Kruger Day 8 - Lower Sabie

On the road again heading to Lower Sabie, hoping for a much quieter day travelwise, in an attempt not to dash around and limit the kms. 

Lower Sabie is an excellent area for wildlife and today there was plenty of activity with over forty giraffe and plenty of elephant indulging within the shallows of the river.

The views across the river from the Lower Sabie are magnificent.

The park authorities really should seek to limit the number of zebra crossings.

Another opportunity to jump out the car at Ntandanyathi Game Viewing Hide that was relatively quiet with a few lurking elephant. The river held a three African jacana and a couple of black crake while lesser striped swallow zipped past the hide.

While staying at Lower Sabie rest camp, we were tipped off about a nearby lion sighting just a short drive up the road. Armed with half-remembered directions and a bit of luck, we somehow found the spot on our first attempt. Tucked away from the midday heat, was a small family group, the adults keeping a watchful eye while the cubs were sprawled out fast asleep.

There is always time for a bit of stretching.

The afternoon was spent driving the S28 toward the Crocodile Bridge Gate taking in the sights of the park.

An African fish eagle had settled onto a suitable vantage point.

A few wattled lapwing by the roadside had successfully bred in the area.

Continuing to head south, another oddity (although thought to be common in the park) but the only one seen on the trip was this black-backed jackal scampering through vegetation just off the track.

Adding more animals to the array of species kept us locked in while driving slowly through the park. None more so than lion encounters which this time was purely serendipitous. As the S28 veered right, an area of vegetation not too far from the Crocodile River held a small pride of lion. A couple of young males were resting in an area that could easily have been missed if the radar wasn't fully activated.

Although it was late afternoon and thoughts of heading out of the gate before closing time were in our minds, sightings were in full flow. Providing some comedy value, a single wild dog had appeared out of the vegetation continuing to follow the roadside, running into the road and then back onto the verge. In an act of pure bravado, this male unashamedly parted with its waste right in front of the amused onlookers.

Appreciating this is not for everyone but making our way back to the gate conscious of the 6.30pm gate closing time, the reasons for our first 'traffic jam' barely 500 metres from the gate wasn't quite evident but soon became clear. This is not the part of the safari experience I particularly enjoy, but with an apex predator blocking the road, these experiences don't come round very often. It was a rather gaunt looking lioness, that didn't appear to be in great shape.

There wasn't a lot going on in Komatipoort in the evenings but a couple of nearby eateries included this Mocambiquen restaurant - the servings were as large as the country itself.