Warming up in Kruger | Bateleur

So, here we are at Bateleur Bush Camp. It’s a tiny camp, in the middle of nowhere. It’s also bone dry and hot. At check-in we meet the charming and much appraised Lazarus Lekhuleni, Bateleur’s Hospitality Manager. Lazarus shows us to our bungalow, whilst giving us the latest news and the best spot for cell phone reception (Tshanga look out point). We get no 6 as requested, it has a bird bath. We settle in, put fresh water and a few ice cubes in the bird bath and relax

Bird bath at no 6

The next day we drive off to discover Rooibosrant Dam. On our way we see the beautiful Long-tailed Paradise Whydah. ✓

Long-tailed Paradise Whydah

When we arrive near the dam, we see the loop road has been closed. We can drive onwards a bit, but there is only a small spot to park and we need to peer through the foliage to see the dam.
There’s a Fish Eagle (first of the trip!) in a dead tree and we spot a Jacana tiptoeing on the lilies, but that’s about all we manage to see. Most of the view is obstructed.

African Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

African Jacana

Very disappointed we drive back and decide to have a look at Silvervis Dam. We are out of luck. Silvervis is overgrown by reeds. Can’t see a thing. Time for plan C: off to Shingwedzi. We were instantly rewarded with this lovely sighting of African Hawk-eagle ✓