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Lower Sabie Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
South Africa

Day 23 - Final Day At Satara Camp, Game Drive to Oliphants Camp & Return

10/12/2011

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Today was our last day in the Satara area. We slept in a little and were not at the gate at 5:30 a.m. like most mornings. No, this morning the plan was to meet at 7:00 a.m. and then go to the camp restaurant for breakfast.

A little after 8:00, we headed out to the Timbavati area and then north to the Olifants Camp area for one last look around there.

At a water hole, we got our first good look at a Goliath Heron. It's named well as it is the largest heron we've ever seen. In the photo below, you can get some perspective as there is also a Green-backed Heron which is very similar to the Green Heron we have in the U.S.
Goliath Heron, Kruger National Park, South Africa
After the water hole, we saw buffalo .....
Cape Buffalo, Kruger National Park, South Africa
an African Fish Eagle, ....
African Fish Eagle, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Wildebeest, ....
Wildebeest, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Zebras, including this frisky foal, ....
Zebra Foal Running, Kruger National Park, South Africa
and elephants, of course.
Elephants, Kruger National Park, South Africa
With the recent rains, the area north of Satara which was dry and brown a week ago, is already lush green and much prettier. However, the game viewing wasn't as good as before.

Jackie reiterated that's why the don't come to Kruger in the summer wet season and prefer to come right at the end of the dry season. When the rains come, trees and bushes leaf out which provides great food for the animals, but makes them harder to see. Also, there is more water available, so the animals don't need to rely on the water sources near the road, and they came remain deeper in the bush.

We stopped for lunch at Olifants Camp. During our wandering after lunch, we got to see the unusual and beautiful African Paradise Flycatcher.
African Paradise Flycatcher, Kruger National Park, South Africa
African Paradise Flycatcher, Kruger National Park, South Africa
During our time in Kruger, we've seen well over a hundred new bird species, and this was one of the many highlights.
Traveling back south, we re-entered the drier area and these elephants were having a face-to-face at a water hole.
Elephants, Kruger National Park, South Africa
And finally, in our last significant sighting before leaving Satara, we found the Ostrich that we saw a few days ago with her chicks.
Ostrich with Chicks, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Ostrich with Chicks, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Linda was thrilled to see that all of the chicks had survived, and it was amazing how much they had grown ​​since we last saw them.
Ostrich Chicks, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Ostrich Chick, Kruger National Park, South Africa
​The Ostrich and chicks once again made Linda's day, and it was a wonderful way to end our game drives in Satara.

Back at camp, we packed up and prepared for tomorrow's departure. We had our usual group dinner with meats grilled on the braai, and we watched the orange sun above the camp fence line as it faded behind the clouds.
Sunset, Satara Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
And that concluded our last full day at Satara. When we arrived, I was a little skeptical due to the dry, brown surroundings, but it didn't take long to discover it's a great area for wildlife and bird watching.

But, we only have a few days left, and we're looking forward to exploring other areas of the park. Off to Lower Sabie Camp early tomorrow morning.

Today's additional sightings (no photos):
  • Hippo
  • Giraffe
  • Kudu
  • Waterbuck
  • Impala
  • Steenbok
  • Warthog
  • Crocodile
  • Monitor Lizard
Today's additional bird sightings (no photos):
  • Bateleur
  • Brown Snake Eagle
  • Gabar Goshawk
  • Ground Hornbill
  • Great Egret
  • Hadeda Ibis
  • Egyptian Goose
  • Go-Away Bird
  • Namaqua Dove
​Day 24 - Camp Change & Game Drive Satara Camp to Lower Sabie Camp
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