Africa Wild

We awoke early on Saturday morning but Penny was not feeling great. This is normal for us and I think it has something to do with the way she starts to de-stress. We took a short slow drive around Balule conservancy then headed towards the gate.

The road is a mess with pot holes from all the what looked like coal trucks. We stopped to get a few things at Spar and then to top up with fuel. We never filled up once in Kruger.

Arriving at the gate the process was simple and into the park we went at 9am. We sorted out the cameras and the books but did not really need to bother as Penny slept all the way to Shingwedzi therefore no photos today (Sorry).

We arrived in what must be one of our favourite camps in KNP. We got to reception at 1h15pm and checked in were given the key and then proceeded to unpack for our 4 night stay. This took awhile and meant that we only had time for a short afternoon drive.

We went out the back gate and turned towards the causeway only to find it still closed. We knew this but looked in hope anyway. First rant we get to the no entry point and there is a vehicle parked at the bottom of the north entrance which we thought was strange as the road had a no entry sign and barrier on the main road. Either people cannot read or have no regard for the rules. To get there not only had they ignored the no entry sign they had to have gotten out of their vehicle at the main road to move the barrier.

We visit places like Mana Pools where we are allowed to walk but rules are rules and I really do not understand why people think they have the right to ignore them and do as they please. I do not go to any nature reserve to play police man so no I did not report it. I know some of you will think we should have but as I go through this report you will understand that I would not have had a holiday but would have spent the bulk of our day reporting transgressions.

All ears and eyes....

Kesheshe wrote: I know some of you will think we should have but as I go through this report you will understand that I would not have had a holiday but would have spent the bulk of our day reporting transgressions.

Absolutely agree, Kesh! Depends on your frame of mind and time frame? Unless it's very serious, I have never reported transgressions...not my job, but have sometimes afterwards on forums, which is fair enough! Maintenance etc. is another story!

wow nice to have a TT about small Things

Even thou Penny was sick I was only playing with you guys a day in KNP with no photos you must be kidding.

Lets get some of the bigger things out of the way.

I have been visiting national parks in southern Africa since 1993 and in still amazes me how inconsiderate or ignorant some people can be. The next sequence of photos we almost did not get as a vehicle came charging up behind us and I saw this happening then I decided to park the vehicle at an angle across the road to slow the fool down. The sighting must have lasted less than 5 mins but after we had finished he gave me a stare as if I should be dead as how dare I stop and be interested in this.

Either it is a sign that I am getting older and less tolerant or these type of situations are becoming more frequent. Up north I was hoping this would not happen but I guess I was wrong and I can only imagine what it must have been like down south. Guess lots of people go to the park to target only cats or big things which frustrates me as there is so much more to see than a lion sleeping.

Great start

Love the fire pit

Pity that Penny wasn’t feeling well

I understand your frustrations about people who break the rules and having just returned from the south of KNP, I would also have spent most of my holiday reporting transgressions

a new TT with a promising title

wonderful sequence of the hornbill

lovely shots, great to have seen you guys

We love Shingwedzi but unfortunately still need to put up with the way Sanparks manages to frustrate. After the unpacking we try to use the key provided to lock the unit as we depart for our afternoon drive and what a surprise it does not work.

We drive to reception and are handed another key which by some miracle works. I mean how difficult is it to manage these type of activities. I know this may seem like a small thing and if this was the only issue I would not even comment on it but there seems to a general lack of care, customer service on a large number of fronts.

Glad you guys enjoyed the hornbill.

Bushcraft I just saw your post on the traffic I honestly do not know how you managed that day after day the traffic looks horrific. To many people being allowed to enter the park.

Regarding the number of visitors they must do something about this otherwise the situation will continue to worsen.

Richprins you made me feel a little better as I did feel a bit guilty for not reporting these transgressions.