Day 19 - Kruger National Park! S1 - Ep 559

It was a cool, rainy morning as we departed from Letaba. As usual, we stopped at the Letaba River Bridge to savour a steaming cup of hot chocolate while taking in the serene view. Our journey continued on to the Mooiplaas Picnic Site, where we enjoyed a delightful breakfast cooked on the skottel. Next, we made our way to Mopani, where we soaked in the stunning view of Pioneer Dam from the deck. Afterward, we visited all the Shawu waterholes, drove down the H14 to Phalaborwa Gate, and finally returned to Letaba for a peaceful evening. Another spectacular day in the Kruger National Park.
#DustBugs #DustBugsTravel #AdventureTravel #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanVlog #TravelOnGravel #KrugerNationalPark #Letaba
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2024

[@terrimeyer3815]

I saw those hyena having a bath in that drinking hole and felt deeply sorry for any animal drinking after those guys been in there....LMAO 🎉🎉😂😂

[@DustBugsTravel]

Don't worry about that too much, I'm sure they're totally used to the water having a variety of different tastes and smells. 😁 I don't think they mind one bit. Water is life! 💦

[@dawnf6617]

I absolutely adore your channel. I get so homesick watching your videos. It's been 22 years since I left South Africa. I get so heartsore watching your videos. Living in the UK is safer, but it is so depressing. The weather is rubbish. It feels like you are in a prison. People struggle to find work. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. I miss South africa so much 😢

[@DustBugsTravel]

I know what you mean. I was so homesick when we lived abroad that I told Sonia we just have to come back. I'm glad we can bring you a piece of home to still the longing. 😍🇿🇦 Thank you for watching! 😊

[@kennethdshort]

Hi Curtiis, Sonia , Dusty, and Sandy. Thanks for a great video once again. Thanks for the day with you. A day filled with action. The hippos at the first hide were sneaky in their underwater gliding under the surface. That mid sized elephant was checking and smelling you out good and proper. The architecture of the spider web was superb. It's the little things in nature that are so spectacular and its appreciated you show us that too.

[@DustBugsTravel]

On all the kilometres in between the larger animals, we make sure to notice the little things too. We've always been fascinated by the architecture (good word for it) of spiderwebs and we saw some pretty large ones in Kruger! 🕷️🕸️ We had no idea that we were looking at two hippos when we noticed the movement under the water at the sleepover hide. It really was to us as if they came to say hello. 😍🦛 Thank you for spending Day 19 with us, we look forward to your company again on Day 20!

[@flodillon991]

Thank you so much for this episode liked all the animal sightings especially the Buffalo herds ❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

We were spoilt with quite a few buffalo sightings, which is always great. 😍🐃 We appreciate you joining us again. 😁🚙

[@Chasing_Sunrise_Adventures]

Thanks for making my December so enjoyable with you uploads 🎉

[@DustBugsTravel]

It is our absolute pleasure to take you along on our travels. You're always welcome on our backseat. 😁🚙

[@ingeborgvanderveer789]

A little misty drizzle, ja dat kennen Zwitsers en zeker Nederlanders heel goed, dat is het weer hier al de hele maand december. Wel goed voor alle dieren en de natuur dat het goed vochtig is in Kruger Park. Zo mooi, alle grote en kleine dieren die genieten van het water, als zwembad, om te drinken, jagen op visjes, lekker kopje onder gaan in het groene kroos zoals die kleine hypo of gewoon heerlijk luieren zoals Sonia’s nijlpaarden onder de brug. Het was tevens weer genieten van de vele kleurrijke vogels die je in beeld kreeg, zoals de slow Motion van de vogel rond 40 minuten met de verrassend mooie blauwe kleur aan de onderzijde van de vleugels! Die nog wat jonge olifant bracht zijn slurf wel heel dichtbij de Kwid. Het zal vast niet mogen maar hij had anders misschien wel een slokje koffie uit jullie mok opgeslurpt als je die buitenboord had gehouden 😄🐘. Of wat van die tomaten cocktail opzuigen en dan lekker in het rond toeteren 😂. Goed dat jullie zoveel jong grut spotten zoals de piepkleine olifantjes en weer jonge giraffen en zebra’s. Na het blikje 🍺 en de heerlijke maaltijd vielen jullie vast als een blok in slaap en …. Dromen van dag 20, de laatste episode in 2024 🎉

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, I'm sure you're no stranger to drizzly weather. 😊☔ The slow-mo bird with the beautiful blue colours underneath its wings is a lilac-breasted roller, one of the first birds of which we learnt the name quite a few years ago now! It's really a stunning little bird, both perched and in flight. 😍🐦 We would've been just too happy to share our hot beverage or tomato cocktail with the elephants, if only we could get that close to them. Day 20 is up next, but it's not quite the last episode of our Kruger trip, so keep watching! 🚙😁

[@aislingbooks]

26:10 => Arrow-marked babbler 😆

[@DustBugsTravel]

I believe so. 🐦

[@deonzar]

Like you said...Another spectacular day at the KNP. love it!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup, as days go in Kruger. There's just no other way! 🤩🚙

[@mariusroos]

What a nice drive. Like said before every trip is unique and never the same. Well done. I enjoyed myself so much on this trip. Cannot wait for the next one!

