Kruger Park

I forgot about Peter's wireless modem! Happily, I'm posting from Kruger Park, although it's a slow connection so I won't upload pictures. Our camp for the next two nights likely won't have any service, so this may be the only post from Kruger.

We left right on time at 7:30 Sunday morning, and we made it to our B&B (Daan & Zena's) in Phalaborwa by 3:00 in spite of making five stops on the way. The most substantial stop was in Dullstroom, where we visited a shop and sat down for coffee and pancakes (crepes). The drive started off with a lot of smog and smoke, partially from people burning coal and wood fires for warmth, but also perhaps from extensive grass fires in the area. But by the time we reached Mpumulanga the sky had cleared somewhat and we enjoyed a beautiful drive through the escarpment to the lowveld.

The B&B was funky, as promised, with wild decorations and bright colors throughout. They did have some nice artwork. We had dinner that night at an American-themed chain steakhouse, Spur's Steak Ranch.

Yesterday we entered Kruger Park after breakfast and worked our way east and north until we reached Shingwedzi Restcamp mid-afternoon. Along the way we saw these animals:

Buffalo
Bushbuck
Crocodile
Dassie
Dwarf Mongoose
Elephant
Giraffe
Hippopotamus
Impala
Klipspringer
Steenbok
Squirrel
Terrapin
Vervet Monkey
Warthog
Waterbuck
Water Monitor
Wildebeest
Zebra

And these birds, among others:

Bateleur
Fish Eagle
Franklin
Egyptian Goose
Guineafowl
Heron
Yellow, Red, and Grey hornbills
Ground Hornbill
Blacksmith Lapwing
Oxpecker
Roller
Long Tail Shrike
Cape Glossy Starling
Black Stork
Marabou Stork
Saddle Bill Stork
Yellow Bill Stork
Sunbird
Vulture

Upon reaching Shingwedzi, we checked into the largest guest accommodation I've ever seen, the "Guest House." (Everyone else camps or stays in a bungalow.) We've got three bedrooms, three baths, a large kitchen, dining area, lounge with bar, satellite television, outdoor patio, covered carport, and benches overlooking the river. (The only drawback is the squirrel in the thatched roof.) Last night as we sat and watched over the river at sunset, we watched two elephant and two buffalo wander about, as bats flitted about and about 30 guineas ran down the riverbed. We had dinner and played dominoes before bed.

This morning began early as Barry and I left for our guided morning walk at 5:45. During the three-hour excursion we learned a lot. On the drive we saw a herd of buffalo, a dozen ostrich, and some impala. On the walk, we came across an elephant and two rhino: a cow with a youngster. Meanwhile, Peter, Marty, and Gywen went for a drive where they saw a male and female lion in the riverbed. Back at the guesthouse, they say baboons pass by before Barry and I returned. When we got back, we all took another ride. We drove down the river to the dam, so we saw a lot of hippos, crocs, impala, and elephants. We stopped at a bird hide, and across the water was a lively herd of impala, which included a two-year-old white buck. Obviously white fur on an impala is quite rare - but he was beautiful. The herd entertained us for a while by running in circles, leaping, and kicking.

After lunch we rested a while, then Barry and I took another guided walk that ended at sundown. We learned a lot, but didn't see a whole lot. We saw woolly-necked storks, a brown snake eagle, and a pair of bataleur. The male bataleur had an unusual white spot on his back. The most exciting sight was a very large herd of buffalo, which was crossing through a water hole.

Tonight we had a steak braai, and we are now watching Uruguay v. Netherlands in the semifinal. Currently tied 1-1, but I hope Netherlands wins!