It is 28th September & Delana & I have been packing for our forthcoming short trip to Madagascar! This a a twelve day recee for a more comprehensive trip to this fabulous island next autumn. Delana has been twice before & we are trying out one of her contacts who arranged her last trip, which went very well. We organised accommodation for ourselves, but used the agency for a driver & hopefully a decent four by four vehicle. We expect total ecological devastation outside of the protected areas & terrible roads which take time to navigate. On the plus side, the reserves look amazing & we can't wait to visit. I think that this is the most excited I have been for a trip in a long time. We hope you enjoy this post of our travels to this magical (sometimes forgotten) island.
Sunday, 28 September 2025
Saturday, 27 September 2025
We have a Visitor!
We picked up Jaquis Le Roux from Skukuza Airport on 16th September. He had flown in on the newly established direct flight from Cape Town. He is the owner of The Whale Brewery which we frequent when we are in Pearly Beach. It was 40 degrees celsius, so we went home via the pub for a cool down! After settling in we all went to the picnic site for a leisurely afternoon. And what an afternoon is was! It proved to be The Elephant Show!
The next day we were all up early for a full day in Kruger National Park. We went over the low water bridge heading north via the Marula Loop Road. On to Tsokane & then Orpen Dam & Nkumbe Viewpoint. We returned via the dirt roads along the salitje section. This is a very scenic route & we all enjoyed a great day out.
The first sighting of note were this family of Hyena enjoying the first rays of warmth from the sun. it is strange that young Hyenas are so engaging & cute & then they grow up!
Lions mating by the roadside.
Mourning Dove at the picnic site.
Orpen Dam
White Rhino
A rare sight these days.
Brown Snake Eagle
Temminck's Courser
Black-capped Tchagra
Cape Glossy Starling
On 18th September we had a walk around Sabie Park & tried to photograph the White-faced Scops Owl on its nest.
White-faced Scops Owl
This proved difficult, because as soon as it saw us, it flattened itself down on its nest trying its best to be invisible!
Andrew & Jacky's house.
The view from the deck.
Reed Cormorant
On the 19th September we drove through the park to Malelane to visit Andrew & Jacky. It was a very nice day out & we enjoyed a lovely late breakfast on their verandah overlooking the river.
Me messing up the video while trying to drive!
You can't keep a good man down for long!
Magpie Shrike
A pair of Tawny Eagles.
They were feeding on a young Impala!
A Bateleur looks on hopefully!
A fitting end to a great day out!
The 20th September saw us drive to Pretoriuskop Camp. We briefly called in at the dam where both Hippos & Elephants were prominent.
Hippos in a stand-off.
Young Elephant.
We came across two male Lions which had recently killed a Cape Buffalo. However, by the time we found them they had finished eating & were resting.
We then did a circuit of Shabeni Hill which was quite productive for birds.
Golden-tailed Woodpecker
Cardinal Woodpecker
Fork-tailed Drongo
Lazy Cisticola
A rock-loving specialist.
Neddicky
Pel's Fishing Owl.
We heard from a lady that told us a Pel's Fishing Owl had just been discovered on the S3 road. Now this was on the way home, so we just had to go. Delana arrived at the location well before us & gave us exact directions for the bird. She also waited for us to show us exactly where it was, & we needed her help, as it was really tucked away.
Greater Painted Snipe
I found this bird in the Sabie River just as we were heading home. my second record for Sabie Park. A tremendous end to a fantastic day in the field.
From the office window!
Meanwhile Delana was home ahead of us & was confronted by an invasion of Zebras!
In the garden!
Adult African Hawk Eagle
On the 21st September we had a stroll around Sabie Park in the morning. Best sighting was an African Hawk Eagle & a Lesser Honeyguide.
We then drove to the Selati Restaurant for a drink before continuing to Lake Panic.
Young Elephant
Female Waterbuck
In the afternoon we visited Lake Panic ,which was very dry.
Female Leopard
What a great sighting!
We decided to return home via the S3 road & it paid off in spades! We found a female Leopard with two cubs & spent quite a bit of time with them. What a great day!
Four young male Lions
The next day Jaquis & I drove into Kruger for a full day out. Unfortunately I became ill & couldn't continue the trip, so headed back home & straight into bed. I have had better days!
Magpie Shrike
On 23rd September we had a quick run around to Stevenson Hamilton Memorial & back. It was a pleasant morning & I was feeling a lot better, so I could enjoy the day.
We spent the afternoon at the Sabie Park Picnic Site. The weather was great & we had a nice time relaxing.
The 24th September was the day that Jaquis flew back to Cape Town. However, we got a bit of a shock when e tried to enter the national park. it was a combination of free entry for SA nationals Parks for South African citizens & a public holiday. The place was rammed! We felt sorry for the hundreds of people who had been queing since early morning, as the park quota was full & they had no chance of entry. We had right of entry as we were going to the airport. We said our goodbyes & hope to see him back in the not too distant future.
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