Time for a nap.

Thorny lunch

Zebra portrait

Just hanging around II

 

Just hanging around

The Timbavati is great for Leopard.

We found this one in typical pose on an afternoon drive.

Close encounters of the Rhino kind

You just don't get a better view of a Rhino than the Scout's jump seat on the front of the Land Rover.

This old boy literally brushed past the scouts feet.

Another day and another lovely Rhino.

This chap was very chilled out, happy to be receiving a full manicure from his attendant Oxpeckers

The marketing shot

Impala bones

Even in death there is beauty.

We found the remains of an impala fairly recently killed and eaten.

Leopard print

 
 

Whilst out on a walk we found a drying water hole. The mud was still quite wet and  it was clear to see that shortly before a Leopard had taken the same route.

One of the reasons it had decided to get its feet wet was that under the surface of the mud were cat fish trying to bury themselves to survive the oncoming dry season. There were dozens of stranded fish, most half eaten.

Rhino drinking

Just dropping the kids off at the pool

A wonderful sighting of mum and baby white Rhino at a water hole.

Vultures

Vultures nesting

The Aardvark sunset

As the sun went down on another wonderful day in Timbavati little did we know that we'd finally see an Aardvark after more than 20 Safari holidays.

Sadly it was moving fairly quickly and the light levels were too low for a decent picture, but a wonderful memory none the less.

Full Hyena

While out on an evening drive we found this Hyena stuffed so full of a kill it had stolen from a Leopard it could hardly move.
Every breath seemed painful - if only it had some indigestion medicine.

Just nearby we could also se the Leopard hovering waiting for the Hyena to leave so it could retrieve some of its hard earned meal. But this Hyena wasn't planning on moving anywhere for some time.

Fever Tree

Fever Trees glowing against a bright blue sky at Kambaku River Sands

Another mum and baby

Another mum and baby.

Typically, if an elephant can fit underneath its mother’s belly it is under one year of age and very young baby elephants have a thick coating of fur that falls out by the time the elephant is 6 months to 1 year old. So this baby was probably 6 months to a year old.

Sunset over the Klaserie

Wild Dog

Wild Dog are one of our favourites. One of the most endangered animals in Africa it is always a privilege to see them.

In this case they were in a small pack denned on the edge of the nThambo area. We saw them over a period of a few days in various places.

Mum taking the kid for a walk

Mother and calf.

Snoozy Lion

This Lion could hardly keep its eyes open. Tough at the top I guess.

Rhino at dawn

Most wildlife sightings are early morning or dusk, and the light can be stunning. In this case a Rhino almost glows with the soft sunlight of dawn.

Rhino notice board

 Our excellent guide, Isaac shows us a Rhino midden at the side of the road.
Rhino mark their territory with these scraped patches of ground where they also defecate to leave their scent.
It's a bit like a noticeboard in the bush for them.

 

Moon over the Klaserie

 

African Sky

2016 South African

Our 2016 trip took us to South Africa, to two reserves on the edge of the Kruger national park just to the East of Hoedspuit, Timbavati, which is an old favourite, and the adjacent Klaserie.
This was without a doubt the Rhino trip as we were privileged to see them regularly. One just hopes future generations can enjoy watching these peaceful giants of the bush.

In the Klaserie, our first stop, we stayed at nThambo Tree Camp and in the Timbavati we stayed at Kambaku River Sands - both camps we would strongly recommend.