Travel Snippets from Kruger, Swazi & KZN (1) *

[Toko]

Let's start with an itinerary overview:

OR Tambo - Nelspruit

Kruger: Malelane - Tamboti - Shirenhi - Letaba - Croc Bridge

Swaziland: Hlane NP - Mlilwane

Ithala: Ntsondwe

Mkuze: Mantuma

Tembe

Kosi Bay

St Lucia

Umfolozi: Mpila

Drakensberg

Golden Gate: Highland Retreat

We missed our flight back and had two extra days


Day 1:

Arrival in the morning, we picked up a rental car (the wrong one) - and off to do some shopping for the first days in Kruger:

Cooler Box (2)
Mineral water (4)
Red wine (14)
Milk (3)
Roller towel
Tomato Ketchup
Facial tissue
Serviettes
Firelighters (3)
Mixed Vegetables
Baked Beans (2)
Briquettes (2)
Bread (2)
Ginger Oaties
Shampoo
Shaving Gel
Olive Oil
Ground Coffee Moca % Espresso (3)
Salad dressing
Eggs (2)
Braai Salt
Braai marinade
Repellent
Salt
Paper Plates
Dish washing liquid
Candles (3)
Pasta
Orange juice
Green Olives (10)
Chocolate (8)
Beef fillet (1kg)
Rump Steak (2)
Dry fruit cubes (2)
Sweet chili chips (6)
Bacon
Salami (3)
Boerewors
Cheddar cheese
Smoked Ham
Peri-peri Chicken
Poppy seed muffins
Cashews
Nuts & fruit
Pears
Lettuce
Garlic
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Bananas
Onions
Windhoek Lager (18)
Savanna Dry (18)
Cigarettes (many)

For the rest we would go to the Park shops in Kruger -O

[Toko]

Day 2: From Malelane Gate to Skukuza and back

We were a bit late the next morning after a long evening with friends and a couple of drinks at the pub, so we arrived at Malelane gate only at 9 after a while on the bridge with lots of birds, hippo and impala.










At the gate everything went quickly, they do a good job there

We headed towards Berg en Dal and had a look at the new picnick site for day visitors on the S 110 - no soul there - and agreed that it was not inviting for more than a toilet stop .
So we had coffee at BnD in the restaurant overlooking the dam. A hippo came out of the water, baboons were around and everything quiet and peaceful.

.

So we took a slow drive, found some zebra and a tortoise on the Matjulu loop (S 110)



At Renosterpan we encountered the first ellie and watched some storks



Black Stork


We had the first picknick at Afsaal. The resident bushbuck was around and finally I could watch some Tokos (even a Grauschnabel one )











Lovely Tokos

[Toko]

Day 2: From Malelane Gate to Skukuza and back

On the S 114 another Tortoise, some Baboons and a very relaxed Rhino










On the return route a Cheetah mom with cub on the S 22




Further south a Steenbok, some Ellies, Zebra, Impala






A vulture silouette on the S121




And in the last light Buffalo and a pair of Rhino (not willing to pose and she completly hiding )






The first night in Kruger in a rondavel at Malelane could start: Some snacks and drinks, lighting the fire and a braai with salad, later a hyena on the stroll along the fence.

[Richprins]

Great shots Toko, let's have more!!

Noticed the rhino's ear split in half.

Ja, It does not look well...the scratches show it has been attacked, maybe by another bull, but more likely predators. Also not in very good condition. Post it under the mammals thread, Toko, and I'll pass it on!

[Toko]

There is another one of the Rhino where you can see the damaged horn

[Richprins]

Looks like a bull fight!

[Toko]

Day 3: From Malelane Camp to Tamboti

The early morning we were checking out the S 110 and there was nothing exciting

Back to the camp for some espresso-style coffees, mini-breakfast and dishwashing and off again:

An Impala at 8 in the morning




On the S 114 close to Biyamati Weir a well camouflaged Red-crested Korhaan




Klippspringer, Rhino, Kudu on the Biyamati Loop (S 23)








Renosterkoppies Dam:




Not much to see along the S 21:

Dwarf Mongoose posing nicely


At 12:30 picnic at Nkuhlu - relaxing and watching Croc and Hippo

[Toko]

Day 3: From Malelane Camp to Tamboti


The picnic was a quick one - as always - rather on the road again to get some bush atmosphere

A Sabie river view from the bridge on the H 12




... turn left onto the Nhalanguleni S 36 road: a herd of Buffalo and some Elephants




Hey wait ... reverse ... and look

[Toko]

Where were those Sable exactly? And how many? And what ages?

on the S36, close to the S 125 turn off, I have seen 7 of them

It's a good area for Sable, actually the third time I have seen Sable there


-O We had a second encounter with the lovely Sable gang another day

[Toko]

Day 3: From Malelane Camp to Tamboti

A Swainson's Spurfowl and two Ellies on the S 36








We took the S 145 - one of my favourites of the area - but this time very quiet with Ground Hornbills, Zebra, Wildebeest






We checked in early at Orpen for Tamboti, so there was time for shopping and get some Marmite, butter and drinks

On the H7 a last slow drive:

a blurred Jackal




And on the way to Tamboti a Honey Badger




Finally time for sundowners on the platform of the tent ... waiting for the nightlife