Thank you for reading everybody..I will maybe get another tale out soon. :)

What gorgeous cuties, Michele,

and what a luck you had with that sighting and even so close