Category Archives: Mpumalanga Province

Our experiences in the reserves of Mpumalanga, South Africa

If you love Elephants…

… as much as we do, then the Kruger National Park with its large population of African Elephants really is a must visit destination! This is just a few of the hundreds of elephant photos we took during our visit to the Park in June 2023, with a short video as bonus (and don’t miss the cute little baby trying to drink from the river alongside his mom around the middle of the video!).

Elephant family

Elephant cow in profile

Elephant bulls gathering at a self-dug waterhole in the dry Timbavati River

Elephant hogging Malopenyana Waterhole for himself (photo by Joubert)

Big old Elephant bull

Elephant family (photo by Joubert)

Smiling baby elephant (photo by Joubert)

Bull elephant in a hurry

Elephants (and a buffalo to the side) making their way to the waterhole at Babalala

Elephant warning (photo by Joubert)

Elephant Cow and baby

The Elephant’s Tail

Elephant youngster (photo by Joubert)

Elephants drinking from the Pioneer Dam at Mopani Rest Camp

A huge bull Elephant on his way to the Mooiplaas Waterhole

Kruger’s Big Buffalo Herds

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African Buffaloes are social animals that may congregate in herds many hundreds strong. Several such exceptionally large herds roam the Kruger National Park and we were fortunate to encounter some of them during our visit in June ’23. We also came across many lone bulls with their very intimidating attitudes – usually older ones that have been evicted from the breeding herds.

Big Buffalo Bull

Buffalo herd in the Nwaswitsontso River

Two young Buffalo bulls currying favour with a very commanding mature bull

Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo cow

Buffalo cow with stunted horns accompanied by a bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffaloes (photo by Joubert)

Young but very imposing Buffalo bull

They might be at the water, but they’re not Water Buffalo – these are African, or Cape, Buffaloes

Old loner

Lopsided Buffalo cow

Death stare from a buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo Bull

Buffalo portrait

Buffalo close-up

This short video will give you a sense of the immenseness of these special buffalo herds:

Buffalo lend themselves beautifully to monochrome photography, and the slow passing of the huge herds gave us ample opportunity to play around with our cameras.

Buffaloes in monochrome (photo by Joubert)

Buffaloes in monochrome

Leopards, leopards and more leopards!

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Of all the “Big 5” animals none are as difficult to find as the Leopard. Seeing one is usually the highlight of a visit to a nature reserve in South Africa. Having six sightings of these beautiful cats – of which four were on one day! – will mean our latest visit to the Kruger National Park will not soon be forgotten!

Our first sighting, near Lower Sabie late afternoon just minutes before the gates closed, was not very awe-inspiring, even by Leopard standards. Being as lazy as only cats can be this individual did not even deign to show us its face.

Lazy Leopard near Lower Sabie

Early one morning while travelling along the S56 Mphongolo Loop north of Shingwedzi we came across a pair of Leopards in a tall tree – a smaller individual very high up in the tree and visually afraid of the bigger one below guarding the remains of a kill. Visitors who were on the scene before us later shared how the male stole the female’s kill and chased her to the top of the tree where he was too heavy to get to her.

Lofty Leopard (Photo by Joubert)

The male at the lowest fork of the tree, with the kill well hidden (photo by Joubert)

The arrow indicates how high the female climbed into the tree to escape the male. By the way, parking into the veld and hanging out of your vehicle like the visitors in the Land Cruiser is not only bad etiquette but also dangerous.

After spending quite some time at the Leopards in the tree we decided to move on to breakfast at Babalala Picnic Spot when, only 4km further along the same road, we found a young and curiously calm Leopard next to the road at the turnoff to Sirheni Bushveld Camp. She posed beautifully for all the photographers in the car, not fazed in the least by our proximity! Having been treated with such grace by the young princess we slowly backed away from her so that she could repose in tranquility.

Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Joubert)

Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff(Photo by Joubert)

Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Joubert)

Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff

Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)

Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Joubert)

Mere minutes later, still sauntering along the S56 towards Babalala, we found our third Leopard encounter for the morning where it was using a small outcrop of rocks as a vantage point and being particularly interested in a huge kudu bull lying nearby. The kudu soon saw the Leopard and did not even think the cat enough of a threat to stand up. Knowing it was outgunned, the Leopard gave the kudu a wide berth and disappeared into the dense shrubbery next to the Shisha stream.

