Today was our last day in The Park.  We packed up at Lower Sabie and were ready to leave by 7:00 am.   Shan says her body simply won’t let her sleep beyond 5 am and she wonders how she is going to adapt to the school routine next week. Simon is still reeling from the early morning wake up calls!

We took the long drive to Berg en Dal slowly stopping at Skukuza for breakfast.  We sat on the deck of The Cattle Baron and enjoyed watching elephant, waders and green pigeons.

Senegal Lapwing

When towing a caravan in The Park you have to be extra careful when meeting an approaching elephant.  The kids were a bit nervous about this guy, but he obligingly went into the bush when he saw we could not reverse

From Skukuza it was another hour or so to Afsaal.  We stopped there to go to the loo, to say farewell to our favourite waitress and to get ice cream

Some highlights from our trip.

Lovely elephant sightiings

Ground Hornbill are always entertaining

Omigosh That rock looks unstable – but the klipspringers seem to trust it

Icons of Africa – The elegant Giraffe

We arrived at Berg en Dal at midday, set up camp and rested until 4 pm.  On our afternoon  drive I upped the points to 20 for any of the big five and 50 for anything we hadn’t seen at all on the trip.  Anybody reaching 50 would get an ice cream.  We had some good birding and saw buffalo, lion and rhino which meant that we’d seen four of the big five for the day. We made it back through the gate with a minute to spare.

Common and Blue waxbills

wallowing buffalo

Sleepy Lion

Mom and baby

Rhino

We all earned enough points to get ice cream but after our braai nobody wanted to eat them so we will save them for tomorrow!

11 January 2018

Last night The Earl said, “I think we should get up slowly tomorrow.  Let the children sleep in a bit – they’re exhausted.  I readily agreed.  But this morning when I emerged for my shower at twenty to six,   Shannon was sitting in a camp chair staring at the game at the fence!

When I returned she and Simon had already packed up their tent.  To say that Grandpa and I were gob-smacked is an understatement.   ” Why are we awaiting, Granny and Grandpa.   Let’s get the show on the road!”

So it was quarter past seven when we finally left Satara and hit the road toward Lower Sabie.  We stopped for breakfast at Tshokwane where the monkeys were just as naughty as ever.  Simon brought the catty – just to scare them.  However, one of the staff brought him some pebbles and said – if they annoy you, don’t hesitate to shoot!   Music to young boys ears – and to Grandpa’s.  I’m happy to say neither of them managed to hit a monkey but they didn’t bother us and we managed to eat without our food being stolen.

When you put your order in and pay for your meal the cashier gives you a card with a picture of an animal on it.  When your food is ready they call out the animal and you collect your food.

This is what we received.

We weren’t too sure whether to respond to the word or picture!

Highlights of our morning:-

Tawny Eagle

Black-backed Jackal

Giraffe – always so elegant and attractive

There are no perimeter camping sites at Lower Sabie.  But we found one close to the communal kitchen and near enough to the ablution block.   We thought we would struggle to find a suitable spot but we were quite spoiled for choice in spite of the rest camp being fully booked.  We must have come at just the right time.

It was just after 11 when we arrived and after setting up we stayed in camp until 3:30 pm.  We introduced ourselves to the neighbours – a couple with four young sons aged 2 to 12.  After we were settled I took our washing to the laundromat.  I did some bird watching and had a coffee a the restaurant while I waited for it to be done

Tawny-flanked Prinia

Lower Sabie

View from the board walk at Lower Sabie

When the Earl and I were in The Park in November we did not see a Verreaux’s Eagle-owl and this trip we have been seeking them every day without luck.  “This bird is worth 20 points,”  I told the kids.  Find me one, please.

We were getting a little bored on our drive this afternoon, Simon was fooling around in the car making us laugh when I saw an approaching car slow down and look into a tree, then drive on. We stopped and saw nothing and were about to move on when Shan yelled – It’s a Verreaux’s!   I nearly fell out of the car in excitement.  But I couldn’t see a thing.  She carefully pointed it out before I saw it.  Wow – how on earth did she see it!   It was a beautiful sighing and it was calling too

We stayed with it for a while when suddenly Simon and Shannon simultaneously said – there’s another one!   They pointed that one out to me too.   Then Shannon yelled – “A turaco.  Flip – I’ve been waiting to see these two birds and now I see them in the same tree!”

