I’ve been to Kruger in August, but this would be my first trip during what I consider to be “proper” winter. I knew birding would be different as there would be none of the summer visitors around. As far as temperatures were concerned, I expected it to be warmer than a Jozi winter, but I made sure I had sufficient blankets and warm clothes as I would be camping for 4 of the 7 nights. I need not have worried – except for the last two nights, the weather was perfect shorts and t-shirt weather.
This trip was a real “Christmas in July” experience. A huge heap of presents awaited me. As always, the sightings were fantastic, and there were one or two presents that were truly special.
Every time I go to Kruger many adjectives pop into my mind to describe my trip and the awesome sightings, and for this trip report I selected 100 adjectives to describe all the beautiful gifts I received.
Adorable
I was driving back from the Biyamiti Weir along the H3 when I spotted some dark figures on a termite mound. A group of some of the most adorable creatures in Kruger were sunning themselves.
Often skittish, this small Troop seemed completely relaxed, likely due to the sun warming their little bodies. They are so cute; it is easy to forget that they are ferocious little predators!
Amazing
Recently, someone was discussing the breathtaking Kalahari – its landscape, red sand, and wildlife. But then they commented on why they prefer the Greater Kruger area – the elephants. And I could not agree more. Elephants are hands down my favourite animal. There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time in the company of these animals. And when they are relaxed, and you can get close to them – wow. They are amazing, and I would have many wonderful moments with them during this trip.
Ancient
If elephants are my favourite mammal, then the Baobab Tree is the plant equivalent. These fairy tale trees have a very special place in my heart. They are hundreds of years old, and I always wonder what stories these ancient beings could tell if they could speak in a language we mortals can understand. I could not drive past the turn off to the most southern Baobab without stopping to say hallo. What a truly wonderful creature.
Astonishing
I am thoroughly captivated by the beauty of sunrises. The sunrises in Kruger, in particular, stand out as uniquely mesmerizing. Although most mornings were overcast and I missed many of my favourite moments, the second sunrise I witnessed was astonishing.
It occurred on the H12 bridge. I had already experienced a sunrise there (that one will feature later in the TR) and knew what time I had to be there for this one. I did not see many animals on the way, and I made it to the bridge with a few minutes to spare.
The moments before the sun rose were so wonderful, with vultures flying to the trees, the river bubbling over the rocks and birds calling. The sky was painted in hues of delicate pinks and vivid oranges.
And then the sun rose. It was such an astonishing moment. I sat in awe.
I drove across the bridge to get another view of this astonishing scene.
It was my last full day in the south before moving camp the next day, and I could not have asked for a better sunrise than this one.
Awesome
Another elephant moment from the incredible experience I had at transport Dam. After most of the boys had wondered off, this guy walked around the dam and started feeding right next to the parking area.
It was such a awesome feeling being so close to this big boy. He then sauntered past the cars, almost making me nervous, and fed some more.
Then he went back to the water where he splashed himself with mud before rolling in the mud.
More about what he did next a bit later.
Beautiful
We all know about the Big 5. And then someone coined the term “The Ugly 5”. I don’t like that, because Beauty, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder. I only saw 4 of the animals grouped in the Ugly 5 category, and I think they are all beautiful in their own special way.
Their knobbly faces may be the kind that only a mother would describe as beautiful, but Warthogs are special pigs – how can you not love the way they run with their little tails as stiff as antennas, and the impressive tusks some of them have.
Blue Wildebeest have strange eyes when you look at them closely, and they have a way of looking at you with those long faces that may not make them attractive, but their coats have a beautiful sheen in the sunlight, and a drive without a few of these animals does not feel complete.
What makes a vulture beautiful to me is the way that they can soar at incredible heights. There is no denying that they play a critical role in the environment, and it is depressing to know that their numbers are at risk.
Beloved
Giraffes, or “Raffies” as I affectionately call them, must be one of the most beloved animals.
Everyone loves these unique animals. Their large, soulful eyes, often filled with a quiet curiosity, reflect the gentle nature of this beloved animal. 
I love seeing all the animals in the Park, but there is always a huge smile on my face when I see my first Giraffe. Whether they are alone or in groups, every sighting of a Giraffe is special.
Black-and-White
Our most beloved Black-and-white bird has to be the Pied Kingfisher. It is the only kingfisher that hovers when fishing, and the speed at which those little wings beat is something to behold. While I was birding on the low-water bridge near Lower Sabie, there were a few that were sitting on the bridge.
Then they were darting about hunting for food, not always easy to photograph, but I managed a few snaps.
There was also a pair at Lake Panic.
Another Black-and-white bird with one of the most melodious calls is the Magpie Shrike.
I often hear them before I see them, and their call is so pretty, it brings a smile to my face every time I hear it.
A Black-and-White bird whose call is not quite as melodious is the Blacksmith Lapwing. They always seem to alarm call at their own shadows, and they can be very annoying if you are trying to sneak up on something for a photo. But they are pretty none the less.
And then there is the cute little Pied Wagtail. One of the sweetest little birds that forages in typical wagtail fashion with a bouncy little tail.
Blissful
Few animals can look as blissful as a Hippo. Whether they are in the water alone or in their family group, or relaxing to water, they always seem completely happy.
Terrapins are obviously trying to imitate their large friends. With their little heads in the air and legs splayed, they alco come across as totally content in their surroundings.
Bold
I stopped next to the Sabie River to watch a herd of elephants. They slowly made their way to out of the water and up the riverbank. Instead of following the well-worn path, two of them took a different route, pausing on a little outcropping. I thought that was very bold of them.
Breathtaking
Another herd of elephants in the Sabie River was the source of a truly breathtaking moment..
While the camera’s narrow lens captured a beautiful scene, the cell phone’s wide-angle lens transformed it entirely. The sunlight on the cloud and the serene elephants in the river took my breath away completely.
Charming
I had four Black-backed Jackal sightings during this trip. The first Jackal was resting in the shade far from the road at Kumana Dam, and I almost missed him. These four were snacking on something in the grass near the Satara. Jackals have inquisitive, intelligent faces, and I find them completely charming.
Close-knit
Families are close-knit units, and it is always wonderful to see the families interact.
I love the large herds of Impalas, maybe not all blood relatives, but it does create a sense of a close-knit family.
The Hippos at Shitlave dam left no doubt that this is a family, the two babies were very similar in size and completely adorable.
There was another family at Sunset Dam.
A family of Nyalas made for a beautiful picture. They are such pretty little things.
A small family of warthogs came down to the water’s edge one afternoon while I was at Lake Panic. I always love it when they go down on their knees to feed.
Family members don’t always get along. An adult Fish Eagle had a fish, and it did not look as if it was willing to share with the youngster. There were a few moments of obvious aggression between the two.
