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Hi click click,

What is a special sighting?
I personally think a elephant is special...but some people think seeing a elephant is normal if I recall some reactions when we were at KNP in July....”Oh an elephant” and they drive away hoping to see a lion, leopard, cheetah or wild dog.

We have been on the S39 in July(2011), and had some nice sightings:
multi Rhino sightings on different days, Elephant, loads of Buffalo.
Take a look on the S127 from Timbavati to H1-4 we saw 4 cheetahs and a couple of rhinos

But I always say you just have to be lucky….some days you see a lot and other days it seems as if the animals all have moved to another area..

Hi vinkie

Yes, what is a special sighting?
I guess it depends on the person seeing the sighting, if it's special or not.
To me any sighting in KNP is special, even a beautiful landscape or sunrise/sunset is special
I have had many special sightings on the S39, can't wait to be there again, and I'll be out the gate at gate opening time.
Never seen cheetah in that area, good to know they are there, so I will be on the lookout for them, holding thumbs
Right time, right place

Brilliant road this one! Very scenic. Always drive at snails pace on this road! These beauties popped out of nowhere between the H7 and Timbavati

cheetah2111, wow!!! what a fantastic sighting, you are right, you need to drive at a snails pace and just be prepared for the unexpected

Very nice sighting!! I love this road too, always produces something special and the scenery is special too!

Fantastic sightings and pics Cheetah!

How is the road surface now? also love this road but last time we drove it, it was terribly corrugated.

@Elsa -
I didn't notice the road surface being terribly corrugated in December
The S36 is still a rattle your teeth out surface The rest of the dirt roads around satara seemed fine surfaces

On the S39 near Roodewal, always give the hills a good inspection for these beauties!

Thanks MM - I might not drive the S39 this Aug then as there won't be water in the Timbaviti attracting animals.

Thanks saraf and stoffel for the other water supply tips!

That would be a grave mistake Graham!
The S39 North of Timbavati does not dry up in the winter! I was there in June last year
There will be dams and river

Give the S39 a miss at your own peril. It is the best road between Satara and Olifants in dry months!

@Cheetah - you have convinced me! I will drive the S39 from Olifants camp

I totaly agree with Cheetah. Even if the Timbavati is dry, you cannot miss the S39. Last year had reasonable rainfalls, so many rivers remained fairly robust. The S39 covers many ecozones, so the changing trees and shrubs alone make it a treat. The Timbavati picnic site also sits dear to my heart.

Timbavati from Tambotie following a wet season.



Timbavati picnic site residents.





I love the S39 and have driven that route regardless of the river.

Even in dry season, there might be pools of water. The ellies also detect and dig for water. I once witnessed a stand off between Lion and ellie in a very dry Sand river.

Great pics MM - I will visit the picnic site after our Olifants morning walk!

Nice pics there my friend
Here are my S39 pics from June last year! (just the first few km North of Timbavati)

It is one of my favorite roads in the park the S39




And the Doggies on the S39 to the West of Timbavati!

@Cheetah - wow amazing pics and so green for June! Decent amount of water too so am guessing there might be some puddles even by August...

I am going to be really geeky and draw up a road itinerary for our visit! Will make sure S39 north is on it now...

Am guessing this area is good for leopards looking at the ambush perfect trees?