We were thrilled with these two birds but soon we found another unusual creature perched high in a tree.

Hooded Vulture

After another quiet stretch some monkeys appeared to entertain us

Before returning to camp we stopped at Sunset Dam which is usually very busy.  Today not too much was happening but we did see some fun things.

Baboon having a drink

What a big mouth you have, Mr Hippo – Would you like a Chomp?

Malachite Kingfisher

Back at camp Simon chopped some wood for our braai, Grandpa lit the fire and I made a salad while Shan went to shower. The neighbours kids came over to ask Simon to join them on a night walk with an older boy from another campsite.  So off they went to see owls, nagaapies and scorpions.  He had great fun.

Our camp at Lower Sabie

The Earl making braai

Grandpa cooked Kudu steaks and Lamb Medallions on the braai.  Shan said Grace and thanked the Kudu for providing us with food!

Enjoying a great feast

Life is Good in The Kruger National Park!

4 January 2018

I think The Earl and I have created two monsters.   On this trip we’d decided that we would consider the needs of our young grandchildren.  We would not stop for every little bird nor have long discussions deciding on its exact species. We would not travel too slowly, nor stay out too long.  We did not want our grandkids to become bored.  We wanted to encourage them to love the natural world and were determined not to put them off with our fanaticism.    We need not have worried.

Stop Grandpa – look at this bird – is the constant cry we hear.   And when other inconsiderate tourists race past in front of us and spoil a sighting it’s lucky they can’t hear the indignation coming from our kids.  “What’s wrong with these people? Why don’t they ask what we’re looking at?  Why are they chasing our birds away?”

Not everybody wants to look at birds, we explain.

They don’t know what they’re missing comes the reply!

Now they want to create a sign to put on the back of the car – Warning!  Grumpy old man in driver’s seat and uncaged grandkids in the back seat.  Will not be held responsible for what they will do to you if you disturb their birds!  Pass slowly and at your peril!

They rule the outings – Go slower, Grandpa.  Okay you can put your foot down now.  Stop – Did you hear me – I said STOP – there’s a bird!  Why are you moving – we’re not done yet.  Wait I want to get the photo!

No – they’re not bored – they have us in fits of laughter with their comments and teasing.  And clearly they are enjoying the wildlife and birds as much as we are.

Simon got 10 points for spotting this Grey Hornbill

Not our first Burchell’s Coucal so only 1 point

1 point for this ever present Woodland’s Kingfisher

No points for The iconic Lilac Breasted Roller

Now Grandpa is a strange specimen – if he comes upon an elephant unexpectedly he has a nervous breakdown and gives them a wide birth.  But if he sees then in advance he has no fear about coming up quite close.  Experience has taught him to read their mood – but the grandkids don’t know this.  So when Gramps gets too close, there is pandemonium in the car.    “You’re too close!  He’s  going to charge.  I’m going to die!   Go grandpa, go!”   Grandpa just laughs and of course we are all perfectly safe and he just like to wind the kids up!

Look at that long tusk!   It’s right next to Shan’s window!

Today though we had a wonderful experience with a large herd who milled around us.  They are such gentle giants and as long as we respect them they respect us.

Giraffe are a favourite with Shannon and me.  They are such elegant long-necked beauties. Today we found them lying with their legs folded under them while they held their long necks up.   They were surrounded by zebra and impala and all the creatures were getting along just fine.

Two oxpeckers giving a giraffe a beauty treatment

Shall I pluck your eyebrows?

The zebra were in frisky mood and tussled with each other.  Clearly the young males were trying to prove to each other who was top of the pecking order.   It was lovely to see the interaction.

We met Nick and Dawie at Afsaal for breakfast this morning.  They were in for a day visit and made us jealous because they’d seen lion as they entered the park!

