I woke up very early to start packing up my tent. More rain had fallen during the night. That, with the lots of rain on the previous days made packing up a bit of a muddy affair. But within an hour I had everything in the car and I could take a quick shower before a short morning drive as I headed towards the gate.
The plan for my short drive was to go and say goodbye to the little shrikes, then check on the hyenas, visit Lake Panic and then head to the Kruger Gate. It was still too dark for photos at the Shrike nest, but I spent a few minutes there before heading back. On the way to the hyena den I saw 2 Woodland Kingfishers displaying.
When I reached the hyena den I could only see 2 of the cubs.
One adult was lying against a termite mound. It looked as if she was trying to take a nap but flies or something was bothering her. She looked cute trying to get rid of them.
Eventually the flies or whatever was bothering her got to much and she and the cubs disappeared into the bushes.
I was very happy that I was able to see some of them before I left.
As I drove back to Skukuza I saw another little Duiker.
I saw a Dwarf Mongoose again where I saw them before. There was also a Giant Snail.
Then I saw 3 cars coming towards me, all spread out across the road. In front of the one car I saw something walking along the road.
I watched as he walked towards me. I was hoping he would come closer, but then he turned and crossed the road.
He was a stunning leopard. When I checked these photos and compared them to the early morning leopard from the Monday, I saw from the sport pattern that it was the same leopard. It was a fabulous sighting for my last morning.
On the way to Lake Panic I saw an interesting shape. I braked and reversed. And smiled as I added the Broad-billed Roller to my trip list. The light was not great, but I took the record shot anyway.
At Lake Panic the Striated and Squacco Herons created some lovely reflections.
The little Malachite Kingfisher was around again and came to sit right next to the hide.
I loved how he looked in the morning light.
This morning there were also some White-faced Whistling Ducks at Lake Panic.
One of the large hippos came out of the water to graze.
All too soon it was time for me to leave this wonderful place. As I walked back to the car this little guy was walking towards me on the path.
I headed towards Kruger Gate with a heavy heart. A Tawny Eagle refused to look me in the eye as I was leaving.
The drive to the gate was quiet. I saw a couple of kudus and giraffes, and impala. There was also one last elephant.
One of the last birds I heard and saw was a Woodland Kingfisher.
And at the gate there was a heard of impalas with some babies.
And that was the end of my trip. It had been an interesting and fabulous few days filled with magical sightings. Quite co-incidentally I heard a Dr Zeus quote recently –
Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.
And that is how I will always feel about Kruger. Because I now have even more memories to make me smile.