Pilanesburg - December 2010

I rate the Pilanebsurg as one of the best holiday destinations in South Africa. The Kruger Park will always be my ideal getaway, and I have yet to find a place that can top it, but the Pilanesburg is not that far behind. It has just as good facilities as Kruger and it has all the big 5 (though buffalo are rarely spotted there), as well a good variety of bird life, so you are bound to see something interesting on every visit. Added to which it is only a 2 hour drive to get there from Johannesburg, and the best option for anyone who wants to get out of the city for a weekends break.

I took these photos on my recent visit to the park on the 11th December. I was originally going to head through there with my good friend Ryan, but he came down ill a few days before and couldn't make it, so I just decided to head through there on my own anyway.

A young zebra foal at the Rathlogo waterhole.

A pair of zebras also at the Rathlogo waterhole. The whole herd of them got spooked by something, and this one was desperately trying to get out of the mud so it could flee with the rest of his mates.

A group of warthogs also making good use of the muddy bank of the waterhole.

There's always something good to take photos of in the park. even if you're not seeing many animals, the hills in the park make for some impressive scenic shots, like this one.

A redbreasted swallow.

A giant kingfisher at Mankwe dam.

The same kingfisher flying off after an unsuccesful attempt at catching a fish. They are not particularly fast flyers, so I was able to get this shot relatively easily.

One of the many dragonflies that fly around the hide at Mankwe dam. I think this one is called a violet dropwing.

A young blue wildebeest calf being watched over carefully by its mother.

A giraffe feeding from the top of some acacia trees.

Kruger Park - November 2010

These photos were taken on my most recent visit to the Kruger National Park, During Which I went on the Olifants walking trail. If you love nature and being outdoors, then I strongly recommend you take part in at least one of the many trails on offer in the park in your lifetime. The trails are not too tough and can be managed quite comfortably by most people. You are accompanied by 2 very experienced rangers whose knowledge is very insightful. They ensure you are well aware of what to expect before embarking on any of the guided walks. At night you stay in basic but comfortable huts in a fenced off private campsite. If you can afford to pay the very reasonable amount of approximately R3000.00 per person, it is definitely worth your while. You will see aspects of the park that you are unable to witness from the confines of your car. All your meals and accommodation for 3 nights are included, as well as 4 guided walks in the park.

Yellow Billed Stork

Elephant

The sunset over the waterhole where we stopped for sundowners on the last night of the trip.

The 4X4 Vehicle that took us to the walking trails

Our private campsite on the banks of the Olifants river.

A young impala making a feeble attempt at hiding from us behind a tuft of grass. The Mother ran off in the opposite direction, apparently in order to try to distract our attention.

A close up of the flowers from a sicklebush
(aka kalahari christmas tree)

One of the wolf spiders that were hunting in amongst the fallen leaves and twigs in the campsite. These spiders are quite easily spotted by shining a torch in the leaves and looking out for the blue reflection from their eyes.

Our guide, Shambock, showing us just why Hippos are so dangerous. Those teeth look like they could do a lot of damage.

One of the many Baobab trees we came across on our walks.