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Birding Africa pt. 9 - Ga-Mailula to Sterkfontein

posted by Tim Avery at
on Saturday, October 26, 2013 

After the early morning birding at Kurisa Moya, we ate a quick breakfast at our cabin before packing the car and  and ditching the mountains for lower elevations and warmer temps.  Before we left, David had explained that about 25 minutes away we could find several species of birds that are typically found further west--in areas like the Kalahari.  The species were likely previously unknown from the area--so how could we pass up stopping to look?

Map showing the Ga-Mailula Grasslands

The directions to get there seemed simple-drive 25 minutes, once you pass the hill on the right, then you pass a school--if you come to a 2nd school, you’ve gone too far.  Easy enough right?  Well we missed the turnoff the first pass through because the area was described as a grassland--it was technically, but it was extremely small.  If you didn’t know there was something worth looking for there--you would never stop.  The area was in a village called Ga-Mailula, and thus I dubbed the small patch of thickets, grass and scrubs as Ga-Mailula Grasslands in eBird.

Ga-Mailula Village beyond Grasslands and Aloes

After back tracking and finding the dirt road that wandered off towards the outskirts of the village we pulled onto it, and almost immediately off the road in front of us flushed our target bird--a SPIKE-HEELED LARK.

Spike-heeled Lark at Ga-Mailula Grasslands

That was too easy…  As we walked the road stuff started popping up on bushes nearby. A flock of SCALY-FEATHERED WEAVERS showed up--another species unexpected for the area.

Scaly-feathered Weaver at Ga-Mailula Grasslands

As we watched something flying off in the distance a bird on top of an acacia caught my eye.  It looked like a robin or thrush and after getting some bad pictures it was indeed yet another one of the west species--a KALAHARI SCRUB-ROBIN.

Kalahari Scrub-Robin at Ga-Mailula Grasslands

We continued down the road and quickly came on a flock of sparrow-like birds on the ground--another lifer and unexpected find here--WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVERS.  This little patch of grass was incredible.

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver at Ga-Mailula Grasslands

In the distance an ACACIA PIED-BARBET called, whilst Laughing Doves cooed, and the sparrow-weavers made a racket.  After driving the short stretch we turned to head back to the main road when Bert spotted a prinia in a nearby tree--only this was a BLACK-CHESTED PRINIA--yep another unknown from the area.

Black-chested Prinia at Ga-Mailula Grasslands

As we got back to the road a CATTLE EGRET flew in and landed with a few cows--I couldn’t resist a photo.

Cattle Egret with er... Cattle... at Ga-Mailula Grasslands

We drove a couple hundred yards when I spotted a small falcon/kestrel perched on a telephone phone.  After we flipped a u-turn to go see what it was we found ourselves looking at another unknown from the area--a GREATER KESTREL.  Ga-Mailula had turned out to be an amazing stop and turned out 7 life birds in less than 30 minutes.

Greater Kestrel at Ga-Mailula Grasslands

We hopped back on the highway and started making our way back towards Pretoria and our final destination for the day--Sandton in Johannesburg.  It was mostly just driving, as we had a long way to go.  Mid-afternoon we did make one last stop to look for birds at Nylsvley Nature Reserve.  We had missed most of the waterfowl possible so this would be our chance to change that--except that when we arrived we found out the ponds were all but dry.

Entrance to the Ponds at Nylsvley

We still opted to check it out to see what we could find.  We drove into an area with 2 viewing blinds and ponds--the ponds were 98% dry so waterbirds were present but few.  Right where we parked I could see a couple AFRICAN STONECHATS out in the reeds.  I flushed a cisticola near the road and soon found the gorgeous little bird--a TINKLING CISTICOLA perched out on a wire.

Tinking Cisticola at Nylsvley

We walked out to one of the blinds, where there wasn’t a lot to look at.  In the distance a COMMON OSTRICH roamed with a few antelope.  A few plovers, jacanas, and herons wandered in the fields, and a couple PEARL-BREASTED SWALLOWS flew around.

Pearl-breasted Swallow in flight

We could hear an ORANGE-THROATED LONGCLAW calling behind us in the grass somewhere, but never got eyes on this good-looking bird.  A BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE coursed over the fields, as did a high flying back-lit LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER which looked pretty cool.

