Squirrel Tales

Monday 28th September cont.

Today was a no camera day for me and my pics from the walk were taken with Katie’s camera that slipped easily into my pocket.

Back in camp after the walk we met Stephen Nel as we were driving to our bungalow (26). He is a great guy and explained that there was a slight problem with some of the bungalows in our area and the matter was being attended too. This didn’t bother us because we were going to drive to Malelane after a quick coffee.

Katie & I were in the kitchen and lounge area laughing at the thundering sounds made by the squirrels as they chased one another over the roof, down the walls and up into the trees. Next minute a small clump of thatch landed in front of Katie while she was standing at the sink and as she looked up a bushy tail flicked and bright eyes surveyed the scene. He then ran along the main beam, did a quick turn and scurried back and out the hole.

We rang reception and within minutes a worker was assessing the situation. Ladders and wire appeared and the squirrel entrance was closed.

We made our trip to Malelane and had lunch at the cafe near the Spar(a regular stop for us when we were in town) and then collected chicken to have for supper after our drive.

Raymond had asked us to be at the drive collection point at 4.30.

We arrived at the same time as Martie.

She had made the trip from Pretoriuskop and had spent the afternoon getting battered and bruised setting up her van.

Raymond had arranged that he take only us and Martie and our group in the small vehicle.

We enjoyed hearing first hand from Martie the stories from her first 150 days in Kruger

We were hopeful of great sightings but I think the wind, cold and mist were against us.

We managed to find elephant, rhino, Wahlbergs eagle, breeding herd of elephants with the young ones shaking their heads at our vehicle, kudu, impala, 2 white tail mongoose, 2 hippo a long way from water, buffalo with both horns broken off, giraffe and 1 small and 2 large spotted genets

Another great day comes to an end and our rhino tally was again 16.

We also managed to stay on step ahead of the squirrels.

A walk to remember.

Monday 28th September.

Away from camp by 5.30 and a short drive to the area past the bush braai turn off.

The day was overcast and windy.

Raymond decided to walk up the hill.

Now I don’t mind a walk even a brisk walk because my beagle Callie takes me on a 3k brisk walk every day at home and sometimes twice a day and we also walk a hill or two.

Up the hill…..mmmmm rhino have just passed this way, we will try and follow.

Down the hill, round the hill,up, down and around.

Doesn’t Raymond realise he has two oldies on this walk?

Around 7am we had reached a high rocky outcrop and stopped for our break.

What an incredible view of the area and also the camp itself.

Time to move and game to be found.

Success… we find two rhino not too far away but they know we are near and run away.

After the rhino ran off there was a herd of impala.

Down the hill we go and Raymond sights another 2 rhino camouflaged in the bushes.They moved off and we tried to move downwind of them to get closer.

A kudu calf and then its mother are next.

We were now on our way to rocks overlooking the bush braai area.

One of the guests on the walk then broke a few rules…..fell out of line and then picked up an empty snail shell that was well off the track we were walking on. Obby explained what the shell was and Raymond moved to the rocks.

He quietly beckoned us to come to the top of the rocks. Three rhino in the clearing….mum dad and the calf.

We observed quietly for ten minutes and then spent fifteen minutes walking down to the vehicle.

I must admit that David and I were, to use an Aussie term, “bloody knackered” but what an experience to be so close to the last group of rhino.

Raymond and tortoise shell

Impala horn

Raymond and Obby

Raymond and rhino…calf is hidden

More to come later including sunset drive with Martie Goddard.

Rhino’s galore

Sunday 27th September.

Time to leave Pretoriuskop.

I am not sorry to be leaving, and the only positive apart from the sightings was the reasonably fast internet connection.

First sighting was 2 rhino.

A little further on 7 rhino but hard to capture in one pic.

Transport Dam

Hyaenas at Kwaggaspan

   

Taken at our bungalow at Berg en Dal

Outside the fence

Rhino sighting

Teaching them early

A great rhino day. Our first and last sightings of the day were these amazing animals.

16 in all for the day.

