Mopani Rest Camp does not have camping but nearby Tzendze is their rustic satellite camp for tents and caravans. Checking in has to be done at Mopani’s reception. There are no baboon or monkey problems here.  There is no shop, no fuel station and no electricity.  The ablutions and kitchens are lit by solar power.   There are fridges and freezers available for the free use of campers .  We were allocated Camp Site 32 on the perimeter and it was perfect for two caravans.  Today was our last day at this awesome camp.

The facilities are beautifully maintained by Rodgerh and Elena.  They are both extremely friendly and helpful.   Rodgerh has a facebook page called Rodgher Tzendze where he regularly posts photographs of the birds he is so passionate about.  Each evening one or both of them come around to greet the guests and to ensure that everyone is happy.

Below I am posting some photos of the facilities.

This morning we woke up a little later than usual and only left camp at 8:30.  The Earl needed to finalise things for the replacing of our cracked windscreen so decided to go straight to Mopani, make the necessary phone calls, blog and then have breakfast before going for our game drive so we did not go in tandem with Cathy and Alec today.   The windscreen will be replaced when we are at Berg En Dal and close to Malelane.

It was ‘cold’ today, the maximum temperature only reaching 23 degrees C.   We left Mopani at 10:30 did a long drive on the H14 ending up at Letaba Camp and then drove back on the H1-6.   We arrived back at camp at quarter to four.

We got three lovely birds at Mopani Rest Camp.

Once on our drive we started to see the regulars.

Looking down on the river bed we saw zebra and elephants fraternising with each other.

We stopped at Letaba to check out the campsite and to have a coffee at the restaurant. The campsite was pretty full! We hope we find a good site tomorrow.

On the H1-6 just outside Letaba we photographed a lovey male kudu resting in the shade of the trees. His friend was nearby too.

Once back at camp took down the canopy and packed up as much as possible. Cathy and Alec provided some delicious pork rashers and steak for the Earl to braai and we had this with potato done in tinfoil on the fire as well as some lovely gems and a salad. We were all feeling a little sad that it would be goodbye to Tzenze the following morning. Lataba here we come!

When we went to bed last night it was warm and still outdoors.   But as we were dropping off to sleep the wind got up and it blew hard all night.  This morning it had dropped slightly but the skies were overcast and it was chilly.  Well, by tropical standards anyway.  The temperature did not rise above 22 degrees C all day.   However, the wind died down considerably by evening and it did not rain.

Our friends Jim and Maureen from Jeffrey’s Bay arrived at Kruger today.  They had made a last-minute booking and could only get camping at Shingwedzi and Berg en Dal.

This morning the Earl and I drove to Shingwedzi to catch up with them but Cathy and Alec decided to stay at Tzendze to do a few camp chores.  

Shingwedzi is a 60 km drive along the H1-6 and on our way there we did not have many sightings.  We arrived at half-past nine and found our friends in the process of setting up camp.    We spent the morning with them and it was great catching up.  I managed to get the laundry done and posted the blog while waiting for the dryer to complete its cycle.   We will be at Berg en Dal at the same time as J&M so will catch up with them there too.

We left at about 12:30 and our drive back was also very quiet.   When we got to Mopani we did some shopping and bumped into Cathy and Alec who had just had lunch at the restaurant.   We spent the rest of the afternoon in camp doing camp chores and just enjoying the peace of Tzendze.  It was our turn to do dinner and once again the smart space pots and pan were used.  I pan-fried some chicken portions and cooked broccoli, onion, sweet peppers, carrots, and baby marrow in a pot and then mixed in some cheese sauce. 

Here are the highlights of our day.

My favourite sighting of the day – Mr and Mrs Bateleur – Mrs is on the left.

Then back at camp I heard the call of an oriole and found him in the tree above my caravan.

Our day began with owls once again.   Before we joined Alec and Cathy on the S50 we quickly drove to Mooiplaas picnic site as the windscreen was not quite clean enough and The Earl wanted to get out and wipe it.   When we stopped I noticed some people pointing and looking into a tree.  I went over and they showed me where two lovely little owls were cuddled up together.

We caught up with Alec and Cathy at one of the waterholes.  They had found kori bustards but they were quite far away.  The Earl got an amusing photo of a windmill and a heron.

We followed on after Cathy and Alec and they alerted us to a small antelope than had been frightened by a wildebeest.

It was fairly quiet for most of our drive but we enjoyed the usual favourites and had fun trying to photograph the ever active chestnut-backed sparrow-larks.

