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Lower Sabie Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
South Africa

Day 24 - Camp Change & Game Drive Satara Camp to Lower Sabie Camp

10/11/2011

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Today was the day we were changing camps after twelve nights at Satara. But the move was also a game drive, so we left at our usual 5:30 a.m. and headed south toward the Lower Sabie Camp.

Our first big sighting of the day was a pride of twenty lions. The biggest pride we had seen to that point had been nine.
Pride of 20 Lions, Kruger National Park, South Africa
With the recent rains, it's nice to see more green mixed in with the browns, yellows, and golds. We watched the pride dynamics and behavior for quite some time before we continued south.

​Next we came to a familiar water hole. This time there was a large herd of buffalo.
Cape Buffalo Herd, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Cape Buffalo Herd, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Cape Buffalo Herd, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Cape Buffalo Herd, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Next, we once again made a stop at the Tshokwane Picnic Site. It would be our last time having their "bush breakfast".
Tshokwane Picnic Site, Kruger National Park
I've gotten several good photos of birds and wildlife at Tshokwane, and today was this picture of a Slender Mongoose.
Slender Mongoose, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Just like we did a few days ago on this route, we took a short side trip to the Orpen Dam. In that little distance between Tshokwane and the Orpen Dam, we saw a couple of herds of elephants, rhinos, warthogs, and more.

It's hard to resist taking photos of the baby elephants.
Elephant Calf, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Elephant Road Crossing with Baby, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Next were the rhinos.
Rhinos, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Rhino Calf, Kruger National Park, South Africa
We then saw Warthogs. The female in front was clearly nursing, so we looked for some small piglets but didn't see any.
Warthogs, Kruger National Park, South Africa
At Orpen Dam, we saw this Swainson's Spurfowl (below left) along with a Rainbow Skink (below center) and Giant Scaled Lizards (below right).
Swainson's Spurfowl, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Rainbow Skink, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Giant Scaled Lizards, Kruger National Park, South Africa
In the pond below the overlook was a huge herd of hippos.
Hippos, Orpen Dam, Kruger National Park, South Africa
We took our time the rest of the way to Lower Sabie and stopped to watch the various antelope and a couple more distant lions.

At the bridge below the camp where we crossed the river, we saw this Goliath Heron with a huge fish.
Goliath Heron, Kruger National Park, South Africa
After it devoured the fish, it strutted and displayed in from of a fish eagle.
Goliath Heron & Fish Eagle, Kruger National Park, South Africa
There were three fish eagles and a Hamerkop by the river.
Three Fish Eagles Along Sabie River, Kruger National Park, South Africa
African Fish Eagle, Kruger National Park, South Africa
African Fish Eagle & Hamerkop, Kruger National Park, South Africa
This fish eagle started calling. They throw their head back almost touching their back when they call.
African Fish Eagle Calling, Kruger National Park, South Africa
We reached the Lower Sabie Camp and had lunch on their veranda overlooking the Sabie River while waiting for check-in time.

Our friends had bungalows together near the river, but since we reserved three months after they did, we had different accommodations several bungalows away.
Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Our friends' bungalows (above) were much nicer than ours, but didn't care where we slept. We were just happy to be a part of this trip. The room was certainly adequate, although it was a bit dated.
Lower Sabie Camp Bungalow Interior, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Lower Sabie Camp Bungalow Interior, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Lower Sabie Camp Bungalow Interior, Kruger National Park, South Africa
They also have safari tents as well as a campground.
Lower Sabie Camp Safari Tent, Kruger National Park, South Africa
While walking the grounds, getting my bearings as I tend to do, I got some nice bird photos. Below we have the colorful Diederik Cuckoo (left), the White-Browed Robin-chat (center) and the African Green Pigeon (right).
Diederik Cuckoo, Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
White-browed Robin-chat, Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
African Green Pigeon, Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Once we all got settled, we did a very short late afternoon drive with the most exciting sighting being this Warthog with small piglets.
Warthog with piglets, Kruger National Park, South Africa
We've certainly seen our share of baby animals which once again confirmed that we are here at a good time of year.

Back at camp, we had our usual Happy Hour at the bungalows and then walked over to the restaurant for dinner.

Jackie said "You must be ready to get back home", to which I gave her a resounding "NO!". We could stay here and do game drives for the foreseeable future. In fact, we'd love to bring others back to show them how incredible the wildlife is here compared to the U.S.

We like it here at Lower Sabie and wish we could stay longer. But tomorrow will be our only full day in the area, and we have to leave the next day. 

It's been another fine day here at Kruger National Park.

Today's additional sightings (no photos):
  • Giraffe
  • Kudu
  • Wildebeest
  • Waterbuck
  • Reedbuck
  • Impala
  • Duiker
  • Steenbok
  • Zebra
  • Baboons
  • Crocodile
  • Monitor Lizard

"Big Five" Report: lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino
Today's additional bird sightings (no photos):
  • Ostrich
  • Secretary Bird
  • Black Crake
  • Brubru
​Day 25 - Game Drive Lower Sabie to Skukuza & Sunset Dam
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