Wild in Kruger

January 24, 2015

Elusive wild dog. The wild in Kruger.

After our first trip to the Kruger back in March 2013, we were hopeful we'd find a way to come back for another visit. While we've been on our share of other safaris over the last couple of years, there's something very special about the Kruger that we knew we needed to experience again. As foreigners residing in South Africa, it is still surreal to us that we can visit one of the world's most popular safari destinations for a weekend...which seems like reason enough to make the trip as often as we can. Don't worry, there are a few more visits to the Kruger coming up in 2015. 

Our second trip was a quick weekend jaunt; we drove from Joburg to White River on Friday night (about a four-hour drive), and were at the Kruger gate (Phabeni) first thing on Saturday morning. We booked a gorgeous river-view safari-tent at Lower Sabie for Saturday night, and did an evening and an early morning game drive through SANParks. Aside from the obvious fact that the Getz doesn't really have much of a vertical when it comes to a game-viewing vantage point, doing game drives through the park (as opposed to self-drive), the SANParks game drives stay out after the gates close at night, and leave before they open in the morning. This provides a chance to visit the park while it is closed to the general public, and means our truck is often the only vehicle at a sighting.  

Something incredible happened on this particular trip to the bush: we had our very first wild dog sighting. Wild dogs are considered an endangered species, and there are very few left in Southern Africa. We had hoped to spot these rare predators on our trip to Botswana, as the Moremi area is known for their wild dog populations, but they kept out of sight during out visit. And so, when M spotted a white wisp flick under a bush, and we waited long enough to see that the wisp was actually the tail of an elusive wild dog, we considered this to be a very special sighting.

Enjoy my snaps from a very memorable weekend in the Kruger.

Gorgeous clouds.

Zebra(s) crossing.

Kudu; it's rare that we see a group of males stationary long enough for a photo op. I consider this a keeper.

The wild dog attached to the white tail. We stuck around for a while and spotted several dogs, who took turns roaming around the area, playing with each-other, and resting in the grass. We thought they might be guarding a den in the area, which is why they were not on the move (wild dogs are typically nomadic, unlike lions, who are territorial).

Some of the pack; we guesstimated that were saw six or seven different dogs during our sighting.

On the run.

On alert.

Hello.

This one was the most active of the pack, and consequently gave us the best visual of the famous "painted dog" coat. Apparently each dog's coat is unique, and researchers identify the different dogs by their coat patterns. We even submitted our photos to a photographic census to help researchers track the dogs in the park.

That tail. Thanks for the incredible sighting, Picasso.

As we moved along from the wild dogs, we ran into a road block. We decided to give them the right-of-way. You know, just to be nice.

 Our safari tent at Lower Sabie.

View of the river from our tent. Hello there hippo, buffalo and croc. Nicely done on the welcoming committee, Lower Sabie.

Retired General.

Feisty hippo.

You might have realized that I am not a fan of baboons, but also that I cannot resist a good photo op. But seriously- this guy looks like Iwazaru- the "speak no evil" monkey from the Three Wise Monkeys.

On our evening game drive we hit the jackpot on lion sightings. These lovely two lionesses kicked things off early in the evening; they were so affectionate with each other- something we hadn't seen before.

Hello ladies.

Awwhhhhh....

Those eyes.

Giving each other a good face-bath.

So sweet.

Lil' cat nap.

On our way back to the camp we spotted this pair on the side of the road. Maybe they needed a ride somewhere?

Or, maybe this guy was tired and looking for a nice rest on the warm tar road.

Hello, buddy.

A little further up the road, we found this fella. He was with another male lion who was resting a few feet up the road. This was the night for lions! After leaving these guys, we spotted a massive cape porcupine (weighing between 40-60lbs)- they are very rare to spot given their nocturnal and elusive nature. Naturally, he didn't stick around long enough for a photo. Shame.

Any birders out there know what kind of owl this is? Think it might be a Verreauxs Eagle Owl?

Waking up the Kruger.

The colours of the bush at dawn.

Grabbing some breakfast.

Morning, Mr.Bull.

Family dust bath in the morning.

Baby wildebeests. Admittedly, they are cuter than their grown-up versions, but still, these guys really did get the short end of the stick in the animal kingdom in terms of good looks.

Family time in the wildebeest world.

Recorded game drive sightings at Lower Sabie. 

The sightings board of the "magnificent seven". The park no longer tracks rhino on these boards (they would be the orange magnet) in an effort to protect them as much as possible within the park's boundries.

On our way out of the park we decided to take a lesser-known road (the gravel road that connects Crocodile Bridge to Malelane, which is where we exited the park). We learned why it isn't as popular as some of the other routes...while we did "spot" this adorable wild dog, he was the only sighting for 50+ kilometres of bumpy, dusty, dirt track. Welcome to the bush.