Punda Maria Rest Camp

[H. erectus]

My goodness Okie,I am rattled by your purpose and so good
....at some stage felt very lonely and insecure at my observations,..

You are a star, I thank you sincerely,..... ,..

lets crack a beer, got me a couple o' crates,..

[okie]

H.E.

[Richprins]

A 1977-9 still of the gate by stf!




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[Richprins]

Some action at the hide by Amoli - 2012

Punda hide and waterhole

Between Efjay and myself, we decided to stay in camp every alternative day. This was to experience the art of patience at a hide. -O -O

...... and it paid off.





























One afternoon, everything went from this...... to dead silence. No animals, no birds... nothing. The animals that came for a drink,
stopped short when the warning sounds of the birds were heard. I was told that this happens when there is a cat (danger) around.
We waited for hours, but no cat sighting this time. Later that evening a herd of buffalo came to the waterhole. Efjay says it must
have been about 200 - maybe MD can correct this figure.

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[Richprins]

....... and now for an overdose of my favourite... -O -O -O





























This is my most beautiful picture of an ellie taken so far :

[Richprins]

And Moggiedog on the same trip!

and a quick trip to the waterhole for others. This time of the year the waterhole is extremely busy. The comings and goings of creatures great and small is busier than a train station - when train travel was in its heyday. Little LBJ's to the giants of Kruger came down to cool their heels and enjoy a break from the midday sun. Some approaching with more apprehension than others. Some just enjoying a run around.









It also gives us human folk the opportunity to watch the animals from the shade - rather than sitting in a hot car. When we first arrived the hide was packed - but gradually people drifted back to their accommodation and we could enjoy having nature as our only companion. Time when you don't feel guilty about doing nothing, time when you can live lost in your own thoughts without worrying about the people around you. The sun followed it's inevitable path and with the cool of evening approaching a short drive was in order before preparing the evening meal.

A number of birds and many buck species were on offer, mixed in with a few elephant and buffalo made the drive interesting and longer than we had anticipated! I

So often we are in such a hurry to get into our cars and go "hunting" we forget what staying in camp has to offer. Our tents had a beautiful view of the fence and there was a constant flow of animals making their way down to the waterhole. Birds of all shapes and sizes circled above, including a helicopter that could be heard not far in the distance.
Smaller birds bobbed around our feet tweeting away - hoping for a falling crumb or two. The pervet monkeys soon made their appearance but with most people guarding there belongings - pickings were slender and shouts soon had them scurrying across to the far side of the fence.

The fire lit and crackling away, we were soon settled down to enjoy the evening and share stories of what the day had delivered our way. With the sun hidden by the horizon and the nights sky lit by the moon and the stars and the sound and sight of the grey giants breaking down trees whilst two youngsters played without a care in the world, within touching distance, we decided to take one final walk along the fence and then call it a night and get some shut-eye.





The chirp of insects was soon at fever pitch with the haunting call of the jackal filtering through the night, at intervals, was a lullaby to lull anyone to sleep, with a final finale of the roar of lion in the distance the day was a memory and a new day had dawned.

https://www.africawild-forum.com/viewto ... =46&t=1275

[Richprins]

The luxury tents there, by mouseinthehouse 2012:

Arriving at Punda Maria was a treat as it was our first time there. Our luxury tent no 7 was lovely although I would have loved to have one with the view out over the area below camp.

[Flutterby]

At first glance this looks like a koala!

[Richprins]

Ja!

[Richprins]

From a 2012 Katja trip:

https://www.africawild-forum.com/viewto ... 0&start=10

But let's start with the sightings and as this is my passion at the moment with a Macro pic , taken at Punda Camp



and one of the locals at the braai area at Punda



The waterhole at Punda Camp produced for us Nyalas, Buffalos many a bird and an Elephant herd.





The little one was so gorgeous and we could have watched it for ages, but the herd moved off after they had quenched their thirst.