Back-lit Lilac-breasted Roller in flight

Driving back towards the highway we ended up in between two large patches of trees, where there was quite a bit of activity.  A BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER was hunting back and forth across the road.  A number of small birds flitted about in the trees.  One of the first ones that popped out was an apparent SPOTTED FLYCATCHER--fairly early for southern Africa.

Early summer visitor--a Spotted Flycatcher

Bert spotted a tiny wren that didn’t intend to give us good looks--a MIOMBO WREN-WARBLER.  We had one other the previous week, but this was a better--yet not perfect view.

Miombo Wren-Warbler skulking through the trees

Sam asked from the backseat what the red bird was--when we finally found it in our binoculars it was a gorgeous CRIMSON-BREASTED GONOLEK, similar to a bushshrike, this bird was red below, and black and white above.  A striking bird and the only one of the trip.

Crimson-breasted Gonolek wins the prize for coolest named bird

We were soon back on the road winding our way into civilization.  The wildlife viewing and birding soon turned into seeing the landscape turn to shanty-towns, and then cities.  Bert provided some great conversation as we made our way into town.  We talked about politics, life in South Africa, and a variety of other things as we made our way into Sandton.  We got a little lost trying to find our way, but eventually we arrived in a high-walled neighborhood--where the walls were topped with razor wire, and each gate had video cameras.  Some streets even had their own secondary security to the private security at each house.  I asked Bert why so much security.  His reply, “paranoia”.

In any event, we pulled into the Ashdown House drive--our home away from home for the next 2 nights.  We checked in, got our bags out of the car, and said our goodbyes and extreme thanks to Bert.  He had been an exceptional guide, and undoubtedly was the reason we saw so many species of animals and birds during our first week in Africa.

We ordered dinner, cleaned up, repacked a few things then crashed for the night.  The following morning we had breakfast while CRESTED BARBETS rattled from the Garden and KAROO THRUSHES hopped along the pool edge and exterior walls.

Karoo Thrush hopping around the garden at Ashdown House

There were plenty of birds even here in the middle of the city.  EGYPTIAN GEESE and both AFRICAN SACRED and HADEDA IBIS would occasionally flyover, whilst a variety of doves passed, and the occasional SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD worked through the trees.  After breakfast a driver picked us up to visit the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site--this is basically where we all came from millions of years ago (at least for those of us who recognize evolution).

Yep, somewhere down the line this is your ancestor.

The ride there took about an hour, and as we neared I spotted an all black raptor with a shaggy crest perched in a tree.  I told the driver he had to go back--I knew this was a new bird but wasn’t sure what kind.  Once we got back I pulled my telephoto form my bag which I brought just in case I saw some birds.  Once I looked closely I figured the bird was a LONG-CRESTED EAGLE.  Later upon checking the book it showed this was actually a vagrant in central South Africa.  The species is known to wander some so although unexpected it does show up from time to time.

Semi-vagrant Long-crested Eagle at Sterkfontein

The first stop at the Cradle was the Sterkfontein Caves portion where you actually go into the caves, squeeze through a couple tight crevices, and learn about what was found here, and the ongoing research, etc.  It’s definitely worth going if you are in JoBurg, just to say you’ve been, plus its a very important piece of human history--so if you care at all about that I say go.

Me in the Sterkfontein Caves

After the caves we headed to the Maropeng Museum a few kilometers away, which is the 2nd portion of the site.  Here you basically get a history lesson about the world, and human evolution.  It’s a modern building with some interesting exhibits in the time.  It is definitely heavily targeted at school children though so we didn’t spend a great deal of time here.

Maropeng Museum from the front

Overall the birding in the outdoor areas here wasn’t too great.  It was a warm day when we visited so some things may not have been very active.  After visiting we headed back to Johannesburg and spent the remainder of the day just relaxing at the guest house.  We probably had time to do some more sightseeing but just used the time to enjoy not being cooped up in an office, or having to do a single thing.

The next day we would leave Johannesburg for Cape Town, and a completely different side of Africa.  Our trip was more than half over and seemed to be coming to an end far too quickly.