But the ultimate example of close-knit family bonds has to come from my favourite animal. The members of a breeding herd of elephants have tight bonds, and this is obvious in the way they interact with each other. This little group was part of a large herd just meters from the Satara Camp Gate. 
Colourful
Kruger has some really pretty, colourful birds, and I saw many of these delightful creatures. On my first afternoon I saw a few yellow-throated Longclaws between Afsaal and Pretoriuskop.
Bee-eaters are some of the prettiest birds. The Little Bee-eater is gorgeous with its yellow and Green, while the White-fronted Bee-eater brings a whole different colour spectrum to the party.
The yellow of the bill and the red around the eyes adds colour to the otherwise black and white plumage of Yellow-billed Hornbills.
At Sunset Dam, a little Green-winged Pytilia was foraging on the water’s edge next to my car. The males are gorgeous with their orange throats. If you had to ask me how many Golden-breasted Buntings I saw during my trip, I would answer – all of them! They were literally everywhere, but I did not mind because they are such stunning little birds.
Brown and Black are also colours, and just because these colours are the most prevalent on Three-banded Plovers and Black Crake, does not mean they are not colourful. Three-banded Plovers have those gorgeous orange rings around their eyes. I saw a few at Sunset Dam, and there was one at the Biyamiti Weir, the only bird at the weir when I visited on a rather overcast morning.
If black can be described as “bright”, it is because of Black Crakes. The red and yellow really pops against the black feathers, making the black seem really bright. They are extremely pretty birds, and with the low water levels at Lake Panic, I had super sightings of these busy little birds.
Waxbills are some of my favourite little birds. Blue Waxbills are so gorgeous with their powder blue feathers.
As much as I love Common Waxbills with their bright red beaks, I do find them frustrating as these little ones seldom sit still long enough for photos. I was therefor rather happy when a small flock showed up at Lake Panic.
Acacia Pied Barbets are also mostly black and white with a bit of red and yellow, but this one added some additional colour to its face by dusting it with some pollen from the aloes it was feeding on.
And then there is everyone’s favourite, arguably one of Kruger’s most colourful birds and definitely its most photographed bird – the always stunning Lilac-breasted Roller. It is impossible not to be in awe of such lovely colours.
Black-headed Orioles are always high up in trees (in my experience anyway), so when this one chased a Starling from some aloes near the Satara fuel station, I was not unhappy. That golden yellow with the contrasting black head looked spectacular in the sunlight.
One of the last photos I took on this trip was of a pair of Jameson’s Firefinches at the Orpen Camp Gate. The males are very handsome in their pink plumage.
Content
When I booked my trip in January, I booked from the Sunday. Then I thought what a waste it would be to not go on the Saturday, and I added another night. I tried to book an extra night at Skukuza for camping, but the camp site was fully booked? I did manage to find availability in Pretoriuskop. It was the first time I would stay over in this camp, and I was looking forward to it.
I arrived just after lunch. After a short afternoon drive, I walked around the camp to explore. The sunset was not too shabby.
I had a quick meal at the restaurant, caught a glimpse of the rugby match, but then went to my hut where I sat quietly in the dark with a beverage while watching the moon rise over the trees. The camp was full, and everyone was chatting happily at their chalets. I sat next to my hut, grateful to be there, and feeling absolutely content with life.
Dangerous
Crocodiles fascinate and terrify me in equal measures. They can appear deceivingly relaxed, but they can move with incredible speed. Combine that with their incredible bite force and hunting strategy, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are one of the most dangerous animals in the Park. I find looking into the unblinking stare of a crocodile more unsettling than a lion’s gaze.
There are some really huge crocs in Kruger, and I found some large ones at Lake Panic, Transport Dam and Sunset Dam.
Dazzling
There is a reason why the collective noun for Zebras is a “Dazzle”.
As one of the most photogenic animals in the Park, they are completely dazzling, especially when in a herd.
Their dazzling stripes contrasts beautifully in any environment, and even more so against the backdrop of a winter brown Park.
I saw a small herd at the James’ waterhole near the S118 turn off, and even in overcast conditions, their beauty was impressive.
At Nsemani dam there were large herds on both days that I visited my favourite dam. When a lot of them are together like that, they are truly dazzling.
Delightful
I spent quite a bit of time on the low water bridge outside Lower Sabie. A small group of hippos walked out of the water, and they had a couple of youngsters with them. When young hippos are submerged you don’t realise just how cute they are, but then they leave the water, you release just what delightful little creatures they are.
I love this tongue peeking out.
The youngsters padded about looking so happy.
The hippos at Shitlave Dam were a little younger, and still had the baby rolls. Simply delightful.
Devoted
It was obviously Vulture breeding season, as I saw a few occupied Vulture nests. The parent birds are very devoted as they have to spend hours incubating and protecting the eggs. How I would love to get a glimpse of the chicks when they hatch!
Elegant
I was at Lake Panic when this African Darter cam swooping in. I would have given him a 2/10 for the landing – he did not quite pull it off. (I gave myself -2/10 for the photos I took of the landing!) But once he found his footing, he looked very elegant with his long neck and sleek feathers.
Elusive
The Leopard is the most elusive of the Big 5. It is therefore always incredibly special to see these rosetted cats.
My first Leopard sighting was on the bridge on the bridge on the H1-2. There was obviously a bit of a traffic jam, and I will block out the people’s behaviour from my memory and focus on the gorgeous cat.
He lay on the side of the riverbank.
After a while got up and walked to the water to have a drink. A sleek and stunning animal.
Emotional
The first morning of my first full day in the Park is always special. It is always amazing when you drive into the Park, but there is nothing like that first morning. When I left Skukuza when the gate opened, an eager beaver just like the many other people in the queue waiting for the gate to open. I turned left then right towards Lower Sabie. It was still dark, and even darker than it would have been because of the overcast conditions. I drove slowly to allow the cars heading in the same direction to disappear so I could savour the the solitude the early morning bush experience on my own.
I was disappointed that I would not see a sunrise, but it was amazing to just be out in the Park.
I stopped on the bridge. It was so beautiful.
And then there was a break in the clouds, and I was able to see a brief sunrise.
I could not help feeling emotional. I was just so happy to be back in the best place on earth.
It was the most perfect moment, and I enjoyed it for quite a while.
It’s hard not to get emotional as I witness the final sunrise of my trip. Because Tamboti was so close to the gate, there was no long drive to leave the Park. I was up early and packed the car. Then I made a cup of coffee and watch the dawn break and the sun rise. I reflected on the past week, feeling both sad to depart yet deeply grateful for having experienced such a wonderful time.
Enchanting
It is no secret that I love Spotted Hyenas. They are hands down my second favourite mammal. Unfortunately, I did not see that many during this trip, but my trip was made when, on my first afternoon, I saw this little group walking towards me on the H2-2.
