Blogs from Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa, Africa

Geo: -24.349, 30.9542After a great morning, we went back to the camp and decided we would sign up for a sunset drive. The cost was about 255 rand or $17 a person. Starts at 4pm and runs until 7pm. Our driver/guide checks us all in and takes us to the vehicle. It is one of those big vehicles but the nice thing is there are two seats, aisle, two seats all the way to the back of the vehicle. We did not know it when we started the drive, but they have two spotlights, one use by driver on the right hand side and one by one of the customers on the left. Right as we were leaving, a man came up to the driver and told him about a kill "a short distance up the ... read more

Geo: -24.349, 30.9542Up and did a leisurely pack up before heading out. We did not have far to travel and we knew we probably would not be able check in when we first got there. Drove down to the river to see what we could see there. Not much happening and took the river road. There was a very large female elephant with her baby who seemed a little upset with us as we drove past.Drove to the waterhole and there was no lion and so we decided to drive the secret road we have discovered and as we drove the loop could see dust rising. Got to the overlook and there were hundreds of buffalo either in the water or heading to the water. The dust they were making made the whole scenario seem very ... read more

Der Winter ist da und die Abende warden kalt... urspruenglich hatte ich den Eintrag mitte Maerz geschrieben und nie abgesendet: Nun ist der Maerz auch schon bald in der Vergangenheit... irgendwie geht mir momentan das Leben ein bisschen zu schnell! Seit ich zurueck in Suedafrika bin hab ich als Freelance ueber Weihnacht - Neujahr gearbeitet. Hatte zwar ein Lebensziel nie an meinem Geburtstag zu Arbeiten und habe es auch 38 Jahre lang geschafft, aber das Angebot in der Outpost Lodge zu arbeiten war dann doch zu verlockend... oder besser gesagt ich musste mal Geld verdienen http://www.seasonsinafrica.com/lodges-in-south-africa/kruger-lowveld-lodges/the-outpost-kruger-national-park/ Einer der schoensten Orte um als Guide zu arbeiten - wenn es nur nicht 4 Tage fast ununterbrochen geregnet haette! Aber auch so war es wunderschoen. Habe wunderschoene sightings gehabt, unt... read more

Geo: -24.349, 30.9542What a day looks like while we are here in Kruger Park. As of October 1, the gate will open at 5:30a.m. instead of 6 but will still close at 6:00p.m. We try to be in the first ten cars to leave out the gate so we can hopefully be the first at a special viewing.We will do an early morning drive and then either come back in and fix breakfast and do an exercise walk, or continue with our drive if things are really cooking. Our exercise walks unfortunately have been more erratic this trip because Laura has had a bad ankle but things are bound to be looking up.Most days we do come back to the camp if not for breakfast, at least by lunchtime for lunch and then a rest before ... read more

Geo: -24.349, 30.9542We decided to try out a new camp this year and go to the Maroela camp. This is a satellite camp located near the Orpen gate. It is supposed to have wild dogs and cheetah in the area and so off we went. On the way we drove the S-100 and it was pretty calm.The ride was going smoothly when we came to a detour. During the floods earlier this year, the bridge over the Timbavati river about 10 kilometres from Maroela was washed away. We had to take a detour that took us on a dirt road that was being graded the first time we drove on it and the piled up sand did not make driving that easy.Got to the camp and decided to camp under this very large tree right up ... read more