Kruger Day 7 - Lake Panic / Lower Sabie / Afsaal

It was time to leave Idle and Wild to head south toward the Crocodile Bridge Gate for the last leg of our trip.

We couldn't resist another visit to Lake Panic not really expecting to replicate the excitement of yesterday.

Plenty of bird interest included these water thick-knee, village weaver and diederik cuckoo. A couple of crocodile were still on the prowl.

Probably the only mature male giraffe we saw on the trip sporting its very smart mahogany coat.

More wharthog spotted from a dirt track off the main road.

The rest stops are great places to relax for a bit. Lower Sabie provides great views over the river.

More wildlife while en route and some that require a bit of prizing out. Relatively widespread in the area but Steenbok were only seen on three occasions and perhaps overlooked during the trip.

Impala are ubiquitous but such lovely animals.

More roadside sightings. European roller are quite common around the park.

Heading south through the park, we had heard that the area around Afsaal could be productive for wildlife. Still on the charge for the 'big six', rhinoceros had proved to be really tricky being largely restricted to the south of Kruger. We were on high alert as there were potential opportunities here to catch up with them.

This ostrich was the only one seen on the trip.

After a quick rest break at the Afsaal picnic site, we continued south. A small gathering of vehicles along the roadside suggested there was something interesting lurking in the thickets.

Feeding behind an area of scrub were three rhinos, two adults and a young male. We watched them for at least 45 minutes, feeding quietly before edging slightly closer. These beautiful creatures, so heavily targeted by poaching, were thrilling to see, though the experience was tinged with sadness at how superstition continues to drive the maiming and loss of such precarious rhino populations.

It took a while to prize ourselves away but the day was speeding away and closing time was approaching. Just before leaving via the Malalane Gate, a quick drive toward Berg-en-Dal revealed this African grey hornbill feeding close to the road.

The drive took us down to our accommodation at the Trees Too Lodge in Komatipoort. Another incredible day in this incredible place.