I don’t really care whether the rest of the world loves or hates them, I think they are super cool and I find them enchanting.
I parked my car to the side of the road and enjoyed the walk by.
The second of the three hyena sightings during the trip was on my last full day in the Park while driving from Tamboti to Satara. I was just in time to see a few walk away from the road into the tall grass.
Entertaining
When I arrived at the Park, I drove to Pretoriuskop where I would spend the first night of my trip. I checked in and then drove to Shitlave Dam.
I saw a pod of hippos basking and two Saddle-billed Storks on the far side. A couple of other vehicles arrived, but soon left. I was enjoying the quiet when the action started. The Saddle-billed Storks seemed relaxed initially when all of a sudden, they started their performance.
I am not sure if it was aggression or a mating dance, but it was entertaining to watch.
The performance lasted for quite a while before one flew onto a nearby bush and the other moved to the muddy patch that the hippos had just vacated.
A blacksmith Lapwing took offence with the presence of the Saddle-billed Stork and started dive-bombing it. At first the Saddle-billed Stork ignored the Lapwing, but then it started snapping at the Lapwing every time it flew past.
I am not sure why the Lapwing got so upset – if there was a nest, it would have been squashed by the hippos.
Eventually everyone settled down, and calm returned.
Another entertaining moment was when this elephant decided to have a good scratch after his swim.
After the bum got the attention it deserved, the chest and shoulders also received a good sand massage. It was quite fun to watch to watch.
Eye-catching
The Bearded Scrub Robin might be 50 shades of brown and white, but it is actually quite eye-catching. The first one was foraging on the lawn near the Skukuza Shop and was fairly comfortable in my presence.
There was another one in the campsite.
They are really pretty little birds.
Fabulous
Another adjective to describe elephants. Fabulous.
I wasn’t in the Park for long when the first fabulous moment happened.
Throughout this trip I found elephants to be very relaxed, and I was able to park fairly close to them.
Fabulous. Just fabulous.
Favourite
This adjective can be used to describe almost every animal and every place in the Park.
But Lake Panic has to be one of my favourite Bird Hides. There is always something happening, and even when it is quiet, the view is so stunning, you can just sit there for hours.
I have always loved Southern White-crowned Shrikes, but after spending so much time with the little ones on the nest in 2021, they have now become one of my favourite birds.
Flamboyant
The Orange-breasted Bushshrike is so colourful and can certainly be described as flamboyant. Notoriously difficult to photograph, I was lucky to have a few sightings where I could take photos.
Our raptors are all impressive, but most are various shades of brown. The Bateleur stands out with its red legs and face making it slightly more flamboyant then the rest..
And then there is the Scarlet-chested Sunbird. I saw more of these birds in Pretoriuskop than ever before, but sadly the light was not always great. But there is no denying the beauty of these flamboyancy of these little birds.
Fleeting
I went on a night drive while staying at Tamboti. We were driving along the tar road when the guide suddenly sped up, commenting he had seen something cross the road. When we reached the spot, we scanned with our spotlights and were just in time to have a fleeting glimpse of a leopard before she disappeared into the grass.
It may seem strange that I also use the word fleeting to describe a Leopard Tortoise sighting, but as it was winter, I did not expect to see many reptiles. I was therefore very happy when I saw this Leopard Tortoise. They can move much faster than we realise (it did beat the hare after all!) so this was also a fleeting sighting before it moved further into the grass.
Fluffy
Waterbuck, especially youngsters, have to be the fluffiest animals in the Park. The hair of their coats is the longest of all the antelope. With their large ears, heart-shaped noses, and fluffy appearance, they are super pretty.
The Woolly-necked Stork needs to be included here, because, you know, its name. I saw quite a few during my tip. This guy landed on one of the dead trees at Lake Panic.
Gentle
I love Flycatchers, and this little Dusky Flycatcher I saw at Skukuza had such a gentle look about it.
But of course, my favourite gentle animal is the elephant. I always ensure I give them enough space, but then a herd is relaxed, I can get a little closer and enjoy the closeness of these incredible beings.
All the elephants I encountered were so relaxed, and I was able to get some wonderful close-up photos.
Being close enough to elephants to see the hairs on their faces is a goosebump moment.
Giant
I’ve already mentioned crocodiles earlier, but there were a few that I saw that were ginormous. I looked at these giant animals, and I am sure I could fit whole into their tummies.
A frightening thought.
From a giant water monster to a giant bird.
I saw a pair of our largest bird at the Tamboti Camp turn off on the morning I left the Park.
In any other place you may not give Ostriches much attention, but in Kruger a sighting of these large birds is always special.
Glorious
Same place, same cat (I think), different time.
On the morning that I left Skukuza and drove to Tamboti, via the H12. When I reached the high-water bridge over the Sand River, a lady pointed out a sleepy cat in the shade.
Zooming in to these photos and the pics of the cat I saw in the exact same place a few days earlier, it seems to be the same animal. I wondered if it had a kill in the area, but I could not see anything.
The light was still difficult, crowds were arriving, and I still had a long drive ahead of me, so I did not linger. But what a glorious start to the day! 
Glossy
Kruger is also home to several glossy birds. The Cape Starlings are everywhere, and I found them slightly annoying when I had breakfast at Lower Sabie, but there is no denying that they are extremely pretty.
I went for a morning bird walk before I left Pretoriuskop. The bird list for that morning walk was very cool, and the list included this Common Scimitarbill.
I also saw lots of the pretty little Collared and White-bellied Sunbirds.
Burchell’s Starlings were also numerous as always. They do look splendid in the sunlight.
Gorgeous
I spent my last two nights in the Park at Tamboti, and it was by far the two coldest nights of the trip. I was grateful that I was not camping. Sandwiched between these two cold nights was my last full day in the Park. It was once again heavily overcast at the start of the day. But despite these conditions, the scenery was gorgeous.
I particularly liked this ray of light that broke through the tees and looked like it was shining on the tree.
The cloudy conditions added an intimate atmosphere to a very special morning.
Graceful
I saw a small traffic jam just north of Tshokwane.
There was only one large tree, and I quickly saw what all the cameras and binoculars were pointed to.
The light was absolutely shocking for photos, but that did not stop me from snapping away and I managed to get part of the leap to the higher branches.
She was not very visible, so I drove past the 5 or 6 cars – even if I would be a little further away than my original position, I was hoping to get a better view and hopefully slightly better light.
After a few minutes my change in position paid off as she jumped to a lower branch from where she scanned her domain for a while.
Then she jumped down and disappeared into the tall grass. I hesitated, wondering whether I should wait to see if she would come towards the road, but decided against it, and continued on. But I was very, very happy with this sighting of a graceful spotted cat.
