13. - 15. SEPTEMBER 2021 | SA WELGEVONDEN GAME RESERVE - NUNGUBANE LODGE
Welgevonden Private Game Reserve is part of the Waterberg Biosphere, a very private, exclusive game reserve with breathtaking views and scenery. The reserve consists of 42000 ha of African bushveld, ranging from rocky outcrops to wide-open savannah.
The reserve is criss-crossed by the three main rivers, which meander quietly through densely forested areas on their way to the mighty Limpopo River, which borders Marakeli National Park. Welgevonden is malaria-free and has a temperate climate. It is home to white rhinos, several antelope species, a variety of other wildlife and around 250 bird species.
Nugubane Lodge Guide: Anouska
15. - 17. SEPTEMBER 2021 | SA MASEKE GAME RESERVE - CHACMA BUSH CAMP
Chacma Bush Camp is situated in the middle of the 35000ha Maseke Game Reserve - part of the Balule Private Nature Reserve - in a changing landscape near the Olifants River, unusually rich in plants, game and bird species. A waterhole is situated directly in front of the camp.
Chacma Bush Camp Guide: Hanry
The whole reserve for me - we find traces of a leopard in the early morning...meet a pride of lions by chance. The lions cross the path and I don't have much time. A fantastic photo is taken. We try to follow the lions - but have to give up. Past a few old buffalo bulls...We find a wild dog at the border of the road. He calls in vain for his pack. Breakfast in the lodge. The afternoon with bad weather - in search of the lion pride. On foot into the bush with the wonderful Hanry - no tracks - we circle around the area but have no luck. We wait at a small gamepath, with a little patience the lions will appear. We are right - in the dark the first lions appear - slowly passing us until the whole pride disappears in the thicket....Dinner and bedtime. Hanry tells us about his adventures! An elephant comes to visit and says good night!
17. - 19. SEPTEMBER 2021 | KLASERIE GAME RESERVE - AFRICA ON FEET
Africa on Foot Camp is situated in the private Klaserie Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Over 40 species of mammals, including the "Big Five", and about 360 species of birds are found here.
Africa on Foot Guide: Jenna and Luke
In the late afternoon first game drive - we find 3 lions feeding. They have killed a zebra about 3 days ago and are still busy filling their bellies - nearby hyenas. The wait for the carcass begins...loud growling and the laughter of the hyenas can be heard. Today the lions are the victors. In the darkness we drive back to dinner and hope for better weather for the next days. Out of nowhere, a genet leaps past us. Next day: A small group of old buffalo bulls stands in our way and blocks the road. The old buffalos are dangerous because they attack directly without warning. We wait a little while and soon we return to the lodge. Around the fire we talk about the adventures of our Africa trips - brae and wine. The last evening in camp - the howling of hyenas in the distance.
19. - 20. SEPTEMBER 2021 | KRUGER NP SA - SATARA, SELFDRIVER
Perfect weather - we start at 6 am in the morning. We hear the roar of a lion in the distance. There are two males about 3-4 km away. While the majority of the group goes into the bush on foot - I start looking for the two lions with Luke, our guide, in the Landcruiser. Unfortunately in vain - it seems the lions have moved to an adjacent area which we are not allowed to access.
Shortly after breakfast I set off in the direction of Kruger NP / Orpen Gate.
After a short while I meet 4 elephants and not far away a small group of giraffes. After about 1 1/2 hours I arrive at the gate - after the obligatory formalities I drive into the park towards Sartara Camp.
The national park was established as early as 1898 at the instigation of President Paul Kruger as a protected area for the wilderness, between Sabie and Crocodile River, to ensure the survival of the animals still present. It was not until 1961 that the now expanded Kruger Park was fenced off. The park stretches from the Crocodile River in the south to the Limpopo Border River in the north. It is 350km long, 65km wide and covers an area of about 20,000 square kilometres.
The northern part of the Kruger National Park lies in the tropical climate belt, the southern part in the subtropical zone and the central part in the transition zone. About 2000 tropical and subtropical plant species have been recorded so far, including over 200 different grasses and 500 different species of bushes and trees.
