Tom & Jacky in Africa!

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.

Management are closing some of the artificial
 water points due to erosion around them.

N'waswitsonto River

Kumana Dam

Slim pickings!

The magnificent Olifants River

N'wamanzi Lookout

Looking south.

Letaba River

Cheetah

This female had killed a male Impala
& is raising four cubs!

This was just north of Letaba Camp, 
on the tar road.

Very difficult to photograph, as she had hidden
 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

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

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

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

This Lioness was at Klopperfontein Dam

She doesn't look in very good condition.