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Published: June 17th 2017
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01 Campsite
Our campsite, which we had all to ourselves, no-one around for miles. Geo: -23.5287, 24.1589
We didn't go on game drive this morning and got up just after 8. It was another chilly morning. Paul walked around the camp site and noticed some hyena foot prints around the area. We didn't hear any hyenas last night. They must have come through looking for food.
Looking at the pan, all we could see was a pair of springbok walking along the pan. They seemed relaxed which meant that there were no predators about, so we did not bother going for a drive to get a closer look.
While we were having breakfast, many hornbills came to us and hopped around eating our crumbs. They were very friendly and not shy at all. Paul and I took in turns feeding them. They didn't quite eat from our hands, but came very close – less than a metre.
We packed up our tent and drove towards Khutse Pan I & II. We were staying at Khutse Pan campsite for our last night. It was quite a long and boring drive there. Along the way we saw a pair of steenbok and had a great sighting of a Kori Bustard. The bush was so dry; it must be
02 Full View
The full view of our large campsite which is covered in car and animal tracks. so easy for predators to hide in the long, dry grass.
Half way there we had to stop to clear the track. There was tumble weed all over the track and there was too much to drive over. Paul was also worried that the dry grass could get caught under the vehicle and possibly catch on fire. So we had to get out and clear it all away. It was a little difficult to throw it out of the way, as the tumble weed was so light. We finally cleared the track and continued on.
At a small clear area there were a few gemsbok and red hartebeest that were cautious of us. They stared at us as they walked away from us. A couple of the males then started to fight each other with their long horns. It only lasted a few minutes and it was very gentle fighting.
At Khutse Pan II there was a herd of red hartebeest, springbok, gemsbok and ostrich. As every other day, there were plenty of opportunities to photograph the ground squirrels. They were very active and close to the track. It is so cute to see them pop out of their burrows.
04 Track
A brown hyena's track very close to our tent. There were also many vultures in the middle of the pan.
We continued to drive north. Since we arrived in Khutse, Paul has told me that he would love to see Bat Eared Foxes. I then spotted a squirrel sized animal in the grass- it was a Bat Eared Fox! There were many around. They were quite cute with their big ears and it made Paul's day to see them. We then spent some time with the springbok, who were quite relaxed and close to the track.
It was time to turn around and head back south. We slowly drove past Khutse Pan II. In this distance Paul spotted a cheetah! Unfortunately there were no other animals around for it to chase. It just sat there and after a little while we drove away.
It was now just after 5 and we still had to set up camp. The decision was made to go for a little drive – past Khutse Pan I and turn around at the intersection that heads south. About 20 metres before we were to turn around Paul spotted a leopard. It was a young leopard. It was in the grass, just off the track -
05 More Tracks
More hyena tracks around our tent. so beautiful to see. We followed it as it walked along the track and off into the grass. Then another was spotted. This one walked along the track towards us, right past the car and then off into the grass to join its sibling. We then noticed the mother leopard walk along the track towards us. She was collared so that the park rangers or researchers can monitor her movements. We watched the three of them walk along the track and then off into the bush.
It was time for us to now head to camp and set up for the night. For our last night we were camping at Khutse Pan, site number 10. We quickly made the fire and set up camp. It was an enjoyable last night in Khutse. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will plan to come again.
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