It was sugar cane harvest time as we drove from the airport to Melalane Gate in Kruger. The fields were full of the local workforce cutting it BY HAND ! Then lorry after lorry transported it to the mill and the lorries had double trailers ! What was an easy drive last time was a very busy one this time coupled with roads works for the whole 50 miles. A stop at the big Spar along the way where I go in to shop and Simon guards the vehicle. They can spot a tourist a mile away and always look for an opportunity so gosh was he pleased when I emerged as he was surrounded by whores, pimps, thieves and drug takers. Just a normal day in Scunthorpe !!
Punda Maria camp in the north of Kruger. Our little hobbit home. A two night stop for us but afraid not as birdy due to the time of year but had a lovely drive to the Mozambique border where we did see a few new birds. Imagine that come January, when all the birds are back, the picnic site at Pufuri is dripping with birds.
These are a godsend and the boards are in each camp, infact two boards with yesterdays sightings and todays, updated by visitors and tours when animals are spotted. I know that red is lion, blue is leopard, brown is wild dog and black is cheetah. Green is elephant but they are literally everywhere. So you know what you might see as you drive along each road or track. Rhinos are never reported for obvious reasons.
One of the many waterholes, very busy in the dry seasons. These are pump fed and powered by wind or solar. Just sitting at one will give you a never ending stream of animals coming each day to drink. Elephants, water buffalo, wilderbeast and zebra are at this one.
Roadworks in Kruger ! A sneaky pic through the window shows the roadwork guard with a rifle to protect them (just incase a hungry lion fancies his chances !
The view from one of the camps restaurants. What can be better than eating breakfast with this view, simply spectacular.
Simon on one of the bridges looking at groundscraper thrushes.
Kruger as far as the eye can see in every direction
Another one of our stays. Cheers Karen as she has a cuppa tea and Simon has got his smalls out drying. Sanparks accommodation is absolutely superb and well worth the money (around £60 a night for us both).
Giraffes from the car window, infact every pic is from the car window as it is totally forbidden to get out apart from the large bridges.
Fruit bats. These were in the roofs of most of the restaurants and roofs. Hanging there watching you eat, careful not to sit underneath them !
Lots of road crossings. You always have to be alert and you can see why the speed limit is low for safety.
Cattle Baron's Steak House, lovely meat but pity about the frozen chips. We did get veg, creamed spinach which was delicious. Cost about £8.
Cheers ! Fell in love with Savannah cider and now cannot find it for sale here in the UK so if anyone sees it, please give me a shout x
Baobob tree, the tree of Africa
Chacma Baboons crossing
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