We changed camps today and it was a 160 km drive. That doesn’t sound long if you think you can travel at 100 or 120 km/h but inside the Kruger that is at least a 6 hour drive (depending on your sightings). We decided to leave at around 6am this morning as we headed north to Shingwedzi (our base for the next 5 nights). It was overcast for the first hour or so of the drive and that definitely affects birding. We did see a number of black-backed jackal which given the length of the grass is quite nice to see. We realised how quickly and easily they disappeared into the grass as they crossed the road and ran off into the distance. We also saw to giraffe fighting which is always fascinating to see.
We stopped at Letaba for breakfast which was at around 8:30am (perfect timing for breakfast) and after a quick visit to the shop, we headed off again north with the idea our next stop would be at Mopani. Mopani overlooks a dam and there usually is good bird life though we were somewhat disappointed today as the dam was very full and the bird life significantly diminished. H did manage to spot and I identified a lifer for M&O though so not an entirely unfruitful stop. It was also 31 degrees at this point and some of us wanted an ice cream so it was also actually a necessary stop. The last section was from Mopani to Shingwedzi which is just over 60 kms. The last section of that road runs along the river so you usually get both good bird life and game viewings. That was the same as today as we saw a Kruger Park rarity – Grey-headed Gull – and then also buffalo on the river banks.
We got to Shingwedzi around 1:30pm and after a long drive we had no plans to do anything but just stay in the camp for the balance of the day. Miss I had an afternoon nap (she did extremely well in the drive today for a 2.5 year old) and then the 4 of them went swimming. I just wanted to stay in the air-conditioned bedroom! Our house at Shingwedzi overlooks the river and it is probably the most water I have seen in the river in all the years of coming here. It is quite relaxing to just sit on a bench and watch the game and birds.
Something is always going on and this evening while we had just started the braai, H came running in to say a crocodile had a waterbuck in its jaws. I got outside just as the waterbuck managed to free itself from the croc and thereafter a standoff ensued. The croc looking straight at the waterbuck and the waterbuck looking straight back and neither doing anything. You would think the waterbuck would have just taken off but no it stayed for the standoff for probably around an hour until when the crocodile went back into the water and then the waterbuck wandered off with a slight limp (not fatal I think). One lucky waterbuck I think.
Dinner of braai’d chicken and boerewors and potato and butternut done in the fire. At this point the sweat was pouring down everywhere and I desperately needed a shower and to get into the room with the aircon going. A shower definitely did the trick (along with the very cool bedroom) and now ready to sleep.
Until tomorrow …
P, I (because she was such a good girl in the car today), O (feeling sorry for her as she is unwell which isn’t easy in the heat and managing a 2.5 year old), M (for starting the fire today) & H