18 life birds from these areas / 250 total trip life birds / 263 total trip species

photos from Ga-Mailula:
http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1110

photos from JoBurg & Sterkfontein:
http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1111

eBird Checklists:
Ga-Mailula Grasslands, Limpopo
Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo
Ashdown House -- Sandton, Gauteng
Cradle of Humankind WHS, Gauteng

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Birding Africa pt. 8 - Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge

posted by Tim Avery at
on Monday, October 21, 2013 

Tuesday September 3rd, I woke up before light in our rustic cabin at Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge.  The fire died out during the night and the room was freezing.  I got ready, relit the fire, and headed out to meet Bert.  It was our last day with him as our guide, and it was a day set aside for some serious birding.  We started our morning by walking up to the main house where the owners put out seed and peanut butter every morning for a number of species that readily come in to eat.  We met up with David who we booked for 2 hours to help track down a couple specialty birds, but first we watched the feeders.

Common Bulbul visiting the feeders

It was only moments before the first COMMON BULBUL flew in, then came the CAPE ROBIN-CHATS and the AFRICAN WHITE-EYE.  The looks were incredible and the birds were stunning.

Cape Robin-Chat at the Peanut Butter

African White-Eye at the Peanut Butter

From just feet away we watched.  That’s when the good stuff started to make its way in.  The first specialist was a SWEE WAXBILL.  Soon a whole flock had joined, and these gray, black, green, and red beauties zipped between the bushes behind and the feeders.

Swee Waxbills are a gorgeous little bird

The waxbills were followed by the BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNAKINS which were much more skeptical of visiting with us watching.  They took a little more time but eventually showed as well as the waxbills.

Black-and-white Mannakin near the feeders

As stunning as these species were what followed was an even more vibrant and truly stunning species.  The CHORISTER ROBIN-CHAT.  The field guides don’t really do this bird justice--as I passed it off as just another robin-like bird.  But the orange breast set against the steel-blue body and black mask really made this species stand out amongst the others.

Chorrster Robin-Chat with a leg band

Other birds came in but refused to visit the feeders.  There was a SOUTHERN BOUBOU that came out a couple times, and in the trees nearby BAR-THROATED APALIS, YELLOW-STREAKED GREENBUL, and YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD were all seen or heard.

Southern Boubou at the Peanut Butter

After watching the feeders for maybe 30 minutes David led us into the forest.  We followed the main road back down towards the cabins through a coniferous patch.  Here the constant shattering of AFRICAN WHITE-EYE could be heard in the tree tops above.  An AFRICAN GOSHAWK also called busily out of sight.  Birding in this forest was difficult--there was little to no understory and the birds that were present were at the tops.  David stopped us and pointed out a call ahead of us--it was the NARINA TROGON!

The road through the forest at the lodge.

The Narina Trogon was the #13 on my top 25 list for Africa--it probably should have been higher, but non-the-less, still a top pick.  After a minute we spotted the bird flying, away and over the mountain top--no photos and less than stellar looks--such is birding.  As we neared the cabins David took us up a side road back into a more deciduous forest.  It was like being in the jungle again--now there was undergrowth, mid-growth, and the tree tops.

Looking through the forest at sunrise.

We picked up the common stuff we had the day before and earlier already.  David had put some food out the night before to try and get us a look at a GREEN-BACKED TWINSPOT--a highly sought after songbird in the area.  We spent about 15 to 20 minutes following one calling in the bushes but never got better looks than to just see the spotting as it darted from bush to bush.  As we worked our way along a path David grabbed me and told em to look up, way up above us in the canopy--there it was, a male NARINA TROGON perched out in the open!

First visual on a Narina Trogon in the trees 100' above us

The bird was about 100’ above us and kept zipping around.  The light was awful and even trying all the tricks the shots I got were decent enough to see what the bird was but far from ideal.

Narina Trogon taking flight in poor light

The male was joined by a female and we sent some time watching them fly about high in the trees.

The female Narina Trogon also came in with the male

As we continued into the forest David pointed out a singing WHITE-STARRED ROBIN.  I had wanted to see this bird, but they spent the entire morning out of site.  We snagged others like the OLIVE THRUSH, OLIVE WOODPECKER, and the OLIVE BUSHSHRIKE, and even a couple calling SQUARE-TAILED DRONGOS.  We found one opening where there seemed to be a lot of activity. TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL were making all kinds of racket tearing into leaf piles under the trees.  Out of nowhere a CAPE BATIS flew in and landed nearby.