Leopard looking out for prey from a rocky outcrop (Photo by Joubert)

Leopard looking out for prey from a rocky outcrop

Leopard descending from the rocks to try its luck with a kudu bull

Stealthily moving closer (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)

Keeping cover (photo by Joubert)

Leopard posing beautifully (photo by Joubert)

That same afternoon, still extremely excited about our morning, which by then also included sightings of other charismatic or rare species of wildlife including lions, roan antelope, tsessebes, buffaloes and elephants we found our fourth Leopard sighting of the day along the S50 Kanniedood Road southeast of Shingwedzi. The apparently heavily pregnant female was in a hunting mood and stalking a mixed herd of impala, kudu and waterbuck mingling on the bank of the river. She was soon discovered however and slinked back across the road and out of sight.

Leopard along the Shingwedzi River (Photo by Joubert)

Leopard walking over the S50 to stalk a mixed herd of antelope (photo by Joubert)

Leopard slinking away after being discovered by her prey

Leopard rushing away after being discovered by her prey (photo by Joubert)

Our final Leopard sighting of the trip (and I am sure we missed more than we saw thanks to their exceptional camouflage!) was before sunrise as we left Shingwedzi for a morning drive. This was a shy individual, trying to hide behind a palm frond for a minute or two and then deciding to retreat into the riverine vegetation lining the Shingwedzi.

Shy Leopard in the early morning (photo by Joubert)

I made a little compilation video of some of the Leopard encounters I told you about.

Join us on a night drive at Lower Sabie

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During the hours of darkness visitors to the Kruger National Park are not permitted to drive themselves around the reserve, both for their own safety and that of the Park’s wildlife. Nighttime in wild Africa is a fascinating time, however, with nocturnal creatures roaming the dark, and for this reason the Park offers visitors night drives of two to three hours in duration and under the guidance of skilled guides, with spotlights being used to seek out animals and birds that might otherwise be hard to see during daylight. We undertook one such excursion from Lower Sabie Rest Camp during our visit to the Kruger Park last week.

Hippopotamus (photo by Joubert)

Spotted Hyena (photo by Joubert)

Elephant (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)

Lion (photo by Joubert)

Lion (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)

With Joubert and his friend Erlo manning the cameras I could take a few video snippets of our drive. Hop on and come along!

Remember that DeWetsWild can also assist you with bookings for guided activities, like night drives, in the Kruger National Park when you make use of our reservation services for your holiday accommodation.

Kruger Holiday 2023: 27 June / Day 3

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We’ve moved camp again and will be spending the third night of our current trip through the Kruger National Park at Tamboti Tented Camp in the central regions of the Park.

Lioness in the minutes before dawn (photo by Joubert)

Martial Eagle

Bushbuck ewe

Crested Francolin

Kudu calf

Loving Zebras

Buffalo herd in the Nwaswitsontso River

Buffaloes (photo by Joubert)

Plains Zebra (photo by Joubert)

Brown-veined White butterfly in flight (photo by Joubert)

Kruger Holiday 2023: 26 June / Day 2

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Day two of our winter holiday in the Kruger National Park, and today we explored the area between Pretoriuskop and Lower Sabie where we will be spending the night.

Lion just outside Pretoriuskop

Marula Tree in the first light of day

Misty sunrise at Transport Dam

Giraffe just after sunrise

White-fronted Bee-eater snacking on a Guineafowl butterfly

Hippo Babies

Impala ewe

Kruger Holiday 2023 : 25 June / Day 1

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It’s the winter holidays in South Africa and we find ourselves back in the Kruger National Park, where tonight we’ll be sleeping in Pretoriuskop Rest Camp.

Small stream on the Voortrekker Road

Young male lion

White Rhino

Kudu bull

Elephant family

Mestel Dam

Sunset at Shitlave Dam

Our 2022 in pictures

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Join us for a look back at the wonderfully wild South African destinations we visited during 2022. May 2023 be a blessed year for you and your family, memorable for all the best reasons.

Satara Bungalow B50, December 2021 – January 2022

First sunrise of 2022

Tlopi Tent #1 (Plover), Marakele National Park, February 2022

Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele National Park, seen from the Mbidi Loop

Beautiful scenery around Lake Mankwe in the Pilanesberg National Park (20 February 2022)

Chalet 12 in Mantuma Camp, uMkhuze Game Reserve, Isimangaliso Wetland Park, March 2022

uMkhuze scenery

Log Cabin 25, Cape Vidal, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, March 2022

Sunset over Lake St. Lucia

Hilltop Chalet 47, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, March 2022

View from Hilltop Chalet 47, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, March 2022

Chalet 16, Mpila, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, March 2022

White Umfolozi River

Joubert interacting with an elephant at African Hills Safari Lodge, June 2022

Cottage #18 in Leokwe Rest Camp, Mapungubwe National Park, June 2022

Iconic Mapungubwe: baobabs, elephants and rocky outcrops

Tent #10, “Loerie”, at Tlopi Tented Camp in Marakele National Park (June-July 2022)

