Critters from the Ramble 2026

There were just a few critters in the Tankwa -- I was actually surprised that I saw a new species - Reebok.

Reebok

Rock Hyrax -- or as I like to say Eagle food

Gray Rhebuck

Baboons! They are everywhere in South Africa

So probably domesticated, but awfully cute -- Goat!

The critter density really ramped up in the east... I am going to address them in groups and we'll start with the little ones.

African Migrant Butterfly

Foxy Emperor

Green Veined Charaxes

There were tons of these in the White River Forest along with bees because the flowers has just started blooming -- Novice Butterfly

Tree Squirell

This little fox like creature is a Slender Mongoose

African Scrub Hare (on our night drive)

Rock Hyrax -- or as I like to say Eagle food - are in the East as well -- Eagle's got to eat!

Next will go to the smaller Herbavores -- critical for any Savannah Habitat -- the clear out brush and provide food for those further up the food chain.

Warthog - one of the African pigs

Now on to Antelope -- probably the highest population in Kruger National Park. This species is tiny and they move FAST!

On the run -- you can imagine how fast they are... Andrew was lucky to get these shots

A little bigger than the Steenbok and much more ubiquitous is the Impala. Small herds are spread throughout the park. Their alertness can signal a preditor nearby.

Nyala are fairly large, calm animals -- they were grazing among us in the Pafuri Picnic Area.

There are only @400 Eland left in the park, so it is very rare to see them. We saw three...

Waterbuck are distinguished by their "toilet seat" marking on their hind quarters. Still stunning creatures with amazing racks!

We saw a LOT of Kudu this visit, I never tired of this large Antelope and it's curly antlers.

We had some great moments with the larger Herbavores too. African Buffalo abounds...

This cow has a large abycess on her leg which we reported

The Giraffe experience this time was amazing -- we got to see Giraffe necking (young males practicing competing for a mate) and a Giraffe drinking (a whole drama in itself)

Necking

Drinking

Chewing on Bones to get more calcium

And more

Lots of Hippos floating around

Even with Passengers

Zebras are frolicking and reproducing throughout the park

This was my first experience with Rhinos -- I only saw "White" now called Square-lipped Rhinos. The other kind is stealthier.

This was a lone one we spotted our last day in Southern Kruger

We always see an abundance of Elephants or Ellies, as we call them. What a pleasure

The park has lots of Reptiles too -- the biggest being the Nile Crocodile

We saw two African Rock Pythons in very different places!

Water Monitors covered the rocks at Blyde River Dam area

This Hinged Serrated Terrapin was crossing the road -- so Andrew made sure it crossed safely.

Marsh Terrapins were a little wiser and kept out of the road.

Turning to Primates -- there were Baboons!

And the Vervet Monkeys

That brings us to the king of the savannah -- the African Lion. We were treated to several sightings but the best one was the one Andrew spotted on the last day. We saw three Hooded Vultures roosting and since they are known to be first responders to a kill, Andrew figured there was probably a lion around somewhere -- initially we drove by, but he backed up and we had the sighting all to ourselves for about 5 minutes (the most you can hope for). It was a lovely visit.

The other sighting was at Tshukudu Game Lodge and I wasn't really comfortable with how our guide got us close (he drove over a bunch of habitat -- now ruined) and in my opinion invaded the lion's space. I won't be doing that again. It was more like being at a zoo than on safari. But I got some good photos.

No Wild Dogs this time -- but honestly 3 times would be greedy. I will be back!