But we were delighted to find a strange bird walking in slow motion across the road.  We’d never seen one of these before.  Dawie helped us identify it.

Kurrichane Buttonquail

At Afsaal Picnic Site – Dawie, Shannon, Nick, Simon, Gran and Grandpa

Back at Berg en Dal the kids and I did the Dam Walk.  We saw Egyptian geese, hippo, crocodile, terrapins elephant, water thick-knees and a marabou Stork.

Egyptian Geese

Marabou Stork

We ended our lovely day with a short drive after 4 o’clock and returned to have a braai before turning in for an early night.  Tomorrow we head to Skukuza.

3 January 2018

How lovely it was to sleep in our caravan again last night.   There is something very special about falling asleep to the sound of laughing hyena!

Simon and Shannon reported to having had an excellent night in the tent but were a bit freaked out about having to rise at the rude hour of 5:30 am!  We had not yet bought milk so they refused coffee but munched on a rusk and we were off on a game drive just after 6.   All sleepiness was gone when Grandpa started spotting the first birds.  Oh no – this was not good enough – the competition was on and Simon was the hero when he got us a booted eagle!

We did the Majulu loop which was not as productive as it usually is probably due to the overcast conditions.  However, we were pleased with what we did see.

Our breakfast stop was Afsaal and our favourite waitress Mpumbe hugged us tightly when she saw we were back.. The grandkids got hugs too and she was just as indulgent to their needs as she always is to ours.

It was a long day out today as we misjudged how long it would take to return along the crocodile river route.  But we had some lovely sightings and as it was our first full day it went down well with the kids.  From now on we will be sure to make the trips shorter!

Booted Eagle we think

The kids love the baby animals

Thrills us every time – Lilac breasted roller

Okay – so enough already – you only get points for the first one seen each day!  Golden breasted bunting

There are a few white storks about

Simon found the Martial in the same tree as yesterday!

Shannon asked if we would see a chameleon.  Simon said he remembered seeing one on our visit six years ago.  “Remember, Gran.  It was crossing the road very slowly and a lady got out of her car to move it out the way.  And Grandpa told her it was a silly thing to do!”

No, I didn’t remember and I know we haven’t seen chameleons in the park since then.  But not half an hour later, what should cross over the road, very slowly in front of us but – yes – a chameleon!

The Ground Hornbill is a fascinating bird and today we got a whole family of them.  What made the sighting extra fun was that they were carrying frogs home for breakfast.

Bee-eater, yelled Shan – and there she was in all her beauty.

European Bee-eater

Wood Sandpiper

Female Knob-billed Duck – Male has a knob on bill

White-faced Duck

Lovely to find a male water buck who posed handsomely

And a hippo came out of the water to graze

A wattled lapwing showing off his wattles

Hooray that this chap is still with us – long may he and his species survive

And finally my personal favourite – the saddle-billed stork

We were pretty whacked after our long day out.  Grandpa cooked us a delicious chicken dish for supper and then it was off to bed.

2 January 2018

“It’s almost six years since you visited Kruger National Park with us, Shannon and Simon. Do you remember it!”  we asked our grandchildren a few months ago.

“Oh yes! They replied.  It was with Jay and Joshua and we had fun!”  said Shan.

“I was only seven,” said Si “But I remember everything.”

“Would you like to go again?”  we suggested.  “Yes please!”  came the enthusiastic reply.  “I think I’m old enough to enjoy it even more!”  said Si and I wondered how much he really did remember.  Quite a lot,it turned out as he repeated stories during our current trip that even I had forgotten.  And yes – the last trip with all four of them was amazing.  The older boys kept their younger cousins entertained in the car and it was one of the best trips Grandpa and I had ever had. It was a short trip as they were so young and perhaps that was why it was so successful.

Our new adventure began yesterday when we packed Simon now 13 into the car at 6:00 am and went to collect his sister, now almost 16 from Underberg where she had spent New Year’s Eve with friends.  The drive from Kokstad to Underberg at the foot of the Drakensberg is one of the prettiest in the country.   Shan was sleepy-eyed after seeing the New Year in but raring to go when we got there just after seven.  What a stunning place she’d had the privilege of staying at.

