THE MAJESTIC KGALADI - TRIP 2

In May 2016 we paid our second visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.  Our first visit was in October 2013 at the end of a particularly dry season.  This year, the rains have been plentiful so the park was almost unrecognizable to us, with its long grasses and green shrubbery, making game viewing a little more challenging too.

These are just some of the highlights of our trip. We started with a 9 hour drive to Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape:

Even though the water levels were low the falls were still spectacular

Sunset over the falls - there are many wooden walkways and viewing decks

Some kid had dropped a lollipop over the railings - even lizards love sugar

The Sanparks accommodation at Augrabies was of a very high standard.  There are several lodges outside the park and then you come in as a day visitor.  Our chalet had a view over the falls and was well equipped and comfortable.  Even though we couldn't see the water from our patio, we could hear it and that just added to the atmosphere.

Quiver Trees are everywhere at Augrabies

A family of Ground Squirrels came to forage in the early morning right next to our chalet.

A Verreaux's Eagle

After two nights at Augrabies we set off back towards Upington and on to the Kgalagadi.  First night Twee Rivieren, then Kieliekrankie, Nossob, back to Kieliekrankie - 7 nights in all.  Despite sitting in front of the computer 11 months before at 7.30 am as soon as the bookings came on line I was not able to get accommodation at Grootkolk or Urikaruus.  This is a very popular park, and those camps are very small (four or five cabins only) so difficult to get into.

Tawny Eagle

Black Backed Jackals

Red Hartebeest

Ostriches having a dust bath

Leopard Tortoise

Cape Cobra

This Springbok had clearly been born seconds before we arrived on the scene and we watched a few anxious minutes as the mother (and friend) tried to get it to stand.  Eventually it wobbled around on impossibly spindly legs and we breathed a sigh of relief.

This lion looks like it is blind in one eye.

Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk

Namaqua Sandgrouse

Cheetah on the hunt.  Unsuccessful unfortunately.

An ostrich in a bad mood

More new life

The good rains in March and April produced some lovely flowers and the butterflies were abundant

This chameleon seemed to be warming its stomach in the weak winter sun.

We saw a far greater number of lions on this trip - almost every day in fact.

A Whistling Rat

This Lanner Falcon was feasting on what looked like a Dove at the Nossob Bird Hide.

Sunrise over Kieliekrankie

Sunrise over Nossob

Stopping off at one of the (unfenced) picnic spots mid morning for Kalahari sandwiches (my version) is fabulous.  Never will one be anywhere where the silence makes a ringing sound in the ears!

The Park used to be named the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.  Gemsbok are plentiful.

The evening sky over Nossob

Suricates on the lookout - never too young to learn

Steenbok

Black Headed Heron on the water hole at Kieliekrankie

Jackal having a drink watched closely by a Cape Turtle Dove

On our way out of the park we decided to take a closer look at one more watering hole.  At Monro these two African Wild Cats (frustratingly far away) thought about making their way to the water for a drink before being chased off by three Jackals who then had the watering hole all to themselves.

Can't wait for our next trip to this fantastic park.  October 2018 is our goal.


All images © Xeena Wallington 2016.