Whereas Nossob disappointed a little, Twee Rivieren is just full of life and interest. With the temperature again soaring, we move back into our chalet taking note of a pair of Rock Martins nesting under the eves. The following camp photos are courtesy of the internet.
Steven is a most compatible companion to have on a photographic trip such as this. Filled with enthusiasm, he determinedly sets his sights on something and patiently works on getting his picture. The Ashy Tit is on our list and we spend quite some time under a tree trying to find this little bird. The elation is great when we finally succeed.
A family of leopards is in residence some 2km north of the camp towards Sameloeiing. We have seen the male, the female and two half grown cubs but always at dusk when the poor light makes photography difficult. One day though we find the two youngsters at the Samevloeing water trough.
These are the first leopards that I have seen in Kgalagadi and although three of our eight sighting were probably repeats, five leopards is not bad going.
When I made the booking for Twee Rivieren I arranged for an early 5am exit from the camp allowing us time to reach Upington early enough for Steven to catch his flight home. When I make arrangements with the gate guard to open the gate for us the following day, he stubbornly refuses – with a good bit of “attitude” thrown in. This leads me to the camp manager, a very pleasant white lady, who cheerfully arranges to come and let us out herself at 5am. Such is the nature of the new dispensation. The sulky, petty and uncooperative ways of all the Kgalagadi staff was disappointing – in contrast to their Kruger counterparts who are always pleasant.
So, on Wednesday, 8th December, we take our early leave of Twee Rivieren and make our way to Upington airport which we reach in good time. What a lovely time we spent in the Park which is so different from Kruger but so full of interest. Disappointing was the absence of birds of prey and other than the Goshawks, Falcons and a few Tawny Eagles we saw very little. No Martials, Snake-eagles, Bateleurs, Vultures – nothing. Kgalagadi is renowned for its Raptors so why we did so poorly is rather a mystery. I just hope that poisoned carcasses on neighbouring farms is not responsible.
Steven and I plan to conduct more photographic trips probably to Etosha and including Mata-Mata. I will send out another blog covering my rather interesting and circuitous trip back to Cape Town.