Beautiful view on the Kokstad to Underberg route

Dam on the property where Shannon stayed

We were blessed with stunning weather and as it was New Year’s Day there were very few trucks on the road.   Some of the potholes had been repaired and the toll roads were in pristine condition.   The entire route through KZN and Mpumalanga is stunning and if it weren’t for the stretches where we had to play Dodge the Pothole it would be perfect.  Now that the kids are older we had very few complaints about how long it was all taking. We did consider their needs for food food and drink though and stopped for meals and snacks along the way.   Our breakfast stop at The Midlands Kitchen was great – highly recommend this stop for those travelling this way.

We were doing so well that we decided that instead of stopping at five at Middelburg we’d change our route and go on to Nelspruit.  It would mean an extra hour of driving but then we’d have very little time in the car the next day.  I quickly searched Bookings.Com for accommodation, found something suitable and cancelled the Travel Lodge in Middelburg.

Because it was done in a hurry we didn’t really know what we were getting. I asked for two adult and two teenagers and got a family room with a double bed and a double bunk.  The bathroom was only semi-private – no door – and there was an open plan kitchenette.  It was clean and only cost R500 for the four of us.  Shan looked a bit traumatized that she might have to have her grandfather snoring right next to her ear but I said we’d make up for the cheap accommodation by spending the savings on a meal out.  What would they like?  Pizza, burgers or sushi.  Sushi won hands down and we went to John Dory’s at a mall 6km away.  And yes it was good!   Si wanted to know how to use chop sticks so I showed him and he got it right straight away. Grandpa said he could just use his fingers like he did but Shan insisted he be a gentleman and use his utensils!  So grandpa too learned a new skill last night!

This is so easy!

It was very hot last night.  There was no aircon in our Budget accommodation and it took a while for us all to fall asleep.   Then at 4:00 am we all woke with a start when the most horrendous thunder storm woke us from our troubled slumbers.   I’m sure the house was struck twice by lightning.    It went on for about an hour.  I went back to sleep at 5 and woke again at 7. Simon accused grandpa of snoring.  “I did not!”  Declared Grumpy. ” “Yes you did” – Said Si and played a recording he’d made on Grumpy’s own phone!

Breakfast was a grand affair at the local Wimpy.   Last night at John Dory’s Si had been given a Kiddie’s Menu – He’d complained and declared he was now 13 and no longer ordered Baby Stuff.  But this morning he didn’t murmur about  ordering from the junior menu as he would get a free toy!  And he wanted it!  So he ordered a Baby Cino and mini ribs!    Quite adequate that was too!

Oh that in between age!

It was raining when we left but eased off when we got to White River.  First we had tea with the Maartens.  Nick had arranged for us to leave our caravan with a friend of his after our trip in November.  After tea he came with us to fetch it.  It was a bit tricky maneuvering the caravan out of the driveway but we made it.  It missed the carport pole by a hair’s breadth.

Then we were off to Malelane Gate.  It poured almost all the way there.   But as luck would have it by the time we’d checked in at Malelane Gate and Berg en Dal Rest Camp, it stopped to allow us to set up camp.   The kids were amazing and after helping us with the caravan had their tent up and mattresses pumped in a jiffy.

All set up and ready for three nights in Berg en Dal

It was four o’clock when we were done and ready to go for an afternoon drive.  We got take aways from the restaurant and then set off.

We’ve worked out a point system – first one to spot certain game get points depending on how rare said animal is.  Simon is with his keen eagle eyes was soon in the lead. Grandpa is determined to beat him tomorrow.

Today was just a short drive but we got elephant and rhino as well as giraffe, bush buck, impala and zebra.   Lots of birds of course but the highlight was the Martial Eagle.

Our lovely martial eagle

A favourite of us all

Ugly to some but we love the adorable warthog

European Roller

Struggling to escape extinction

We had a braai for supper and then Grandpa and Simon hit the hay while Shan and I stayed up a little longer but followed them pretty soon after!

More of our adventures to follow!