The only Cape Batis of the trip

The light wasn’t great and I almost passed up trying to get photos, thinking I would see more in Cape Town.  I decided not to risk my luck, and it was a good thing--I wouldn’t see another.  Just up the trail we added a pair of AFRICAN CRESTED-FLYCATCHER.  These birds zipped around making them hard to shoot as well--I did get lucky and snag one okay shot.

African Crested-Flycatcher holding still long enough for a picture

We continued on towards the end of the trail which was a giant Cabbage Tree--apparently the biggest in the world and one of the highlights of the property.  David stopped us to point out a call in the trees ahead--it was like a grinding throat clearing scratch--it was a KNYSNA TURACO!  This species came in at #8 on my top 25--I would have been okay seeing any of the 3 green turacos found in southern Africa, but figured Knysna was my best bet.  As we walked David warned not to look up with out mouths open--letting me know that turacos were infamous for pooping on people before taking flight.  As we got closer to the sound it stopped when we had to be almost right under it.  We all scanned the trees--and finally I spotted the bird--it was magnificent.

Lifer Knysna Turaco sitting in the trees above

I took a photo then got both the guides onto the bird--I love when that happens.  We spent a while watching the gorgeous creature which watched us back, stretched its wings showing the brilliant red flight feathers, and eventually flew into the open a short distance away.  I had snagged my last target bird for the morning at Kurisa Moya--it was an utter success.

Knysna Turaco stretching, showing its gorgeous wings

We stopped at the Cabbage Tree and just relaxed for a few minutes before heading down trail towards the cabins.

Me at the giant Cabbage Tree

We added DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER calling, and a singing AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO on the way back, and that was it for the birds at Kurisa Moya.  I ended the morning with 30 species of which  two-thirds were life birds--an extraordinary morning.  Back at the cabins we thanked David and parted ways--he was an excellent guide and I was very appreciative of his help.

Me with our guide for the morning David

We had a long drive with a few stops ahead of us, so very shortly after, we were on our way...

20 life birds at Kurisa Moya / 232 total trip life birds / 245 total trip species

photos from Kurisa Moya:
http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1110

eBird Checklists:
Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge

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Birding Africa pt. 7 - Exit From Kruger

posted by Tim Avery at
on Thursday, October 17, 2013 

It was our last morning in Kruger.  I woke up about an hour before Sam while it was still dark so I could meet up with Bert to wander around Olifants to see if we could find a few new birds.  My target for the morning was a Mocking Cliff-Chat which supposedly can be found with some regularity at the camp.  We walked the entire perimeter of the camp and didn’t have one, so it’s no sure thing.  At the overlook of the river we had a THICK-TAILED BUSHBABY, which I guess is pretty good at Olifants.

Thick-tailed Bushbaby hiding in the rafters of the Olifants Lookout.

There were plenty of Crombecs at the overlook, as well as BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACKS, and HOUSE SPARROWS--even in the middle of a Safari you can’t escape these birds.  We found a couple CRESTED BARBETS, and a few sunbirds, but there wasn’t a lot of activity.  Near the northeast corner of the camp there is a utility road that head north from the camp, and here there were lots of birds.  A flock came through with a CHINSPOT BATIS, a BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA, and a gorgeous SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER.

Southern Black-Flycatcher is often mis-identified as a Square-tailed Drongo.

We walked through the east housing area to make one last look for the Chat between the there and the lookout.  As we walked along the edge of the fence I looked up and spotted a stunning AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER flying past.  It landed a couple of different spots and I got photos.  Just a brilliant bird.

African Paradise-Flycatcher are simply put--stunning!

We headed back and packed the car and were shortly on our way back towards Letaba Camp for breakfast.  We stopped at the same overlook on the river where the Saddle-billed Stork was the previous day.  This time we added a new trip species with an AFRICAN OPENBILL.

African Openbill are a form of Stork with a gap between the two mandibles.

