Although it has been good to have had the odd sprinkle of rain lately, nothing substantial has fallen up until now. That is up until this morning. Following a humid night with a light southerly wind, a few rumbles of thunder at 3am heralds in a heavy downpour of rain that steadily falls until 5.30am. After mopping up our sodden camp, I measure 43mm in my rain gauge.
At 7.30am we venture out and I am particularly keen to see how the drought stricken area along the H10 beyond Muntshe has fared. Crossing the full river that is also now flowing along the length of the bridge we see some ellies swimming across the dam upstream.
The Mnondozi stream that feeds Mlondozi is flowing now despite having been bone dry 24 hours ago.
Beyond Muntshe we are gratified to find the veld awash with water – pools lying everywhere and streams racing. It would seem that even more rain fell here than Lower Sabie.
We then turn left at the top end of the S128 and join the Old Tshokwane Road southward. Without doubt the highlight of the morning was coming across a large pool of water next to the road and in which were cavorting a number of large African Bullfrogs. And here again is shown the miracle of life in the wilds. Whereas but 5 hours before these large frogs were entombed in hard, baked mud, the advent of the rain releases them to immediately begin the hectic search for a mate. Truly a wondrous spectacle.
We spend upward of an hour watching this before dragging ourselves back to camp. Really Kruger is full of the most wonderful surprises.
Our visitors join us at 1pm and we spend time bedding them down. We venture out at 5.30pm and go for a short drive up the H4-1 Sabie road before turning and making our way back.
We unusually find a large crocodile draped across the main tarred road at Sunset Dam, unmoved by the traffic passing by. I fear at one stage that a vehicle has injured him so still does he lie.
But when a bakkie comes too close to his head, he rears up and scuttles back to the safety of the dam.
Tuesday, 26th
The ladies show sterling resolve by being up early allowing us to leave the gates at 4.30am. Another cool, partly cloudy day and we are again headed for Salitje S30.
Up the S128 we go, stopping for hyena and also a Bronze-winged Courser.
We then drift along the beautiful S30 Salitje bathed in morning light and little items of interest all along the way.
Nyala really are becoming plentiful in the Park.
Not the fireworks that we experienced but two days ago, but a lovely morning nonetheless. We arrive back in camp at 9.30am.
When Dave, Steph and family were with us a couple of weeks ago, a number of us were laid low with a tummy bug. We then heard that they were having trouble with the chlorination of the camp water and I have no doubt that our problems stemmed from this. Part of Kruger’s decaying management. This afternoon I am again laid low with nausea and headache, probably again brought on by the water. But I am feeling better this evening allowing me to update my blog.
I hope for better things in the morning.
