Week 24 - 32 Catching up - Mozambique - Kruger - Eastern Cape

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Its been a while so no doubt an update is well overdue, the last 6 weeks have been hectic, studying for our Level 2 FAGSA exams and sorting out the next 6 months but more of that later…..The last instalment left us in Mozambique, after leaving Tofo we moved on to Limpopo Transfrontier Park (which boarders Kruger NP) once again its rugged going and a 4x4 is definitely needed. The Park has suffered the same fate of most Moz parks, poaching encroachment and settlement in the park itself. But there is definitely a difference you can see the hand of SAN Parks (South Africa National Park Board) everywhere with proper camps (albeit empty) and clear rules and regulations governing the use of the park. Limpopo along with Kruger and Gonorezouh (in Zimbabwe) form a massive transfrontier park, the aim of which is to reopen historic migration routes to allow animals to move freely. Only problem is no one told the animals, so they stick to Kruger where they generally don’t get shot or snared. That said Limpopo probably has the best campsite I’ve ever seen and the birdlife is spectacular, it’s well placed to be a great park in the future.

We crossed into South Africa in Kruger, we stayed in the park for 6 days during which time we pretty much drove all day or stopped at hides or waterholes. I’ve attached loads of photos on animals which were the result of all that driving around. About Kruger, yes its got tarred roads, yes the camps are comfortable but it is a massive slice of wilderness and I don’t know anywhere else in the world you can see 20 rhino in 6 days. While we were in the park we did a morning trail and a night drive since these are the only ways to get out on foot or at night. It was weird to do these sorts of activities as a qualified guide, I definitely had to bite my lip when our guide mis-idenitfied a Southern African python as a Spotted bush snake. The trail was awesome the trail guides were superb and spotted Sandra for a guide when she stopped to examine some Digitaria eriantha (that’s common finger grass to the uneducated). Anyway enjoy the photo’s I have plenty more if you want any others! While at Lower Sabie we also spotted another dangerous animal walking around the bar and restaurant area - none other than Sgt Eddie Stone (ex-SAS from SAS Are you tough enough). Hope he enjoyed it as much as we did.

So from Kruger we trekked about 1500km across South Africa to get back to Amakhala, stopping overnight on the way near Pietermatizberg - at a Golden Horse Casino - ok it was late, raining and it was easy to spot from the highway. It was the first time we had slept in a bed for about 8 weeks and in fact I have to admit to not having had a proper wash for a number of days (cold bush showers excepted). Walking in to a casino hotel on Saturday night wearing dirty camo shorts and a filthy T-Shirt whilst everyone else was dressed up in definitely felt good - especially when I had to ask where can I park my Landrover (yes - the one with the camp chairs and firewood tied to the top). A peaceful night sleep and we drove the final few hundred km’s back home. Ulovane really feels like home now and both of us thoroughly enjoyed being back and studying hard again, the great news is that after talking to Schalk and Candice about what to do next we are staying for months to work with them and help move the new reserve and lodge forward. We are privileged to have met such a great family of people and hopefully we can help them along.

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Comments

[dave]

Dude where did the grey in the beard come from? Do you need some Just for men for the wedding?

[Cristiana]

Great blog!
Sandra and Matt, Great blog! I really enjoyed reading about your adventures in Africa. We lived in Nigeria for a few years and reading what you wrote bought back memories! Cristiana