Tag Archives: Kruger National Park

Satara Summer 2021 – 20 December

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We’re still having a wonderful time at Satara in the Kruger National Park. The toughest part of every day is deciding which route to take; even after a week here there are still roads around camp we haven’t travelled on! Today we set off in the direction of Olifants for our morning drive, and focused on the loop along the Sweni River in the afternoon.

Black-backed Jackal finding grubs in elephant dung
Sunrise over the plains north of Satara
Spotted Hyena walking along the road near Balule
Exercise session at the Impala creche (photo by Joubert)
Flying Impala lamb (photo by Joubert)
Greater Painted Snipe female (photo by Joubert)
Advancing Buffalo herd
Chin-spot Batis on its nest
Young Kudu bull (photo by Joubert)
European Roller (photo by Joubert)
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Satara Summer 2021 – 14 December

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It’s the summer holidays in South Africa and we find ourselves back at Satara, in the Kruger National Park. We encountered these Painted Wolves, or African Wild Dogs, on the road heading into the Park from Orpen Gate today. These are all Joubert’s photographs.

Painted Wolves, or African Wild Dogs, on the road between Orpen and Satara
Painted Wolves, or African Wild Dogs, on the road between Orpen and Satara
Painted Wolves, or African Wild Dogs, on the road between Orpen and Satara
Painted Wolves, or African Wild Dogs, on the road between Orpen and Satara

On our way to the wilderness – day 3

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Just before sunrise on the 17th of August – Joubert’s final day as an eleven-year old – we headed out of Skukuza towards Pretoriuskop, driving along the Napi Road and intent on visiting every one of the waterholes along the way.

Elephant conductor (photo by Joubert)
Black-backed Jackal
Coqui Francolin (male)
Immature African Hawk-Eagle

Just past Transport Dam we have the first big-ticket highlight of our morning: a cheetah on the hunt! Unfortunately the cheetah caught its steenbok prey at an awkward angle behind our vehicle and immediately carried it into the long grass away from the road, so these are basically the only photos we have of a most thrilling sighting!

Hunting Cheetah (photo by Joubert)
Hunting Cheetah

Just a few kilometers past the scene of the cheetah kill we encountered a pack of very excited spotted hyenas in and next to the road. It appeared that an interloper was coming a bit too close to their den, causing quite a stir among the resident cubs.

Young Spotted Hyena
Fluffy Spotted Hyena youngster (photo by Joubert)
Alert hyenas

At Shitlhave Dam this grey old Buffalo bull posed for some pictures.

Grey old Buffalo Bull (photo by Joubert)
Grey old Buffalo bull

While it was quiet along the Voortrekker Road towards Afsaal, with the day heating up nicely it was easy to decide where to head next: all along the Biyamiti River in the general direction of Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie. As expected, lots of animals and birds where congregating along the dwindling stream of water to quench their thirst.

Biyamiti River
White-crested Helmetshrikes
Brown Snake Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Nile Crocodile at Biyamiti Weir (photo by Joubert)
African Pied Wagtail
Bedrock exposed by the Biyamiti River
Adult Male Mozambique Tilapia in a pool at Biyamiti Weir (photo by Joubert)
Biyamiti Weir
Kurrichane Thrush
Giraffe checking on the condition of the road
Guinea-fowl Butterfly
Knobthorn flowers
Reed Cormorant
Waterbuck
Biyamiti River
Plains Zebra

Nearing Lower Sabie we felt compelled to cross the causeway over the Sabie River, and then back again (as most everyone visiting this part of the Park is wont to do) before heading into camp.

Buffaloes drinking from the Sabie while a crowd of terrapins watch
Enormous Nile Crocodile (photo by Joubert)
Pied Kingfisher on the move (photo by Joubert)
Sharptooth Catfish in the Sabie River (photo by Joubert)
African Jacana ( (photo by Joubert)
Cape Glossy Starling
House Sparrow in Lower Sabie

The last stretch of our route today again followed the course of the Sabie River back to Skukuza, through a part of the Kruger National Park famous for its teaming wildlife.

Giraffe close-up
Lion pride at Lubyelubye
Elephant stretching to reach ripe Sycomore figs (photo by Joubert)
Lazy Leopard
Lion roadblock
Lion roadblock (photo by Joubert)
Leaping Kudu
Beautiful Kudu bull

And so the sun set on another extremely rewarding day in the Kruger National Park. The next day would be Joubert’s twelve birthday – more on that in the next installment!

Sunset over the Sabie
Baboons settling in for the night

Not for sensitive viewers: a vicious Baboon assault

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It was the afternoon of the 16th of August 2021 and Joubert and I were parked on the shores of Sunset Dam, just outside Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park, enjoying the serene scenes playing out all around us as a myriad of birds and animals, including a troop of Chacma Baboons, mingled at the water’s edge.

