On our way to the wilderness – day 4

21 Replies

The 18th of August arrived. Joubert’s twelfth birthday. With great excitement the two of us packed the Duster at Skukuza and got ready to depart for Satara, where we’d join the Sweni Wilderness Trail that afternoon. It was still pitch dark when the gates opened at 6am, and we were already on the Marula Loop by the time the sun peaked over the horizon.

Honey Badger
Helmeted Guineafowls crossing the Sand River
Sunrise on the Marula Loop

With the morning sun lending a beautiful golden glow to the morning, Joubert noticed a few tawny bodies moving through the dry grass as we passed the Orpen Rocks. The pride of lions quickly disappeared behind the rocks, only to emerge on top of the boulders to provide us with an awesome photo opportunity – and even better as we were the only vehicle there for quite some time!

Lions at Orpen Rocks (photo by Joubert)
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks (photo by Joubert)
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks (photo by Joubert)
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks (photo by Joubert)
Lions at Orpen Rocks
Lions at Orpen Rocks (can you spot her?)

By the time we leave the lions a few other vehicles had already joined the sighting, so we leave the cats to their other adoring fans. Soon after, at Leeupan, we find a herd of elephants enjoying their early morning drink, with the youngsters terrorizing their thirsty neighbours.

Elephant wiping dust from its eye (photo by Joubert)
Elephants, impalas, wildebeest and zebra congregating at Leeupan
Elephants congregating at Leeupan
Elephant antics at Leeupan (photo by Joubert)
Elephant antics at Leeupan (photo by Joubert)
Elephant antics at Leeupan (photo by Joubert)
Mom and baby elephant at Leeupan (photo by Joubert)

A quick detour to Orpen Dam has us amazed at the number and size of the crocodiles lazing on the bank.

Upper reaches of the Orpen Dam
Crocodiles next to Orpen Dam
Waterbuck on their way to Orpen Dam
Crocodiles lining the bank of the Orpen Dam
Swainson’s Spurfowl (photo by Joubert)

The day has really become very hot by the time we set off on the second half of our drive to Satara, having stretched our legs at Tshokwane Picnic Site. Very few animals show themselves in heat like this, and the number of Olive Grass Snakes we see crossing the hot road is very surprising.

Heavily pregnant Spotted Hyena
Olive Grass Snake
Olive Grass Snake (photo by Joubert)
Young Nyala bull
Fish Eagle keeping watch over a pool in the Nwaswitsontso.
The southernmost naturally occurring Baobab tree in South Africa

We reach Satara in time for a quick picnic lunch before getting our gear ready, a last visit to the shop for drinks and snacks, and checking in for the Sweni Wilderness Trail…

The birthday boy! Twelfth birthday lunch at Satara.
Satara’s birds were invited to the birthday party. This is a Red-billed Hornbill (photo by Joubert)

21 thoughts on “On our way to the wilderness – day 4”

  10. lois

    Hello Birthday Boy! Your photos are wonderful, Joubert. You know I love the elephants, but the most wonderful shot is the lion peeking from the boulder–just the eyes. What a great snap!

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