We left home on 3rd May to drive to Middleburg to get a few things on our Mobi Lodge caravan fixed. We dropped it off & then visited the nearby Wonderfontein Pans, which were disappointing, as the pans were on private land with no access & too far away to view from the nearby gravel roads. We did see a very distant Marsh Owl, but too far for any photos.
We spent the night in Middleburg, before picking up the caravan & driving to White River. Here we had two major appointments: one to get the car serviced before our forthcoming trip & two have a large awning with side walls fitted to the caravan. Palm Motors lent us a car, so while all these activities were taking place we made a quick trip to the Bat Hawk location on the outskirts of White River. We found the spot, but no birds present. Eventually I spotted a bird flying fast in the distance before it disappeared among some trees. Yet again no photo! We then drove home.
African Paradise Flycatcher
Terrestrial Brownbul
Grosbeak Weaver
The 5th May was spent in Sabie Park packing the caravan & the next day we drove south through Kruger to our home for the next three nights at Malelane Camp.
Entering Kruger National Park at
Malelane Gate.
Our campsite.
This is a small satellite camp without facilities, right on the national parks southern boundary. It is a very quiet camp, with some restricted river views, but one is looking out of the park to sugar cane fields beyond! However, we enjoyed our time here.
The reason for us staying here was because I had a PET scan appointment at the Mediclinic Hospital in Nelspruit on 7th May. All went well, but time at the hospital took up most of the day.
Adult White-headed Vulture
Just as we re-entered the national park to return home we spotted 2 adult White-headed Vultures giving fantastic views.
Hippos feeding on the far bank of the
Crocodile River.
Who are you looking at?
Kurrichane Thrush
On the 8th May we spent the morning in camp, watching a group of Hippos on the other side of the river. We then moved to the nearby Berg-en-Dal Camp & set up camp for the next five nights. We were busy in camp for most of the day. However, we did see & hear a very late Pied Cuckoo.
White-backed Vulture
Part of a group of 35 birds which
flew over the campsite.
Our camp.
I was contacted by the hospital saying that during the PET scan the machine malfunctioned & I would have to undergo it all over again! So I made another appointment for the 11th May.
Matjula Loop Road
Tawny Eagle
Some very nice scenery in this part of the park.
Waterhole
Malachite Kingfisher
Flappet Lark
This species is very difficult to photograph,
as it rarely perches out in the open.
Sabota Lark
The 10th May saw us driving the Matjula Loop Road just outside Berg-en-dal Camp. It was a beautiful crisp winter's morning & we enjoyed some nice sightings.
Wild Dog
With Steenbok prey
We then drove towards the main tar road & came across a small pack of 4 Wild Dogs right by the side of the road. They had just caught & killed a Steenbok & when we came across them, they were busy devouring it.
Just a little further down the road were a pride
of Lions hidden in the grass.
Lilac breasted Roller
Buffy Pipit
Rattling Cisticola
11th May was spent in Nelspruit again at the Mediclinic Hospital for yet another PET scan.
Dwarf Mongoose
When we returned to camp, we found we had some little friends!
White-fronted Bee-eater
Cape Starling
Crested Barbet
Golden-breasted Bunting
The next day we were back at the hospital in Nelspruit again to get my results. It took all day & we didn't get back to camp until late afternoon. We left early the next day. It has been a strange eight night stay in Kruger, as we hardly ever got out & about. The driving to & from the hospital took a lot of our time away & we never seemed to have the time for any game drives. However, we enjoyed two nice campsites & had a good time.
We spent most of 12th May in camp & in the late afternoon went for a short drive.
No comments:
Post a Comment