Grouchy
There is something about an old Dagga Boy that just screams “grouchy”. I found a lone buffalo just before Nkulu, and he did indeed look grouchy.
Large Hippos can also look grouchy, and this guy at the low water bridge at Lower Sabie was no exception.
My favourite “grouchy” animal is the little Pearl-spotted Owlet. I saw two of these little darlings during the trip. I just love how the feathers on their faces always seem to give them a bit of an “angry bird” appearance.
Handsome
Male antelope are such handsome animals. It is probably the horns that adds to their handsomeness.
A male impala cam for a drink at Shitlave Dam.
Handsome Nyala Bulls visited Lake Panic every time that I was there.
This handsome fella was laying to one side at Transport Dam while the rest of his herd was grazing a little distance away.
I don’t know if this Kurrichane Thrush is a male, but it is such a handsome bird, I decided to include “him” here.
Happy place
OK, the entire Park is pretty much my happy place, but inside this wonderful happy place, there are many other happy places.
Transport Dam is one such place, and when there are elephants swimming, it really is the happiest of happy places. A couple of elephant bulls were having a swim when I arrived, and they provided entertainment for a while.
At first, they were enjoying the water separately, but then started a small wrestling match, as only boys can. One seemed much more dominant, and while there were one or two moments that seemed to be getting a little too serious, they didn’t really cause each other harm.
I could not get enough of the antics of these two.
While these two were continuing their antics in the water, three other large bulls arrived. They observed the two in the water for some time, but did not join.
When the two bulls in the water decided they had enough, one wander over to say hi, but it was a fairly calm greeting.
I spent a long time at the dam watching these elephants. And why not – if something makes you happy, enjoy it!
Harmonious
On more than one occasion I saw Hamerkop fishing in the company of other birds.
While I am sure the birds were doing their own thing and not really sharing each other’s company on purpose, it did create a sense of harmony.
Oxpeckers do provide a much-needed service to some animals, but can also be quite irritating at times, and prevent wounds from healing, so maybe harmonious is not the best way to describe the relationship. But this Red-billed Oxpecker and Zebra seemed to be very happy together. 
Heavenly
I love sunrises, but a gorgeous sunset is a close second. The sunset on my first evening at Tamboti was stunning.
Shortly after the sun disappeared behind the trees, a hyena came wandering past the fence. I then had my braai and sat in the dark for a while listening some very impressive night sounds (more about that later). There was only one word to describe the evening – heavenly.
Hurried
As was the case with the area around Skukuza, it seemed that there had also been controlled burns in some areas between Satara and Orpen. I kept my eyes focused on these areas when driving past, hoping to see some of the birds that would normally hidden by grass. I was rewarded with a pair of Temminck’s Coursers. I stopped to take some photos, but they were in a hurry to move away, and I only managed one or two pics before they were just to far for more photos.
Iconic
The call of the African Fish Eagle has to be one of the most iconic sounds of Africa. There is nothing like it. And when they fly and throw back their heads to call – it just gives me goosebumps.
I was at Nsemani dam when a lioness shoed up. She was resting in the shade of a bush, and then a herd of elephants arrived and came for a drink at the dam just in front of where she was resting. And while I was taking this video, I heard the iconic call of the Fish Eagle. The goosebumps were epic!
I will never forget the first time I saw a Grey Heron on a Hippos back. These Silver Surfers are now one of the iconic sights in the Park.
The sight of elephants crossing the Sabie River is also one of those sightings that requires you to stop and enjoy. I was birding on the low water bridge near Lower Sabie when this herd crossed a little further down-stream.
But one of the most iconic scenes has to be that of a Giraffe crossing an open plain. No words to describe how wonderful such a sighting is.
Impressive
Their size makes Hippos and Buffalos some of the most impressive animals in the Park. When Hippos are in the water you might underestimate how big they are.
But when you see one up close like this one at Lake Panic – their large heads, huge teeth – you realise just why these impressive animals are considered some of the most dangerous in Africa.
Buffalos are not classified as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa for nothing. Their size, weight, and grumpy reputation leaves no doubt that these impressive animals should be take lightly. The herd that I saw at Nsemani dam was not the biggest herd I have seen, but it was impressive none the less.
Incomparable
I don’t think there is any other bird in the Park that can be compared to a Southern Ground Hornbill. These special birds make my day every time I see them. My first memories of visiting Kruger (and of making a list of sightings) is when I was about 7 or 8. We were staying in Skukuza with a group of family friends, and when we were driving near the H1-1 / H3 T-junction to go to Skukuza or Pretoriuskop (the memory is so imprinted in my mind I even remembered where it happened!) we saw these wonderful birds, and my mom’s friend got so excited, she completely mis-pronounced its name! To this day I remember that name, and still call them that myself.
I saw a trio of these wonderful birds on the way to Satara. They were walking on one of the burnt sections. I liked the contrast between the black of the bunrt sections, the black and red of the bird and the green bush that had survived the fire.
I watched as they came closer to the road.
Their black feathers contrasted surprisingly well with the black of the burnt grass.
Insistent
I love Brown-headed Parrots, although, while they can be heard for miles, they can be hard to spot in the canopies of trees.
I was just returning from a walk around Tamboti Camp when I heard the squeaking of Parrots. This time I spotted them quite easily. The squeaking went on and on and on. There were four birds hopping about in the trees above my Safari Tent, and I wondered if it was perhaps parents and youngsters that were insisting on being fed. The noise actually got too much after a while, and I was rather relived when they flew off! 
Jittery
I’ve spoken about crocodiles earlier, and it is obviously not just me that think they are incredibly dangerous. When animals come to drink at water bodies that can hide crocodiles, everything about their body language tells you they are nervous.
They can sometime be so jittery that they would rather not drink than risk being caught. I often feel sorry for the animals as you can see the struggle between the need to quench their thirst versus their fear of what lurks beneath the surface of the water.
Joyful
Some birds have such beautiful calls. One of these is the White-browed Scrub-robin. Their song is such a joyful sound, and I cannot drive past them without stopping and enjoying it for a few moments.
Once again, the most joyful thing I can watch has to do with elephants. What can be better than young elephants?
There was a large breading herd of elephants just past Nsemani Dam, and there were many babies in the herd. I spent the better part of an hour with this herd. The youngsters were an absolute joy to watch.
King
Future Kings, but princes for the moment. The road was completely blocked by cars, and an OSV stormed past me (deep breath) and blocked the view even more. Apparently, lions were lying on the road. I reversed and waited to see if the cars would move so I can get a glimpse. Luckily for me the one young male got up and started walking towards the dam, followed by a female.
The male seemed intent on stalking the Impalas on the other side of the dam and disappeared into the bushes. The female seemed to have the same idea – I am still not sure how he thought they thought they would cross the water to get to the Impala.
