Last Blog Post from Kruger 2016

We leave tomorrow after arriving in Kruger on the 17th April 2016. We are all packed and ready for a early departure.

We have had a great time with really good sightings, the highlight was seeing the Cape Clawless Otters, the downside has been the effects of the serious drought and the ongoing slaughter of our precious Rhino. Also the loss and suffering of the hippo population, it is terrible watching these huge animals slowly starve to death.

Also disturbing is the lawlessness currently in the park, speeding, road kills, driving after gate closing or at night, congestion at predator sightings and road rage, aggravated by the use of mobile apps. I hope Sanparks reads this and does something about it. I intend to send off some emails and hope you will do the same to support this and hope to clean up Kruger.

Another concern is the devastation caused by over grazing and destruction of the trees in Kruger by Elephants, there are just to many elephants in Kruger, way beyond the carrying capacity of the park, something needs to be done urgently, tough decisions need to be made to protect the long term prospects of the other species.

There have been over 2700 page views on our blog from 14 different countries, I hope you have enjoyed the blog as much as we have, thanks for watching, watch out for next years blog and itinerary.

Till next time
Andrew and Lettie.

Some Photos of our latest sightings

Sunrise over the Sabie River on our last morning

Help identify the new species on Sunset dam

Oxpeckers on Buffalo

Our last afternoon sun downers were spent at Sunset dam. The Croc came quite close to where we were stopped. The Egyptian geese gave us a farewell serenade.

Braai on the last evening after watching the Rugby, good tough win for the Boks against Ireland.
I burnt up all the Wood and Charcoal. Nice and warm camp fire to see us off. This morning was the coldest it has been since we arrived 7 degrees C. Only the awning to roll up and off we go.

Kambaku Golf Club Komatiepoort

Kambaku (Shangaan translation “Exceptionally Big Elephant Bull”

This was one of the magnificent seven great tuskers of the Kruger national Park.

Left Tusk  -  259.5cm – 63Kg

Right Tusk  - 265.0cm – 64Kg

Kambaku was severely wounded in 1985 at the south bank of the Crocodile River and badly injured. Lynn van Rooyan the Lower Sabie game ranger found Kambaku at Lower Sabie. As there was no way of saving Kambaku, he was forced to shoot the wounded animal and preserve the tusks and history.

Today 23 June 2016 I was fortunate to play this great course. I joined up with a couple from Sedgefield who were on holiday, staying in Marloth Park.

I had a very good round of 9 holes and shot 38. Beware Smugs and Wednesday School I return shortly and am short of cash and need to make it up on the golf course.

Some Photos of the course and game seen on the way there and back. 

Entrance to Kambaku

View on to Crocodile river from deck

1 St Tee

On the green in the background Trucks can be seen queuing at the Lbombo border post.

 

Ntandanyathi bird hide has dried up.

A large herd of Impala

Matriarch at the den

Junior guarding his possesions

Cheetah Day

22 June.

We were waiting at the gates before 06h00 opening, again it paid off as we picked up this lone Cheetah on the H4-1 and were the only car.

We then went to Letties Loop/Rogies Rest on the Salitje Road (S30) where we spent most of the day. This is a great shady spot overlooking the Sabie River where game comes to drink. We had our cereals and yogurt in the car, this spot always offers up great photographic opportunities. We have seen Sable on 3 occasions at this spot.

We watched 2 Saddle billed storks fishing.  

Elephants, Impala, Kudu, Hippo, warthog and Nyala came to drink.

Note the red 'heart' on the front breast.

We packed up the big tent, turned the caravan and put up the pull out awning in preparation to leave on Sunday or Monday.