[@DustBugsTravel]

The diversity and sheer beauty of Kruger make it a one-of-a-kind place. Just like every single day we spend there, is unique as you rightly say. I'm glad you enjoyed the drive on Day 19. Day 20 is up next! 😁🚙

[@ChristaGodley]

Heerlik in die ligte reen.. dit is so mooi en als lyk so skoon. Het weer die dag saam met julle geniet baie dankie wardeer dit opreg mooi loop en wees veilig

[@DustBugsTravel]

Rain does make everything look cleaner, even the precious animals. I'm glad you enjoyed! 🚙☔

[@frederikbrits9559]

Mooiplaas....Pylvlekkatlagter/Arrowmarked Babbler

[@thewanderer58]

A lovely chilled day of viewing in cool weather. Thanks for the ride. Will definitely be ready for the excursion on Day 20.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We'll be ready too for Day 20. We'll see you then! 🇿🇦🚙

[@samsonkjoseph6087]

Baie dankie vriende.

[@DustBugsTravel]

The pleasure is ours! 😁🚙

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys another relaxing day safari the hippos feature again in this video and also the quiet roads. That's got to be a first hyenas bathing and playing in the water .eggs and bacon best breakfast even better braaid .loved the chat Swiss tourists lol .( I remember walking around in a tee-shirt and the South African guys were wearing army great coats that were the fashion lol) .the hippos moving under the water amazing. The wilderbeast making the noise looked in distress to me ? Tropic of Capricorn!!! .when you drove to the Marsh area I noticed the soil was black like we have in kent .that elephant with his ears up ment business. I have a video of one charging and chaceing our truck .the view of the elephants in the dry river bed outstanding just like on film 🎥 the little details like the piedfisher diving love it .back to camp for a braai. Glad you managed to get to Sonias tomato drink. Sitting in the Kruger can it get much better. Thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one

[@DustBugsTravel]

The three playful hyenas came to show us their morning bath routine, we just loved that! 😁🛁 Let me tell you something, that breakfast was top-class. I sometimes mess up fried eggs, but that morning they were just perfect! 🥓🍳 We didn't get a distressed vibe from those vocal wildebeest, but their sound is new to us, so I'm not sure at all. A charging elephant, must be one of the scariest sights in the bush! 😳 As much as we love them, I will always have my foot on the gas pedal and will always show them the utmost respect, which they so deserve! 😍🐘 It doesn't get better than being in Kruger. It will always be our favourite place!

[@maggiediedericks761]

Nice quiet drive in cool weather loved it

[@DustBugsTravel]

The weather was surprisingly chilly for that time of year. 🚙🥶 Nothing could detract from our enjoyment of the best place in the whole entire world though! 😍 I'm glad you enjoyed.

[@elsabesnyman8524]

Arrow-marked Babler bird

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thanks. 🐦

[@sicko_the_ew]

I think your bird at 26min or so is an Arrowmarked Babbler (if you look at the marks on its plumage they're like "kappies" or arrows, hence the name). You might want to look up the call on the Internet (Xeno Canto, if you want it all scientific, but KZbin should be good, too), because you'll probably recognize it to at least some degree. They kick up a huge racket. If you hear birds "laughing, shouting and cackling" near you, odds are they're either Arrowmarked Babblers or Redbilled Woodhoopoes (the latter which have a new name I refuse to use), so if this ID is correct it'll put a "face" to all the noise. And now I'm remembering waiting for my lift to work in the morning many years ago. Up the road down the hill that I can see all the way to the top because it borders on open veld, I hear the noise, and see the black dots bobbing their heads up and down like the hammers inside a piano. The noise hits a crescendo, then stops. Then one by one, they fly from there to the next bluegum tree, dipping down then swooping up - all following the same flight pattern, until they've all assembled side by side on one exposed branch of the tree. Then one head will bob down and up, and a little cackle will begin, and ripple through the entire line of birds, till they're all bowing then rocking up and shouting, till it gets too much, and again they suddenly stop, and again for a little while, just sit together there before departing one by one in the same swoop down, swoop up to some next bare branch of some next tree to repeat the performance all over again. It made me laugh. Pleasant memory.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I will take your, and two other viewers', word for it. We've never heard that name before. I listened to the call and was transported back to Kruger for 30 seconds. I can only hope when we see its arrows in the future, we remember its name. 😁🐦 Your recollection of the bird sounds that morning indeed sounds like a pleasant memory and made me wish that we didn't have mostly built-up areas surrounding our home. We have the ocean and the beach with its own charm and birds, but to us it's not quite the same as open veld and the bush. Thanks for sharing that. 😊

