Kruger - RobertT goes South *

[RobertT]

Wed Oct 12, 2011

After Theuns’s insistance I have decided I will give this trip report thing an attempt. My first one so peeps will have to bear with me and am also not very creative so descriptive dialogue will be at a minimum.
About 3 weeks ago I decided I needed a quick break , checked site and accommodation available during school holidays in Lower Sabie , / booked immediately and then delicately broke the news to SO that evening while she was )() .
First had to do my commiserations \:/ at a wedding in Clarens on the Saturday, so could only leave for park on the Sunday night/Monday morning. My eldest son decided he wasn’t coming with as he had to book and write his learners, so was just my youngest and myself. Was having a couple of reservations with being alone with the youngest, he is a very busy chap and was not sure how much of a break I would have, but glad I had him with, he has such an enthusiasm for the park and the animals.
Got back from Clarens just after lunch, was time to pack trailer with my little helper. Early to bed that evening, but had a huge storm with hail, so ended up getting up quickly and moving car under carport so that the hail doesn’t damage vehicle. Woke again at 11h30, quick shower, woke the little man and by 00h00 we were on the road. Had commentary and questions from the back seat for the first 3 hours of the journey, then it went silent till the vehicle stopped at Malelane to fill up. Was undecided on whether I should go in at Croc bridge or Malelane, but felt a little tired so decided Malelane was way to go and could have about 45mins nap before gate opened.
Gates open and in we go, decided to head straight up to Skuks and then down to LS, Must forgive the pics, but am still trying to figure out all the language and settings etc. I need a simple point and the camera must figure out what I want, although the best pics are stored on my hard drive upstairs. saw a couple of impi’s and then came across these 2.

A little further on, a small road block.

The local diner/roadhouse.

Then was pretty much quiet for a while. Got to Skuks to be greeted by the change to entrance and the new conference centre and decided toasted sarmies was the order for the day, what a waste of time and after waiting so long for the order as well. Just as we were leaving I spotted what I thought was a proud ANC supporters vehicle, with green, yellow and black ribbons on rear door handle. They went straight though when I turned left to go to LS, so didn’t get to greet them.
Found this little guy on road to LS.


Then another traffic jam of the stressful type, cars lining up to view something, stopped next to a vehicle to ask, there were lions right by the roadside, looked at all these cars and decided to smile and wave as I passed. Cannot handle jostling for positions for a view. Couple of k’s on and 2 cars stopped on side looking through binocs and look like they have pulled in for a while. Spotted these 3 ladies on the rocks doer and gone, can never understand the parking off watching sleeping lions so far away.

Another speedy before getting to camp.

Phew, this is a mission and I haven’t even set up camp yet. Will continue later. Must go to screening with client.

[RobertT]

Well, back to this, checking in at LS was a breeze, found a camp site, man they are small and with the way the bricks are put to designate sites means if you have a good rain, water will be pushed against your tent, I had a good wind blowing and an ominous looking sky hence my thoughts of water reticulation. Got tent and equipment out and it was at this point I realised I really missed SO and camping without her is hard work. While I was busy setting up camp, jnr had found and photgraphed this little chap.


These other 2 also came along for their picture to be taken by jnr and to see what was up.

Went for a short drive in the afternoon, but didn’t see much for pics and decided to head back to camp as wind had got worse. Had to take the gazebo down as I was afraid it would take off and then hit the take away place for a quick bite before storm hit. It just did not seem right not having a braai the first night in Kruger, but that storm was going to hit us before the fire would be ready. Packed all items in car and trailer that I didn’t want getting wet and then went to bed early as storm hit.
Fortunately tent survived the storm and next morning up bright and early for a drive. Decided to do s28 then turn right towards Dukes waterhole and back up towards camp. Do short bursts drives around camp of a few hours, then give jnr time in camp to burn energy.
Found this giraffe, is this not a typical giraffe look? Sometimes SO looks like that when I give instructions.



Also found these 2 along the road there somewhere


And this Squire who was striding along purposefully as if he was late for an appointment.


Then back to camp for an energy burnoff.

[RobertT]

Forgot to mention, met the person with the anc colours on the rear door of their vehicle. It turned out to be non other than Leachy, had a bit of a chat and he filled me in on some gen on RP, some interesting stuff there and I understand it started at a young age. :lol: :lol:

Anyhow, back to report, after a bit of a chill in camp, it was time for am afternoon drive, decided to do the Molondlozi loop, what a nice peaceful road to drive. Came across another huge herd of buffs on their way to river. Road was a little on the quiet side for large sections or the animals were at a bit of a distance, at the turnoff to the picnic spot, came across this couple.

Bit further along came across these 2 rhino.

And a bit further along, this chap.

Back at camp, got a nice fire going and just relaxed. Jordan had made friends with the next door neighbours son, so he had company. Finally got to have my traditional braai in Kruger with a rump steak, some pap and for vegetables has a tomato breddie for over the pap. As I got the dishes ready for washing, I was now really pining for SO. I wanted to share so many things with her right at that moment, like the washing of the dishes (especially the pap pot).
Early in morning heard some lions roaring, so was up at sparrow fart and out the gate. Decided to do the sand road that runs parallel to river towards Skuks (not good with road names). Travelled along there and lo and behold, these 2 are right next to the road on the passenger side.


