The last part of our visit included a visit to relatives in Johannesburg and a 6 day trip to the Kruger National Park.
Berg-en-dal Camp we found disappointing. Our chalet was gloomy and in a gloomy setting. However, a walk along the river produced not only hippo, but also Woodland Kingfisher and a Jacana. One of our group found a Vervet Monkey drinking his early morning cup of tea when he returned from a quick game spotting visit at the camp fence.
Staying at Mjejane, a luxurious private camp adjoining the Kruger close to Malelane, we took two evening drives in the company of a highly knowledgeable guide. Paradise Flycatchers, African Pied Wagtails, a Goliath Heron, White fronted Bee Eaters, Water Thick-knees, Natal Francolins, Pearl-Spotted Owlets, African Scops Owls and Mozambique Nightjars were all seen. During the day we saw Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills (aka Flying Bananas), Wahlberg’s Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, a Pied Kingfisher fishing, Hamerkops and Southern Ground Hornbills from the comfort of our sun loungers. Hippo, crocodiles, Blacksmith Lapwings and Egyptian Geese were in the river.
Back in the main part of the Kruger we stayed at Satara and Orpen Camps.
On the long journey to Satara we saw Bataleur, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Red-backed Shrike, European Bee Eater, Magpie Shrike, African Crowned Eagle, Reed Cormorant, Red-eyed Dove, Crested Barbet and Grey Go-Away Bird. Glossy Starlings, Lilac breasted and European Rollers seemed to be on every other tree or bush. There was a Groundscraper Thrush in Satara Camp.
We had only a brief glimpse of a Black Rhino. Stopping at a waterhole to look at a Marabou Stork, we were flagged down and directed to a spot where a lioness had killed a giraffe. It was every bit as gruesome as on TV. Returning to the kill site the next day, the lioness was still present and the Vultures had gathered in the trees.
In the Satara area we were lucky enough to see two Secretary Birds, two African Fish Eagles, Woolly-backed Storks, Brown Hooded, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, Green-backed Herons, Black Storks, Red-billed Hornbills (aka Flying Chilli), Crowned Lapwing. One of our favourite spots was the Sweni Hide, which was great for water birds. An as-yet unidentified Warbler species was in the vegetation close to the hide. There was a Blue Waxbill feeding in the camp. Satara is a big, busy camp and was full at the start of the Easter school holidays. Sitting in the camp in the evening, we shone a torch out through the electric fence and found a Spotted Hyena staring back at us.
Travelling to Orpen via Olifants we saw around 200 hirundines flying and feeding around the bridge over the Olifants river. Olifants camp must be one of the best locations in the Kruger. It is perched high above the river and there are dramatic, sweeping views from the terrace outside the restaurant. There were what I believe to be either Tawny-flanked Prinias or a Warbler species in the vegetation close to the terrace.
There was a Black-headed Oriole in Orpen Camp and we saw a Black-bellied Bustard on the way. Orpen is a pleasant little camp with all the chalets sited facing towards a flood lit waterhole. There were Zebra and Giraffe at the waterhole when we arrived. In many of the camps, the kitchen area of the accommodation is on a veranda. We were warned to move our fridge to face the wall at night because of raids by honey badgers. Just as well they told us – we wondered what the nocturnal noises were.
Back in our relatives’ garden in a Johannesburg suburb there were a Common Bulbul, Laughing Doves, a Kurrichane Thrush and Cape Sparrows. Hadada Ibises were screeching overhead. Now that’s a bad place to be when they have been feeding on the local mulberry trees …….
Over 100 new birds spotted on this trip made for a great holiday.