A few minutes later another two males walked into view.
These were sturdy young boys.
They stood around, looking at the impalas on the other side of the dam.
Then the female got up and walked into the trees, and the 4 young males followed.
Despite the people factor, this was a fabulous sighting of these future Kings of the Jungle.
Lifer
A pair of African Skimmers had been hanging around Lower Sabie for a while, and I was eager to see if I could add this bird to my life-list. When I arrived at the low-water bridge, I scanned every sand bank, and soon spotted the bird in the distance. I won’t win any prizes for this photo, but at least I have the record shot.
I also added a few new “lifers” to my Kruger bird list during the week I was there.
The first new Kruger bird came in the form of a Pale Flycatcher near Transport Dam. I added it to my life list in Kgalagadi in 2023, but this was a first time Kruger sighting.
When I was at Shitlave Dam early in the morning, I saw a little Cape Wagtail land next to the dam, but it was too far for any decent photos. While I was birding on the low water bridge at Lower Sabie, I saw another one, and this time managed a slightly better photo.
Before heading back to Lower Sabie, I drove north on the H10 for about 5km. I saw a little black and white bird far way and was surprised to see a Fiscal Flycatcher.
The next new Kruger bird was just north of Tshokwane. I did not know Common Fiscals occurred in Kruger and was extremely happy to see this one.
The last new Kruger bird was the prettiest. While I was preparing for my evening braai at Tamboti, a rustling in the bushes next to my safari tent caught my attention. It was a gorgeous Red-capped Robin Chat. It was late afternoon and very dark underneath the bushes, so I had to stretch the settings of my camera, but I had the loveliest view of this gorgeous little bird.
Lovely
July has to be the best time of year to see the lovely Impala Lilies in all their glory. There were lots of these lovely flowers in bloom in Skukuza. And when I drove around the Park, I saw even more int eh field. I just love the contrast between the pink and the winder brown.
I don’t know the name of these yellow flowers, but I saw then a couple of times, and they were just as lovely as the Impala Lilies.
Loyal
Some of the pairs I saw were probably mates, and some of the pairs were just part of a flock and just happened to be together in the moment, but the romantic in me like to think they were all loyal partners.
The pair of Giant Kingfishers on the low water bridge outside Skukuza was definitely a pair.
Fish Eagles and Bateleurs are monogamous, and I found these pairs near Lake Panic and on the Sabie River and respectively.
The one Fish Eagle looks like it may still have some plumage from its younger years, so maybe it was a new relationship!
The little ones are probably just friends, but they looked so cute when they came down to the edge of the water at Lake Panic to have a quick drink.
The last pair I found were these two Saddle billed Storks next to the Sweni River bridge.
Magnificent
I was driving on the H4-1, not far from Skukuza when a magnificent scene stopped me in my tracks.
For me this is what Kruger is all about – a scene like this one. I sat and stared for a while before I drove on. What a magnificent scene.
Majestic
Somewhere on my travels I noticed these two gentlemen in a riverbed.
They were huge. Up close the one was a truly majestic animal.
It wasn’t easy to get photos of them, and then other cars started crowding the small space from where the could be seen, so I decided to move on. I would have loved to spend more time with these majestic animals, but the glimpses I got of them were very cool.
Marvelous
Another (there will be a few more) adjective to describe time spent with my favourite animal. After the elephant finished his roll in the mud, he went for a swim.
He looked so beautiful with the water darkening his skin, and glistening as it dripped off his body. 
It was my last visit to Transport Dam for this trip, and I could not think of a better moment than spending it with this marvellous animal.
Mysterious
There were quite a few controlled burns in the area around Skukuza.
But the smoke created a beautiful, mysterious sunset.
It was the first time I had been in the Park for these events, and when I went on the night drive, the sight of the fires in the dark was a bit disconcerting.
The next morning when I left for Satara, the wind had blown the smoke to the north-east, and it gave the morning an eerie feel, making it feel even more mysterious than the previous night.
Naughty
I am not the biggest fan of Monkeys and Baboons – mostly to do with the way they can ruin a visit to the Park (not their fault entirely, but still).
But I do love their shiny eyes. I think their little faces also tell you exactly how naughty they can be!
Nocturnal
Being winter, I did not expect to find many small creatures, and I only went on two nighttime walks while staying in Skukuza. I actually found a few more creatures than I thought I would.
There was a pretty Longhorn Beetle in one of the communal kitchens near the camping area.
I found a few spiders as well – many little orb-web spiders near the restaurant, and quite a few Nursery Web Spiders and the ever-present Wolf Spiders.
The biggest surprise was this gorgeous Rain Spider.
The frogs were very quiet, but I did see a couple of Common River Grogs near the pond at reception.
And as usual, where there were lights, there were the pretty little Tropical House Geckos.
I went on a night drive while staying at Skukuza. Nocturnal animals included a couple of Scrub Hares (including a baby!) and a Scops Owl. The guide spotted something all of us missed – a sleeping little Tawny-Flanked Prinia! It was super cute.
Then he stopped and told us to switch off all lights and just sit quiet for a few moments. The moon was rising, but it was not bright at all, so the darkness was tangible. And it was quiet. No night time sounds. It was the first time a guide had ever done this when I went on a night drive. It was an awesome moment, and I was covered in goosebumps.
During the Tamboti night drive we saw many diurnal animals, but we did have the fleeting leopard sighting from earlier as well as a lone hyena on patrol. While we stopped to watch an elephant feed, we could hear a few Scops Owls call – one would call from close by, and then two would answer further away. It was pretty awesome.
Oddball
When I left Satara after my breakfast, I came across a small herd of elephants just outside the camp gate. There were a few young elephants in the group, including this one.
He was such a funny little guy, bumping heads with everyone and trying to stand on his back legs.
He was a real little oddball.
Ordinary – NOT!
The birds described here all have the Afrikaans word for Ordinary in their names. Direct translations would be “Ordinary Roller” and “Ordinary Coucal”. And in my opinion, they are anything but ordinary.
I am still not sure what is ordinary about Lilac-breasted Rollers and Blue Waxbills. The Roller is one of our most spectacular birds, and Blue Waxbills are so pretty.
African Stone Chats and African Pipits may be various shades of brown and black, but that does not make them ordinary at all.
Helmeted Guineafowl may be found all over the country, but with those blue heads and spots, they are very striking looking birds.
The Burchall’s Coucal is also sometimes referred to as the rain bird. And with that haunting call, it cannot be called ordinary, ever. 
Overlooked
There are many birds in Kruger that are easily overlooked. This can be because they are common or unobtrusive.
We see Laughing doves everywhere, and I think we often simply ignore them as a result. But they are such lovely birds.
