By mid-February, the Wild de Wets were suffering from extreme bush withdrawal symptoms. So, with our “monochrome memories” from a visit to Pilanesberg National Park in December lined up for publishing at the same time, we headed back to Pilanesberg for a quick weekend bush-fix, camping at Bakgatla Resort for the Saturday night before Valentine’s Day.
It was noticeable that the Park received some much needed rain since our previous visit, evidenced by flowing streams, fuller dams and greener vegetation. We hope that more falls before the end of the summer rainy season, and that it will be enough to sustain the fauna and flora through the dry winter.
Camping at Bakgatla, Pilanesberg National Park, February 2016
Giraffe reaching for tasty leaves
Young giraffe
Blue wildebeest bull
Kudu close-up
Skittish mountain reedbuck
White rhino
Red hartebeest
Plains zebra
Elephant on a rocky outcrop
White rhino
Waterbuck cow
Elephant bull at Batlhako
Pilanesberg scenery
Elephant herd on the move near Bakubung
Early morning at Lake Mankwe
Klipspringer peeking
Western Osprey
Early morning impalas
Grey Go-away-bird
Plains Zebra
Plains Zebra foals
Herbivores often congregate in mixed herds
Blue wildebeests on the run
Tsessebe in the Pilanesberg
It was Valentine’s Day, after all…
Shocked onlookers!
Mankwe stream in Pilanesberg National Park
Kudu bull
Kudu cow
DeWetsWild 
Amazing photos, Dries. Those impala are so well camouflaged, and great to see the white rhino. 🙂
I must admit Sylvia, we almost get a lump in our throats whenever we get to see a rhino these days…
Pragtige foto’s,Dries.Julle was gelukkig om ‘n visvalk te sien!
En snaaks genoeg was hy nogal n redelik ent weg van die naaste water af, Dina. Ons het hom seker te siene gekry terwyl hy van een dam na die ander gevlieg het.
Dis een van die valke wat ek nog nie behoorlik gesien het nie,dus is hy nog op my onafgemerkte lys!
Ons was die laaste ruk nogal heel gelukkig met hulle, van St. Lucia tot in die Krugerwildtuin, so ek wonder of visvalke nie dalk volopper begin raak nie.
Dit sal goeie nuus wees!
I especially like seeing the young Zebra when they look so fuzzy and their stripes are still brown. 🙂
They certainly are very cute, Pat! And often very playful!
Oh, oh! Now you’re going to have to start taking videos. 🙂
I would love to become a wildlife filmmaker!
Glad you could feed the need. 🙂 I loved the black and white photos, but I also love the return to color. Very spring-like.
janet
You hit the nail on the head in that it looks like early spring, Janet – problem is that should have been in September and October last year; by February the veld should have been much, much more lush. We’re now heading into autumn and winter, the dry season, and hopefully the late rains was enough to carry the wildlife and vegetation through the leaner months, with fingers crossed that the next rainy season won’t also fail…
I pray that the rains will come. For me, it looked spring-like because we ARE going into that season, hopefully soon. I love winter, but I’ll be ready for spring, too. I do love seasons!
We love spring and summer too, the vibrant colours and baby animals brings so much joy!
Wow! Sounds like another great outing with another great set of photos!
You’ll never hear us complaining about any chance to get out into the bush, Kathy 😉
I hate you guys for your formidable life :)) Sometime I want to take a plane and fly to you. ❤
You’d be very welcome here in South Africa, Monica!
Thank you guys! Maybe… One day… Who knows?
We’ll hold thumbs!
“Suffering from extreme bush withdrawal symptoms????” How do you think I must feel?? Fortunately I have your superb site so at least I am allowed an almost daily virtual fix!! Thanks!! 😉
We appreciate and don’t mind being second best in this case, AJ!
Great sightings for a weekend away!
A weekend well spent, that’s for sure Cal!
Beautiful set! I love them all and your giraffe portrait in your lead photo. I am also reminded how wonderful the birds are in Africa. Great post.
Thank you very much, Jane!
That wonderful display of wildlife should tide you over for a little bit!
You’d think so Lyle, but as with any addiction, the more you get the more you crave!
truly stunning images. I know what you mean by bush withdrawal, i call it cabin fever……….that need to get back to nature
Kindred spirits 😉
😉