A golden pipit was spotted in the Kruger Park on a Thursday. A fellow bird club member decided he wanted to go and look for the bird, and I decided to go with him. We left early on Saturday, and were in the Park just after 10h00. We drove straight to the area where the bird was seen. Before we reached the spot, we had the sighting of a lifetime – at least of my life time!
There were not one, but two Black Rhinos! I could not believe it! I have only seen one Blackie in the Kruger in all my visits, and I was delighted to see two of them.
They were not as happy with our presence as we were with theirs, and even mock charged once or twice ! Strangely, the one Black Rhino had no ears what so ever. It does not look like a recent issue. I wonder what happened – Maybe a birth defect? The 2 Black Rhinos would be just the first of many rhino sightings. We would leave the Park 6 hours after entering having seen a total of 14 rhinos – 2 Black and 12 White. We saw four of the Big 5 during our short trip.
A lone buffalo was enjoying his mud bath.
A kind couple told us of lions on the Biyamiti loop. We found them quite easily. There were two lionesses and four young ones. They were doing what lions do best – sleeping in the heat of the day.
I really enjoyed seeing my favourite of the Big 5 – my Ellies. There was a big one at the Weir.
And a young one in a muddy pool on the Biyamiti Loop.
We also saw one of the Little 5 – a Leopard Tortoise. Or can it count as half of a Big 5?
Would you believe me if I say that until that day I have never seen the fruits of a sausage tree?
The day trip was a short whirlwind. There was no pipit, but I did not really think we would find it. But it was a wonderful day none the less!