Photo Album: Kruger National Park (2)
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My first two days in Kruger National Park started from Crocodile Bridge Gate at the southeastern corner, I drove up along the eastern boundaries, and then went west to Orpen Gate on day 1. From there I went further north and ended up in Letaba Camp on the second evening.
But I still had no luck with finding a leopard, let alone sighting one from a distance !!
On the morning of the 3rd day, I was still very optimistic that something would bring me that precious leopard !!
From Letaba Gate, I started to head south after exploring the surrounding area a little bit more.
In the rainy season, I can imagine this part would be flowing with a lot of water.
But I did not see much in the way of wild lives there, even at this low level of water.
Except a monkey family, enjoying the peace.
This rhino has a shortened horn, perhaps one of those that had it sawn in order to protect them from poachers.
And I slowly work my way south from Letaba Camp towards Skukuza Camp, along the central median line between the eastern and western boundaries of Kruger.
Probably some finches with their nests hanging from the trees.
The third day started with a lot of expectations, but ended with a whim, no Leopard....how clear cut can that be !
So the third day ended at Skukuza Camp.
I started early at Skukuza Camp, sitting by at the waterhole besides the camp, enjoyed a very moody sunrise. But there wasn't much around.
So I got out of the camp, continuing south, towards the Southwestern corner of Kruger National Park, still trying to sight a, so far elusive, leopard or two !
I decided to search around this big rock, as I was told, other than hanging around tree, they like to hide themselves behind boulders....
The search was getting desperate by the hour, after all, it was the last day.
All pretty ordinary sightings, until.........wow, what are these, just lazying underneath a shady tree.
They couldn't be.....OMG !
And a closer look....
And then other cars saw my stop, and more are congregating..., they were awoken, and dashed.
Were they leopards.....no, they were cheetahs. Don't get me wrong, I was still very delighted and surprised by such a close encounter with them. The last and only one I had ever saw was in Etosha National Park in northern Namibia, chewing on a kill, at a long one-wood drive away. Were it not for the disturbance from other cars, I would have a better picture of them !!
Quite a good outcome, anyhow !
But to be honest, the chance to sight a leopard is getting lower as the day wore on, they are not day time animals.
As I drove by a waterhole, I had lunch in the car, whilst observing 3 young elephants playing in the water.
It seemed that the new entrant into the water, the dry one, was trying to join the two wet ones...but they other two seems to ignore him, so he left, somewhat cheesed off, I guess.
And the two left in the water, was getting really intimate...and this happened....interpret it however you want.
Not a bad luncheon show. And a little kudu watched on as well.
And more of them are around the area, having their family fun.
The afternoon wore on without any other significant sightings, other than this small family of Rhinos near Malelane Camp, where I stopped for the night.
So after 4 days in Kruger, without sightings of any lions or the ever evasive leopards, I was ready to his the sack, and prepared for the final drive to Johannesburg.
Early next morning, after packing up, I had one final drive around Malelane, hoping to catch a last minute glimpse, of a leopard, without any success. Even close to an area named, Leopard Creek ....sorry got to go.
But on my way out to the Malelane Gate, I was blocked by a mexican standoff of these two stubborn Rhinos.
First it was two, then comes a third,
And the ensuing traffic jam....on both side.
After nearing 10 minutes, Seeing no imminent resolution, I decided to turn back and found another route to the highway. Finally, ending my Kruger National Park safari at Malelane Gate after 4 days.
Though I did not see any leopards, I wasn't too disappointed, and will try again in a few years time, returning probably during June / July seasons to witness mass migrations of the various species. I really look forward to that.
So it was then, all the way highway traffics to Johannesburg, and I was wonder what would be waiting for me in Soweto, as I had decided to booked into a hostel in Soweto for one night, before my departing flight......I hope that my research were done right, after all, Soweto had a reputation during the Apartheid era.
Though I did not see any leopards, I wasn't too disappointed, and will try again in a few years time, returning probably during June / July seasons to witness mass migrations of the various species. I really look forward to that.
So it was then, all the way highway traffics to Johannesburg, and I was wonder what would be waiting for me in Soweto, as I had decided to booked into a hostel in Soweto for one night, before my departing flight......I hope that my research were done right, after all, Soweto had a reputation during the Apartheid era.
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