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Tag: Kruger National Park

Close up Hippo Kruger National Park South Africa

Hippo Kruger National Park South Africa

Talk about up close and personal, this 3300 pound (1500 kilogram) hippo walked out of the bush only 30 feet from the vehicle.  This massive animal measures 59 inches (1500 millimeters) at the shoulder and is 196 inches (5000 millimeters) long including a 22 inch (560 millimeter) tail.  Being a nocturnal vegetarian the hippopotamus eats about 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of mainly grasses over night.  This early morning sighting in Kruger National Park probably meant it was heading back to water for the day.

2014 South Africa diversity Ecotour, South Africa , 23 Comments

Return to Kruger National Park

OK, so now I’ve replaced the stolen laptop and needed to also replace photos so we returned to Kruger National Park on Thursday.

Lower Sabie Camp entrance Kruger National Park South Africa

Drove in pouring rain  through the gate and wondered if we’d see any animals through the streaked and foggy windows.  Even thought about getting a chalet for the night instead of setting up the tent.  But when we got close to Lower Sabie Camp it quit raining, and besides the chalet would have cost us almost $100 compared to $15 to camp.

Lower Sabie campsite Kruger National Park South Africa

Set up in the same site we stayed in only about one week ago under threatening skies with thunder booming and barely got done before the sky opened and I scurried into the tent.  Joan has a bed set up in the back of her pickup.

Dark skies Kruger National Park South Africa

Wasn’t long before it quit raining once again and we drove out under still gray sky watching a huge dark bank of clouds sailing towards us.

Elephant Kruger National Park South Africa

First sighting, my favorite, an elephant.

European Roller Kruger National Park South Africa

This European Roller looked at us as though we were crazy being out in such inclement weather.

Glossy Starling Kruger National Park South Africa

So did this Glossy Starling.

Red-billed Hornbill Kruger National Park South Africa

And this Red-billed Hornbill.  A day for birds.

Zebras Kruger National Park South Africa

All this heavy rain makes for lots of mud.  Barely a day for man or beast.

Still waters Kruger National Park South Africa

We parked under a tree for a bit to wait out more rain and when it stopped once again the scene became still, hot and humid.

Baby zebra Kruger National Park South Africa

A good time for a nap for some.

Vervet monkeys Kruger National Park South Africa

And play for others.

Sunset Kruger National Park South Africa

But it wasn’t long before setting sun told us to get back to camp.  It feels good to be back in Kruger, like coming home.

2014 South Africa diversity Ecotour, Kruger National Park, South Africa , , 29 Comments

Maroela Camp Kruger National Park days 4 and 5 2014

 

Wild dogs Kruger National Park South Africa

Ended day three at Kruger National Park with lions on the road and started day four with wild dogs, the first time I’d seen them.  Two adults, four sub adults and four pups.  They are mottled almost like a calico color and each very different.

Wild dogs Kruger National

The pups were so inquisitive, stopping at every little leaf and bug along the road.  We followed them for almost 3 km before they disappeared into the bush.

Snail on road Kruger National Park South Africa

Also seen along the road was snails with shells about five inches long.  They come out after the rain, which happened daily.

Buffalo Kruger National Park South Africa

We saw several huge herds of buffalo, up to 300 head.  This is a really good sign as 20 years ago they were almost decimated from Kruger due to catching TB from cattle on ranches adjacent to the park.

Steenbok Kruger National Park Sout Africa

Steenbok

It’s mind boggling to remember all the kinds of antelope and would take me years to recognize the differences.  Thank goodness I’m with Joan who knows them all.

Watched a herd of at least 60 elephants come down to the water to drink, cool off, and for the little ones play.

Giraffe Kruger National Park South Africa

Not only are the spots on each giraffe different but their horns identify gender.  Females have furry looking tops and males have a solid bump.  And then there are anomalies.  Can you tell which sex this one is?

Giraffe & man on bike Kruger National Park South Africa

And of course they are extremely tall with adults standing at 20 feet.  BTW, this security guard on his bicycle carried a rifle on his back.

We spent a couple hours mid-day at the Orpen pool wallowing like hippos then rushed back to Maroela Camp to close up tents against the impending rain.  Started out on an afternoon drive but when the wind picked up ferociously returned to camp where we sat in the truck watching the pouring rain form a river around the tents.  As soon as the rain stopped the ground dried out but Joan’s tent and mattress did not.  Lesson learned to always put up the tarp.

Zebras & Impalas Kruger National Park South Africa

Black Stork Kruger National Park South Africa

Waterbuck Kruger National Park South Africa

The next morning’s drive started out with zebras, impalas and an elephant under sunrise plus a Black Stork and Waterbuck.  Also saw a Giant Eagle Owl that was very far from the road and much more.  After several hours out we returned to camp and made an effort to dry our gear plus work online for a while.

Two lions next to car Kruger National Park South Africa

Two lions on the road Kruger National Park South Africa

Then out for a late afternoon drive where we saw lions on the road as we rushed back to camp before the gate closed.  This seemed to become a pattern.

After a night of more rain and no electricity in camp to make coffee we packed our soggy gear into the back of the truck and took a slow drive to Satara in the hopes of finding some breakfast.  Many of the park’s restaurants are closed because of a change in concessions.

Animals seen:  Wild Dog, Lion, Spiders, Snails, Buffalo, Giraffe, Baboon, Steenbok, Elephant, Korhaan, Chameleon, Hyena, Zebra, Impala, Black Stork, Waterbuck, Hippo, Vulture, Giant Eagle Owl, Gray Duiker, Burchell’s Coucal

2014 South Africa diversity Ecotour, South Africa , , 9 Comments

Lijit

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