When we were back on the H1-6 Cathy called us on the walkie-talkie. “We have a lioness,” she said. We crept up to where they were parked, found the culprit, snapped her portrait and then made room for others who arrived on the scene.

I consider myself to be a fairly tolerant person but there is one thing that really annoys me and that is bad driving in a game reserve. There are strict speed limits of 50 km/hr on the tar roads and 40 on gravel. Most tourists go even slower than that otherwise much would be missed. Today I was taking a photo of a lovely zebra crossing when a white Polo sped past and right up to the zebra not bothering to wait for them all to cross over. What an idiot!

Soon after this there was another roadblock and I wondered if the Polo would be squashed but obviously he’d made it through.

We had the highest temperatures so far this trip with the maximum going up to 37 degrees C. At 11 we stopped at Mopani for breakfast and then sat in the cool of the foyer to check emails, social media and to blog.

Back at camp we discovered a hippo napping in the bush near the fence – a photo was impossible. He stayed there until just before we left for our afternoon drive when he awoke, yawned and took his leave. I have no idea why he would be out of the water in the heat of the day.

When I went to check on the woodowl in the camp kitchen, he was still there and this time with his eyes open.

We left for our afternoon drive at quarter to four and followed the H14 in the hope of finding a hyaena den we’d seen on a previous visit. It was very quiet and at half past four we turned around without having seen much. Cathy was driving their vehicle and took the lead. We hung back to take photos of a korhaan.

During a discussion about sightings in Kruger, Alec complained that he and Cathy had never had a proper leopard sighting in the park. “Just a distant spot and a tail disappearing,” he said. “I don’t believe people see them as often as they brag.”

I didn’t want to tell him that on one trip to Kruger we saw more leopards than lions. I didn’t want to increase his envy.

“I promise you, Alec and Cathy,” I said. “You will see leopards this year. You absolutely will” And when they almost did last week their response was – We are never going to see one!”

We were quite far behind when the walkie-talkie crackled and Alec called excitedly. “We have a leopard. At long last we have a leopard!”

As quickly as we could we caught up and found them with huge grins on their faces.

“He’s gone, hasn’t he?” I said. Cathy was in the driver’s seat. “Yes,” she replied. “I noticed something coming toward us and said to Alec – It’s a leopard! I stopped and snapped a shot through the windscreen. Then she walked to Alec’s side of the car and he took the camera but in his excitement didn’t get the whole animal in!” She laughed.

I was over the moon that they finally got their leopard but slightly disappointed that Earl and I dipped on it this time!

Before we left camp this morning we had a light cereal breakfast and coffee as we planned to meet some friends of Cathy and Alec at Mopani’s Fish Eagle Terrace for lunch.

The day started well when Alec called me to the camp kitchen – not to help with the washing up but to see something special.

No day is complete without an elephant roadblock but other creatures are not innocent and will also do their best to show the tourists who rules the game reserve.

The tropic of Capricorn runs through the Kruger National Park which is why the weather is so awesome at this time of the year.   We stopped to take a photo.

Buffalo were the cause of the next roadblock and quite a number of them were in the bush too.  Some were being groomed by the ever-busy ox-peckers.

Of course, I can never resist stopping to admire my favourite creature, the graceful model of the veld, the lofty legged, long-necked giraffe.

We took the Shongololo loop which was quiet but we stopped at various drinking holes and one or two hides on the way.

There was another roadblock when we turned back onto the H1-6

Warthogs have been conspicuous by their absence but today they made an appearance.

At Fish Eagle Terrace not a single table was available inside the restaurant, on the deck nor in the outer reception area.   There was a coffee table with comfortable chairs where you could sit down and plug in your computer but that too was occupied.  However, after a few minutes, it became available.  We sat there to wait for Cathy and Alec and the friends they were to meet.   We tried to download emails and do banking and blogging but the internet was pathetic.   When Alec and Cathy arrived we gave up.  A waitron brought out another table into the reception area and then when a deck table for six became available he quickly ushered us to it.   While we waited for Christie and Keith to arrive we enjoyed the view and the activity in Pioneer Dam.

After lunch was over we stayed to try our luck with the internet. After a struggle, we finally managed to complete all the online chores we needed to do and headed back to camp to start cooking a curry for dinner.  The Earl was in charge and he used our Smart Space pot on our Gecko gas cooker.  No electricity for the Snappy Chef, I’m afraid. 

