Flavour of the month - Jan / Feb 2022 > S41 Gudzani Road

[Dzombo]

This sand road is in the east of central Kruger. Stretching from the far end of the H6, heading north past the end of the S100 and terminating]at the S90
The S41 has been a mixed bag for me
In dry periods game spotting is fairly easy. But when there has been a lot of rain, the grass can get very long.

[Richprins]

Good one, Dzombs!

This is an old road by Central District standards, and was the link from the S100 to the S90 in the 1960s already, and later Nwanedzi Camp.

Being a link road, it does not closely follow a major river and is not overly famous for game, although any of the big 5 are regularly seen (rhino wiped out now mostly).



Gudzani means “early frost”. This area tends to show signs
of frost much heavier and earlier in winter than in the rest of
the park. The Tsonga word could also be the name of a person. (Vd Wateren)

Can we include the dam and waterholes?

84d03cad7ab452926b41764d027573bb.jpg (43.14 KiB) Viewed 1928 times

[Peter Betts]

One of my Fav roads at Satara

[Dzombo]

Can we include the dam and waterholes?

Definitely !

[Richprins]

Gudzani dam is a medium concrete dam at the confluence of the Gudzani and Mavumbye streams. There is limited visibility from the exposed carpark for most of the year, though, due to excessive vegetation. It is also a relatively distant view. But at least it still stands! (It is very old, being built in the 1950s already! )

Pics by Flutterby:

[Dzombo]

Soon after turning right from the S100, one crosses one of the streams that feeds the dam:

[Richprins]

Gudzani East is the other waterpoint on this road. It is good as one can get quite close to the water, and the road is generally quiet! It sometimes has water, sometimes not.

Pics by Flutterby:

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

One very rare sighting is from the northern tip of the S41 where it links up with the S90 at a pan, I don't think they are there any more:







Bushcraft 2013

https://www.africawild-forum.com/viewto ... 5&start=20

[Lisbeth]

Pumbaa 2021 https://www.africawild-forum.com/viewto ... 43#p550443

The rest was then quiet but after having enjoyed for the very last time this year the view from N’wanetsi picnic spot we drove back via the S41 and at one of the larger causeways we noticed a group of baboons in the riverbed and this mom was drinking from a remaining puddle. In the beginning she forget that her little one was hanging under her and so the little one got wet as well and must have hit its head.



Along the way we detected blue waxbills in a bush



and another black crowned tchagra



who luckily stayed with us for a couple of shots.



Also the steenbock was not that shy and more interested in feeding than in running away.



The carmine bee eaters then occurred again in masses



and we were happy to get a couple of shots.



Lots of giraffes were now also present



and some posed so nicely either behind their private bush



or whilst enjoying their brunch.