Baboons peacefully foraging on the shore of Sunset Dam

Suddenly there was a frightful commotion as the baboons started screaming in alarm. Almost immediately we noticed a young baboon, shrieking to high heaven, being chased by two slightly older “teenage” baboons. This in itself was not abnormal, as there is often disagreements in a baboon troop, and peace usually returns quickly after the necessary discipline has been dispatched. The young baboon rushed into the muddy water at the dam’s edge, eliciting even more worried squeals from its mother as Sunset Dam is home to some monster crocodiles.

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

However, as soon as one of the “teenage” baboons got hold of the youngster, it was clear that this attack was much more sinister. We have no idea about their motive, but judging by the viciousness of their bites to the skull, neck and throat and the very rough way they tried to pull the younger baboon apart limb from limb, there was no doubting that the two teenagers were intent on killing their unfortunate target. At one stage early into the encounter an adult, perhaps the mother of the younger one, tried to intervene but this proved only a temporary reprieve – instead of running away the badly injured youngster tried to hide in the mud again where he was soon cornered once more.

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon murder
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam
Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

By now the attack had gone on for about four minutes. Probably as was to be expected, the fracas attracted the attentions of a large crocodile that was hitherto lying dead still on the bank. With the tables likely to be turned on them within a second, the attacking baboons let go of their quarry and ran for safety.

A crocodile breaks up the fight (photo by Joubert)
A crocodile breaks up the fight (photo by Joubert)
A crocodile breaks up the fight

The youngster that was so viciously mauled also scampered away, heading over the road towards the Sabie River, and out of our sight. His attackers apparently also lost track of him, as they searched every bush in the general vicinity looking for the young baboon without success.

One of the murderous baboon “teenagers” passing by us as he looks for their victim. (photo by Joubert)

Whether the little one could’ve survived its injuries we’ll never know, nor whether the murderers managed to track him down and finish the job… This definitely was one of the most harrowing experiences we’ve ever had in the bush.

 

Fish Eagle caught in the act

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The call of the African Fish Eagle is so evocative of Africa’s wild places, and seeing one is always a special treat, high on the wish-list of many safari-goers. Especially when you get the chance to see it in action; gracefully descending with claws outstretched to snatch a fish from just below the water’s surface and then majestically soaring away with its prize grasped in its talons. The stuff nature documentaries are made of.

During our mid-August trip to the Kruger National Park, Joubert and I were lucky to see a Fish Eagle catch a sharp-tooth catfish from the waters of the Sabie River just downstream from Lower Sabie Rest Camp. While this particular individual won’t score a perfect ten for the execution – that splash-down would have had the Olympic audience snickering, and thank goodness for that sandbank! – it nevertheless was an amazing sighting. Most of these photographs were taken by Joubert.

African Fish Eagle fly-past (photo by Joubert)
The prey has been spotted (photo by Joubert)
Homing in on the target… (photo by Joubert)
Getting into position… (photo by Joubert)
Strike imminent… (photo by Joubert)
(Wet) success! (photo by Joubert)
Is it the Eagle or the catfish splashing..? (photo by Joubert)
Heading for the sandbank
Heading for the sandbank (photo by Joubert)
Heading for the sandbank (photo by Joubert)
Fish Eagle with catfish prey
Fish Eagle with catfish prey (photo by Joubert)
Now with its composure regained, the Fish Eagle sets off for a favourite perch
Now with its composure regained, the Fish Eagle sets off for a favourite perch (photo by Joubert)
Now with its composure regained, the Fish Eagle sets off for a favourite perch (photo by Joubert)

A memorable encounter with Sable Antelope

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As mentioned in our previous post, the chief reason why Joubert and I decided to spend the first morning of our August trip to the Kruger National Park around Mlondozi Picnic Site was the recent sightings of a beautiful herd of sable antelope in that vicinity. Being one of our favourite antelope we couldn’t let the opportunity go by without going to see whether we can find the herd as well. Only on our second circuit around Muntshe Mountain and along the Mnondozi stream were we rewarded with the encounter we were hoping so dearly for. Without a doubt the best sighting I have had of Sable Antelope in over 30 years. As they crossed the road one-by-one we counted 25 individuals ranging from the magnificent bull to the long-eared calves.

Herd of Sable Antelope on the plains between Munstshe Mountain and the Mnondozi stream
Herd of Sable Antelope on the plains between Munstshe Mountain and the Mnondozi stream (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope calves
Sable Antelope bull (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope bull
Sable Antelope cow
Sable Antelope heifer (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope calf (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope heifer
Sable Antelope bull (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope bull
Sable Antelope females
Sable Antelope cow (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope heifer (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope calf (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope cow (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope cow
Herd of Sable Antelope on the plains between Munstshe Mountain and the Mnondozi stream
Herd of Sable Antelope on the plains between Munstshe Mountain and the Mnondozi stream (photo by Joubert)

On our way to the wilderness – day 2

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Joubert and I were the first people out the gate at Skukuza on our first morning in the Kruger National Park when we visited last week. In the week before our arrival other visitors were bragging on the Park’s social media pages with their sightings of a big herd of sable antelope north of Lower Sabie, and as these rare and beautiful antelope are a favourite of ours, our route for the morning took us along the Sabie River and then in the general direction of the Mlondozi Picnic Spot. Along the way we had the joyful encounter with the young elephant knight we showed you two days ago.

