Four weeks ago I started a tour with a small group from Holland on behalf of Afrikaya Tours, and what a well organised experience it was., What was even better the rest of South Africa was gripped in icy cold weather that even saw snow in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and we managed to avoid it.
Our first day was to be a day at leisure, but when asked the group all agreed that they came to South Africa to see wild animals and it prompted a visit to the Rhino Lion Park, in Gauteng.
The Sable Antelope is one of the rare sightings in South African parks this picture combines the Sable with two Buffalo.
The Orix is a Desert animal and most tourists will only see them in Parks such as the Rhino Lion Park, you really need to visit the Kgalagadi Trans Frontier Park, to see them roaming in the wild.
this young Warthog seems red in colour, these guys like to take a mud bath, and the mud in this region is red
The Roan Antelope is one of Africa's endangered animals, possible habitat changes and Human intervention are the main cause
a Brown Lion relaxing in the tall grass, one can see how well their camouflage works, and we we had to look very carefully to find this one.
The white Lion will have hard time hunting
Few animals are as graceful as the cheetah, and it is for that very reason I support all breeding efforts to enlarge the cheetah gene pool and consequently their population here in Africa
The youngsters on our tour had time to play with some young Lions, rather big kittens
The Secretary Bird can be found all over Southern Africa's dry regions, and yes it is part of the Raptor, and Eagle family.
we went to the Lone Creek Waterfalls, and again the youngsters found amusement Tarzan style.
The Blyde River Canyon forms part of the Panorama route in Mpumalanga, we stopped at a few of these special spots and Bourke's Luck potholes will always be a winner. even if you need to kool down in the hot winter sun.
We decided that a bit of Caving in the Echo Caves would be fun for all and so it was, some of the spots needed to be done on all fours but fun it was.
We headed out towards Hoedspruit and Klaserie section that borders Kruger national Park where we stayed at Phezulu Tree house Lodge, on the way there I made a stop at one of the spectacular Baobab trees near Hoedspruit (by the way, they make pancakes to die for)
The following morning we spent some time at the Maholoholo rehabilitation Centre, and the group had fun learning more about some of South Africa's birds and beasts.
The Leopard and Hyena as well as a seldom seen Honey badger, look at those claws, they are the toughest of them all, and would even take on a lion to protect its territory.
In the afternoon we went on a bush walk and it is special to see wildlife Zebra and Giraffe a mere 20 meters away, wow.
When out on any bush walk with me you will be asked to take part in a Impala Dung spitting competition, its always fun to what tourists do under peer pressure (well done Jesse)
Here we all admire a giraffe and later even her young had to come to say hi.
The following morning we entered Kruger Park through Orpen Gate, and where soon met by a couple of Ostrich, interestingly I find them bigger and perhaps stronger than those that are farmed in South Africa.
Giraffe crossings
We stopped at this Watering hole to admire the hippos as well as seeing various antelope coming in for a drink, soon there was a crowd because someone said that he spotted a Lion.
I decided to take to one of the dirt roads nearby in the hope to see the Lion in less crowded conditions, we were blessed because we not only spotted the Lioness walking down to the waters edge, but we found a whole herd of Elephant hidden in the bush
After all this excitement the group wanted to make our lunch as short as possible, I obliged by stopping at Tshokwane pick nick spot, we were entertained by some Vervet Monkeys, stealing food and snacks from a Group of Tourists
Our decision to cut lunch short was justified when we found a large breeding herd of Elephant at the Orpen Dam, on closer inspection we spotted some Hippo, a couple of large Crocodiles, Kudu and Impala in the same area.
To put the Proverbial Cherry on top a Goliath heron withe a wingspan close on 2 meters did a flyby just for us.
We spotted two Klipspringer antelope viewing their territory.
we did not have to wait long before we spotted a troop of Baboons, and this sentinel used a Termite mount to have a better view on possible predators.
After spotting quite a lot of general Savannah animals we found a small pack of Lion sleeping under a small tree near another drinking place, we knew that our day in Kruger National Park was a roaring success
Close to Lower Sabie Camp we stopped at yet another drinking place to view some Crocodiles and some very lazy Hippos........... Wow what a day.
Early the next morning it was onto a 4x4 game spotting vehicle for a full day in the open. there was no space for me so I decided to treat myself with a Game drive in my own van, and after all was said and done I was far from being disappointed be cause my day started with a small Steenbok. These little antelope have a similar toilet behaviour to your common house cat, they dig a small hole on the surface and after doing their business they cover it all up.
