Day 10

Day10

Day dawned with clear blue skies albeit a bit chilly to start. Bill had decided to have a lie in, so Bry & I opted to have a walk around our resort before breakfast. Bird life is wonderful although Bryony is not very impressed, keeps calling me a twitcherL

We followed the river through the grounds starting from the rear of our chalet. Most of the river is bounded by high electrified fencing to prevent too much free access by the hippos & crocs. After a few hundred yards we saw a lovely iguana sun bathing on the rocks in midstream.  A little further on we were rewarded by the sight of our first croc, resting up on a sandbank on the opposite riverbank. He wasn’t too big, probably only 8-10ft.  Woodland & Shining Blue Kingfishers were busy catching their breakfast, Egyptian geese grazed on the lawns at the rear of the cottages, and then we saw another croc of much the same size also warming himself in the morning sun. There were lots of quite fresh tracks of both hippo and croc in the sand on both our side and the far side of the river bank. The presence of patrolling guards is quite reassuring whilst walking near the river. We decided that tonight we would book an “alarm” call by the guards when the hippos and/or crocs come out the graze on the lawns, usually between midnight & 6am. They come and escort you from your chalet to view the beasts from a safe view point.

By now hunger was getting the better of us and we returned to the chalet to join Bill for a late breakfast. Meantime Bill had decided he wanted to return to Kruger for another self drive through the park towards the famous Sabie Sands Reserve, famous for both hippo & lion. I however wanted to stop and have a look at a small shopping complex nearby which we had passed several times and which looked very interesting. We compromised and decided to do both. On arrival at the complex we found it to be very nice with several upmarket art galleries and craft shops plus several nice coffee shops and restaurants. Late elevenses were taken at one of these, where Bry decided she quite fancied some pancakes with fried banana and chocolate sauce J Not to be outdone, I opted for a  fresh baked waffle (without syrup) but with blueberry ice cream JJJ  Reckon mine was best!  Bill just had his usual latte. This coffee shop also had a lovely gift store attached and also sold some lovely foodstuff and interesting alcoholic beverages. Both of which we purchased.  Now it was time to head into Kruger again.

  Phabeni Gate is the nearest park entry point to us, and this is where we headed. On arrival, the usual entry formalities ensued, including a search of the car boot; whereupon the guard spotted the alcohol we had just purchased, and advised us it was not permitted to be bought into the park, so we could not enter!! Grrrrr. An about turn was made and we hurried back to the resort, dropped of the booze, and quickly returned to Phabeni gate, we finally entered the park at 2pm

After our two previous successful safaris, hopes were high that we might spot the elusive lions that had so far evaded us. We headed back towards Skukuza camp, to check their notice board to the most recent sightings, continually searching the bush en-route. Today, sightings of all the animal were quite scarce apart from the usual grazers, impala, kudu, gemsbok etc.   A solitary warthog was spotted, and numerous hornbills too; but no lions. At Skukuza we read that lions had been seen earlier in the day from the Lower Sabie road, as it skirts the Sabie River, so we headed off in that direction. It was a fabulous drive with beautiful views of the river. The Sabie River here was the scene of a much reported Lion kill of a hippo in the river, just before we left the UK.

Lots of sightings of elephant, zebra, warthog, & baboons  followed, and then, as we crossed one of the rivers many low bridges we saw two hippo wallowing in the river. Bryony decided to get out to take better photos and I followed her, I had just managed to get a couple when Bill shouted that a ranger was approaching, climbing back into the car very quickly, we were both severely chastised for getting out of the vehicle-oops.

Much chastened we carried on alongside the river road, more elephant sightings ensued, including one very large male who crossed the road directly in front of us. By now time was getting on as we had come a long way from the entry park gate, and we had to be back before 5.30pm. Apparently, if you fail to leave the park on time, a very large fine is imposed; but no one will say exactly how much!

We now had to increase our speed and hurry back to the nearest gate which was in fact Paul Kruger gate, but I still insisted on one more quick stop for another photo of a male warthog, he was soooo handsome.  Arrived at the gate at 5.25pm – phew!  On the other side of the gate there is a big bridge over the Sabie River, and a couple of cars were already parked on the bridge, their drivers and passengers were out of the vehicles & looking in to the river. We quickly stopped and also looked into the river, directly under one of the bridge supports was a family of 3 hippo, mother, father & baby-aaaah!!!. We watched these for several minutes, before crossing to the other side of the bridge were there were even more hippos, and another family of 3 with the obligatory baby. In the reed beds were several buffalo, and in the distance a group of 12 or so elephant. All of this, outside of the park too. Just to round of a grand day I spotted a Little Bittern fishing on the rocks just in front of the hippos-a brave bird I think, and a “Blacksmith” lapwing nearby.

Back to the chalet, and back to cooking duties, another red meat job on the brai, although I admit to being nervous whilst cooking having seen the crocs this morning, cos I still don’t know if they can climb steps or not. LL Really must find out.

Oh , & Bry and I decided to give the alarm call from the wardens a miss. We both think we have seen enough hippos for one day, & we still have one more venture into Kruger left before leaving on Friday. That is, provided they let us back in after her misbehaving today, and leading me astray too. Naughty girl.!!!!!!

Hopefully, tomorrow we will head off to Blyde River Canyon, and hopefully return via Sabie Town again for another visit to the restaurant where we had the Ostrich kebabs on Sunday.