Tag Archives: outdoors

On our way to the wilderness – day 4

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 (photo by Joubert)

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)

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)

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 (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 (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

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 murder

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

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)

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)

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)

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

Sir Elephant

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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!

Common Bush Brown Butterfly

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Bicyclus safitza

The Common Bush Brown inhabits savannas, woodlands and open forests on South Africa’s eastern coast and borders, stretching from Knysna on the Garden Route to the Soutpansberg in Limpopo. Adults have a wingspan of around 45mm and can be seen throughout the year, flying low to the ground and settling often. Males are darker than females. They are fond of rotting fruit.