Kgalagadi Adventure – Twee Rivieren Part 2

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Sunday 13 August 2023 – Day 2 at Twee Rivieren

Before I begin on today’s adventure let me tell the campers what the facilities are like here at Twee Rivieren.

There is a laundry with a functioning washing machine and dryer. You need to buy tokens from Reception at R21 each. There are also laundry basins for hand washing and there is a courtyard where you may hang your clothes.

The ablutions are clean and well-maintained if a little old-fashioned. The showers are hot and they work well.

There is also an adequate kitchen where you can do the washing up. It also has a microwave oven for the use of guests.

The park shop is okay. You can get some fresh veggies like cucumber and tomatoes, potatoes and onions but nothing special and supplies are limited. It is well stocked with nature field guides and books as well as camping equipment that you might need if you forgot to pack something. Of course, it is also full of touristy stuff.

Now to the good stuff!

We started the day with a light breakfast of cereal and yogurt and of course good strong coffee. A flask and nibbles were packed as we planned to have a snack stop at Auchterlonie Picnic Site.

The mornings and evenings are quite chilly but it warms up considerably during the day.

We followed the northern road on the west side passing Kielie Krankie to the Auchterlonie Picinic site and then across the Tierkop road to Kij Kij Waterhole. From there we drove south back to Twee Rivieren

This morning’s sunrise
Steenbok couple starting their day
A handsome gemsbok descends the mountain
There were lots of sociable weavers about
I think the pale chanting goshawk is the most common bird of prey in the park
The cutest sighting – ground squirrels catching the early morning sunrays
We were delighted to meet a Kalahari Robin
Gemsbok descended the dune path

We watched a drongo and shrike chase each other and call out bird swear words but we’re not sure who won. They settled down on separate perches as if nothing was amiss.

This Crimson-breasted Shrike wondered what he’d done to upset the drongo.
Fork-tailed Drongo looking ever so innocent after being very rude to Crimson Breasted Shrike
The white-browed sparrow-weaver decided not to get involved
View from one of the viewpoints
The Northern Black Korahaan was strutting about
One of the many Marico Flycatchers that we saw
The Common Fiscals of the Kgalagadi sport a white eye stripe
We were delighted to find a Short-toed Rock Thrush
Sally Steenbok running away from Simon again!
A handsome Yellow-billed Hornbill
Auchterlonie Picnic Site
There were a few opportunistic yellow mongooses begging for crumbs
Mr. Cape Sparrow kept an eye on the ladies
A Sobota Lark methinks
Mr. Northern Black Korhaan
Mrs. Northern Black Korhaan
Greater Kestrel
Another Wildebeest for my Oztrian friend, Erich

As we neared Kij Kij we spotted something large and orange. It was a sleeping lion with his back to us and we couldn’t see his head. However, a little further on we found two sleeping peacefully. Local gossip had it that there were several more including cubs but they were dozing somewhere out of sight.

The two cats we saw
Too nervous to drink in case they become prey

At another waterhole, we observed some ostriches having a chat.

Getting their necks in a twist while they hogged the waterhole
The gemsbok kept a respectful distance and waited his turn but the springbok simply made his way to slake his thirst
He was soon joined by the rest of the team and the ostriches being firm supporters of the Springboks looked on indulgently
If they can, I can, thought the Oryx
But the ostrich flapped his wings angrily and the bad boy scuttled away

During our last stretch back to camp we came across another two interesting mammals

Jack was on a mission but he turned to acknowledge us before scampering away
And soon after that a beautiful Red Hartebeest trotted by.

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