Tuesday, 19th June DAY 33

Not quite the end of our trip. Renette and I both agree that the lure of another Kruger sunrise far outweighs the hassle of getting home in the dark – so off we go. As usual right outside Croc Bridge…

Monday, 18th June DAY 32

This will be our last day of our truly memorable 32 day trip to Kruger. We have had an exceptional time experiencing many “electric” moments. Of course the weather at this time of the year is just superb in the…

Sunday, 17th June DAY 31

Each rest camp in Kruger has its own feel to it and Crocodile Bridge is no different. Despite the deluge of cars that pour through the entrance gate each day, this part of the Park is fertile with prolific game…

Saturday, 16th June DAY 30

After six wonderful days at Satara we leave today to move to Crocodile Bridge for our final three nights. But early sunrises are too precious to miss (D & J??) so at 6am we shoot down the tarred road (H6)…

Friday, 15th June DAY 29

We do not feel that we have given that jewel of a road, Sweni (S126), a fair trial on this trip. So on a clear, still morning to set out at 6am and at 6.15am find ourselves first on the…

Thursday, 14th June DAY 28

Zombie like and rather gatvol from pills for my sore mouth, we take off down the tarred road (H6) to Nwanetsi. A northerly breeze suggests that a front is hitting the Cape but otherwise all is bright and warm. We…

Wednesday, 13th June DAY 27

Day 26.  Wednesday, 13th June We are heading down the busy S100 today but first allowing for the pack to get ahead. So at 6.10am we exit the gate but everything is enveloped in a really thick mist. We find a…

Tuesday, 12th June DAY 26

Cloudy with a light south wind and we take off at 6am bound for Timbavati. Fast up the main tar road (H1-4)  and then after 16Km, we cut across (S127) west to the picnic spot. Bursts of sunshine do occasionally…

Monday, 11th June DAY 25

Today is Sweni day so in partly cloudy weather with a light south wind, we hurry onto one of our favourite roads (S126). The sunrise does not disappoint. Sweni is one of those roads one could drive up and down each…

Sunday, 10th June DAY 24

We are at the tail of a long queue at 6am at the Skukuza gate. As is the norm in June, it is clear and sunny. With the campsites full it is essential that we get to Satara as soon…

Saturday, 9th June DAY 23

Today we very sadly bid farewell to Bergendal as we begin our journey back to Satara. Our trip here has been outstanding and I wonder why we have never camped here before. We will certainly rectify that in the future.…

Friday, 8th June DAY 22

The Mlambane road (S119 and S118) beckons but in order to get there before the other cars we must be at the gate first. It is not good manners to leave late and then speed past others who have taken…

Thursday, 7th June DAY 21

We are going to repeat yesterday’s route but try and reach the Matjulu water trough no later than 7.30am. So at 6am we are out the gate and travel along the tar towards Malelane. After 11Km at the T-junction we…

Wednesday, 6th June DAY 20

The plan this morning is to go out along the tar road towards Malelane (S110) and then circuit back along the Matjulu loop (also S110) to the water point thus allowing time for the sun to rise above the mountains.…

Tuesday, 5th June DAY 19

Bergendal camp is sited in a most picturesque bowl amongst the mountains of southwest Kruger. It is most attractive and the camp itself is lovely, spacious with much bush and modern architecture. But, there is one big drawback about Bergendal…

Monday, 4th June DAY 18

During the night Renette hears a rustle at the fence and shining a torch finds a civet only meters away. We have been hugely fortunate to get such a good site at Pretoriuskop. We must be showing our age. Today…

Sunday, 3rd June DAY 17

Another chilly night but we set off down the Voortrekker road (H2-2) to Afsaal under a cloudless sky. Two pathetic white rhino nervously scamper over the road ahead of us, so different from the placid creatures that they once were.…

Saturday, 2nd June DAY 16

So warm was it yesterday evening that I was walking around without a shirt on. Amazingly and without any wind, the temperature plummets and we have the coldest night of the trip. We awake to a still, bright but cold…

Friday, 1st June DAY 14

Well, this morning we are determined to get to the leopard cubs first so we are at the gate at 5am with no one in sight. Twenty minutes later another car draws up behind us and then the usual line…

Thursday, 31st May DAY 14

We leave Shish at 6am and travel through the grasslands shrouded in wintery, morning mist. This always gives beautiful sunrises as the golden sun breaks through. Our camp neighbours have told us of three leopard cubs north of Ngotso Dam…