Another garden bird that can be ignored in Kruger is the Grey Go-away bird. I often say my garden birds are special because I am seeing them in Kruger. Fork-tailed Drongos are one of the more numerous bird species in Kruger, and after a while they might not be noticed, but when they are sitting in perfect light like this one, you realise just how gorgeous they are.
And then there are birds that are overlooked simply because of their behaviour or size.
Terrestrial Brownbulls love skulking underneath bushes, so you really only see them when you walk around in camp. I was fortunate with this little one in Skukuza.
Swallows fly very fast, and unless you are scanning the sky, you won’t necessarily notice them. When they perch like this Wire-tailed Swallow do you really notice me. Long-billed Crombecs are just so tiny and therefore easily overlooked. You will often hear them before you see them, and even then, you may still have to search for a bit before you see these cute little birds.
Overwhelming
I was sitting on the patio of the safari tent at Tamboti when I heard branches breaking. I saw two elephants had come down into the riverbed. They fed on the vegetation for a bit, and then started walking along the river.
I walked with them along the fence. It was so quiet. It was quite an overwhelming experience to be in the presence of these giants in the semi-darkness.
Parched
The Park was dry due to the winter conditions, and this ensured quite a bit of activity around dams and rivers, just what I had hoped for. While I spent time at the various water bodies, there was an almost constant stream of animals coming for a drink.
Transport Dam was especially popular with lots of Elephants, Impala, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest and Waterbuck coming to drink.
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Lake Panic was also visited by large herds of Impala.
Peaceful
The moment just before the sun rises must be one of the most peaceful moments of any day. While I was sitting on the bridge waiting for the sunrise, I watched the water of the Sabie flow past. The reflection of the dawn light made it looked like molten metal.
When I drove over the low water bridge behind Skukuza, I got that same sense of peace when I looked at the reflection of the light on the calm water. 
The peaceful moment lasted until I noticed that I was being watched.
Perfect
Let’s be honest, every sighting in the Park is perfect. Just being there is perfect.
On my first afternoon I drove to Shitlave Dam after checking in and spent an hour at the dam. There were birds and hippos at the dam, and in the distance a herd of elephants. Perfect.
While I was enjoying a perfect moment with elephants, I spotted this little Brown-hooded Kingfisher. I liked this photo with him with the bulk of an elephant behind him.
And then an African Hawk Eagle just because. Just because up to that point, the trip had been perfect, and would be for the remaining duration.
Piercing
With their bright yellow eyes, Brown Snake Eagles have one of the most piercing stares. I did not have any close-up sightings of these birds, but I am always happy to see them, during this trip I saw quite a few.
Playful
Over the last few years, I have come to realise that mother Hippos love playing with their kids. The mom and baby at Transport Dam were no different. These two playful hippos played up and down the side of the dam.
Baby hippos always look like they are smiling, and I think that is a smile of pure happiness.
Both seemed to enjoy themselves tremendously.
There is also nothing more fun than watching a bunch of young, playful elephants. These two were having a head-butting competition. The younger one was giving the bigger one quite a run for its money.
Powerful
The Martial Eagle is one of the biggest and most powerful raptors in the Park. I had just crossed the Sabie River when this stunning bird landed in a tree for a few brief moments.
Predatory
When people who visit the Park say they want to see predators, they always mean the big cats. But predators come in all shapes and sizes, and many birds are predators.
A White-fronted Bee-eater enjoyed his snack after a successful hunt.
The African Fish Eagle at Lake Panic was also successful.
I have watched Pied Kingfishers hunt and stuff themselves with more fish that I would think can fit into their tiny bellies. This little one at Lake Panic also had a successful day.
Pretty
There are some really pretty creatures in the Park.
Even in winter there are a few butterflies around, like this Common Grass Yellow.
I don’t often see Red-faced Cisticolas, but I did see this pretty little bird at Skukuza.
Emerald-spotted Wood Doves are such pretty doves, and this one came for a drink at Lake Panic.
This Brown-hooded Kingfisher looked really pretty in the afternoon sun at Transport Dam.
Questionable
Why did the Hippo Cross the road? To get to the river.
When I left Skukuza early one morning, I took things nice and slow. I had been driving for a while when a dark shape caught my eye.
A huge Hippo was standing in the bush. I moved a little forward and he then proceeded to cross the road behind my car and disappeared towards the river.
Just a short distance further it happened again. This time there were two hippos. I reversed a little and let them cross in front of me. You can even hear the sound of their feet on the tar.
Why did the Southern Ground Hornbill cross the road? To join its friends.
I was driving to Tamboti when I saw a couple of Ground Hornbills in the tall grass. Then one appeared from the other side of the road and crossed the road in front of my car and then he joined his friends before they disappeared further into the grass.
Why did the Red-crested Korhaan cross the road? To give me a decent photo opportunity!
I only saw a few Red-crested Korhaans and most sightings were far or they were completely obscured by the tall grass.
Then this one obliged and crossed the road at a slow pace, and I could get a few photos.
Radiant
There were quite a few Striated Herons at Lake Panic. They looked radiant with their beautiful green feathers..
If black and white can be described as radiant, then it is because of this gorgeous Red-billed Hornbill.
I love Magpie Shrikes, but often struggle to photograph them because of all that black. This radiant bird posed beautifully in perfect light.
But there were none more radiant than these two Brown-hooded Kingfishers.
This photo was one of the very last photos I took right by the Orpen Camp Gate, and it was perfect. 
Raucous Noisy
Then there are the raucous ones that you often hear long before you see them.
You can hear Natal Spurfowls miles away. This pretty one was at the hide at Lake Panic.
Hadedas and Egyptian Geese may not be everyone’s favourite birds, and are some of the noisiest birds, but fortunately these two at Lake Panic adhered to the bird hide rules and stayed quiet.
One of the biggest voices in comparison to size belongs to the tiny Rattling Cisticola. You find them all over, sitting on top of bushes, shouting their little hearts out.
One of my favourite noisy birds is the Arrow-marked Babbler.
Another raucous bird you can hear from far away is the shiny Green Wood-hoopoe. 
Regal
I don’t think there is an antelope that is more regal than the Kudu with its magnificent horns. I saw more huge bulls than ever before in the Park.
The first group was just after entering the Park. They were stunning.
There were also lots of large bulls around Skukuza. They just look so proud.
Remarkable
No-one can argue that the trunk of an elephant is absolutely remarkable. The trunk can be both a delicate instrument and a powerful tool. This versatile appendage can uproot a tree with one mighty pull, yet tenderly pluck a single blade of grass with precision. It is a testament to the elephant’s unique blend of might and gentleness.
Another remarkable moment also involves elephants. A lioness was resting in the shade of a bush when a large herd of elephants came for a drink. 
It was fantastic to see these two species together like this.
Scaly
I did not expect to see any reptiles during this winter visit. I saw a two Rainbow Skinks at Skukuza, and I was very happy to see a large Water Monitor Lizard at Lake Panic.
