We arrived back in Pretoria on the evening of 3rd May after a long couple of days driving. We stayed for five nights in order to re-register one of the cars & our off-road caravan. We also had to unpack the caravan, as it was going in for service & pack for our time in Sabie Park. Our cat Shashi was not feeling well, so we had to take her to the vet one morning. So it was a busy time for us.
Finally we left on the early morning of the 8th May & drove to Middleburg to drop off our caravan for servicing. There were a surprising long list of things that needed attention after our two & half month long trip, which was mainly off-road visiting some rather remote locations.
Our little bush house!
We then carried on to Sabie Park, with stops at Milly's for lunch & a shopping for provisions in White River. We arrived home around 5pm to start unpacking the cars. We hadn't been to the house for nearly six months, but had arranged for the staff to conduct a full clean of the house & they did an excellent job. It was nice to sit outside & listen to the bush sounds of Hippo & Hyena & then we turned in for an early night as both of us were shattered!
Dusk at the picnic site.
The next day was spent organising all our gear into the house & doing general chores. On 10th we met up with our friends Rob & Beth & had drinks at the picnic site. It was a very enjoyable time catching up on all their news.
Spotted Hyena
Dwarf Mongoose
Play fighting
Cape Buffalo on the Sabie River,
On the 11th we ventured into Kruger & everything was very green after the recent rains. We were surprised to find that some of the gravel roads were closed & consequently we drove on the main tarred road up to the high water bridge & back to Skukuza. A good variety of general game was seen, but nothing special.
It looks inviting, but brrrr!
Delana enjoying a stroll in the beautiful weather.
There is always something happening in the garden!
The next three days were spent in Sabie Park with a little birding. It was nice to be back home & just chill in the garden. An adult Cape Griffon was seen circling high overhead on 14th May.
Crocodile at the picnic site
On 16th May I got a bit of a surprise! A male House Sparrow on my roof! This is certainly my first record for Sabie Park after all these years. We then drove into Kruger to the airport to pick up an old friend of Delana's, Bernt. They have worked on projects together in the past. We then went for lunch at the Sabie Park Picnic Site. He proved to be a very easy going & interesting person & we all had a nice time there.
Delana & Bernt are old friends.
At Stevenson Hamilton Memorial.
The view from the memorial hill.
Part of a group of five White Rhino.
Hippo keeping an eye on us!
Nyalas sparring.
Impalas in flight.
Male Steenbok.
Hammerkop
White-backed & two Cape Griffins.
Cape Griffin & White-backed Vultures.
The next day we enjoyed a day in Kruger: visiting Marula Loop & then slowly driving north on the S36 gravel road. We cut back to the main road on the Vitumi Road. It proved to be a great day out. The birding highlight of the day was 170+ White-backed & 5 Cape Griffon Vultures bathing in mid-afternoon on the Sand River. This is a rare sight now a days with the rapid decline of Vultures in general.
Hippo
African Fish Eagle
On 18th we went back into Kruger, driving the S3 & S4 Roads, Diospane Road & onto the Skukuza Golf Club where we had lunch & then visiting Lake Panic Bird Hide.
Elephant
In the late afternoon we were at the Sabie Park Picnic Site until dusk.
Elephant on the Sabie River
The next day we were once again in Kruger, this time running down to Lower Sabie Rest Camp. The birding highlight of the day were 47 African Open-billed & 13 Marabou Stork.
Bull Elephant at the river.
Vervet Monkey
Common Scimitarbill
On 20th, Bernt & I did a walk around Sabie Park recording 44 species. Then it was time for him to pack & for us to take him to Skukuza Airport for his flight back to Sweden. It had been a very enjoyable time having him visit us & we hope to see him again in the near future.
Nyamundwa Dam
On 23rd May we returned to Kruger driving the S3/S4/Diospane Road. We had hoped to go down the gravel Waterhole Road, but it was still closed after the recent heavy rains. So we went to Phabeni Gate & on to Hazyview. We returned along the Sabie River Road,but without seeing anything special.
Klaas's Cuckoo
The next day was spent around the house & I found a Klaas's Cuckoo, which is an uncommon winter visitor here. It is a common summer breeding bird here in the lowveld.
It is now early winter here & very cold
in the early mornings!
Mpondo Dam
We were up before dawn on 25th May to go into Kruger. This time we went south along the S114, but found the Biyimiti Loop Road to be closed, so we went to Mpondo Dam instead. It was very quiet both for animals & birds, but we both enjoyed being out & about on a cold, but beautiful winter's morning.
Leopard
Taken through the windscreen at 40 kms speed!
That is why this photo is slightly milky.
He quickly went into thick cover.
These last two photos were taken through
the open window!
Just before Paul Kruger Gate as we were leaving the park at 13.00 hrs, we spotted a male Leopard crossing the road & he proceeded to mark his territory. I managed a few shots through the windscreen, but he didn't hang around & was soon into thick cover, where we lost him. Delana was saying why do we get up so early, when one can see cats in the middle of the day? A good question!