[@angieswartz4676]

Thank you DustBugs 😊for sharing all your amazing journeys with us. You are both such a blessing. ❤ 🙏🏻 Amazing places & animals 😊 I learned so much & please keep your journeys going

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you. 😊 W won't stop travelling if we can help it! 🚙😁 We appreciate you joining us each time and are so happy to hear that you also enjoy all the different things and places we get to see.

[@elfredaduplessis97]

Thank you, i love every episode !!

[@DustBugsTravel]

And I'm very happy to hear that, thank you! 🤩🚙

[@lebogangmamome2839]

Good day! Just wanted to be the first to comment ever since I followed this channel. First view, First like, first comment.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We appreciate all the firsts! 😁🚙 Thank you so much for watching our videos!

[@melissalawrence11]

Haha, there I am, interrupting your hot chocolate making on the bridge - hopefully it stayed hot! It was so fantastic and such a massive surprise to meet you both and again later at Mopani, made our day. Loving watching your trip, and seeing the same roads we just took as well. Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Hello there! It was such a joy to meet you guys in our favourite place in all the world! 🤩 Our water had just boiled when you came past, so your timing was actually perfect! ☕ We hope the rest of your trip was fantastic and that you made many special memories. I'm sure you're set to return later this year, so perhaps we run into one another again someday. Until then, take care and please give our very best to your mom. 😊🚙

[@melissalawrence11]

@@DustBugsTravel Our trip was amazing and too short, looking into booking another one, yes 🙂 Mum says hello and she's also loving your new episodes, thank you!

[@elsabesnyman8524]

We also stayed 32B Letaba 1 Des 2024

[@DustBugsTravel]

Nice! 😍🏡

[@francoispieterse7371]

Arrow marked Babbler i think....and i saw the jackal also run when you were watching the hyenas.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thanks, we've never heard of that bird before. 😁🐦 The jackal was quite clear on our footage, but we didn't even see it on the day! 🐺

[@frederikbrits9559]

Nshawu......wellknown for Cheetah, Tsesebe and Roan

[@frederikbrits9559]

North of Mopani....Wolnekooievaar/Woolnecked stork

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup, we managed to figure it out and mentioned the name in our video. Our book calls it a woolly-necked stork though, which I'm sure is the same bird. 😁🦆

[@ChrisShilubana]

Hi, Curtis and Sonia please send me a Cup of coffee and I enjoy this beautiful video. Watching from Limpopo province (Tzaneen)

[@DustBugsTravel]

I wish we weren't as far away from Limpopo as we are now, but I'm afraid you'll have to make your own coffee. ☕ In fact, I hope you already have and that you enjoyed our video all the way from Tzaneen. 😁🚙

[@ChrisShilubana]

@DustBugsTravel Thanks 👍 a lot and enjoy the Christmas 🎄 God bless

[@frederikbrits9559]

Sonia.....jy moet 'n tolhek op sit daar by jou brug

[@ChrisShilubana]

Yes, exactly she loves too much Hippo 🦛🦛🦛 🦛🦛🦛

[@ChrisShilubana]

Hi, yes Sonia she likes too much Hippo 🦛🦛🦛🦛 that's great.

[@DMdCF77711]

Is that an Ed Hardy Hoodie you're wearing on the bridge Curtis? 😊 Love your channel ❤. My son and I watch all your KP episodes together. We are huge KP fans and you are both wonderful to watch. ❤❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

Not Ed Hardy, no. It is my favourite hoodie though. 😁 One of two Sonia bought for me in Rotterdam while on a business trip to The Netherlands many years ago. Super warm, comfy and durable. You and your son are welcome to join us on our backseat as we travel through our favourite place in all the world! 🤩🚙

[@lynettestarke9071]

Just thinking that other animals drink that water that the Hyenas are playing and urinating in!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Exactly! Just like it was intended to be in nature. I can guarantee you 1000% that if your survival depended on it, you'll also drink any water available to you. Water is life! 💦 In all the times we've visited Kruger, we've never had that thought cross our minds a single time. We've been more concerned about muddy water than the wildlife sharing the water and using it for whatever purpose they need it. 😊

[@CharlesJHin]

Our flask shattered at Storms River when it fell out of the car when I opened the door. We replaced it with a stainless steel one. Much more resistant to falls!