Sunset at Tlopi

Sunrise over Marais Dam in Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Sandy Place unit 21, St. Lucia Town, October-November 2022

National Women’s Memorial in Bloemfontein

Looking out over Lake Saint Lucia and the forested dunes on Indian Ocean coast

Chalet #17 in Karoo National Park, December 2022

A normally dry Karoo streambed transformed into a flowing river

Van Breda Cottage in the West Coast National Park, December 2022

Salt marsh in the West Coast National Park, dominated by Perennial Glasswort

Tietiesbaai

West Coast Fossil Park

Table Mountain towering over Table Bay

Rhodes Memorial

Eland Cottage, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain National Park, December 2022

Hout Bay harbour

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, 23 December 2022

Aloe Canyons Guest Farm, December 2022

Koppie Alleen Beach in De Hoop Nature Reserve

Waskraalvlei in the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area

Protea Glamping, Kleine Windpompie Guest Farm, Klein Karoo, December 2022

View from our tented unit at Kleine Windpompie.

Satara Summer 2021 – Big Cat Royalty: Lions!

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The plains around Satara in the Kruger National Park is renowned as one of the best places in South Africa to see the most regal of cats, the Lion. It therefore wasn’t surprising that our visit in December 2021 yielded no less than twenty encounters with the Kings (and Queens) of the Jungle.

Finding fresh tracks like these in the early morning is really exciting, even if you don’t find the owners on the road.

Majestic they may be, but Lions are notoriously lazy too. Out in the midday heat they’re usually far more likely to be lying flat on their sides and deep in dreamland than moving around or hunting. Luckily we only had a few sightings like that, otherwise this post would not have been very exciting.

One of a group of four young males we found hiding near the Rockvale waterhole on the S36

One of a group of four young males we found hiding near the Rockvale waterhole on the S36 (photo by Joubert)

Lazy lioness at Shibotwana waterhole on the S100

A mating pair of lions causing a traffic jam at Nsemani Dam west of Satara

One of two big male lions that were snoozing next to the Gudzani stream east of Satara

A group of four lioness snoozing away the mid-day hours near Nwanetsi.

Being one of the first cars out of Satara when the gates open in the morning is often rewarded with wonderful lion sightings right on the road. Like this one, just 100 meters – I kid you not! – from Satara’s gate. As we left camp in the pouring rain two magnificent males came walking along the road from the left, straight towards us. Pretty soon the two had a large convoy following them as more cars departed from camp, so we opted to return to our campsite.

Big male lion at Satara’s gate (photo by Joubert)

Big male lions in the road at Satara’s gate

Big male lion in the road at Satara’s gate

Shortly afterwards, a roaring close-by alerted us to the presence of another lion next to the fence, and Joubert got this shot of a third male as it walked past the open gate to the camp. Perhaps I should be more worried about the boy’s fearlessness when it comes to our wild places and the creatures that live there. Turns out these three enormous lions are the brothers of Satara’s famous white lion and we’d see them a few more times before our time at Satara was at an end.

Joubert got this shot of a third male walking past Satara’s gate a while later

On Christmas morning we saw a few giraffe and zebra acting very nervous on the H6. While they were out of view at that time, we could deduce from the herbivores’ behaviour more or less where the predators lay hidden, and sure enough our wait paid off soon enough when the lions gave away their presence, ending any chance they had at a successful hunt. These young lions were part of a bigger pride of which we encountered various members on several occasions along the H6 near its junction with the H1-3 during our stay at Satara in December of 2021.

Hunting lions caught in the act

On the 27th of December we were the first car that morning to turn onto the H6 main road towards Nwanetsi, and less than a kilometer further along came across these three “teenage” lions right on the road.

Young lions claiming the road between Satara and Nwanetsi

Young lions claiming the road between Satara and Nwanetsi (photo by Joubert)

On New Year’s Day we had another encounter with some of the members of this pride, when we again came across them lounging on the H6 road to Nwanetsi.

Dangerous zebra crossing! Luckily the lions were more curious than hungry.

Young Lions on the H6 on the 1st of January 2022

Young Lions on the H6 on the 1st of January 2022 (photo by Joubert)

Young Lions on the H6 on the 1st of January 2022

Young Lioness winking at Joubert (photo by Joubert)

Young Lions on the H6 on the 1st of January 2022

Young Lions on the H6 on the 1st of January 2022 (photo by Joubert)

As we left Satara on the 2nd of January 2022 to head home, this Lioness walked along with us a bit of the way. We were most grateful for the royal sendoff.