We didn't get the cats and in spite of the heat our sightings were plentiful.

We were hoping for a cooler start tomorrow for our bushwalk with Raymond and Obby.

The day St Kilda lost the AFL Grand Final

Saturday 26th September

We needed to postpone the start of our morning drive, to listen to the lead up and bounce of the AFL grand final between St Kilda and Geelong.

First quarter underway and we head out for a short while.

We found all the usual….ellies, buffalo, rhino, waterbuck, kudu, giraffe, impala and a variety of birds.

Time to head back to camp for a footy score.

The game was nearly finished when we arrived, and sadly the result was not the one we anticipated.

St Kilda played brilliant football for the entire season and left their worst game for this crucial match.

However it is only a game and the 2010 season is just around the corner.

Another quick drive.

Ellie taking a mud bath.

Waterbuck

The temperature was now well into the 30’s and I think everything wanted to find shade.

We set off again around 4pm and found these 3 lions high on a rock looking down on the surroundings.

On our way back to camp we had 2 sightings of Sable.

5 at Shitlhave Dam and 4 on the road back to camp.

The second group were not close and the light was fading so photos are not the best

There were 2 highlights today and neither were captured on film.

Vervets sitting on the back of a chair at the next bungalow trying to open the door.

One was really determined…..bum on chair back ….legs on the door to steady himself and hand jiggling the lock.

Four vervets opened the screen window of the bungalow on the other side and were flying in and coming out with fruit.

David raced over and they made a hurried exit with the last banana. He pulled the screen down and as he was closing the window the smallest vervet crept up behind him and was about to swipe him on the leg. David turned to walk to the next window and the little bugger had second thoughts and scampered off.

As David was closing the second window he heard another commotion and thought he must have locked one in………no the occupant had been resting in the other room and missed the fun

The traffic is worse than the Hume Highway

Friday 25th September.

We checked the area where the wild dog were sighted.

No fresh tracks so they have moved on.

We drove to the hippo pools and then started the journey to Skukuza

Nine rhino before Lower Sabie with all the extras….but no cats.

The drive from Lower Sabie to Skukuza was a nightmare.

This little treasure was so far our we could see her legs, but stepped down before we could get a pic. The brain as well as the body must be on holidays.

At this same spot we noticed children maybe 7 or 8 sitting with most of their body out of the car. What must the parents be thinking………this was a lion sighting with drivers jockeying for the best possie to see the lions who were on the other side of the river(luckily).

Lunched at Skukuza with the tourists swarming from coaches and game drive vehicles.

Pretoriuskop next camp for us.

We had just started taking pics of this hawk eating when a tourist coach came screaming down on us , on its way to the Numbi exit gate.

We (ever so politely) signalled the driver to slow down so the bird wouldn’t take flight.

His load of passengers took an interest and he had to inch the coach forward for them to see and take photos.

Our last for the day was another magnificent sable.

He wasn’t close, but a great sighting.

On the “Edge of Paradise”

Thursday 24th September.

Finally we make the gate before opening time.

We are rewarded with 3 lions at a recent kill site.

We left the lions hoping we would find the wild dog.

Down the road we could see a lone spotted form walking.

We followed for several ks …on the road and in the bush and back on the road.

Now we had 2 cars behind us.

We waved the car behind us to come forward for a better view.

Instead of sitting a few lengths behind the cheetah they drove straight up to him and sent him running into the bush.

They drove off and luckily he came back onto  the road.

He decided not long after that incident to head into the bush.

Most of our photos are bum shots but a cheetah pic is a cheetah pic whether it is the elegant pose or the rear end.

His paw prints

Mongoose

Lets park off road at a kill site. Not only do some traumatise the animals, they trample the vulnerable bush as well.

We spent the afternoon at Marloth Park with Freda and Malcolm

This estate overlooks the Crocodile River and Kruger National park.

Animals including zebra, giraffe, warthog, kudu and impala roam freely through the estate.

Kruger Park across the river and exotic animals in your garden……paradise.