6 December 2017 – Last full day in Kruger
It rained in the night and it was still overcast and cool when we woke up and temperatures only reached the mid twenties today. As it was our last day in the park we decided to make the most of it and took a long drive stopping first at Crocodile Bridge camp for brunch and Afsaal for afternoon coffee. We left at 6:00 am and only got back to Berg en Dal at 4:00 pm
It was an amazing last day and our sightings were really special.

First to greet us early this morning was Mr Waterbuck

The first of the many rhino we came across today
Giraffe are the most elegant of creatures and even when they’re having a confrontation it looks more like a ballet than a boxing match. It’s called necking when they fight but it all looks so gentelmanly

They don’t look aggressive at all

Getting ready to knock each other’s necks

Elephant spectators look on in amusement
We took a loop to be closer to the river and suddenly The Earl noticed this fellow fly into a tree. It took a while for me to see him and when I did I was delighted as it’s the first for this trip and one of the less common kingfishers.

Grey-headed Kingfisher

He gave The Earl a fright

A rhino road block

Mom and baby giraffe

The wind got into this Martial Eagle’s feathers
After breakfast at Crocodile Bridge we spotted some impala, wildebeest and warthogs just outside the camp. The warthogs had piglets.

Too much cuteness here!

Sweeeet!

Adorable

Pretty Piggies
The Earl started moving on – “Wait,” I said, “I’m enjoying the piglets – don’t go yet!” “We have to find the lions and leopards.” he said. “No!” I complained. “Let’s enjoy what we’ve got!” But he wouldn’t listen and I was miffed!
But not for long – had we stayed as I’d have liked we would have missed this!

Lioness on the move
We spotted her coming across an open field. The Earl reversed and turned into another road where she came right toward us and then passed our vehicle.

She was heading somewhere with purpose

She paused when she saw some wildebeest

She dropped down in the long glass – unseen by the wildebeest – Spot the ears
No way could she hunt those wildies on her own. We stayed with her for a while but then it was time to move on. What a great sighting.
while later on our drive we came across some more royalty – this time there were four – one blocking the road and the others lying asleep in the veld.

The King blocking his Highway

Then flopping down to sleep regardless of the two cars wanting to pass by

But in the end he got up and moved and joined his friends.
We thought we might get all five of the Biggies today but we dipped on leopard. Not that we can complain as we have had so many lovely experiences with leopard on other days and who can sniff at two lovely lion sightings in one day!
Other interesting sightings before we finally gave up for the day.

White-crested Helmet-shrike

Don’t wander off too far, young one.
Toward the end of our drive the skies started to darken and it was raining when we arrived at camp. We debated about what to do about dinner but it cleared sufficiently to enable us to go with Plan A and braai. I stir fried some veggies to go with it. It is still raining now so it will be a wet pack-up tomorrow!