Satara to Skukuza and home October 7, 2017
The wind on Thursday evening brought in a massive storm overnight and it bucketed down with rain (along with thunder and lightning). At stages I wondered whether the roof would stay on and when the water would start leaking through. Fortunately neither happened but when we got up in the morning the effects of the rainfall were evident. Michael of course said "Storm, what storm? Never heard anything"! Our flight left just after 11am from Skukuza...
Continue Reading
Olifants to Satara October 5, 2017
We reversed what we did a few days ago and headed down from Olifants to Satara today. Before we left we did a quick morning drive around the loop near Olifants camp along the Olifants and Letaba rivers. Unfortunately nothing of note to see but we enjoyed our coffee/tea overlooking the Olifants river. We came back to the camp, packed up and headed out back to Satara. This time we took the dirt road for part...
Continue Reading
Olifants October 4, 2017
Today was a pretty low-key today. We only planned to go out early morning and late afternoon and that is exactly what we did.  The highlight of the morning drive was spotting hyena in the river when we stopped to scan the riverbed. We also had a plan to go to the low bridge crossing at Balule as we had read there were some good bird spotting possibilities.  We weren't disappointed and added about 10 birds...
Continue Reading
Satara to Olifants October 3, 2017
We decided to wake up at 6am this morning for a slightly later morning drive. We did the same as we had done the previous morning and headed for the dam (where we saw the lions the previous day) but no lions to be seen. On route we did see a lifer for me though - Harlequin Quail. Pretty much impossible to spot because it is the same colour as the grass but Michael somehow managed...
Continue Reading
Satara Day 2 October 2, 2017
We left the camp at sunrise (up at 5:15am). Michael was impressed with himself and took a photo of the time on the car as we drove out to prove to everyone that he can get up early if needed.  Admittedly we did go to sleep at about 9:15pm last night and Michael is again sleeping as I type this (it is 10:50am!). It was a beautiful morning - 17 degrees at 5:30am - not a...
Continue Reading
Kruger Park Impromptu October 1, 2017
This wasn't planned but I needed a week off before the end of the year and so I decided to fit in a quick weeks break in the Kruger Park. Company was restricted because of other family members' commitments but Michael (kindly, sacrificially or maybe just with glee and rubbing his hands together) agreed to come with me for the week. We left this morning from Cape Town on the direct flight into Skukuza. Slightly late...
Continue Reading
Kruger Park Day 7 & Home April 13, 2017
Yesterday was another very restful day in that we again only went out in the morning and late afternoon. The game viewing unfortunately wasn't great with very little of note seen on either drive.  We didn't even add much to our bird trip list which finished on 109. That is probably a reflection of the game viewing over the 7 days as well. Yesterday morning was again overcast which made it 5 out of 6 mornings...
Continue Reading
Kruger Park Day 6 April 12, 2017
As we are staying at Pretoriouskop for the rest of the time, we planned to do an early morning drive and evening drive only and to spend the rest of the day relaxing in the camp. We left at 6:15am for the morning drive but again (unfortunately) it was overcast which means it isn't great for birding. That makes 4 out of 5 mornings. There are numerous circular roads around the camp and we took one...
Continue Reading
Kruger Park Day 5 April 11, 2017
Only the men headed out for the morning game yesterday with the ladies sleeping in. Unfortunately we didn't see that much again (or at least nothing too exciting). It was overcast though again and so the birding wasn't great. That was 3 out of 4 mornings overcast so far on the trip and that does not help for birding as the morning is definitely the best time to bird. When we turned to head back to...
Continue Reading
Kruger Park Day 4 April 10, 2017
We did the loop around the rivers at Skukuza yesterday morning. That is meant to be the best road for game viewing in the KNP. My grandfather and father swore by it. Someone stole the game off the road though we reckon. Maybe it was 'Game Capture' by Guptas? It is very green and thick (no water shortage up here) and quite difficult to see anything unless it saunters across the road (like another hyena did...
Continue Reading