KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Reinier & I took two days off work and headed off to "Die Wildtuin"! We left at 4:30am Friday (my birthday, 26th June!). It was the best birthday ever, who wouldn't want to be in Kruger on your birthday? Everytime we go there it is so enjoyable, and God's creation is always so amazing, all kinds of animals in different shape & form. We arrived at the Phalaborwa gate at about 10:00am, and headed North to Shingwedzi where we stayed for two nights. The third night we stayed in Letaba. Here is a photo of the Phalaborwa gate:

Impala - there are always lots of these, but they are still beautiful.

We stopped at Mopani for lunch

A young elephant, they are so cute!

Reinier relaxing and cooking some yummy meat for dinner

Its quite dry in the Kruger in Winter, this riverbed was completey dry!

The conservationist himself...

jigsaw skin!

This squirrel was making so much noise, we thought there must be a snake! Then we saw a few more acting like this, and figured it must be breeding season. It looked like he was guarding his nest, as he was just above a large hole in the tree. Cute little things, and they are always so quick!

This photo is a bit blurry, but we had a good laugh watching this turtle hitching a ride! Later on when he tried to climb a bit higher he slid off the side. The hippo didn't even seem to notice.

Water buck

Kruger Park is so relaxing...

Martial Eagle - we think? Maybe Ard or Gerben will correct us?!

Baster Gemsbok. They have really striking features and are quite rare.

Watching the rugby in the lapa at Shengwedzi. SA vs British & Irish Lions. SA won...yippee!!

The Shingwedzi reception & restaurant area. Its right on the river.

Our hut where we stayed for two nights

We were up bright & early, and out of the gates when they opened at 6:00am. Enjoying a nice & chilly sunrise!

ducks :-) we aren't birders ok?!

brrr...its cold! Still below 5 deg!

Francolin

Stunning Inyala buck

Whatcha lookin' at?

Black-backed jackal

"Pajama Paarden" as the dutch say...

Cheat! Cant be bothered using the water trough! Making bacon & eggs at a rest site.

Bacon & egg always taste better in the bush. Strange isn't it??

Water buck

Arrving at Letaba gate for our last night

Bush buck

Rhino. You can see all the scratches on him from bashing through the bush! I would NOT want to get in his way! Look at me, I'm so beautiful! Ground Hornbill.

Soaking up the sun...

And saving the best for last!! We saw this cheeta mother with a younger one. STUNNING!!