We slowly made our way towards Letaba but saw some cool stuff along the way, including the strangest things we might of saw during our Safari.  Going over a Mopane covered slope our guide slammed on the brakes and backed the car up. About 80’ off the road laying on the ground a mile from any water source was an enormous HIPPO.  It looked like a giant rock until you put it in binoculars.

Hippopotamus laying in the Mopane during the day.

During our night drives we saw Hippos away from water, but it was really weird seeing this one where it was.  As we got closer to Letaba we ended up in a small ravine with some water in it.  Right next to the road were 4 SPOTTED HYENA just lounging in the dirt and mud.

Spotted Hyena sitting in a muddy river bed near Letaba Camp.

While we watched the Hyenas a number of birds were enjoying a little puddle of water here.  A GIANT KINGFISHER flew in as did a couple of THREE-BANDED PLOVER.  There were both Blue Cordonbleu and Red-headed Weaver in the bushes above the water, and a new trip bird at the water in a KURRICHANE THRUSH.

Kurrichane Thrush visiting a puddle near Letaba Camp.

After a quick breakfast we were headed down the road toward Phalaborwa Gate and our destination for the night, Kurisa Moya Lodge in the mountains to the west.  But we still had the morning and lots of park to drive through, with lots to see.  As you move west the forest slowly shrinks into shrubland--basically stunted Mopane so the terrain is a lot more open.  We stopped at a water hole where there weren’t a ton of birds, but as luck would have we had our second GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH of the trip perch in a tree nearby for confiding looks.

Groundscraper Thrush perched in a snag--one of my favorite robins from Africa.

A family of 5 SLENDER MONGOOSE also were present here playing in the rocks near the parking area.  They like the pishing noises, and kiss noises and would perch up on the rocks to get a better look when you make them.

I believe this is a Slender Mongoose.

As things opened up IMAPALA were easy to see, and the GIRAFFE really stuck out.  It even made it easy to spot a 6 month old (about) GIRAFFE walking through the short brush.  Not much cuter than this animal when it’s small.

This Giraffe is at most about 6 months old.

There were also plenty of ZEBRA and quite a few AFRICAN ELEPHANTS.  One of my favorite sightings on the drive however was a beautiful gray hawk, a DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK that was perched in a snag just on the edge of the highway.  We watched the bird for a few moments, and it was the only one I had on the trip, so it was a great prize as we headed out.

Dark Chanting-Goshawk along Letaba-Phalaborwa Road.

With the landscape opening up there seemed to be a lot of anthills showing up.  On a 5 mile stretch of road I probably saw 100+ mounds.  Some were huge, others small.  Some had trees in them, begging the question, which came first the tree or the anthill?

Anthill with a tree underneath--or growing from it?

We eventually approached a historical area known as Masorini where we would stop to look at the archaeological site.  But across the road was a tank where three ELEPHANTS were busy enjoying the water.  The tank was really low and the elephants had to really stretch their trunks to pull the water out.  Bert told us that they preferred the holding tanks to the ponds they fed often because the water was cleaner.

Elephant taking a drink from a holding tank at Masorini.

After watching the Elephants for a few minutes we drove into Masorini, and just as we got to the parking area, there in front of the car on a  rock was the target bird from the morning, a MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT.  It couldn’t have been easier to get, and had we been a minute later we would’ve missed it as the bird flew up into the cliffs and didn’t come back while we were there.

Finally got the Mocking Cliff-Chat at Masorini--the only one of the trip.

Also around the ruins were plenty of HOUSE SPARROWS, and quite a few BLUE CORDONBLEU.  As luck would have it a RED-HEADED WEAVER was busy building a nest in the tree right at the parking area.  The weaver was very obliging for photos and would come and go about every 5 minutes so it made setting up for a shot a little easier.

The splendid Red-headed Weaver working on a nest at Masorini.

Just past Masorini heading west is a well known water hole called SABLE DAM.  This hide actually allows people to stay overnight so they can view the waterhole at the best times of day for a chance at seeing some great wildlife. If (when) I eventually go back I would love to spend a night here.  Since we were here at mid-day there wasn’t a lot of activity, but a few IMPALA were present.

Herd of Impala taking a drink at Sable Dam.

