17 Mar 2019: Kgalagadi National Transfrontier Park

Waiting for sunrise and the park gate to open, I was filled with memories of previous visits to the park with family and friends. My father ardently believed that one had to be the first car through the gate in the morning to find the best sightings of animals, especially the big cats who looked for shade and became inactive as the day grew warmer. As a young boy we were treated with camel rides near the camp, and I was taught to drive our Volkswagen Kombi on the secluded roads of the park.

The previous evening’s thunderstorms created pools of water in the dirt roads of the Kgalagadi; which in turn allowed the smaller passerines safe drinking and bathing away from the regular waterholes where they are easy prey of the numerous raptors. The raptors also enjoyed the aftermath of the rains – at one pool I found nine Bateleurs bathing and sunning themselves.

Namaqua Sandgrouse, Kgalagadi

The highlight of the day was a Red-necked Falcon in a tree overlooking the Rooiputs waterhole. This also was a Southern African lifer, and I did not allow the fact that one may not get out of your vehicle dampen my joy. The Mandela shuffle was enthusiastically danced while sitting in the front seat of my 4x4. I think the occupants of nearby cars thought I was slightly demented, observing a person with a manic smile on his face pumping his knees up to eye level while waving a pair of binos above his head.

Red-necked Falcon, Kgalagadi