Kruger National Park

We spent November 2013 in Kruger and had such a wonderful time that we decided to take our next leave in November as well. We just had to go back in summer to experience the birds, new growth and new life again. Sadly, this time round it was nothing like 2013; that was a year of good rain and this year we are in the grip of a devastating drought.

We entered the Park on Sunday 22^nd via the Numbi Gate and spent a night each in Pretoriuskop, Satara, Letaba, Tsendze, Balule, Satara (again) and Skukuza Camps before leaving through the Crocodile Bridge Gate on Sunday 29^th. It was depressing to say the least. The migrants seemed late arriving and not in the abundance we have seen before. There were no new-born Impala; the first we saw were two on the day we left.

The dams are dry or drying and the ones with water seemed to be kept wet artificially. The heat was almost unbearable, reaching 43⁰C at Letaba on the day we were travelling back down towards Balule.

Then, suddenly, we had a storm (mostly wind) and things cooled down to 19⁰C and cloudy. That was a huge bonus, even though it still did not rain much; just a bit of drizzle now and then.

One of the highlights of the trip was a guided walk at Olifants Rest Camp. We met Christo at Letaba and he told us about this walk which almost guaranteed a sighting of the Pel’s Fishing Owl. Decision made; we are going on the River Walk.

That night at Balule camp the son of the next-door campers found a scorpion. Roger was quick to fetch our ‘scorpion’ torch, happy that at last we had the opportunity to use it. Christiaan scanned the campsite for a long time afterwards, thoroughly enjoying the new ‘toy’, despite his parents obvious dismay!

We were up early and arrived at Olifants Camp in time for breakfast before the walk at 9 am. At the same time Roger arranged with camp management to have Ufudu plugged in while we were away in order to get the batteries charged. The heat during the night at Balule camp, with no external power, had caused the fridge and freezer to drain the batteries and the solar panel was now battling. The day was cool after the previous day’s heat so besides Ufudu being plugged in we were also happy that the walk would be bearable.

It was absolutely worth it; we had a really good sighting of the Pel’s. My photos were not as good as Deon’s but you can see him nonetheless…

During times of drought the predators do well of course. The lions were mating, the wild dogs were in good condition and the birds of prey all seemed to be well-fed.

It was with a dull feeling of disappointment and concern that we left the Park. I feel such pity for the suffering of the animals and there seems to be no promise of relief in the immediate future…