Waited to be picked up to start the Kruger adventure. Went by Van to another pick up point, where we were joined by others. Drove on great highway- excellent road to Dullstroom. This is a quiet small dorpie ( town) and had lunch. It is a trout fishing area. South African Highveld at Johannesburg is about 6 000 feet, Edmonton is just over 2 000 feet, but Dullstroom and further on is way higher than 6 000 feet, cooler, and very green. Most of the journey was brown, as Southern Africa is in the grips of a huge drought. We passed coal mining areas_ coal is a huge generator of electricity in South Africa. Traffic is fast, and well ordered in South Africa but on the left side of the road! After lunch, we changed vehicles, and Gert ( Afrikaans guy, white) drove us towards the Drakensberg Mountains. Quite spectacular. We stopped at the Blyde River Canyon ( third largest in the world) and pics are great, where the tunnel is. A monkey joined me for blogging right now ( actually for the the food smells in the kitchen near me!!) There were African crafts for sale, and we drove on, no descending in altitude towards Kruger. I drew money, and we drove to the Tremisana Lodge. Quick change and off in the open jeep ( no windows ) for a sunset drive to view game. Was an amazing experience with our two african guides. We stopped to see a young wildebeest, ( pic) cheetah ( our first sighting, and a rare sighting too.) The cheetah didn't mind, rolled over, and checked us out. We left him, and met impala ( buck) very prolific in Kruger, saw zebra in the open area, a jackal ( also great to watch him sniffing for food). We were driving on dirt roads, in the greater Kruger ( not the main area). The jeep stopped for our pics. Then sunset happened , and I have a pic. We drove on in the dark, but the guys had a floodlight to sweep into bush ares. We saw more game....some animals got caught in the headlights, and couldn't move, so switched off, and the buck moved on....we saw a whole herd of impala. More zebra. Then we went to the Boma, under a lovely Marula tree. Pitch dark of course but there were candles, all over and a braaivleis ( BBQ) prepared for us. A civet cat thought it was invited ( attracted by the small) but it moved before I could get a pic. Great borewors ( farmers sausage) with salad, pap ( stuff white maize porridge) drenched in tomato gravy, and peaches and syrup with cream for traditional South African dessert. We had ordered booze, and I managed a Castle lager ( main SA beer). We then went back to Treminisa Lodge, viewing more game on the way home. Some of the buck were now sitting down ( sleeping mode). So tired after a fantastic day, and slept under the mosquito net. Only two crickets were in the room with me, but I slept like a log.
Above: en route to Kruger...varied scenery, nearing Drakensberg Mountains
African crafts at Blyde River Canyon , above, and canyon below
Blyde River Canyon
Tunnel....crafts on sale here
Waterfall into the canyon
Blyde River I think
Below.....our first sighting after registering at Treminisa Lodge....wildebeest
Below: leopard towards back of pic nearly in shadow
Cheetah below
African sunset
Below impala
My room, huge mosquito net, but haven't been bothered at all by bugs!
No comments:
Post a Comment