Day 18 2nd Day in Kruger

We went for any early drive this morning to see what we could find. Early on we spotted a mongoose running across the road. Then, as we were driving out of our village we were greeted by 4 hungry hyenas walking across the bridge - ugh horrid creatures! We drove on for a while with our eyes peeled, looking especially for the elusive big cats but for a long time we saw nothing. Then suddenly out of the bush came a large elephant, followed by another and another! All sizes including a little tiny baby one. There must have been over 20 of them, crossing the road right in front (and behind) the car. So close! Having watched them for a while, we drove on and spotted 3 giraffes munching away at the tall trees. You have to be careful when driving along, not to run over tortoises! They don't exactly hurry across the road! Crossing a bridge on our way back for breakfast we came across several hippos playing in the water.

After a late breakfast (and a bit of a rest, because it was so hot by then) we went down to Lake Panic Hide to see what was down at the lake. There we saw lots of birds including white breasted cormorant, some Goliath herons who performed a dance for us, a blacksmith lapwing, brown and white African Jacanas and a pied kingfisher. (Hope you bird watchers are impressed with us!!) there was a fish eagle in a tree, lots of weaver birds busy building nests, terrapins basking on a log and crocs in the water.

Later in the afternoon we went for another drive, still hoping to see a big cat,but no luck. Before we left the house there were several vervet monkeys with babies playing in the front garden. All was quiet in the bush this evening, apart from impala and several kudu, maybe because of the impending storm. We drove to the top of  Mathekenyane rock with spectacular views across the whole of the park. On the way home there was a beautiful sunset. And so to bed ...........