While we were waiting for dinner to cook the kids from the camp next to ours ran past very excitedly calling that they’d seen an owl. They showed the Earl the tree and then he called me. “See if you can find it,” he challenged. And even though the little bird camouflages very well, I did. The Earl got the best photo though.

So the day started and ended with the most awesome owl sightings. Tzendze is the best!

It was cool and overcast this morning; pleasant conditions for packing up and moving on.   By 08h15 we were done.  Boy, are we grateful for the caravan movers!   We were able to turn the caravan 360 degrees and then move it gently onto the tow-hitch.  No reversing required.

We left in tandem with Cathy and Alec but just before exiting the gate Alec called on the walkie-talkie to say he thought he’d left a tent pole against a tree on the campsite so returned to check. (He hadn’t but rather safe than sorry).  

The elephants are still not giving us a break.  The first animal we saw today was Oom Olifant having breakfast in the middle of the road.  And he made us wait until it suited him to lumber off into the bush.  Dankie Oom! 

  We continued on and greeted the impala, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest and then noticed two cars stopped up ahead.  They were staring into the grassy veld on the left but I couldn’t see anything.   We pulled up next to one and they informed us that a leopard was on the move in the opposite direction and they began to reverse.  That was no good for us towing a caravan so we called Alec on the walkie-talkie.  He was just in range and heard us say to look out for the leopard.  But unfortunately, he dipped on that one too!  It’s all a matter of being in the right place at the right time and a leopard on the move is not easy to spot.  

Before entering Tzendze you have to check-in at the main rest camp, Mopani.   We arrived there at around 10:45.  Check-in went smoothly and we then went to the restaurant for breakfast.  Mopani restaurant looks over the dam and you can sit on the deck or inside.  The restaurant was full so we went to one of the decks to admire the view and saw a fish eagle catch a fish and land in a far-off tree to eat it.  No photos as too far off.  We also observed elephants drinking from the water’s edge.

On returning to the restaurant a table for four, indoors had become available.  We ordered our coffees and all had a wonderful breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, caramelized onion, and fried tomato.

Then we went to settle in at Camp Tzendze.  At Tzensze you are allocated a particular site.  Because we are sharing, Cathy asked for a site that would be big enough for two caravans. We got Number 32 on the perimeter and it is perfect.  There is no electricity here so we have to rely on our solar panels for power.   This means we need some sun but also want our vans to be in the shade.  We got the perfect combination!

By the time we’d set up it was 2 pm and already 27 degrees C.  At 3:15 we went out separately for a drive, the Earl and I leaving a little earlier than Cathy and Alec.   We ended up doing almost the same route and seeing the same game.

Our campsite seems to attract its own wildlife and today I witnessed a kill right next to my caravan.

We have a converter in our car for charging camera batteries etc but it does not have a three prong outlet so we went to Mopani’s Park shop to see if they had an adapter – no luck. However, it turned out that Alec had made one and lent us his.  So we will be able to charge our laptops in the car while out on game drives.   The internet is another story.  We have to go to Mopani camp for that so my plan is to keep a diary and when possible copy and paste to WordPress and upload the photographs if we happen to have lunch or breakfast at Mopani during these five days a Tzendze.  It takes time so it won’t always be possible.   I will, however, post the missing days as soon as possible.

It was 10 degrees C when we left camp at 07h50 this morning but it was not long before we stripped off our fleeces and it was only necessary to put them back on after 19h00. Another wonderful day in Africa.

Today we travelled the S50 and explored all the loops along the river and visited two hides.  Sightings were few and far between. We saw waterbuck, giraffe, zebra, impala and of course lots of elephants who as usual hogged the road and only moved off when they felt like it. I’m sure they do this on purpose just to show who is boss.

But it wasn’t only elephants that caused us angst. Impulsive impala do not have very good road sense and often leap out from the bush to cross a road before you’re aware that this was their plan. This morning an impala ram caused Earl to slam on breaks to avoid hitting him. We were of course driving very slowly as is the rule in the park. Just before that one of the Sanparks trucks with labourers on the back had rattled past us at great speed. I dread to think what would have happened had they needed to stop suddenly for an errant animal.

I have posted photos of the highlights and then below I have given information about the Shingwedzi facilities.

Shingwedzi Facilities

The caravan park is big.  Some sites are very shady while others do not offer much shade.  We paid extra for a perimeter site and were lucky that number 14 was available and had shade almost the whole day.

