I flew from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg on 24th November. A very pleasant day flight & Delana picked me up & we drove to her house in Burkia Park just north of Pretoria.
We packed the Landcruiser & then we were off!
Had a lovely evening, but was on the road again at the crack of dawn to drive to Sabie Park, picking up my vehicle In White River & arriving mid-afternoon. The whole area had experienced heavy rain the previous Saturday, so it looked very green. As always, we had to organizing to do in the house & after a nice evening meal retired to bed early.
Had a lovely evening, but was on the road again at the crack of dawn to drive to Sabie Park, picking up my vehicle In White River & arriving mid-afternoon. The whole area had experienced heavy rain the previous Saturday, so it looked very green. As always, we had to organizing to do in the house & after a nice evening meal retired to bed early.
Back home again!
Delana & I at the bridge at Paul Kruger Gate.
On 26th I went to pick up the two cleaning ladies early & left them with Delana to do a full days work. I drove to pick up Tom. He was visiting from the UK for just a few days winter sun & birding. We drove back home & spent the rest of the evening on the veranda with drinks & food.
The fabulous Sabie River.
African Black Duck, a rare visitor these days here.
Tawny Flanked Prinia
Delana & Tom trying to get phone signal
by improvising!
Found this lurking by my dustbins! Not sure what it is!
Emerald Spotted Wood Dove
Male Red backed Shrike
by improvising!
All of us were up early on 27th. Tom & I did some birding around Sabie Park, while Delana stayed home working on a report on her recent work in Zambia. Birding was a little quiet & many summer migrants had still not arrived. It turned out that last Saturdays rain was it ! Nothing before, so it had been a long protracted winter.
Grey Heron
Water Dikkop
This was a threat display directed
at a baby Crocodile!
The beastie!
Ashy Flycatcher
Lesser Masked Weaver
Skukuza Golf Club
Dwarf Mongoose
White backed Vulture
Mosque Swallow
We returned to the house & picked up Delana & ventured in Kruger National Park, first visiting Lake Panic & then going for drinks at The Golf Club.
The Sabie River from the picnic site.
Late afternoon light.
A terrible photo of one of the two Bat Hawks
which flew over.
Gymnogene
White Rhino
Hippo.
We returned home & spent the last couple of hours birding from the Sabie Park picnic site. We were rewarded with two Bat Hawks flying along the river at 17.20 hours! Always a terrific bird to see.
We recorded 92 species in Sabie Park during our fragmented birding there including a White Stork flying high overhead & an African Rock Martin along the river. I will have to check, but both could be new records for Sabie Park.
Transport Dam
White faced Duck
The view from Stevenson Hamilton Memorial
Breakfast in the bush!
Pilated Lizard
African Hawk Eagle
Immature.
Brown hooded Kingfisher
On 28th November we had a dawn start into KNP. Driving the river road (S3); Waterhole Road; Transport Dam & a nice coffee/breakfast stop at Stevenson- Hamilton Memorial.
Elephant
Cape Buffalo
Wahlberg's Eagle
Woodland Kingfisher
Relaxing at Afsaal.
Male Plum coloured Starling
We then continued south to the Biyimiti Loop Road with drinks at Afsaal Picnic Site. By this time is was incredibly hot, so we returned home via the tar road & spent late afternoon at the Protea Hotel enjoying sun-downer drinks.
Sabie River
Wahlberg's Eagles
This pair were courting & getting ready to breed.
Wood Sandpiper
The wonderful Sabie River.
Impalas have just been born.
Flat or Hinged backed Tortoises mating.
Giant Kingfisher
Jacobin Cuckoo
Tawny flanked Prinia
Singing.
Tawny Eagle & Bateleur.
The next morning was a repeat off the previous day, up at dawn, but this time driving straight passed Skukuza on to the main Sabie River Road, crossing over at the high water bridge, before driving down the Salitjie Road.
Limited rain means the savanna areas
are still quite dry.
Immature Martial Eagle
Mlondozi Dam is still dry!
Great scenic views, are to be enjoyed from this spot.
Cooking breakfast!
Brown Snake Eagle
We then went into the savanna zone along the S128 loop road before having a late breakfast at Mlondozi Picnic Site. Always one of my favourite stops.
Reed Cormorant
Reed Cormorant & Little Egret
Hammerkop
On 30th November we did a little birding around the Sabie Park Picnic Site. Some good raptor records included Martial Eagle; Booted Eagle & Steppe Buzzard.
Male Leopard
He was marking his territory.
Awesome!
Male Nyala
Young male Bushbuck
African Spoonbill & Little Egret
Nice to see this species up close & doing something!
Immature Green backed Heron
Squacco Heron
Woodland Kingfisher
White Rhino
Baby Impala
We entered KNP at a very late 10.30 am but stumbled into a male Leopard marking his territory! We all enjoyed terrific views. Once again we visited Lake Panic & on to the Golf Course before spending the late afternoon back in Sabie Park.
Sunset close to Sabie Park.
On 1st December it was time to drive Tom back to the airport for his flight home to Yorkshire. it had been an action packed few days & we both had enjoyed his company. Delana & I drove home via the park & briefly seeing 2 Wild Dogs close to Phabeni Gate.
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