Hippos returning to the hippo pool in the early morning
Nyala calf
Friendly Nyala bull ( (photo by Joubert)
Serene spot along the Sabie
Baboons huddling together in the rays of early morning
Blue Wildebeest
Kudu cow
Swainson’s Spurfowl
Black-bellied Bustard (photo by Joubert)
Black-bellied Bustard (photo by Joubert)
Steenbok ram
Steenbok with Muntshe Mountain in the background
Secretary Bird
Lesser Striped Swallow – welcome sign that spring is around the corner!
Elephant youngster wielding his weapon of choice
Elephant matriarch with impressive tusks
Fever Tree
Tawny Eagle in flight
Curious Slender Mongoose peeping from within a thornbush
Huge herds of plains zebra congregating along the Mnondozi stream

By the time we reached Mlondozi, we hadn’t yet found the sables we came looking for. We were planning on having brunch at the picnic spot, but it was packed with other visitors and not a single table was available. We spent a few minutes enjoying the view, getting pictures of the birds and animals, and waiting for a table to clear, but eventually decided to rather move along.

Blue Waxbill (photo by Joubert)
Dark-capped Bulbul
Swainson’s Spurfowl
The view from Mlondozi Picnic Site
Elephant coming to drink from Mlondozi Dam

We decided to use the extra time we had available due to the postponed lunch to do another circuit around Muntshe Mountain, and how wonderfully that turned out! We found the sables, and had probably the best sighting of these magnificent antelope I had in 30+ years! More about that soon, I promise.

Plains Zebras
Southern Reedbuck ewe (photo by Joubert)
Sable Antelope bull

Extremely satisfied with our morning, we headed for Lower Sabie where, just before the camp, we had a quick sighting of a leopard and enjoyed the abundant life that always congregate at the causeway over the Sabie River.

Wire-tailed Swallow
Huge Nile Crocodile at the Lower Sabie causeway

In contrast to Mlondozi, the picnic site at Lower Sabie was deserted, and Joubert and I could lunch in peace surrounded only by birds and butterflies.

Common Purple Tips
Green-backed Camaroptera (photo by Joubert)
Rattling Cisticola

By the time we finished lunch it was still too early to head back to Skukuza, so we drove south in the direction of Crocodile Bridge for a few kilometers along the main road, returning along the gravel Mativuhlungu Loop to Lower Sabie. Stopping at the causeway over the river again we were rewarded with a clear, though distant, view of an African Fish Eagle swooping down to snatch a catfish from the water. We’ll share that full sequence of pictures with you another day this coming week.

Buffalo herd drinking from the Sabie River
Bateleur cleaning up roadkill
Dwarf Mongoose
Male Bennett’s Woodpecker
Hooded Vulture
Serrated Hinged Terrapin (photo by Joubert)
Fish Eagle with catfish prey

Just outside Lower Sabie, on the way to Skukuza, Sunset Dam is always a great place to stop and sit for a while, just soaking in the sights and sounds of the bush. On this occasion however the usual serenity of the place was shattered when a pair of teenage male baboons savagely attacked a much younger baboon at the water’s edge, seemingly intent on killing it. Baboons are always fascinating to watch, but I definitely have never experienced such a disturbing glimpse into their behaviour before. We’ll share some pictures from this harrowing sighting this coming Saturday, but please be warned!

Yellow-billed Storks at Sunset Dam
Baboon murder

It’s just a 45km drive, but with so much to see along the way it still took us 3 hours to get back to Skukuza and we made it back into camp with just a minute or two to spare before the gates closed. Our last sighting of the day was a pack of African Wild Dogs guarding the scraps of their kill against a bunch of vultures – what more could we ask for after such a wonderful day!?

Lionesses and cubs laying claim to a Sand Bank in the Sabie River
Giraffe drinking from the Sabie River
Wary family of giraffes
Spotted Hyena
Impala Lily
White-crowned Lapwing
A slice of the riverine forest along the Sabie River
Hamerkop at sunset
Hippo in the Sabie River (photo by Joubert)
African Wild Dog on the alert

Before ending off, I have to show you these photographs of a family of white rhinoceros we came across on day 2 of our trip to the wilderness. I won’t disclose when and where we saw them though so as not to tip off any poachers.

White Rhino cow and calf
White Rhino bull

 

 

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 (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!

 

Back from our Easter Bush Breakaway

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We’re fresh back from our Easter break around Skukuza and Mopani in the Kruger National Park, and of course well be sharing lots and lots more photos from this beautiful place with you soon! (as well as replying to all the comments you left us over the last few days).

Buffalo near Mopani
Lion near Skukuza
Elephant near Mopani
Leopard near Lower Sabie
White rhino’s poor attempt at hiding