One of my favourite scaly animals is the Tree Agama. The ones in camps are very comfortable with people and I can spend hours photographing them. I really missed them while staying in Skukuza, so when I saw this one peeking at me from around a tree, I was absolutely delighted.
Serene
Another Elephant related adjective. For me there is nothing more serene than sitting with relaxed elephants when they are feeding. When you look at them, hear their feeding sounds and somehow feel their energy, you can literally feel the stress melting from your body.
While driving north towards Satara, I also came across a small herd with a cute Tinyfant in a riverbed, the early morning sun adding an air of serenity to the moment.
Shy
There are a few resident Bushbuck at the Lake Panic Bird Hide. This young boy seemed very shy, and inched is way forward towards the water for a small bite to eat.
Bushbuck will always be one of my favourite antelopes.
Skittish
A Slender Mongoose is one of the more skittish animals, and more often than not sightings of them are very brief. I spotted this one on the other side of Transport Dam, but even at a distance it was skittish and dashed off as soon as it saw my car.
Soaring
I can’t think of anything more magnificent than the sight of a large Raptor soaring against a blue sky. The sight creates a sense of absolute freedom.
A soaring African Fish Eagle is one of the most beautiful sights.
I also saw a few vultures, including Lappet-Faced Vultures and these White-backed and White-headed Vultures.
And then there is the gorgeous Bateleur. This was not the typical soaring pose, maybe more of a dance?
Sociable
Elephants, elephants and more elephants. They are by far the most sociable animal in my opinion. You just have to spend time with them to realise this. They can be very touchy-feely, and their rumbling conversations are just the most spectacular sound in the world.
Other animals are also sociable, and I love these mixed parties when Giraffes, Zebras and Blue Wildebeest spend some time together.
Soulful
It was full moon while I was at Skukuza. There is something about watching a full moon rise that stirs the soul.
And then there is the soulful eyes of an elephant. When I stare into the wise eyes of these sentient beings, I feel so absolutely content.
Spectacular
As with elephants, there are many, many adjectives to describe sunrises.
On the morning that I left for Satara, the sunrise on the H1-2 was absolutely spectacular.
Spine-tingling
It was my first night at Tamboti. As the sun was setting, the lions started roaring. They continued to roar every now and then.
There is nothing more spine-tingling than sitting in complete darkness and hearing this apex predator, the King of the Jungle call not too far away.
Stealthy
Crocodiles are the quintessential stealth hunters. For me they are the most terrifying of all the predators in the Park, especially when all you see are those unblinking eyes.
A little Terrapin was trying to emulate the stealthy nature of the crocodiles when he tried to sneak up to the hide at Lake Panic without being noticed.
After an early lunch at Satara I continued on to Tamboti. I had heard that there were lions at the dam earlier, but when I arrived, I could not see any. I was disappointed, but stayed at the dam for a while anyway because it is one of my favourite places. After a while I repositioned to scan the western side of the dam. I was just about to leave, when a stealthy predator appeared out of nowhere.
She would belly-crawl a few steps, freeze, then move forward again, her eyes firmly fixed on an Impala Ram. 
But the vigilance of the Impala and the open ground foiled her hunt long before she could get close to the Impala.
She then proceeded to walk towards the other side of the dam, soon assuming the stealth position again when she saw a herd of Zebras. Using bushes for cover, she once again tried to get close. At one stage a trio of Warthogs were very close to the bush where she was hiding.
But once again she was not successful.
She lay down in front of a bush for a while, then moved to another.
By now it was very hot, and when it did not look as if she would move again, I continued on. It was a very cool sighting.
Sweet
I mentioned Bushbuck earlier as one of the shyest antelopes, but a female Bushbuck is also one of the sweetest antelope in the bush. 
They have a soft, lady-like quality and they have always been one of my favourites.
Teeming
This visit to Tamboti was only the second time I had stayed at this fantastic camp. During this visit I once again found the camp to be teeming with birdlife.
I went for walks on both afternoons I was in the camp and compiled a very decent bird list.
On the first afternoon it was all about 50 shades of brown with a splash of colour. I found a Bearded Scrub-robin and White-throated Robin-chat.
Around a corner came face to face with a sweet little Bushbuck and the rustling of leaves alerted me to the presence of a Natal Spurfowl.
I had heard the Purple-crested Turaco earlier, and just before I got back to my safari tent I spotted one high up in the canopy of the tree.
The bird walk on the second afternoon was just as productive. It started with an Emerald-spotted Wood Dove and a Golden-tailed Woodpecker.
A small family of Green Wood-hoopoes were foraging in the trees. 
I caught a little Squirrel peering at me from the bushes and a little Long-billed Crombec was in a nearby tree.
In one bush I counted about six species, but only managed photos of the Chinspot Batis and Yellow-breasted Apalis.
The afternoon ended with a few butterflies – a Topaz Arab, an African Caper White and Guineafowl Butterfly.
Tiny
I was fortunate to see all three of the smallest antelope to be found in the parts of the Park I visited. This was due to the advantage of the winter conditions that allows more visibility.
The Klipspringers were al distant silhouette sightings.
I saw lots of little Steenbokkies as well. In most cases, when I saw one, I would spot its mate not far away.
There were also a few Duikers. Normally skittish and quick to run away when you see them, these two paused for a minute or two before disappearing.
Uncommon
There are some birds that you expect to see when in Kruger. I was surprised when I did not see as many of some of the more common birds as I normally expect to see.
I saw very few Swainson’s Spurfowl. I normally see lots of these birds, but I think I only had three or four sightings during this trip. 
Another little bird that was very absent, was the melodious Sabota Lark. I only saw two birds, and I was expecting to see a few more, especially in the Satara area.
Unequalled
Another sunrise adjective.
I am completely addicted to beautiful sunrises, no matter where I am. But the sunrises in Kruger are unequalled in their beauty.
Maybe it has more to do with the location than the actual sunrise.
Because so many of the mornings were overcast, the sunrises that I did see were even more special.
Unexpected
I was driving near Nkulu when I saw a smallish raptor in a tree.
I slammed on breaks and managed one photo before it flew away. It was a Lizard Buzzard!
After a short stop at Nkulu I headed back to Skukuza. When I approached the area where I saw it earlier, I kept my eyes peeled, and saw it again. This time is sat still for a while longer.
This sighting was completely unexpected as I had only ever seen this bird in Kruger on one previous occasion.
Unique
The Hamerkop is the only living bird in its genus and family.
This fact makes them completely unique in my opinion.
I love seeing these birds, and I really liked this reflection in the water. 
Vibrant
I saw lots of Brown-headed Parrots during this trip. Again, it was probably because of the winter conditions – the lack of leaves on the trees improves visibility which makes it easier to see these vibrant green birds.
