Wednesday 23 August 2023 Mata Mata to Twee Rivieren

We made a slow start to the day as temperatures were once again below zero until 07h00. Our caravans were packed, hitched and ready to go by 08h30 and we took a slow drive to Twee Rivieren via the waterholes. The Earl and I left a little earlier than Cath and Alec, promising to wait for them at Craig Lockhart.

We spotted another honey badger. As usual, he was on a mission but there were no parasitic creatures following him this time.

We saw some cars parked off at Craig Lockhart which is normal as you have to turn off to get close to the waterhole and people usually wait to see if anything might appear. We were going to do the same while we waited for Alec and Cathy to catch up. And then I saw her – taking a long deep drink so we could not see her face.

She started to walk off and I was afraid that Cath and Alec would miss her but by the time she reached the road they appeared and had a very good view of her as she crossed in front of them.

The next waterhole presented us with a couple of jackal

There were lots of suricates enjoying the morning sun too.

We stopped at Aucherlone for a loo break and leg stretch and while we were there somebody asked if we’d seen the lions. It turned out that this was because we hadn’t reached the spot yet and luckily were going in the right direction. He told me exactly where to look. “There are three of them and they’re sleeping,” he said. “So you could miss them if they’re lying flat.”

A little further on we found the ostrich kill the lions had made. Of course, the vulutres were there – some white-backed and a lapet-faced.

Click the link to see a brief video

When we arrived at Twee Rivieren we checked into two bungalows and found that there was plenty of space to park the caravans. Once we were settled we went to the restaurant for lunch. The food there is excellent. We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and in the evening Cathy cooked us a delicious beef stew.

Our bungalows were quite comfortable. The base rate for each is for two but they have two extra beds in the kitchen. The front door opens into the well-equipped kitchen and then there is a door into the bedroom which has an en-suite bathroom. All the beds are single.

To be honest, I prefer my caravan as it has everything I need and I don’t have to unpack

Thursday 24 August 2023 Our Last Day at Kgalagadi

Today would be our last day in Kgalagadi. It was three against one to leave two days earlier than planned. Yes, it was me who wanted to stay the duration but as I am not a driver I did not object. The corrugated roads can be a trial and we had had the most amazing time and seen almost everything the park has to offer so it was good to leave on a high note. And leave on a high note we did!

This is what we saw on our last day.

Cheetahs are quite a common site in the Kgalagadi but we had yet to see one. Today, he appeared to say farewell.

I wanted to stay with him for a bit longer. “He might come down to the road,” I reasoned.

But the Earl is not one to wait for action and insisted on driving on.

It was our turn to cook this evening and we made a lamb stew.

Cathy will soon guest post about Mata Mata. Watch this space.

My next posts will cover the places we visited on our journey home.