The Sabie River
On the 26th May we visited the Sabie Park Picnic Site & enjoyed a late breakfast. The weather was fantstic & the place looked stunning. We saw Elephant; Giraffe; Kudu; Waterbuck; Impala & Warthog come down to drink. While seven Hippos were sleeping in the reeds in another part of the river.
African Finfoot
Later on we spotted an African Finfoot crossing the river. Always a good sighting of this scarce & elusive species.
Sable Antelope
Warthog.
The next day I did an early morning bird walk, recording 45 species. Nothing out of the ordinary seen, but the five Sable were a nice sighting. Warthogs were re-introduced back into the park after a long absence. Previously they were prone to being preyed upon by Leopards. However, this pair have three juveniles & appear to be doing well.
The 28th May saw us driving to Nelspruit for my six monthly check up. Everything went well but then I sat all day waiting for results which never came! So I had to drive back the next day. I decided to drive through the park & was rewarded by a sighting of a Leopard stalking a herd of Impala.I got my results but it was a bit of a mixed bag.
On 30th May Anelle & Lourens arrived for a few nights stay. On the last day of the month we stayed around the house & chatted on the verandah. It was a very pleasant day.
Anelle, Lourens & myself enjoying brunch!
The 1st June saw us enjoying a late breakfast at the picnic site. The weather was fantastic & we saw quite a few animals coming to drink & good views of an African Finfoot crossing the river. The next day we had a run into Kruger but didn't see anything special, apart from poor views of a male Lion.
Looking down the Crocodile River from the house.
The reason we were in the park was to drive to Andrew & Jacky's house in Malelane. Jacky had made a fantastic brunch for us, which we enjoyed while looking for animals & birds along the river. There were plenty of Elephants, Hippos, Waterbuck & Impalas. However, the undoubted highlight was Delana spotting a Leopard coming down to the river to drink. Unfortunately my camera battery was dead, so no photos! Must learn to check on this before venturing out! A great photo opportunity missed.
A great little sighting in the garden.
On 3rd June Lourens & Annelle returned back home to Pretoria. It was great having them around for a few days. The rest of the day was spent on us both working on the computers. I am trying to catch up with my blog, as I am way behind. The problem is when we are on long trips one rarely has internet, so you get behind very quickly. We had a visit from a group of six Nyala. This was rare species here in the past but today is getting increasingly common.
The next day was spent at home: me working to get my blog up to date & Delana working on our wedding book. In actual fact we had two weddings! She has put an incredible amount of work into this project & the book looks really great!
On 5th June the morning was spent doing chores around the house & the afternoon was spent at the picnic site. It was a cool, overcast day, so I didn't take many photos.
The next day saw me up at dawn birding around the house. I was rewarded with a juvenile Black Goshawk mobbing an African Fish Eagle. This is only my second record of this species here in Sabie Park. The rest of the day saw me working on my blog.
Saddle-billed Stork
African Woolly-necked Stork & Hammerkop
In the newly opened Jungle Bar.
On 7th June we drove through the park to Hazyview to do some shopping. We discovered a pool which was drying up & full of fish. Attending were 2 Saddle-billed Storks; 2 Woolly-necked Storks & 3 Hammerkops, all together in a tiny area. Further on we found a Hooded & a Lappet-faced Vulture sat in trees giving nice views. After shopping we visited the opening of the Jungle Bar just outside Hazyview. This is owned by Ryno the son of Lisa & Juan who own the butchery in the town.
The 8th June was spent working on my blog, then a late brunch at the picnic site. The evening was spent & Rob & Beth's house. Nothing of note was recorded.
Elephant
Youngster trying to keep up.
Kudu coming to drink.
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Thick-tailed Bushbaby
Up to three are regular nocturnal
visitors to the house.
The next day was beautiful weather but both of us working most of the day on our computers. We did go to the picnic site early evening.
Kudu coming down to drink at the river.
Elephant
Here they come!
Me getting photos!
About 15m from where we were standing!
There were lots of youngsters in this herd.
The 11th June was our last full day & it was spent cleaning & packing up the house. In the late afternoon we went to the picnic site, which was quiet apart from a breeding herd of Elephants which came behind us!
We left Sabie Park early morning on 12th June to drive to Pretoria via Middleburg to pick up our caravan. Everything had been fixed & the movers are now working perfectly. All ready for our next trip!
Delana trying to get warm!
It had been a fantastic stay with great weather. Pretoria was very cold & quite a contrast to what we had become used to in the lowveld. We were here to put both the caravan & car to bed, as we are away chasing sunshine again, in Brazil for the next six weeks!
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The next day I did an early morning bird walk, recording 45 species. Nothing out of the ordinary seen, but the five Sable were a nice sighting.
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