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Lower Sabie Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
South Africa

Day 10 - Game Drive Oliphants to Letaba Camp & Return

10/25/2011

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Today, rather than our usual 5:30 a.m. start, we had breakfast at the bungalows in Olifants Camp. While breakfast was being prepared, I, of course, took more pictures of hippos in the Olifants River below.

This morning, a mother and baby were sparring. I don't know if they were playing or she was training the young calf, but at times she had its whole head in her mouth.
Hippos, Olifants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Hippos, Olifants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Hippos, Olifants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
After our delicious breakfast, we headed out for a drive up to the Letaba Rest Camp. It would be as far north as we would go in the park.

Not long into today's game drive, Linda spotted our first Leopard. None of the rest of us got a good look, and we certainly didn't get any photos, but that completed our search for the "Big Five". Not bad - we got it in our first four days in the park.

Next, we had a herd of Impala that was pretty close to the road. Nice.
Impala, Kruger National Park, South Africa
​The others ordered tea and coffee on the veranda at Letaba while I went in search of photo ops.
Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
I found a few new birds to add to our list. From left to right below is a Hurricane Thrush, an African Grey Hornbill, a Golden-tailed Woodpecker, and a Arrow-marked Babbler.
Hurricane Thrush, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
African Grey Hornbill, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Arrow-marked Babbler, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
And I got more photos of birds we've seen such as the African Hoopoe and the Lilac-breasted Roller.
African Hoopoe, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Lilac-breasted Roller, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Before getting back on the road, we went to the Letaba Elephant Hall, which is a museum dedicated to elephant evolution, biology, behavior, ecology and research. Also, on display is the ivory of what they call "eight of Kruger's greatest tuskers".
Elephant Hall, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Elephant Hall, Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
​When everyone was ready to go, we headed west toward the Nhlanganini Dam.

Along the way, we saw a Waterbuck with its long horns and white-circled rump.
Waterbuck, Kruger National Park, South Africa
And we were lucky to sight a Kori Bustard, one of the top dozen heaviest birds in the world that can fly. It has some very pretty markings and we wish we would have gotten a better look, but we'll take it.
Kori Bustard, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kori Bustard, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Later, this Cape Buffalo was caked in mud to keep cool and repel bugs.
Kori Bustard, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Looking up in the trees we spotted a Brown Snake Eagle.
Brown Snake Eagle, Kruger National Park, South Africa
When we arrived at the dam, there were numerous hippos as well as a couple of crocodiles - one small and one very large.
Hippos, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Crocodile, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Crocodile, Kruger National Park, South Africa
In the trees was an African Fish Eagle. We had seen one of these every day, but the photos haven't been very good. This one isn't great, but it's the best one so far.
Fish Eagle, Kruger National Park, South Africa
After hanging around at the dam for a while, we returned to Letaba and had some lunch. Then we worked our way back to Olifants Camp.

Along the way, we encountered a herd of elephants that wanted to cross the road. This youngster waited patiently for the matriarch (the oldest, largest female) of the herd to arrive with her calf. Generally, the matriarch makes road crossing decisions.
Elephants, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Elephants, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Elephants, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Next, we got some really good looks at Cape Buffalo.
Cape Buffalo, Kruger National Park, South Africa
And then I finally got the shot of this beautiful bird - the Lilac-breasted Roller - that I wanted.
Lilac-breasted Roller, Kruger National Park, South Africa
We never get tired of seeing that very colorful specimen in what is often drab surroundings.

Next, this Steenbok was out in the open ready for a photo.
Steenbok, Kruger National Park, South Africa
When we got back to the Olifants River Bridge, there was a troop of Chacma Baboons.
Baboons, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Baboons, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Baboons, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Well, that was another pretty good day of wildlife viewing. Back at camp, Linda & I took a walk and got some photos from the restaurant and common areas.
Olifants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Olifants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
We saw a few birds and then returned to the bungalows where .... you guessed it .... I took more hippo photos.
Hippos, Olifants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
While watching the hippos and admiring the views of the river, dinner was prepared and we enjoyed each others' company through dinner and into the night.

Oh, before I forget I have to do the "Big Five Report". Today we got three of the five - leopard, buffalo, and elephant, and with the leopard we completed our "Trip Big Five". Now, we need to get a "One-day Big Five" including photos of a leopard.

We had a lovely sunset and then called it a night.
Sunset, Olifants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
We are loving our time here in Kruger National Park, and are looking forward to every single day we have left.

Today's additional sightings (no photos):
  • ​Leopard
  • Bushbuck
  • Kudu
  • Giraffe
  • Vervet Monkeys
  • Warthog
Today's additional bird sightings (no photos):
  • Yellow-billed Kite
  • Bateleur
  • Goliath Heron
  • Grey Heron
  • Cattle Egret
  • Brown-hooded Kingfisher
  • Black-winged Stilt
  • Dark-capped Bulbul
  • Black-backed Puffback
  • Fork-tailed Drongo
​Day 11 - Game Drive Oliphants Camp To Timbavati Picnic Area & More
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