The other one had his back to us and was behind a bush,asked Jordan to open the window so I could get a pic, he looks at me incredulously and says “ Are you sure dad?” I explained to him it is fine, have been married a few times and these guys could never do as much damage as a marriage or what his mom would do to me if something happened to him.
Bit further on we came across these 2 heading for the rock.

Then was the turn of the groud hornbill, must admit I did see fewer of them this time.

On the return we did the tar road and had these 2 youngsters playing in the river bed.

Back at camp it was a quick swim time, then some lunch, then another swim and an afternoon nap for the little man.

[RobertT]

While the little man slept, I put the camera battery on charge in trailer where I had hooked up a multiplug. Little man woke up about 15h00, just right time for a drive. So off we go. Didn’t see anything much worth taking pics on the drive. Arrive back at camp at about 17h30 and decide to get food out of trailer for supper and discover the battery fully charged, so just as well we didn’t see much on the drive. For supper I decided to vary the diet a bit, so we had lamb chops and instead of pap & sauce, we had tinned beans and potatoes in foil done on fire.
Another night passes and early next morning I wake jnr, it is at this point that I must admit to really enjoying having the little guy on the trip. Within 15 mins we are from sleep mode to driving out the gate, something that is not achieved with SO along.
Have a quick squiz at sunset dam and these 2 are giving a shout out to Africa.

Drove the highway for a while towards Skuks, but didn’t see much so turned around with the intention of having breakfast in camp. Bumped into Leachy at camp and invited him to share breakfast as there was too much for just the little man and myself.
Bit later another drive towards Skuks, Saw this lot out of the water catching a bit of a tan.

Another uneventful drive along the river, stopped at Nkulu for an ice cream on way back then back at sunset dam. There was a dead hippo there earlier and wanted to see if the crocs had started feeding. There was a bit of activity and a show of force from this chap.

And some circling the hippo and feeding .


Back to camp for a swim and some lunch.

[RobertT]

Had a short nap after lunch for the little man, then back to pool for a swim. Our neighbour was at the pool and we got chatting, he mentioned they had seen wild dog on s25(think it is that road one that runs to renosterkoppies). So I decided to do a bit of a drive along there for our last afternoon in Kruger.
Stop at sunset and see what is happening, nothing much, crocs have done a good deal of chomping on hippo. So off we go again.Road was pretty quiet which was nice. Suddenly I see something walking towards us and crossing road at same time, they were under the shadows of the tree and sun was in my eyes. I say to Jordan “ Jordan what is that in the road, I got involved with your mom so you have proof my eyes aren’t great?”

Slowly going forward the animal has crossed the road and I am diving to get the camera as it was on floor on passenger side. This young male presented himself and calmy walked along side of road for a while before going down to river.





After that wonderful sighting it was a slow drive. That was Jordans first leopard up close. Just as I was about to turn on s25, I saw a few cars stopped in distance. I let curiosity get the better of me and moseyed up to see what they were looking at. This lady was doing what most ladies do all day when the men are away. Don’t know how people can sit and watch this for hours.

Had a nice drive along s25, must admit I like the road and it seems to have a lot of potential, but most of the sightings, buffalo, mongoose, kudu etc were a little too far for pics, but still nice sightings. Drove until the waterhole and then turned and returned to camp.
On way back, I came across this youngster still wet behind the ears

And in another tree, the parent of said youngster.


These chaps were having their end of day jaunt in road, was such a relaxing atmosphere in the group.


Then came this chap, now not sure if anyone will believe me, but this is one mischievous ele.This stick/log/branch was on the other side of the road, he looked up and saw me coming and decided to play soccer with this branch and brought it to the side of the road I was on, then looked up again, took his trunk and walked off leaving the branch in my way. I am positive it was done on purpose, just the look in the eyes told me.






To be continued after weekend.

[RobertT]

Back at camp, had the last braai of the trip and sat watching the fire just reflecting on the trip and planning the December trip.

Up early next morning to strike camp. Left to sleep while I got everything else done, it just happens to be quicker that way, only to discover the tail light cable on trailer was snapped. So a quick repair job was necessary, making me leave a little later than expected.

Out the gate and saw Ol Leachy at his favourite spot, stopped to say "Au revoir". On the way came across these 2 love birds. Just happens that as they were about to commit the act, I had a 5 year old hop on my lap to take some pics.


Did s21/25/ sand road towards Afsaal with a possibility of stopping there for breakfast. Saw these 2 young gents.



A little further on came across this one.


Rest of the trip was uneventful, the general sightings.
Thats all folks.

There may be a possibility of a new TR sooner than expected, just need to do see if I can organise work and family commitments O\O to allow for a quick trip next week with 2 night Olifants and 2 nights Satara. z0z

[RobertT]

Thanks once again all, really appreciated. Going to get a big head here. :oops:

Leachy, got this pic too, not much more side on.




Then thought I would share these from our heatwave weekend.

Jordan and his dog on a hot day pics. These 2 are inseperable when Jordan is home with me. They were having some fun in sprinkler.







After action a power nap.