If I thought deciding on the order of the top 10 for my Punda stay was difficult, prioritising the Mopani highlights (and the rest of the trip for that matter!!) was even more challenging! My top 10 for this section will include all my travels between Shingwedzi, Mopani and Letaba.
Number 10 – Red Rocks Loop
I only did a section of this road, and stopped at the lookout point. The view was really lovely.
There was a herd of elephants relaxing in the shade. A large bull was off to the left and then went for a drink while a waterbuck was relaxing nearby.
Number 9 – Bird Hides
When I visited Mopani for the first time in 2016 it was just after the rain, and the gravel roads were closed. That meant that I could not visit any of the bird hides. This year there were no road closures and I was able to visit the hides. The Shipandani hide was quiet most of the time, with only a few hippos and Herons. I would love to spend a night here.
But I did have a good giggle. A couple with two very young daughters were also in the hide. The one little girl wanted to know more about the “speckle-faced vulture”. I was wondering what she was talking about when her dad corrected her – it was a Lapped-faced Vulture. It was such a cute moment!
The low water bridge outside the hide did deliver a number of great sightings though. The peaceful view.
There was also a herd of kudus. I love the young one.
During one visit, a river monster was enjoying the sun. The heron was brave to be so close.
The view from the Pioneer dam hide is lovely, and I am sure it would be even better in the morning.
A few crocs were sunbathing on the opposite side and a Fish eagle was keeping a watchful eye. A Pied king fisher was close by.
I love the water lilies in Kruger.
Inside the hide were some colourful lizards.
Number 8 – Birds
There will always be an episode dedicated to birds in my Top 10.
Once again I saw many of these pretty Double-banded Sandgrouse.
I wasn’t sure if early April would be too late to see some of the summer visitors, but I was glad to see some still hanging around. There were lots of European Rollers.
I love Namaqua doves. This was the first trip I saw these guys in Kruger, and it was a real highlight. I saw my first one near Pafuri, but this was the first decent pic of one.
Driving back from one of the Nshawu Pans the road was very, very quiet. Fortunately I came across 2 Dusky Larks, one with a tasty snack.
This Wattled Starling also had something delicious.
At the intersection of the S144 and S143 I saw a number of White-faced Whistling ducks flying about and being very agitated. This moment was another first for me – it was the first time I heard a Whistling duck’s whistle!
I then discovered the reason for their agitation – a young fish eagle was sitting in the grass, eating something. The grass was long, and I couldn’t get a clear view, but his presence really upset the ducks and a couple of crakes that were about.
Number 7 – Buffalo Road Block
I planned to go to the Nyawutsi hide while at Mopani. I left camp early. About 4 kms after turning onto the S144, I came across this road block. I stopped, and waited for them to leave. I waited, and waited. I noticed some buffalos in the bushes next to me, and reversed a little.
I poured coffee, and waited. No movement from them whatsoever. At least there was this inquisitive little one to keep me entertained.
After 20 minutes I gave up. Some of the buffalos were now lying down, and did not look as if they were planning to go anywhere soon. I turned around and drove back the way I came. I would just have to visit the Nyawutsi hide another time. Buffaloes 1, Karin 0.
Number 6 – Monitor lizard
Turning around at the road block was not the worst thing. It resulted in my next interesting sighting, as well as some of no 4 of my Top 10.
I decided to have a look at what was happening at the Shidlayengwenya waterhole. There was an ellie drinking water in the river. While I was looking at him, I heard a strange scratching sound behind me. I looked back, and was just in time to see this monitor lizard coming down a tree trunk.
The noise was from his claws scratching on the bark of the tree. He was a big one, and I wondered if he was just waking up or had raided a bird’s nest. There were no bird noises, so I assumed he had just woken up. He slithered beneath a bush where he watched me suspiciously for a while, before disappearing towards the river.
Number 5 – Elephants, Elephants and more Elephants.
I have never seen so many elephants I Kruger as I did during this trip. Lone bulls, small herds, and a couple of very large breeding herds. The areas around Mopani and Satara had some of the largest herds I have seen.
I forced myself not to think that there may be too many elephants in Kruger and what could be done about it. Instead I just enjoyed every encounter with the most incredible animal on the planet.
Just a few photos of my favourite animal.
Number 4 – HUGE Elephants.
I saw some of the biggest elephants I have ever seen in the areas around Mopani. After the buffalos forced me to turn around, I came across a herd of elephants on the tar road a few kms north of Mopani. This big one was with them.
Huge, Massive, Enormous, gigantic, colossal are words I can use to describe him, but it would not do him justice.
He was close to the road when I drove past and turned around to take some photos as he crossed the road.
On two different occasions a couple of rather big fellas came for a drink at the Mooiplaas waterhole. At first there was only one, and then the 2nd one arrived. I was interested to see the interaction between them, but they were relaxed and seemed friendly towards each other. After they had quenched their thirsts, they would say their goodbyes and casually saunter off in opposite directions.
Number 3 – Mooiplaas Waterhole
The huge elephants at Mooiplaas is the perfect introduction to my number 3. I spent a lot of time at this waterhole. There was always something to see – from the biggest elephants to the smallest larks and pipits.
I saw another lifer here in the form of a Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark. There were also Red-capped Larks, Crowned Lapwings and African Pipits.
A herd of zebras was hanging around in the area.
While I was at the waterhole I noticed a bird land in a leafy tree nearby. I drove closer to have a look, and saw this Bateleur in its nest.
And then of course there were the huge elephants.
I loved this encounter – the blue wildebeest was obviously very nervous of the giant, and sprinted past.
On the morning that I left Mopani, I also saw this jackal running away in the distance.
Number 2 – Pioneer Dam Sunsets This one speaks for itself. No words are needed.
And as the sun was setting, the moon was rising.
General sightings
A few general sightings before we get to number one.
Number 1 – Lion Cubs
One thing I have noticed about all my trips is that I almost never have these incredible cat sightings some people have. I see lions, leopards (no one this trip though), but normally they are either obscured by vegetation (as you will see later on), or you need the Hubble telescope to see them because they are so freaking far away.
While out and about on an afternoon drive, I saw a car parked next to the river. I stopped to ask what they were looking at, and they pointed out some lions sleeping down in the river bed. Once again just about the maximum distance that my lens could reach. There were also some cubs. This was a real highlight as I have never seen lion cubs in the wild before.
Given the time of day, I realised not much would be happening at that moment. I continued my afternoon drive and returned later. By this time there was a bit more activity and movement.
Then something caught the attention of the lionesses, and their demeanor changed. They were all staring in the same direction, and then started moving off. I lost sight of them. I stayed a little longer, enjoying the sight of the cubs and then headed back to camp.
