1 January 2021
As soon as the gates opened on New Year’s Day we headed for the Rooiplaat Loop, the sightings board at reception having indicated that Lions and Cheetahs were seen there the previous day. And we did not wait long – right where the road skirts the Park’s boundary fence we came across a big male lion, known as Nomad, patrolling his territory.
We supposed that it was the proximity of the big predator that made these Black Wildebeest so jittery!
It’s early morning in the Mountain Zebra National Park and there’s so much to be seen!
It was on the link road between Rooiplaat and Ubejane Loops that we happened upon these cute little Bat-eared Fox pups and their elders. More photos of them tomorrow!
Bat-eared Fox pups
Along the main road, between the two junctions with the Ubejane Loop, we saw this pair of unusually tolerant Secretarybirds – they’re normally quite nervous and move away from the road the moment a vehicle approaches, so this was a great opportunity to watch them in action.
At the southern junction of Ubejane Loop with the main road there’s a small earth dam filled with rainwater. By the time we arrived there at mid-morning Cape Mountain Zebra families were arriving from all corners, along with some other wildlife, to slake their thirst and it was wonderful to watch their social interactions before heading back to camp.
Back at camp there was time to kill either side of lunchtime, and thankfully there’s very much of interest around the accommodation and camping area.
Our route for the afternoon would first take us into the mountains along the Kranskop Loop before taking another jaunt around the Rooiplaat Loop.
A real highlight of our afternoon drive was an encounter with a group of three Cheetahs – one adult and two youngsters – on the Rooiplaat Plateau, just half-an-hour before we had to be back in camp.
We posted a special feature about Mountain Zebra National Park following a previous visit, if you’d like to learn more about this special destination.
Map of Mountain Zebra National Park from the SANParks website (https://www.sanparks.org/images/parks/mountain_zebra/mznp-map.jpg)
What a splendid collection of photographs of the wonderful sightings you had. I really enjoyed browsing through. How amazing to see the secretary birds so tolerant of being observed and allowing such good photos!
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Thank you, Carol. Those two secretary birds obviously felt very secure in the Park!
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Die sekretaris voels is onglooflik mooi! Soveel pragtige foto’s Dries!!
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Dit is baie gaaf van jou, Aletta. Baie dankie!
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You saw so much there! I like the secretary birds. They look like something out of a cartoon. 🙂
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The secretary bird is quite something, Siobhan, and just as interesting in behaviour as they are in appearance.
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What a fabulous day! Nomad is magnificent, the fox pups adorable, the cheetahs so regal, the Secretarybirds so curious…. Oh,to be a passenger in your car for even a day! ☺️
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I’m sure we can scooch in closer to make a little space for you in the car, Lori!
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Laughing…that would be fantastic! 👍🥰
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A cornucopia of wonderful shots and more kudos to Joubert. He got some marvelous shots the last three of the black wildebeest and the secretary bird, which is a very interesting-looking bird!
Those fox pups are too cute!
janet
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Thank you very much, Janet!
Joubert will be so happy to read your kind comment.
Secretarybirds are as interesting in their behaviour as their looks suggest and it was wonderful to watch them so closely.
And I am really looking forward to treating you tomorrow with more photos of the fox pups!
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I enjoy the variety of birds that you have showcased and … how fortunate to have spotted the cheetah!
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We were very lucky with our sightings at Mountain Zebra National Park, Anne. But then again we’ve never left there disappointed.
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Dis darem gelukkig om so baie diere te sien op een dag. Sien uit na bakoortjies in volgende uitgawe.
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Defnitief een van Bergkwagga Park se groot aantrekkings is die getalle en verskeidenheid wild wat mens kan sien.
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Marvelous! I so enjoy your photos of all the animals and also the birds.
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Thanks very much, Anne. We love sharing them, so it’s nice to know it is appreciated so.
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What a great place for birds, I like the zebras, they are so photogenic. Thank you, D. 🙂
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The camera loves the black-and-white contrast of the zebras!
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