I decided on another day trip to KNP. I left ridiculously early to ensure I get there are early as possible and make the most of the short day. Halfway there I encountered the thickest fog I have ever seen. At some stages the visibility could not have been more than 50m.
As always I stopped on the Malalane gate bridge.
By the time I drove to the gate I had listed 28 bird species. I drove through the gate just before 08h15.
I drove to the Gardenia hide, then on to the Bitamiti weir and along the S114 to Skukuza. After a short leg stretch at Skukuza I drove to Lake Panic for a short 40 minutes. A quick stop at Transport dam, and I was headed to the gate again.
The vegetation was thick and the grass was long. As a result I did not see all that many animals. I did not mind as the Park was looking the best it has since the drought. I listed 75 bird species – not too bad for 8 hours, but also not as much as I am used to.
Despite the quiet day, I was thrilled to be in the Park. I loved driving the familiar roads. The quiet and tranquility of the Park was just what I needed.
The first animals I saw after driving through the gate was a herd of impalas. This was the only animal I would see with regular intervals. Close to Skukuza I saw another herd. Oxpeckers were busy with the required grooming.
I also saw many warthogs.
I only saw my first giraffes of the day on the way back from Lake Panic. I saw three more south of Kwaggapan that were about to cross the road. And there was a last giraffe close to the gate. They always look at you with such a curious expression on their faces!
I saw very few kudus, At first those I did see were hidden in the bushes. There was however a small heard near the gate on the way home that allowed a couple of photos. Just past Afsaal I saw the only Blue Wildebeest and zebras of the day.
I saw three of the Big 5 during the day. I only saw 4 elephants, which was a little disappointing. A herd of buffaloes created a bit of a road block near the Gardenia hide. And a lone White Rhino stayed well hidden behind the bushes.
It was surprisingly quiet at the Biyamiti Weir. There was a majestic Martial Eagle in the tree, but he flew off as I turned my car around to take a photo. A huge monitor lizard was enjoying the winter sun on the rocks.
The hippo was taking a nap near the water’s edge. A little Pied Wagtail was foraging in the puddles on the road.
It was also quiet at Transport dam. The resident White-faced Whistling ducks and Water Thick-knees were present as always. A young African Hawk-eagle soared overhead. A Grey Heron was sunning himself on the rocks.
A small herd of waterbuck approached – here you can get an idea of just how long the grass was!
One of the first birds I saw on entering the Park was a Lilac-breasted Roller looking stunning in the morning light. During the course of the morning I also saw a few Purple Rollers.
I only saw African Grey Hornbills late in the afternoon, but I did see a few Red-billed hornbills throughout the morning. There were also a few of the photogenic Yellow-billed hornbills around.
I just love Blue Waxbills, and their sweet calls could be heard throughout the day.
There were lots of Red-billed oxpeckers around. They must have had a bumper breeding season as I saw many youngsters.
I saw a Martial Eagle again just south of the turn off to the Biyamiti loop. A gorgeous Bateleur swooped over my car.
Other birds included an Ashy flycatcher in Skukuza, a Red-crested Korhaan crossing the road on his tippy toes, and pretty Little Bee-eater and many Magpie Shrikes.
I just love White-crested Helmet-shrikes, and I saw this small flock on my way to the gate.
The highlight of my birding list was undoubtedly this little Pearl-spotted Owlet that I spotted in a tree not long after entering the Park.
There is just no way to come for a visit and not stop at Lake Panic. There were only a few other visitors and I enjoyed the relative quiet of the hide. I quickly spotted all the regulars – Hippos, Black Crake, Pied Kingfisher, African Jacana and Water Thick-knee.
The colourful malachite Kingfisher also put in a brief appearance.
A Grey heron perched on the dead tree and the Squacco Heron was sneaking along the water’s edge looking for a bite to eat.
Most of the action came from the African Darters.
This young one played with what looked like a piece of grass. 
Another was practicing his surfing skills. 
Then one speared a rather large fish. At first he was a little far away.
Then he decided it would make sense to eat his lunch on the tree stump. I like this photo a lot.
He made it onto the tree stump, but in his attempts to swallow the fish, he dropped it!
He looked around rather sheepishly, and then proceeded to groom himself as if nothing happened!
The water level of Lake Panic is back to normal, and these views are always special.
The tree canopy above the path to the gate was a hive of activity – there were a number of Yellow-breasted Apalis, a Puffback, and an Orange-breasted Bushshrike. The biggest surprise however was this little Paradise Flycatcher – I thought it was way too late in the season for these guys to still be around!
It was a very short visit, but I loved every second.
Until next time!