Lioness just outside Satara on the 2nd of January 2022

Lioness just outside Satara on the 2nd of January 2022 (photo by Joubert)

Later on the same day, just before Tshokwane, a young lion stepped into the road ahead, though he was off into the long grass again after just a brief moment.

Young Lion near Tshokwane (photo by Joubert)

Young Lion disappearing in the long grass

In the early morning of the 17th of December, as we were heading along the main road northwards, we encountered these two lovely males with their stylishly maintained (“mane”-tained?) manes heading towards the Mtomeni Spruit. Just look at how beautifully their manes have been blow-dried – not a hair out of place!

Big male lions (photo by Joubert)

Big male lions on the H1-4 north of Satara

Big male lion (photo by Joubert)

Big male lion, smiling for the camera (photo by Joubert)

It was at around 6am on the morning of the 18th of December, with the sun just nicely risen over the horizon, that we came across this small group of lions at the junction of the H7 and S106 on the way to Orpen. Two magnificent males attending to a single female, in all likelihood a trio in the throes of mating judging by the fresh scars both males were carrying on their faces and bodies. The female was the first to rise and lead the males, and all of us humans in our metal cocoons, on a walk along the H7 for about three kilometers before she was distracted by a herd of impalas and stalked off into the thickets. In the end we spent about three quarters of an hour in their company.

Two magnificent Lions and their mate at the junction of the S106 and H7 on the 18th of December 2021

Alert Lioness

Two magnificent Lions and their mate at the junction of the S106 and H7 on the 18th of December 2021

Black-backed Jackal keeping a nervous eye on all the Lions around him

The Lioness deciding it is time to go

Lioness leading the procession along the S106

Magnificent male Lion (photo by Joubert)

Magnificent male Lion

Magnificent male Lion (photo by Joubert)

One of the big male Lions crossing the S106 as he follows the female towards the H7

Black-backed Jackal having a staring contest with a lion

Magnificent male Lion

Magnificent male Lion (photo by Joubert)

One of the big male Lions following the female along the H7

Mighty lion

One of the big male Lions following the female along the H7 (photo by Joubert)

Two big male Lions following the female along the H7

One of the big male Lions following the female along the H7

One of the big male Lions following the female along the H7 (photo by Joubert)

Lion lying next to the H7 and his throng of adoring admirers

The Lioness’ interest is piqued by a herd of impalas

Just before 4pm on the 21st of December, with the weather still stiflingly hot as we left Nwanetsi Picnic Site and turned onto the S41 gravel road, we came across two lionesses lying next to the road. They didn’t appreciate our attentions though and immediately got up and walked off. Someone should tell them that this is not the way to treat their adoring fans!

Lionesses on the S41 near Nwanetsi

Lionesses on the S41 near Nwanetsi (photo by Joubert)

Lionesses on the S41 near Nwanetsi

Lionesses on the S41 near Nwanetsi (photo by Joubert)

Lionesses on the S41 near Nwanetsi

On the 22nd of December we explored the roads around the Tshokwane Picnic Site. We found a pride of lions at a small waterhole on the S37 gravel drive very near to its junction with the main H1-3 road. They stayed in the general vicinity all day and we could return to them twice more before heading back to Satara.

Lions on the S37 near Tshokwane (photo by Joubert)

Lions on the S37 near Tshokwane

Lions on the S37 near Tshokwane (photo by Joubert)

Lions on the S37 near Tshokwane

Lions on the S37 near Tshokwane (photo by Joubert)

Lions on the S37 near Tshokwane

On the 19th of December, while we were having breakfast at Nwanetsi, I realised that I left my insulin pens at Satara. This meant an adjustment to our planned route for the day in that we’d have to return to camp first. The unexpected detour turned out to be a real blessing in disguise though when we happened upon a pride of 8 lionesses about 5km from the H6’s junction with the H1-3.

Big pride of lionesses on the H6, 19 December 2021

Big pride of lionesses on the H6, 19 December 2021 (photo by Joubert)

Big pride of lionesses on the H6, 19 December 2021

Big pride of lionesses on the H6, 19 December 2021 (photo by Joubert)

The unfortunate forgetting of my insulin turned out to be even more of a boon when we arrived at a traffic jam where the main H1-3 road crosses the Nwanetsi River. The reason for the traffic jam was Satara’s White Lion and his brothers! While all we saw of the star of the show first time around was him fast asleep, he did co-operate a bit better when we returned to the scene later in the day.

