Category Archives: Mpumalanga Province

Our experiences in the reserves of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Sir Elephant

This young elephant, wielding his “mighty” branch like a medieval knight would his sword, gave us some great entertainment when Joubert and I visited the Kruger National Park last week. He intimidated us with his fierce strokes, and we yielded, but then an elderly couple in another vehicle did not pay him the necessary respect and he went into an even more brutal display for their benefit. Lucky for them he stepped on his own sword, and snapped it, so he stepped back into the long grass at the side of the road…

Sir Elephant wielding his mighty sword (photo by Joubert)

Elephant youngster wielding his weapon of choice

Sir Elephant wielding his mighty sword (photo by Joubert)

Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park (photo by Joubert)

Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park

Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park (photo by Joubert)

… where he picked up another branch just as the next vehicle – a campervan – drew closer.

Sir Elephant picking a new sword (photo by Joubert)

Most of these photographs were taken by Joubert

On our way to the wilderness – day 1

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Before dawn on the 15th of August ’21, Joubert and I had the Duster packed and were ready to set off for the Kruger National Park. The whole route from Pretoria to Malelane Gate we drove under overcast skies, with thick mist and occasional drizzle.

Signing in at Malelane was a breeze and in no time at all we were on our way to Skukuza. With Afsaal picnic site packed to the brim with visiting people when we arrived we decided to give it a miss. We enjoy the Park packed with animals of all description much more than jostling with other picnickers for a spot at a table.

White-backed Vulture in flight

Kudu cow

Kudu bull (photo by Joubert)

Fork-tailed Drongo

Golden-breasted Bunting

Steenbok

Spotted Hyena family (photo by Joubert)

Spotted Hyena family

Pearl-spotted Owlet

Red-crested Korhaan keeping an eye on an eagle flying overhead (photo by Joubert)

Klipspringer

Warthog

Elephants congregating in a dry river bed (photo by Joubert)

Elephants congregating in a dry river bed

Magpie Shrike

Right at Skukuza’s gates we found this elegant nyala bull – only to find that he wasn’t as elegant as first impressions suggested…

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull – go buy some manners! (photo by Joubert)

At Skukuza’s reception our check-in went just as smoothly and pretty quickly we were unpacked and settled into our bungalow, allowing us a chance to stretch our legs and gawk at Skukuza’s resident birds.

Beautiful impala lily in bloom at Skukuza’s reception (photo by Joubert)

Unit #3 in Skukuza’s Nwaswitshaka Research Camp

Cardinal Woodpecker

African Dusky Flycatcher (photo by Joubert)

Red-capped Robin Chat (photo by Joubert)

Yellow-fronted Canary (photo by Joubert)

Brown-headed Parrot (photo by Joubert)

Brown-headed Parrot

By the time we hit the road for our afternoon game drive there was only about three hours left before the gates would close, so we stuck to the roads around camp and along the Sabie River.

Nyala ewe just outside the Skukuza nursery

Water Thick-knee at the causeway over the Sabie River

Elephant munching on a thorny branch

Hippos in a quiet pool of the Sabie

Spotted Hyena on the move (photo by Joubert)

Spotted Hyena profile

Buffalo chewing the cud

After our braai (barbeque) – what else would two South African men be eating when they’re forced to feed themselves than “pap en wors” (maize meal porridge with barbequed sausage) – and before going to bed, we walked around camp with our torch looking for nocturnal creatures.

We think this might be a baby Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko (photo by Joubert)

On Sunday we’ll tell you about day two as we prepared to tackle the Sweni Wilderness Trail from Joubert’s birthday.

A Wilderness Birthday

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Parents often anguish about the perfect gift to give their children on their birthdays. This year however, for us anyway, things couldn’t have worked out better in preparation for Joubert’s 12th birthday.

You see, the minimum age requirement to join one of the wilderness trails in the Kruger National Park is 12 years. Joubert has been wanting to go on a trail for almost as long as he can walk. When a late cancellation then became available on the Sweni Trail, the most popular of all the trails in the Kruger Park, right on his birthday, there was just no way we could pass on the opportunity, even if it means he’ll have to work very hard to catch up his missed school work this coming week.

Joubert and I spent the past week in the Kruger National Park, half of it on the trail. This first set of photographs were all taken in the days leading up to his wilderness birthday.