Kruger National Park is home to a remarkable species richness and a large number of wildlife, including 114 reptile, 147 mammal and 507 bird species, including many migratory birds such as the African hoopoe, diminutive nectar birds, cranes, hornbills, cranes, several species of kingfisher as well as countless birds of prey such as vultures or the martial eagle.
The number of crocodiles in Kruger National Park is estimated at 3000. The largest snake species is the rock python. Only with a lot of luck will you be able to observe this snake. Among 54 snake species, there are also nine very poisonous ones, such as puff adders, black mamba and cobras.
This large camp is practically in the middle of the park, on the banks of the Shitsakona River, on relatively flat ground, surrounded by marula and "Knob Thorn" trees.
There are three lakes and six waterholes nearby, which attract a large number of animals, such as lions, rhinos and wild dogs, but many different antelope species are also spotted in this area. As the vegetation allows a relatively wide view, animals can be observed well.
20. - 21. SEPTEMBER 2021 | KRUGER NP SA - LOWER SABI, SELFDRIVER
0530 Start at Hate. Call it elephant and giraffe day...playing in the water. In all varieties large groups, loners. I see a honey badger in the distance...crocodiles at the dam, hippos running into the water. Hyenas and, uniquely for me, a brief glimpse of a leopard alone. What a day!
21. - 24. SEPTEMBER 2021 | KRUGER NP SA - SKUKUZA, SELFDRIVER
Skukuza is the largest rest camp, only 12km from Paul Kruger Gate and situated on the banks of the Sabie River. There is good grazing here and therefore a variety of animals such as giraffe, buffalo, elephant and hippo.
Elephants morning greeting. Soon the first lions - lazing by the river. Bad weather conditions, it is windy...clouds and indeed rain. Not a good day for sightings. The hippos play at the waterhole and the kingfisher try to get their breakfast. An osprey peers into the distance. A hyena circles my car and then searches for the distance in the thicket... Giraffes on the horizon, giraffes directly in front of me in all variations. Sometimes up to 12 animals. Buffalo at the roadside with grim faces and lions again! One male and one female. Again in the shelter of the bushes.
On the roadside hyenas with a small baby - all seeking shelter from the wind. Hippos at the waterhole again - they enjoy the weather and play with loud grunts...a big herd of elephants crosses the road....and then finally a big surprise. A leopard lies in the thicket of trees - right in front of me! In the evening we have a barbecue.
During the night a honeybager visits me - he has found the remains of the brae. He lets himself be observed for a long time and enjoys the late dinner. Early rise!
I join a group of hyenas. They have tried to kill an impala and are on the hunt. A special moment - for about 20 minutes I am accepted and ride in the group next to the animals on the road until they finally run away into the bush. At the roadside I watch a few slender mongoose warming themselves in the sun. Today the weather is better - blue sky. On the way to a nearby waterhole, two lions lie in the bush. Not far from a large herd of buffalo. At the waterhole impala, waterbucks and warthogs...all quench their thirst. The elephants enjoy the coolness and swim with great fun in the cool water. I drive around for a while until I come across a pride of lions out of nowhere. They are on their way to the river. The light is very beautiful. A hyena follows them. Shortly afterwards a pack of wilddogs 10-12 animals with 3 young. They are lying in the bush grass enjoying the sunset. They are curious and come close to the car. What a moment! In the distance an old bull elephant with big tusks. In the sunset a lion - lying in the in the last sunlight. What a day! Brae in the evening.
Cloudy - but will clear up and be sunny around noon. An ostrich says good morning and let's go. Again elephants and giraffes - unbelievable how many of them there are in the park. A hyena sneaks by. I decide to go south and look for rhinos today. A lion has spread out on the street and is blocking the way. He gets up slowly and trots off into the bush. In fact, I find a large herd of around 12-14 animals in a dry river bed. I am alone with them and enjoy the time - I cannot believe that today is world rhino day! The day belongs to the rhinos - absolutely. The last evening - tomorrow it's back.
