I drove into Kruger on 27th August heading north to meet Tom & Jacky. However, they were in Shingwedzi Camp on that night which is a little too far for me to get to from my house in one day. So I camped at Tsendze Rustic Camp, which is one of my favorite spots.
Black Rhino
As I entered the park at first light a Black Rhino was crossing the road. It saw me & panicked! First it charged me. I was stationary by this time, then it ran away, before charging again, slipping, frightening itself & running off! What a way to start the day!
Spotted Hyena
White Rhino
The landscape became more arid, as I drove north.
water points due to erosion around them.
N'waswitsonto River
Kumana Dam
The magnificent Olifants River
N'wamanzi Lookout
Looking south.
Letaba River
& is raising four cubs!
on the tar road.
the kill under a bush.
Tsendze Rustic Camp
African Scops Owl
Natal Francolin
Yellow billed Hornbill
Dawn
This Elephant has lost a complete tusk!
Blue Wildebeast
Black backed Jackal
Pods of Hippos are concentrated around
the remaining pools of water.
Old male Cape Buffalo.
Nyala are quite common along this road.
Sharpe's Grysbok
This Lioness was at Klopperfontein Dam
She doesn't look in very good condition.
The next day I was up at dawn, driving the Mooiplaas/Tropic of Capricorn Loop. As usual, it held a variety of plans game.
Beautiful open spaces here.
Burchell's Zebra
Kori Bustard
Grootvlei Dam
Blue Wildebeest drinking.
African Spoonbill & Black necked Stilt
I then traveled north on the S50 to Grootvlei Dam. One can drive up & along the dam wall, which gives great views.
The Shingwedzi River
the remaining pools of water.
I love driving north on this road. Once you get beyond Depeni waterhole, there are several small loops which take you alongside the river in a superb setting.
The north of the park sees a lot less traffic.
Black backed Jackal
Punda Maria Camp
The view from the hillside.
Bushbuck wander around the camp.
Hide overlooking the waterhole
Cape Buffalo being spooked by an Impala!
Kudu
There is a steady stream of animals coming to drink
at this waterhole.
Immature male & female Nyala
A magnificent male
Marabou Stork
My camp.
I love this!
Cheeky monkey!
Crested Guineafowl
This is a highly localised species in southern Africa.
Here wandering around the campsite!
Red billed Wood-hoopoe
Yellow bellied Bulbul
On my camping chair!
Tom in his tent!
The braii box!
It works well!
A romantic dinner for two!
I then pushed on northwards to Punda Maria. I met up with the guys that afternoon & we enjoyed a nice meal from their superb safari tent.
Jacky & Tom
Baobab country.
We were up at dawn the next day, driving to the Pafuri region. At first the scenery is arid with baobabs dotting the landscape.
Scenery from Nyala Drive
Warthog
Crowned Hornbill
Luvuvha River
The river looks nice but.....
A bit of a monster!
The smile that says
we are on holiday!
Picnic site
Large herd of Cape Buffalo
Fever Tree forest
Impalas are common in this habitat
Gymnogene
Long tailed Starling
White fronted Bee-eater
Crooks Corner
African Fish Eagle
We drove slowly along the gravel S63, which passes through some wonderful scenery, with loops & views over the river. We had several stops including at the picnic spot & a longer one at Crooks Corner.
Male Leopard