There is a monkey and baboon problem here but it was not as bad as Punda Maria.  A general rule to follow in every camp is never to leave caravan and car doors open even if you are right there.  Never leave food unattended.  Close up everything when you leave your site and make sure your food is securely locked away.  Leaving food in tents is not advisable.   Get a lockable cooler box.  

Like all the main camps, Shingwedzi has a shop and a restaurant. The shop does not have the variety of your local supermarket but most essentials are available and you can easily replenish your stocks without having to leave the park to go shopping. If you’ve forgotten to bring a torch, cooking pot, a bird guide, memory card for your camera or anything else, you could probably find your required item at the shop. If you don’t feel like cooking, you will be able to get a good meal at the restaurant at a reasonable cost.

Our caravans are well equipped for cooking and washing up so we don’t always use the camp kitchens but here at Shingwedzi they provide adequate basins, gas stoves and boiling water on tap. They are kept clean by the staff but sometimes other campers don’t clean up properly after themselves.

There are two ablution blocks.   The main one has a laundry between the men’s and women’s section.   The other is more central but over the road from the campsite, on the reception side.  There are positive and negatives regarding these facilities.

Positives

• The staff keep them spotlessly clean.
• Adequate hot water
• No broken tiles
• Doors closed properly and locked
• The main one provided a section with mirrors and plugs for hair drying and space for putting on make-up.
• The main one had enough space in each cubicle
• There were three shower cubicles on the second one and only could you open the door without stepping into the shower space.

Negatives

• Plastic shower curtains
• Shower Cubicles in most are too small
• Paper towel not replaced often enough.
• No disinfectant spray provided to clean basins etc Come on Sanparks – COVID!

We are visiting the park for 38 days so having laundry facilities is important.  What I love about coming to Kruger is that they have laundrettes with coin operated machines.  At Shingwedzi there are two washing machines and two dryers. Only one washing machine is working. The other sports an out of order notice dated 21 June 2021. The washing machine takes two R5 coins for a 45 minute cycle. One of the dryers also takes two R5 coins but the other takes five R2 coins. Tokens throughout the park would be a better option. Dream on!

There is a swimming pool which we did not use but I went to take a look and it was sparkling.

In spite of maintenance problems and poor management in some areas, Kruger National Park is still a great place to visit.    Just be prepared that things won’t be perfect and come prepared.  Bring you own sanitising sprays, spare paper towel and/or wiping cloths.   Most campers try to leave the facilities clean and neat after using them but there are always those who think somebody else is going to come along and clean up after them.

Tomorrow is moving day. We are looking forward to spending five nights at rustic camp Tzendze.

We enjoyed another beautiful warm day in the Kruger National park today. At 7 o’clock when we awoke it was 12 degrees C and by the time left for our game drive just after 8 it had risen to 19 and continued to climb until a maximum of 30 degrees C. Sitting outdoors in the evenings is also very pleasant and we have not even needed fleeces before 8 pm.

This morning we travelled the H1-7, S56 and S57 with S56 being the most productive for birds. We travelled in tandem with Cathy and Alec and kept in touch with walkie talkies which have a range of about three kilometres.

Our first adventure began early on the H1-7

Our route took us along the S56 which was good for birds and mamals.

There is an African proverb that goes, “If vultures surround you try not to die!” It seems horrible that vultures eat dead things but in nature they are invaluable because they help control disease spreading by eating creatures that have died. They are nature’s rubbish disposers. There were lots around this morning but we did not find any dead bodies.

The river is mostly dry with ponds of water in places. It was lovely to see a line of zebra using it as a road to wherever they were going.

As we returned on the road next to the river we saw two hippos enjoy what water there was.

We spent the heat of the day in camp and after a lunch of tuna mayonnaise salad, went out again at quarter past three. We wanted to make sure we got back well before the six o’clock gate closing time. So we took the S52 to Red Rocks and then turned around at half past four without actually finding the lookout! We’d missed the loop and by the time we realised our mistake we were in a hurry to get back to camp. But we enjoyed the creatures we met on the way there and back.

We haven’t seen all that many wildebeest and until today I have not taken a decent photograph of one. Today this guy obliged and sends his regards to my friend, Erich in Australia.

For dinner we had delicious beef kebabs, baked potato and salad. Cathy treated us to jelly infused with fruit and served with custard for dessert – just delicious.

Thank you all for following and a special thanks to the Gecko Group who have posted such kind comments on our WhatsApp group.

We were sad to bid farewell to Punda Maria this morning but packing up and hitching the caravan with the help of our new caravan movers was a pleasure.