Klipspringer

Elephant youngster wielding his weapon of choice

Sable Antelope bull

Baboon murder

Hamerkop at sunset

Black-backed Jackal

Hunting Cheetah

Lazy Leopard

Leaping Kudu

Lions at Orpen Rocks

Of course, there’s a bunch of stories to be told – and you can be sure that we will – but as a little teaser, Joubert was 12 years and 1 day old when these lions took offence at us invading their territory ON FOOT. We will tell you all about it soon.

The wide-angle lens doesn’t show adequately how close those lionesses were!

Yep, she’s growling at us!

And here she comes!

Hali the Fish Eagle

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Hali is an African Fish Eagle that calls the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre home. She’s a majestic creature, and regularly and proudly announces her presence with that beautiful call that is so quintessential of Africa’s wild places. Hali is unfortunately hopelessly imprinted on humans and cannot be released back into the wild. This notwithstanding, she’s as adept as any wild Fish Eagle at snatching her food from the water.

Hali the Fish Eagle

Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)

Hali the Fish Eagle

Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)

Hali the Fish Eagle

Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle

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Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle was stolen from her nest as a chick to become someone’s exotic pet, and it was her good fortune that she ended up at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre where she is now cared for with great affection. Ashanti’s quite the diva, and who can blame her when she is so entrancingly beautiful?

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle (photo by Joubert)

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle (photo by Joubert)

One of Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle’s claws

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle

Libra the Bateleur

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Libra is an immature Bateleur that was badly injured after being hit by a vehicle. So badly injured in fact, that a vet advised she be euthanised. The dedicated staff at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre decided neverthless to give saving her life their best shot, and today Libra is finding her wings again, so to speak. Libra’s a very shy youngster – reminiscent of a child hiding behind her mother when meeting a stranger – and the way she has bonded with her caregiver Magdali will melt your heart.

Libra with Magdali at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre

Libra the Bateleur

Libra the Bateleur (photo by Joubert)

Rooney the Secretary Bird

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Rooney the Secretary Bird was snatched from his nest as a chick, with the intention to be raised to adulthood and then killed for his body parts to be used in superstitious rituals. Thankfully the authorities could confiscate him before these cruel plans were brought to fruition and he now resides at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. Being imprinted on humans, Rooney wants nothing to do with other secretary birds and cannot be released back into the wild. If you are a sports lover Rooney’s name will quickly make sense to you when you see his powerful kicks (though he directs these to the head of a rubber-cobra rather than a football).

Rooney the Secretary Bird

Rooney the Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)

Rooney the Secretary Bird

Rooney the Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)

Rooney the Secretary Bird

Ginger the Lanner Falcon

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Ginger the Lanner Falcon is one of the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre‘s success stories – she arrived at the centre having been shot through the wing, but has recovered so wonderfully that she is set to be released back into the wild before the end of the year! For now she is given regular flying exercise and sometimes the visiting public are lucky enough to witness her practice sessions, like we were when we visited recently.

Ginger the Lanner Falcon (photo by Joubert)

Ginger the Lanner Falcon

Ginger the Lanner Falcon (photo by Joubert)

Ginger the Lanner Falcon

Ginger the Lanner Falcon (photo by Joubert)

Ginger the Lanner Falcon

Daphne the Spotted Eagle-owl

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Daphne is the sweetest Spotted Eagle-owl you could ever hope to meet (though her table manners leave a lot to be desired). She has lived at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre all her life. The tree her parents were incubating Daphne in was chopped down and, miraculously, Daphne’s egg was the only one of the clutch that didn’t shatter. The egg was brought to the rehab centre and, on detecting a heartbeat in the egg, they decided to hatch it and raise the chick by hand. While she is imprinted on humans and cannot be released, Daphne’s dear personality is just the ticket to dispel any ill-conceived superstition visitors may hold about owls. She’s a true ambassador for all owl-kind.

Joubert with Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl

Daphne the Spotted Eagle Owl

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)

Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl

Charlie the Peregrine Falcon

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Charlie is a Peregrine Falcon that lives at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. He was raised by a falconer and imprinted on humans, which is why he cannot be released. Charlie is 13 years old now – quite old for a bird his size – but still possesses the incredible speed and agility his species is known for.