Flavour of the Month - March 2020: S58 Dzundwini Loop & Viewpoint

[Mel]

Okay, at least I know that my eyes still function

[Klipspringer]

The Dzundzwini hill view site at about 600 m is one of the highest points in the Northern Kruger Park. And on the way up or downhill you have panoramic views to the North and South and can overlook the surrounding mopane woodland which is vegetation-wise rather boaring. So the vegetation on the hill is a welcome change as it is mixed woodland with several tree species you do not see in the surrounds.

Here the wet season vistas

[Lisbeth]

A bit of haze, but a great view

[Richprins]

Klippies!

Yes, you can see for many kilometres indeed!

[Alf]

Not sure why i have always skipped this road.....

Will drive it next time just for that stunning view

[Klipspringer]

Another view over the dry flats

[Richprins]

I wonder if there are any other public points where one can see all the way to both borders of the park, east and west?

[Lisbeth]

Dzundwini is in the middle where the Kruger Park is narrowest

[Klipspringer]

Here is another view to the northern side, you can see another hill: Gumbandebvu hill is situated north east of Punda Maria en route to Pafuri and was regarded by the black people as the rain hill. Many years ago a woman named Nwakama, a relative of Modjadji, the famous rain queen, lived there. Nwakama was supposed to have been invested with the power to call up the rain gods. When rain was needed she ordered a black beast to be slaughtered and the meat taken to a certain spot on the hill and offered as a sacrifice to the rain gods. Only a few chosen men would venture on the hill with her as it was believed to mean certain death for anyone attempting to climb the hill without her knowledge. The name Gumbandebvu originates from Venda, Gumba ndebvu, meaning “to shave one’s beard”, a custom whereby only those who shaved their beards, were allowed to climb this sacred hill.

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In the mixed woodland, you can find some plants that do not occur elsewhere in the park, only around Punda Maria.
The tree in the photo bears some tiny flowers. It is:

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The Black chacate wood is hard and heavy and is used for furniture, knife handles and music instruments.


There are also Afzelia quanzensis, Pod-Mahogany trees, I just can not find a photo, but I am certain, that I have seen one with the lovely pods in a September trip.

[Lisbeth]

Also interesting. They did believe in some rather incredible things and the way to obtain them. A good way to keep the power over the people What happened if it did not rain