I am changing tactics somewhat. I am finding that preparing a blog covering the events of the day can mean that I get to bed after midnight – which with a 4am rising is leaving me a bit ‘zonked’. So henceforth I will be sending out the blog the following day.
Today will be hot again so at 4.30am we are headed for our favourite Sweni S126 road.
The African bush responds so quickly to rain and whereas last week all was brown and dry, today it is a carpet of mown-like lawn. Unfortunately, the grass is still short and provides little shelter for birds such as quails. We think back to February 2017 when Kruger had regular and general rain that summer. The entire Park was carpeted with meter long grass and everywhere broods of chicks – francolins, quails, guineafowls were walking along or crossing the roads. But for this to happen, the grass must offer enough cover which means that Kruger must receive soaking regular rains from now on.
Rain is again expected at midnight tonight but the amount forecast is only a few mm’s. Back to Sweni today.
Unfortunately, many cars have chosen this route so we trail along behind them. We do stop to watch some ellies trying to wallow in a small patch of mud but a vigilant mother keeps me at a respectful distance and the heavy shade keeps me from photographing.
On to Welverdiend where we breakfast and then return along the way we have come.
Joining the H1-4 tar I turn road and from the bridge embankment we find a Klaas’s cuckoo which poses beautifully for me.
.Predictably today is a real snorter and by 1pm the temperature tops 40℃. We seek refuge in the swimming pool. Despite the heat, I prefer the summer season whereby one can swim and get one’s fitness levels up.
Late afternoon we go down the S100 always a road of interest. We see a baby wildebeest that must have been born but hours earlier and so shaky are his legs that he keeps toppling over.
Clouds are building up in the south and as we return to camp at sunset this “crocodile” cloud forms in the west.
It begins raining earlier than forecast but yr.no is again spot on – only 9mm falls.