When we move from camp to camp in a game reserve we stick to the tar roads and try to get to our destination with as little stopping as possible. Caravans at sightings are not a pretty thing. But Murphy was at work with his law again and today was the day that we needed to stop several times for some really lovely sightings.

As we turned onto the H1-7 we saw a huge herd of buffalo. They were a bit far off heading toward us so we waved and moved on. Cathy and Alec were a few minutes behind us but we found out later that they had seen them too.

The Earl will only stop if he doesn’t have to maneuver into a good position. Stopping for birdds is usually not a problem.

At ten past nine, we noticed a few cars stopped up ahead. We pulled up behind a jeep jockey. The guide was alone and taking photographs of something. Then I saw that partially hidden by bush were two lions on a kill, presumably a buffalo. After a few minutes we discovered there were three feasting and a fourth was lying under a nearby bush.

The Earl tried to get Cathy on the radio and after the third try she responded. He passed the three parked cars ahead of us and they slipped into our spot. We were able to see a bit more before moving on so as not to block the road for other cars arriving on the scene.

Next up were zebra and the cutest little foal stole our hearts.

It’s a 70km drive from Punda to Shingwedzi but with the speed limit being 50km per hour and actually going a lot slower than that and stopping from time to time, it takes a lot longer. So it was already ten to ten when we stopped at Babalala Picnic Site for a loo break. This is an unfenced site and has a caretaker making sure that everything is safe and kept in a pristine condition. We find that these rustic sites are far nicer than the busier fenced ones in the south. The ablutions were spotless and although we didn’t stay to have a snack we know from past experience that you can get boiling water from a pot that the caretaker keeps going on a gas stove, you can hire a skottel to cook breakfast and there is also a washup facility.

The next bird we stopped for had us confused at first. We were hoping for a Martial Eagle but it was something way smaller.

At Boyela Waterhole we found a mix of browsers and grazers – wildebeest, zebra and giraffe.

Cathy and Alec were in the lead and called us on the hand held radios. What a great surprise. They’d spotted two cheetah hiding in the grass and keeping a close eye on the the game. We could see them clearly but they did not face us and so most of our shots are of the backs of cheetahs! Cathy got the best one which I’m sharing here.

You do not want to meet up with elephants when towing a caravan but when they’re a fair distance away then it’s perfectly okay. We watched with joy as a herd came marching down an embankment and then began digging holes in the dry river bed and giving themselves a dust bath. The babies are the most adorable creatures.

Finally we arrived at Shingwedzi, checked in at reception and then went in search of a good camping site.

To get a perimeter site at Shingwedzi you have to pay a little extra. You are not given a particular number but can choose any one of the 26 sites available. At first we were devastated to see how many were already taken and thought we might have to settle for one without shade but luck was on our side and we have the best, shadiest site you could ever wish for. This afternoon we observed an elephant wander past and as we sat round the braai fire a hyaena patrolled the fence.

As I wrote this blog I heard a scops owl calling and various other wild sounds including the distant roar of a lion. I couldn’t wish to be in a more amazing place.

My day started well with a bird that I was hoping to see here at Punda. As I was sipping my morning coffee I spotted some crested guineafowl making their way across the campsite. I grabbed my camera and followed them until they started foraging in the leaf litter under some trees on the other side of camp.

Scattered showers were predicted for today and the morning skies were indeed very overcast. There was a spit and a spot before we left camp and a bit enroute but by 10 am it was fine and sunny.

Today we travelled in tandem with Cathy and Alec as we all wanted to visit Crook’s Corner and then have breakfast at Pafuri Picnic Site. This part of the park is really beautiful. The first part of the trip takes you through plains of mopane shrub and then to the Luvuvhu catchment area when the mopane disappears and is soon replaced with the most majestic trees and palms.

At the beginning of our trip we saw very few animals but just enjoyed the scenery. At Klopperfontein we found a few Egyptian geese and lots of Marabou Storks enjoying the water. Thanks to Cathy for the photographs.

Half an hour later we came upon a traffic jam and wondered if a leopard had been spotted. Well not a leopard but a leopard tortoise was in the middle of the road drinking from a puddle from a recent shower. Thanks to Alec for the photograph.

As we neared Crook’s corner and the vegetation changed we began to see lots of nyala, impala, zebra and kudu and of course elephant.

Finally we arrived at Crook’s Corner, a triangle of land where Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique meet.

One hundred years ago, