Sea, Sand & Surf ..... and a Kruger quickie? *

[Twigga]

“We’re all going on a summer holiday, no more worries for a week or 2, (or so we thought)
We’re going where the sun shines brightly, we’re going where the sea is blue, we’ve seen it in the movies, so lets see if it’s true!”


Aha, Mozambique, land of coconuts, sand, sea, surf, & tudaboms! Hey who said bom??! Vodacom…..
The perfect sea holiday for us, we have to have 1 sea holiday at least once a year, just to even things out and make everybody happy.
Last year was my first time in this beautiful and busy country. We slept over at Komatipoort entered the next morning. So this year we thought………….ag why waste one day, lets go for the kill (gaan groot of gaan huis toe-go big or go home) very brave we decided to not have a pit stop for the night and drive straight through to our destination, lovely lodge situated approx 40 km from Xai – Xai.

Well on paper this seemed like a lovely idea, left home approx 6 bells and stopped at Lebombo border post 11:00. Ok well, rephrase 600 meters from the border.This is where our Q started! 2 hours later and we were on the road again. Now we had 380 km to do easy! Well, who in their right minds decides to drive through Maputo at the end of the month? Eish, a colourful experience……..O this is Africa!

We reached our lodge eventually at half past 7 in the evening, tired but excited for the week ahead.
Armed with our snorkels, sun screen & sombreros we looked forward to a lovely day on the beach, that was until we reached the beach……life’s a b……..h! :roll: The mozambiquen wind was extremely mad, vicibility in the water was like snorkeling in your mom’s speed queen! Plus we had company in the water, trillions of little blue bottles! So disappointed we spend most of our days playing trivial pursuit, endless walks on the beach, flying kite (well trying….. the poor bugger didn’t make it) hoping that the tides will turn.

By the 4th day nothing changed, and Sanparks reservations was on speed dial. So it was done! 1 Night in Berg&Dal booked, only accommodation left, but we were excited we could smell the elephant dung!
Whoop, whoop!


A few pics...


















Sad I know, but a fun way to kill time....Mr Paw Paw man! -O

Kruger action to follow, watch this space!

[Twigga]

Kruger Day 1

Thanks you for all your comments, now for the best part of my trip a visit to “Oom Paul se plaas!”
Even if it was only for 1 night , unforgettable, priceless

Morning has broken, and what do you know? Not a breeze in the air! But that would not change our minds, the thought of being in our beloved Kruger was far more exciting….We left Xai – Xai approx 6 bells and stopped at Komatipoort 12’O clock. Smooth sailing at the Border post, under 30 minutes and we were back on SA soil.By this time it was already so warm and the thought of driving through the entire park did not make sense so we opt for Malelane. We were so relieved when we saw that famous bridge.I’ve only camped once in Berg&dal many moons ago so we were so excited to stay over at this camp again.

Lots of birdies on our way to camp









Now if this is the first sign you see upon entering the camp, then you should be worried.
Can’t decide if the monkeys behave like children, or the children like monkeys?
BEWARE OF BABOONS,MONKEYS & CHILDREN! They would’ve saved money…..
Baboon hotline!!??



-O -O -O

[Twigga]

-O -O -O RP!

Afternoon drive
After unpacking and getting all of the sand out of the hair, we took an early afternoon drive. Cruising on the Matjulu dirt road, enjoying every second. Lots of birdies but the game was scarce. We had one hour left of driving and returned to camp when the car infront of us put on his hazards. Now we couldn’t see the reason and anxiously scouted the bush when we saw the following approached in the road….




So here I will bore you with the perfect LIR sighting in a long time, still a young cat and so relaxed! He walked on and of the road, only to stop when scent marking his territory…We were in aw! So blessed, couldn’t believe our luck…











Last pic before he disappeared into the grass...



A bushveld braai was on the menu and our LIR was the discussion for most of the evening when we had a little action, too close for comfort. This little guy suddenly popped out under the doormat and before you could say snake there was not a living breathing female in the vicinity for 500 meters, much to the delight of all remaining on the scene of the crime! A common brown house snake? Any ideas, but I don’t care if it’s not venomous, snakes a snake!



After reassuring us that it’s safe to return to our cave (which all by now questioned the safety of) we enjoyed our “munchies” .
A genet also made an appearance but was too quick for a pic. So that was an exciting end to an already exciting day…

[Richprins]

The leopard has very pale yellow eyes...unusual!?

[Twigga]

Day 2 – Kruger – Home

Time to wrap up this extremely long TR //\0--

After a good night’s rest (snake free) we woke up early to make the most of our short visit.

We quickly decided that angry ellie + Venter (trailer) don’t gel together so we opt to leave the Venter at camp and we would retrieve it later that day.
Planned route – Berg&Dal to Crocodile Bridge Gate

Let me start by saying we saw a total of 9 rhinos on 4 different occasions that day! z0z z0z z0z That made us just go 0Y and more motivated to help save this creature…

The face of Kruger – first sign of life


Can you smell the love??? New species - The Grass Buffalo... -O


Rock Jumper..... -O


This giant caused for some panic for approaching traffic, but luckily he faced away from us........
(Had tooo many "Ry pappa Ry" / (get the hell out of here) moments for my liking on my last trip so was not in the mood to fight with an ellie... )





This scenes will never get old for me and just to see the damage up close & personal...




Now for a girl coming from Mpumalanga I'm not scared of potholes.....BUT when the "skillies" have potholes these days, now that made me go





Strike a pose!


TBC.......

[Twigga]

Thanks ya'll for the comments

Moving swiftly along...................last short stretch before heading home from this extremely long trip

Black stork?

Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 179 by twigga2011, on Flickr


Quick pitstop at L/Sabie, the locals doing what they do best, nothing....


Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 181 by twigga2011, on Flickr

Then we witnessed an interesting or should I say shocking seen from the deck, "Keeping up with the hippo pod"
The biggest hippo of the gang, I presume a bull started to rough up a little "chompie". Shame I felt so bad for the poor thing,it didn't last long he got rescued by his mother or acquantances I would presume. I didn't however saw him again, just hope he made it.


Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 183 by twigga2011, on Flickr


Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 184 by twigga2011, on Flickr

The rescue

Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 185 by twigga2011, on Flickr

What would a visit to L/Sabie be without driving over the bridge, patting it on the back that it withstood the floods


Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 188 by twigga2011, on Flickr

"Joseph and his amazing technicolour dreamcoat" Just love this birdies


Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 198 by twigga2011, on Flickr

Crocodile Bridge was creeping closer and a huge herd of Dumbo's were part of the farewell party..............


Mosambiek & Wildtuin 2012 193 by twigga2011, on Flickr

Done & Dusted, a unexpected Kruger quickie behind us............over the bridge, a last smile & wave and we were already busy planning our next trip.
Going to Kruger for just 1 night? Would not recommend to anyone, not long enough to relieve the withdrawal symptoms.

Last scene played out before Malelane town.......
Comrade 1: Aaaaaaaahhhh all good things must come to an end, sad but true
Comrade 2: Fantastic! I'm so glad we made this decision
Comrade 3: Snorring, - are we home..............YET? I'm thirsty
Comrade 4: I miss my dogs............
Comrade 1: Where's the Venter?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEP, BRAKES..........................