Thursday 17 August 2023 Nossob to Kasper se Draai

Last night was quite warm and we did not need the extra blanket on our bed.  When I awoke this morning at quarter past six, all I needed was a fleece over my sleeveless blouse.  It was still dark as I prepared a flask and some snacks for our drive.   Gate opening time is 07h00 and we were out by 07h25. The temperature was 12 degrees C and it was slightly overcast.  No wind!

Today was the day that our friends, Priscilla and Hilary, would join us for four days.   They would arrive later in the afternoon after spending the night at Kalahari Lodge just outside Twee Rivieren Gate.

There was once again a beautiful sunrise this morning.  We are not often up early enough to see the sun rise so I felt I had to make a digital memory.

The drive toward Marie se Gat and Kasper se Draai produced very little game and even fewer birds.   The road is corrugated and the landscape dry and monotonous so one can become a little bored and disappointed when there is not much but short scrub, scattered trees and dust to see.   I began to feel that the entire trip was a waste of time and that we should have stayed at the camp waterhole for the day!

This is what we did see.

But then, a Jackal came scurrying across the road and passed behind her and disappeared before I could snap a photo.

A bird I love to see in the park is the Kori Bustard. He really rules the desert. The kori is the heaviest flying bird in the world.

It was nine o’clock when we reached Kasper se Gat. Kasper Sanderson once had a residence here and he dug the waterhole. The original farm called Kasper se Draai was 12862 ha.

There were a few cars parked there which is not unusual as people often park off and wait for the game to arrive.  And then I saw them!  I snapped a shot immediately and got myself in it too!

The lions were dominating the waterhole. 

Birds were twittering in the trees, desperate to get down for a drink but every time they tried a lion would try to catch them!  Some thirsty Gemsbok thought they’d keep their distance and wait their turn but one of the pride decided he was having none of that.

We spent two hours watching the wonderful antics of these seven lions.   Cars came and went and there was never a jostle for position.  Everybody was very respectful and considerate, making sure everybody got a good view of the pride.

From time to time the lions would disperse and lie down under different trees or wander off to explore then return to drink at the waterhole.  There was something entertaining happening all the time.  I have about 75 photographs – too many to post here!

One of the young males became curious about the spectators and decided to come and take a closer look at us.  My heart stopped when this guy came right up to my window.

He then stepped back a little but stared right at me!

While all the drama was being played out some brave sandgrouse calling excitedly came down to see if they could get a drink.

After that exciting encounter, we returned to camp where the Earl cooked scrambled eggs for breakfast. We stayed in camp napping, doing chores and sorting out photographs and then went out again at 15h00.  We saw the usual suspects and then returned to camp and visited the hide while waiting for The Twins to arrive. 

The Earl kept an eye on the gate and saw the twins arrive at around 17h00.  

So we went to help them check in at reception and then to set up at camp.

Cath cooked us all a delicious spaghetti bolognese for dinner and after a really lovely evening, we retired to bed at around 20h30.