Vulnerable
The best presents of my Christmas in July trip.
When I was in the Park in December 2023, I did not see a single Special Grey one in the 16 days I was there. It broke my heart.
During this trip I retraced some of my steps in the hope of finding some.
I had been driving for a while one morning, when I got to an intersection and had to decide whether I would continue looking or start heading back to camp. After a few minutes of indecisiveness, I decided to continue.
I saw lots of signs that these vulnerable animals have been in the area, and the signs were fresh! I was very excited.
Then I saw an OSV and two other vehicles next to the road. I asked the OSV driver what they were looking at, and he said the words I so wanted to hear – a mother and calf!
I couldn’t speak. I just smiled and nodded in thanks and drove forward to see if I could get a glimpse of them where they were feeding in the bushes.
It wasn’t the best sighting, but Oh My Word, how cute is this little one!
Mom was feeding but I could not get a clear view of her.
Then the little one decided to have a little nap.
After a few minutes mom moved further into the bushes and the youngster followed.
Even after they disappeared, I still sat in my car, savouring the moment.
I turned my car around and drove back the way I came. I saw two of the vehicles that were at the sighting and stopped next to the one. They said there were two Special ones. At that moment a mother and calf burst out of the bushes and started running at full speed down the road. I don’t think it was the same two as before (those two had been moving in the opposite direction and I had already driven about 2km), but whether they were or weren’t, it was special. They ran so fast before veering off into the bushes again that I could not get any photos, but the sight of those two grey bums will remain in my memory forever.
I could not have been happier if I tried.
At the intersection where I had my indecisive moments earlier, I turned left. Movement in the bushes – another one! He stayed very much hidden, so I just sat with him for a few minutes. 
My already huge smile just got bigger as I drove on.
And just before the next intersection another Oh My Word! Moment. FOUR of our special Grey Ones! What???!!! 
Once they disappeared, I drove of in wonder. This day could not have been any more spectacular if it tried. I was so very, very happy.
The next day I would see four more in a completely different part of the Park, and I would see them twice, but photos were not possible. I did not mind. Seeing them was enough.
Poaching has decimated the numbers of these wonderful animals, leaving the species very vulnerable. I can only hope and pray that the dehorning and conservation effort will protect them for generations to come.
Well-timed
As I approached the Sand River low water bridge, I noticed a car parked on the bridge. I love taking my time when driving over these bridges and decided to wait for the car to continue on. But he did not move. A car passed and then stopped and told the driver of an OSV something, pointing in the direction from which I had just come. I assumed there was a sighting on the Marula Loop and decided to go and have a look. It was supposedly lions, but they had disappeared by the time I reached the spot.
I drove back, and when I reached the spot just before the Sand River where I had turned around just 45 minutes earlier, there was a huge traffic jam. I was told that there was a leopard, but she seemed to be moving away from the road.
I hate these traffic jams and wasn’t going to wait to see if I could see the leopard, so I stuck to the shoulder of the road and continued driving slowly past the cars.
Then I saw her!
She was walking parallel to the road, and I hoped she would appear on the road. All of a sudden I found myself at the entrance to the low water bridge, no cars in front of me but about 20 cars crammed in behind me. She walked calmly out of the bushes, crossed the road behind my car, and then walked onto the bridge in front of me.
I started following.
By now there were about 5 vehicles approaching from the other side of the bridge, but there was nothing I could do – with all the cars behind me, I motioned for the approaching vehicles to reverse.
When she jumped off the bridge, I took another short video and then high-tailed it out of there. I felt bad about the people that had to reverse and left the rest of the crowd to figure out how to resolve the traffic jam.
We all know timing is everything – If I hadn’t waited for the car, then turned around to see if I could see the lions… If I arrived back at the bridge a minute later, or stopped to look for the leopard rather than continue to move … I would not have had this awesome sighting.
Another moment where the timing was perfect (the photos not so much) was at Lake Panic. The Fish Eagles at Lake Panic can sit perched for hours. Or you will see them with a catch. But I have never seen a Fish Eagle catch a fish in real life. Until this day.
The Fish Eagle was sitting to the left of the hide, when it suddenly took off. I just pointed the camera and pressed the button, hoping the camera was on a good setting. 
The photos are only OK-ish, but I was ecstatic that the timing was right, and I was able to catch this incredible moment on camera!
Xciteable
I stopped at the Skukuza shop one afternoon and was distracted by the excited chattering of birds in the trees around the shop. As I looked up, I realised that the berries were obviously ripening, and a whole lot of excited birds were jumping around looking for those already ripe.
There were Lots of Cape Starlings, a few Turacos, and these pretty Sombre Greenbulls.
Other birds included Dark-capped Bulbuls and Black-collared Barbets.
The excitement among the birds was such fun to watch.
There was a large herd of Zebras at Nsemani dam. I think it is the presence of a dust bath that excites these animals.
I wasn’t sure if they were having a dust bath or a wrestling match, but they were obviously excited about something and kicking a lot of dust into the air.
Xquisite
It was my last full day in the Park. I left Tamboti early for a last visit to Satara. A small traffic jam alerted me to something that must have caused some excitement, and as I approached, I was what everyone was looking at. An exquisitely beautiful animal was walking across the open plain.
It then lay down next to a small bush.
I don’t see Cheetahs all that often, and to receive this very special gift on my last full day in the Park was very cool.
Yawning
I love it when Hippos give their big yawns to show off their ability to open their huge mouths at almost 180 degrees.
It is a very impressive sight. It also reminds me of a chocolate add from my childhood days about “Old Big Moth!”
Young
There is nothing more adorable than young animals, no matter which animal it is. I saw quite a few young Zebras and Nyalas.
Young Giraffes are so cute – they always have this sturdy, stocky appearance.
But the cutest baby animal is a Tinyfant. My heart and my body simply melt when I see these cute animals.
There was a super cute little on in the large breeding herd I saw near Nsemani Dam.
He could still fit underneath mom’s belly, so could not have been much older than a couple of months old. 
It was also obviously still trying to figure out the long thing attached to its face. He was so cute, I wished I could take him home with me!
Zany
Not my favourite animal, but they can be entertaining. These two were involved in quite an intense grooming session. I had to wonder how long that baboon would be able to hold his arm in the air like that!
I was driving near Lower Sabie when I heard a large crunching noise coming from the bushes next to the road. I reversed and saw this large baboon eating a green fruit. If he had not bitten into that fruit and made the loud crunching sound, I would not have known it was there.
Some of the other troop members were feeding on the ripe Sausage Tree fruits. 
And that is the end. 100 adjectives to describe the amazing gifts the Park gave me during this trip.
I don’t know yet when my next trip will be, but I know it will be equally awesome.