Over the water dozens of LITTLE SWIFT coursed by.  There weren’t a lot of birds from the hide either, but an AFRICAN SPOONBILL did fly in and land right in front of us for a great look.

African Spoonbill coming in to land at Sable Dam.

The inside of the hide has maybe a half dozen beds that fold up into the wall.  The bottoms of the beds are covered in artwork--the birds of Kruger Park.  I took pictures of a few as we left--kind of cool.

Underside of one of the beds in the Sable Dam Hide/Blind.

Bert drove us around to another part of the dam where we could see everything from a different view.  Here we had a few ELEPHANTS and a ROCK MONITOR.  Two EUROPEAN HOOPOES flew by--I never got awesome prolonged looks at these birds in Africa, but enough to enjoy their unique look.  There was also a COMMON SANDPIPER here that was overly accommodating for photos.

Common Sandpiper at Sable Dam was one of a handful of Eurasian species we saw.

We left Sable Dam and a short time later we approached the Phalaborwa Gate. It was only moments and we were outside the park--our safari was officially over.  As we drove towards Tzaneen we did see several SABLE ANTELOPE on private game ranches and reserves that border the park.

Sable Antelope on a private game reserve outside Kruger near Phalaborwa.

Tzaneen sits on the east edge of the mountains and we stopped briefly in the city to check out a spot where MAGPIE MANNAKINS have been visiting a couple of feeders in a neighborhood.  We saw several flocks of Mannakins flyby but none at the feeders.  One small group looked like the bulkier cousins of the more common Bronze that were also present.  There was also a pond in someones yard with a flock of WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCKS, but it was hard to gauge their provenance.

White-bellied Whistling-Ducks--in Tzaneen--are the wild or not?

We moved on into the hills where we had a lone COMMON BUZZARD (previously Forest Buzzard), it was like so many other birds, the only one of the trip.

Common Buzzard is very similar to our Red-tailed Hawk.

We made a stop at Debengeni Falls where we thought we might get Mountain Wagtail--no luck, but the falls were a nice sight, and being in the mountains surrounded by terrain that looked like being in one of our canyons back home was nice.  It was amazing how similar the mountains were to our back home, and I really enjoyed them.

Debengeni Falls outside of Tzaneen. We were the only people there.

As we left the falls I spotted a Monkey sitting in a tree off the highway.  It was a SAMANGO MONKEY, another only mammal of the trip, and a very confiding individual that just sat and watched us while we watched it.

Samango Monkey sitting along the highway near Tzaneen.

From here our drive took us high up through the Wolkberg Mountains  The dirt roads were just as bad as some of ours and it was a beautiful drive.  As we made our way we stopped for a few birds, including an AFRICAN STONECHAT and 3 FOREST CANARIES perched on a fence line.

A view of the mountains from the summit near Kurisa Moya.

We pulled over the divide and were eventually at the entrance to Kurisa Moya.  The road in seems like it takes forever as it winds through the Woodbush Forest.  It would be a nightmare in the rain, but as our luck would have it the weather was beautiful.  We pulled into the lodge just as the sun was setting so the birds were still singing and calling.  We met David, the local guide, and bird expert who would be taking us out in the morning.  He led us down to our cabins, which were in the forest away from the main house.  It was a beautiful setting and truly unique.  As we talked with David in the parking lot he started pointing out the birds singing around us, which included CAPE ROBIN-CHAT and GREEN-BACKED TWINSPOT.

The entrance to Kurisa Moya just before sunset.

Later David brought us dinner at our cabin--a home made traditional African dinner that was delicious.  The temps dipped in the mountain so we made a fire.  The lodge runs on solar power so once the sun went down and the batteries wore out it was lights out for the night.  The comfortable bed was a welcome treat--and the birds the next day would only add to what a fantastic stop this was!

23 life birds this day / 212 total trip life birds / 225 total trip species

photos from Olifants to Masorini:
http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1109

photos from Sable Dam to Magoebaskloof
http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1126

eBird Checklists:
Kruger NP--Olifants Camp
Kruger NP--Letaba-Olifants Road
Kruger NP--Phalaborwa-Letaba Road
Kruger NP--Sable Dam
Gravelotte & Surrounding Area
Tzaneen--Maroela Ave. Mannikin Spot

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