Shimuweni area, three



SUNSET DRIVE
We had the vehicle to ourselves.  We left at about 4.30pm and travelled west out of camp along the banks of the Letaba River.

We then turned south and crossed the river on the weir wall.  We saw birds and an elephant calmly eating on the river bank.

Up the steep sandy bank on the other side and off down a firebreak access road.

Small herd of elephants grazing in the Mopani bushes.

We travelled a bit down the H14.  We could see the koppies near Phalaborwa to the west.

A blurry Bateleur Eagle.  It has a new name .....

It was now starting to get dark and difficult to photograph.

 

Shimuweni Area, two

We walked next to the fence- mesh, thick cable and electric.

 

Interesting bends......

Later we found out that an elephant had broken though a few weeks ago.

 

Velvet mites only come out after rain- they are up to 1cm long!

 Hippos climb out of the water during the day time if there is not much sun.

 

This crocodile was possibly trying to eat a turtle.

 

 Local squirrel.

 

23 Oct - Shimuweni Area, one

Up early as usual, another overcast day.  Today's plan is to enjoy the day in camp, then go on a sunset drive.  The camp has a row of cottages set on the bank above a dam.  From our cottage we could see the world go by.

AP and AR sat themselves up near the water to watch the morning activities of the hippos.

 As the day was cloudy the local hippos climbed out the water to sunbathe.  Some of the lumps are hippos, some rocks !

A kingfisher - species to the confirmed.

We also explored the camp and walked around the perimeter.

After a morning spent near the waterfront we took a wander around the camp.  The Gate Owls here are more delicately carved than some of the other camp owls.

After the gate we walked along the track though the scrub.  This is the end of the dry season and the vegetation is waiting for the summer rain.

Mopani tree leaves just starting to show.

   

A communal spider nest

Some serious thorns on this tree.

Animals we saw from camp

Malachite Kingfisher

Slatey Egret

Red Headed Weaver with nest

Kudu

Impala

Black Heron

Turtles

Hippo

Bushbuck

Squirrel

Crocodile

Spoonbills

Talamati to Shimuweni, six

We arrived at Shimuweni Camp in the late afternoon.  This is a small and private camp - no day visitors are allowed and there are no facilities like shops.

Our cottage had one double room and one three bed room, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and outside lounge/dining.

 The view from the kitchen

We were welcomed by Shine the tame resident bushbuck.

 And the sounds of hippos in the water.

AR and AP set up their chairs near the water to relax, drink rooibos and watch.

 There is a small pool but the weather was much too cold to even think about swimming.

 

Animals we saw today

• Hippo
• Spoonbills
• Crocs large and small
• Turtles
• Hornbills
• Glossy Starlings
• Impala
• Kudu
• Egyptian Geese
• SHell Duck
• Sadle Billed Stork
• Fish Eagle
• Bats
• Bushbuck
• Nyala
• Elephants
 

Talamati to Shimuweni, five

From Letaba we took the H9 initially then on to gravel road to wind along to Shimuweni.  We found that at the end of a dry winter the gravel roads were in very bad condition, corrugated and unpleasant.

 Unusual sighting of a Nyala

 A well rubbed tree.

Large old Baobab

Talamati to Shimuweni, four

Continued north up the H1-5 to Letaba Camp.  The weather is still chilly and murky so a shop bought lunch seemed a good idea rather than a picnic.

The beautifully located restaurant at Letaba with a fine view over the river.  Amazing to think that the flood level for this river in 2000 was near the level of the paving !

While waiting for food took a little wander and saw the bushbuck and squirrels who live in camp.

 And some interesting plants.