Karoo National Park

I spent most of the 2nd December in hospital, having been prodded, poked & needled as well as having scans.  Unfortunately my results were not good & it looks like I am in big trouble! 

We left Sabie Park on 3rd December & spent the night at our house in Pretoria. Then we were up early, driving south along the N1 to spend the night with Francois & Juantelle in Bloemfontein. On the way we saw several Little Swift & South African Swallow colonies. The latter species is one that I don't see very often, as I don't live or birdwatch within its summer breeding range. So I was delighted to obtain some photos.

A colony of South African Swallows.

The nests are very densely packed.

South African Swallow building its nest.

Great to see this species. it is common within its range,

 but I am rarely in its range at the correct time of year.

We arrived at the Karoo National Park mid-afternoon & settled into our chalet, which was very nice.

The restcamp is set in beautiful surroundings.

We had a nice shaded verandah & enjoyed 

great views over the veld.

The view from the chalet.

Red Hartebeest 

This species survives well in this habitat.

Eiland

Small herds are found throughout the park.

Gemsbok

Steenbok

Mountain Reedbucks drinking at the waterhole.

Mountain Reedbuck

This is a species I very rarely see.

 Always uncommon even in the most 

suitable habitat.

Cape Mountain Zebra

Male Grey Rhebok

Female

Springbok is the most abundant large mammal

in this national park.

Chacma Baboon

Some of the largest Leopard Tortoise were

common here.

Common Ostrich

Southern Crag Martin

Southern Masked Weaver were common 

in the rest camp.

White-throated Canary

Bokmakerie

Karoo Prinia

Dusky Sunbird

The 6th December was our only full day in the Park, so we were up early driving the Potlekkertjie Loop via the Doornhoek Picnic Site & returning via the Klipspringer Pass. It was a long but very good day.

A road less travelled.

Typical scenery in the park

Booted Eagle

Dark phase

Karoo Korhan

Short-toed Rock Thrush

Karoo Long-billed Lark

Karoo Chat

Trac-trac Chat

Sickle-winged Chat

Grey-backed Cisticola

Rufous-eared Warbler

Delana at the Doornhoek Picnic Site.

White-backed Mousebird

Fiscal Flycatcher

Fairy Flycatcher

Pririt Batis

Cape Bunting

View from the top of the plateau.

Klipspringer Pass

The next day we left for the long drive to Pearly Beach arriving home early evening. We would have liked to have spent another couple of days in the Karoo National Park, but there is always the next time!

Delana had some work to do, so I went on a drive around the Lammertjies Loop Road. Weather was very hot & birdlife was scarce, but I had a nice time.