Satara’s famous white lion and one of his brothers

Satara’s famous white lion (photo by Joubert)

One of the coalition lying in the road (photo by Joubert)

Satara’s famous white lion and one of his brothers (photo by Joubert)

Satara’s famous white lion (photo by Joubert)

When we left Satara at gate opening time (04:30) on the first morning of 2022, the air was filled with the nearby roaring of lions. We didn’t have to travel far before we saw two mighty Lions strolling towards us along the road, followed by a couple of cars. Yet again they were near the Nwanetsi Bridge and we immediately recognised that they were two of the four-brother coalition that includes the White Lion, affectionately known as “Casper” by many regular Kruger visitors. Of course we were wondering where “Casper” is, so we decided to join the cavalcade following his two brothers and see whether they’d lead us to him. Soon though both males took a game trail into the bush and disappeared from view in the long grass. Now we are driving up and down the one kilometre stretch between the Nwanetsi Bridge and the S100 turnoff when suddenly, out of the bush in the pitch dark, appears a third male – the third “normal” coloured Lion. Again we drive the short stretch beside him until he also heads of along the same trail the other males took earlier. The question now is whether the White male is ahead of or behind his brothers…

One of the current ruling Lion coalition around Satara

One of the current ruling Lion coalition around Satara (photo by Joubert)

One of the current ruling Lion coalition around Satara

Again we slowly patrol up and down the same stretch of the road, hoping that the White Lion will also pop out of the bush like the ghost he’s named after. After 15 minutes he’s still not appeared and we start believing that he must have been in front of his brothers, and might actually already be on the road to Orpen in which direction we last saw his brothers headed. So we go around the corner, drive 2 or 3 km along the H7 road, but come out empty-handed again, and turn around to go scour the area around the Nwanetsi Bridge again. You would not believe the excitement in our car when we come around the turn to see the White Lion heading straight toward us, entourage in tow, exactly half-an-hour after we last had eyes on his brothers. Since we saw Satara’s White Lion two years ago, he has grown into a very impressive specimen. The oldest and largest of only three known wild White Lions in the world – all of them living in the Kruger National Park – and here he is walking just inches away from our vehicle. We reverse to stay alongside him as he strides down the road, and then let him pass when vehicles start arriving behind us. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to 2022…

Satara’s White Lion walking up to us, entourage in tow

Satara’s white lion up close

Satara’s white lion up close (photo by Joubert)

Satara’s white lion up close (photo by Joubert with a cellphone camera)

“Casper” the White Lion in our rearview camera

“Casper” the White Lion in our rearview mirror

With this post then ends the recollections of our epic December 2021 holiday at Satara in the Kruger National Park. We hope you enjoyed it along with us.

Satara Summer 2021 – Lurking Leopards

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The Leopard is a big cat with excellent camouflage and stealthy habits. I am sure in all our years of visiting South Africa’s wild places we’ve passed many more Leopards without seeing them than we actually did notice, but I try not to dwell on that too much… With the Kruger Park being so lush and green when we visited in December 2021 it was a wonder we saw any Leopards at all.

Even when you are lucky enough to glimpse a Leopard, often all you get to see of it is a few spots and a white tail-tip as it slinks out of view, like this one along the road between Orpen and Satara on the 23rd of December.

Leopard walking through long grass between Orpen and Satara

Most of our Leopard sightings have been in the very early morning, so it pays to get up early and be one of the first vehicles out the camp gates. We saw this big male on the S100-road with the sun still struggling to rise on an overcast morning.

Early morning Leopard along the S100

Early morning Leopard along the S100 (photo by Joubert)

Leopards are great at climbing and that’s a good reason to scan trees big and small while out on a game drive in reserves where they occur. This beautiful lady was draped over a Marula branch hanging almost over the S36-road and so relaxed in our presence that she actually fell asleep while we watched. She probably lies in this tree very often to be so relaxed in the company of people and their vehicles. We only noticed later while going through our photos that she is blind in her right eye.

Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree

Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree (photo by Joubert)

Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree

When you are blessed with a fantastic Leopard sighting it’s a memory that will stay with you forever. In the morning of the 29th of December we were travelling along the S39 road, that follows the course of the Timbavati River, towards Timbavati Picnic Spot and finding sightings rather sparse, though the bushveld scenery was as beautiful as anything you could imagine. Suddenly, within sight of the Leeubron waterhole, this magnificent creature appeared right next to the road. A big and beautiful Leopard male, so relaxed in our presence that you could imagine that it didn’t even acknowledge our existence. He came closer and closer, crossed the road behind our vehicle, and walked off into the distance, leaving us all very excitedly chattering about our luck at being in the right place at the right time!