While others slept, my day began with a dawn run into the mountains around Kgautswane. As the sun rose, it illuminated a peach-colored home and the soccer pitch near Bama Lodge. After breakfast, we took an extended family photo and a hosts-guests picture.
We departed Kgautswane and headed northeast toward the Blyde River canyon and its tourist sites. The first is the Three Rondovels, a natural feature along the Blyde River. The overlook provided the scenic location for another (nearly) family photo. The fence is a new and needed feature since our last visit to the site in 2007.
The next stop on the road to Kruger is Bourke’s Luck Potholes. After paying the entrance fee, we moved across walkways to see the spectacular sandstone formations caused by centuries of swirling water. We enjoyed clambering and jumping on the rocks above the falls. Catherine played director and photographer with Tracy and me as models. She has a message for all the haters! Mark walked atop the waterfall and posed. Tracy and Catherine watched, and mom and son walked back to the car.
After a quick pancake lunch, we drove to the Numbi Gate of Kruger National Park where we checked in to our cottage at Pretoriuskop. All rest camps in Kruger Park are surrounded by fences, keeping the dangerous people where they belong! After unpacking and settling, Catherine climbed a tree, and we saw (what is probably) a purplecrested lourie.
During a two-hour drive in the park, we saw a herd of kudu, several sporting oxpeckers. We saw an elephant drinking sloppily at a watering hole, separated from its herd. We saw a yellowbilled stork, a hippo, and another unidentified bird that swooped across the water. After a time, we spotted a giraffe, a zebra, and its foal. We stopped briefly to watch the African sunset.
As we returned to Pretoriuskop, we drove through a herd of buffalo, probably numbering in the hundreds. Unfortunately, because of the coming darkness, none of our buffalo photos is very clear.
After dinner at the Wimpy restaurant, Catherine and I stargazed, seeing the Milky Way, Mars, and a few satellites. Negligible light pollution makes sky viewing a pleasure when you are miles from civilization.
At this time of year, the park is uncrowded; there are only a few other occupied cottages. But the arid environment provides excellent game viewing. A great combination!
As I finish writing tonight, everyone is in bed, and I haven’t heard this much quiet in years. Kruger Park is a special place, and we had a stunning day. Lots to be thankful for.
—Matt