Zebra, Rhino, Wilde beast and Giraffe where part of my morning before I stopped for breakfast at Skukuza. There I met a friend and fellow Tourist Guide who shared a spot where they spotted a Leopard with a kill. Well that cut my breakfast short and off I went, just to find hundreds of cars parked near a Marula tree. I had to wait for almost an hour to see the Impala hanging from the tree, I had a tinge of disappointment when I drove off.
My disappointment was soon replaced when I spotted
beautiful Water buck at the transport dam. These graceful animals soon had my camera's shutter clicking
I returned to the spot where the Leopard was,to find even more cars pushing and shoving for a view, Some even stepped out of their cars for a better view, now that is downright DANGEROUS, only a fool would get out of their car to take a picture of a dangerous animal. I decided to hang back to see if I could not find a spot through the trees to view the Leopard through my binoculars, and viola I found a perfect spot.
I could see the cat re-enter the tree and continue with its meal, and although the distance was a bit out of reach for my 300mm lens I was able to capture the scene just fine.
Soon most of the congestion around the sighting depleted, and I was able to go closer for better pictures
WOW what a sighting and it was well worth it. During lunch I met the group on the 4x4 and sent them in the correct direction, my guests happy and I am over the moon!!!
Later in the afternoon I followed the Sabie River, saw Hippo, cheetah with a kill (impossible to photograph due to the congestion caused, by hundreds of inconsiderate persons driving SUV's and Bakkies registered GP (Gauteng Province)
Spotting a Rhino with a horn in such a beautiful condition one wonders when it will be killed by poachers. Please find a solution to this problem, we love our National and Private Parks, and they will not be the same without these beautiful animals.
Just 15 km before I left the park I spotted a movement in the grass, drove down the little dirt road in that direction, and found Lion in the riverbed.
just a few minutes later I found this lone Elephant and I could say my tick box is complete !!
The next day we drove to Swazi Land, paid a visit to Matsamu Traditional Village, where the Group enjoyed some traditional Swazi dance and song, we arrived at Mlilwani National Park Swazi Land, to spend the next two nights in Beehive Grass huts, and spend time in Nature.
Wild animals such as Zebra, Nyala and Impala wonder through the Campsite and has become very accustomed to the human animal it was fantastic to watch the interaction between the Tourists and the Animals
Not all animals at Mlilwani is approachable, and thus we all steered clear from these +3.5 meter Crocks
In the late Afternoon we took a walk through the park, and could walk close to some of the animals, good thing there are no predators in this park.
The following morning we left for Saint Lucia in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province in South Africa where we were to stay for three nights. The afternoon was spent shopping and relaxing, before we went for a very nice Seafood dinner.
We had an appointment for a boat cruise in the afternoon and since the weather was just perfect I decided that we would combine a Game drive and a morning on the beach, in Cape Vidal.
We were very lucky to spot this Hyena relaxing under some bushes !
We spent a few hours on the beach before returning to Saint Lucia, however we nearly hard a extra passenger in our van, this Buchbuck almost stepped on board (he was so close I would have been able to touch him).
on our drive back we saw some impressive Buffalo and tree Rhino close to the road.
The Boat cruise was a relaxing experience with lots of Birds Crocks and Hippo giving us the telltale yawn (Display of dominance) when the Boat came in to close for comfort.
The sun was setting on our wildlife experience, but it done it in the most beautiful Rose Orange and Gold, and on the Boat there was a moment of silence.
The next morning we had to Rise at 04:00 depart at 05:00 for a
6 hour game drive in the Mfolozi Section of the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Park.
Wow what an experience, first we saw very little animals, but after Breakfast it all changed when we where present during a standoff between buffalo and Lion !!!
"Pumba" and his Family
These Zebra sillueted against the horizon, a perfect game drive sighting
This lone Elephant was the cherry on top of a good day in the Park
We drove down to Durban for a City tour and a visit to the well known Victoria Indian Market and an afternoon on the beach at Amamzimtoti.
The Group spent the next afternoon at U Shaka Marine World, aquarium and theme park.
For our next two night we stayed at the Cathedral Peak Hotel high in the Drakensberg, hiking and Horse riding was at the order of the day. the afternoon I took them to the Waffle Hut at Kwa Zulu Weavers, for the best waffles north of Durban.
On the last day of our tour we drove through to Johannesburg for a Soweto, Jo burg City and Pretoria City Tour. and yes I always find it difficult to say goodbye at the en of the tour, but as they say all good things have to end sometime.
