Shingwedzi 6 – 7th August

Shingwedzi 6 – 7th August

Tuesday, 6th        On a cool, clear morning we take the S52 Red Rocks Road running westward along the north bank of the Shingwedzi River. But although we creep along on high alert nothing special shows itself. The birds always take a couple of hours after sunrise to get moving so by the time we reach the rocks, I can start photographing.

The noisy Green Wood-hoopoe. Usually cackling away in groups which is why the isiZulu name for them is “hleka abafazi” – laughing women.
Male Chinspot Batis
The Greater Blue-eared Starling – so common that one tends to ignore them. Rather like impala.

This afternoon I decide to give the Kanniedood Dam S50 road another try so at 3pm I go about 20km down this road. Take away the corrugations and the traffic dust then this road would be superb.

Below where the dam used to be (before the 2013 floods) the riverbed has a series of deep pools that attracts a large number of animals.

Whereas in the past Kruger’s giraffe were often tick ridden and mangy, now they seem to be in such good condition.

On the far bank about ten lions are sprawled across the rocks sleeping.
An old Shingwedzi tusker.
In one of the pools a Yellow-billed Stock is fishing amongst crocodiles.
This pool is seething with crocodiles
A view looking downstream towards the Lebombo hills on the Mozambique border.

Back in camp, campers settle into sunset mode with a fire going and watching the setting sun.

And that ends our week in Shingwedzi which has flown by. This restcamp is just magnificent and will always be worth the long trip to get there.

Wednesday, 7th      We pack up camp at dawn and by 6.40am we are driving out  of the gates. We head quickly down the main H1-6 past:

A last look at the Shingwedzi River
The Baobab on the koppie close to Mopane
The Letaba River is flowing but note the water hyacinth.

Moving to a new camp is always stimulating and we look forward to what Satara has on offer.