Hello, Bonjour and Sawubona from Kruger National Park, South Africa. The next morning started very early, I wanted to really spot a leopard now.
As I drove, the sun rose and left some fabulous sun rays touching the nature around me when I suddenly spotted a pack of wild dogs on their morning hunt. So blessed to see them, I didn’t except to see these lovely dogs. They were running around and greeting each other to just go off again into the bushes. A bit further two hyenas were strolling around, probably thinking they might get their share if the dogs will be lucky to catch something. Such an amazing start into this day!
Four of the pack greeting each other happily
On the early morning hunt
Trying to follow the wild dogs for a morning meal or maybe coming from a morning meal…
I made my way slowly towards the south gate, where the area changed a lot. Just when a big five beauty crossed my way, huge, grey and determined to make his path: a rhino on its morning walk. Unbelievable, what a perfect sighting! More and more animals came into sight: giraffes, zebras, kudus and even nyalas were enjoying themselves today.
Mother and calf on their morning walk
Three graceful ones eating their way through the bushes
A happy nyala family
When I got closer to the lower Sabie area the density of water, animals and traffic increased. Buffaloes were laying at the flowing sabie river next to drinking elephants and hippos. Occasionally I could see some crocodiles swimming along and saddle storks trying their best with fishing. This is a very nice area full of wildlife! And then a really heavy traffic jam arose in front of me, there must be something of big attention. After a while I manoeuvred myself to the sighting: 2 lionesses laying directly next to the street, about 7 meters away from my car. They were so beautiful and of course lazy as it was early afternoon. I watched them and had elephants as well as buffaloes to my other side, 3 of the big 5 in just one spot! That’s only possible here in the southern park I assumed.
Lower Sabie Rest Camp with plenty of hippos
Buffaloes during the afternoon heat at the sabie river
One of the lioness’s resting in the shade
This could only be topped by a leopard sighting and there were plenty as I had heard. On my way I stopped to take some shots of crocs, hippos, giraffes, kudus, wildebeests and zebras, continuously heading south towards my camp at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp. The sun was lowering itself already, turning my surroundings in fantastic reddish colors but no leopard to be seen today. However, I couldn’t believe my luck with all the great game views I did enjoy on this beautiful day.
Crocodile bathing time
A beautiful couple of black and white stripes
A kudu bull before the sun was setting down
My dinner attracted two little bushbabies that were tremendously cute and not shy at all, I had to get a bit louder so they would stay away from my food. So, let’s see what tomorrow will bring.
A curious little bush baby waiting to get some of my dinner
My new lessons learned during my game drives in Kruger National Park:
- Prepare yourself for denser traffic – road congestions are quite common here;
- Water brings more animals – lots of gorgeous game are blocking the roads;
- You won’t be alone for dinner – surely some cute little bushbabies will observe you carefully!
Cheers to wandering the world and the wonders of our lives – bye bye, salut and sala kahle ∞
Just another stunning sunset in the African bush