Africa Wild

Batwatching from the restaurant deck.

at the entrance

Fish Eagle terrace





16/17.10.2009

Thanks for all the nice, lovely, wonderful pics of Mopani

I think I promised to post some pics of interesting sightings we had near Mopani. Well, I love to show why Mopani is special for us... and NO it's not just the sightings but the "feelings"
And for the ones who still have the idea Mopani is just Buffalo and Elephants... here a few impressions that Mopani has nice surprizes...

Let's call it "Good Mopani Memories"

Lion pride (several lionesses and cubs, but showing one picture about Daddy and his cubs (Mooiplaas waterhole)
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Leopard in tree but in a different way.... Leopard taking a nap and this bull had same idea ... a nap under the tree..... watching this with 45 Celcius.. but so unique we had to stay and stay.... (just outside Mopani camp , 100 meter left at the turnoff

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Cheetah: several times we saw cheetah, this picture shows the two friends or brothers.... Mooiplaas waterhole

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Side-Striped Jackal - 3 of them , just a few KM's away from the turnoff to Mopani camp

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Eland antelope , seen them several times in Mopani area, this was near Mooiplaas waterhole

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Roan antelope , not many left but Mopani is one of the few areas they can find you ,this was near Mooiplaas waterhole

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Sable antelope, my favorite antelope and yes, Mopani again delivers.... S50 between Mooiplaas and Tihongonyeni waterholes

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African Wild Cat 2 KM from Mooiplaas waterhole (S49) , I remember it was the first AWC we saw and taking pics was not that easy...think I was faster with my camera this time then Lucky Luck with his gun

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This is a little collection of some pictures with great memories and .... please understand that I was searching for tuskers in Mopani area , but sometimes these animals showed up

Some really lovely pics here!!

Mopani 2011









We found Dungile not far from the camp.

That Gerrhosaurus looks very stout and thick-tailed

Natal Francolin

The lower deck from the east:







The entrance:













West:













Viewing promonotory:












South:

Mopane/i was a controversial camp from the very beginning!

It was the last big camp to be built in Kruger, after Berg en Dal, designed to plug the location gap between Letaba and Shingwedzi once the Phalaborwa-Mooiplaas tar road had been finished.

It was originally meant to be built on the grounds of Mooiplaas picnic spot, but "purists" went bananas, and told SP to get lost! The purists were not too fond of the idea of a luxury camp without day-visitors and camping, while SP was obsessed with conference facilities and fancy accommodation!

So SP decided to send the purists to hell and build the camp anyway, moving to Pioneer Dam. (Ironic, isn't it?...Rings a bell! )


In the building phases, the camp was known as Pionierkamp. (This was around 1990...can't find the dates!)


Initially, the camp was utterly overpriced and unpopular, with limited conference activity, and probably still has one of the lowest occupancy rates. Mooiplaas is effectively the day-visitors area, and SP made up for the demand for camping with Tzendze Rustic Camp nearby, due to demand!

The huge and complicated thatched central area has led to constant construction/maintenance, combined with staff scandals at the shop, and complaints about restaurant service. Lately things seem to be sorted!


The nearby Mooiplaas Section Ranger's station is one of the most unique and sought-after postings in the Park.

We just love the privacy you have with the bush feeling at mopani. But the bad thing...........

Unpack 2 weeks of stuff and carry that all the way to your bungalow in the rain. No fun at all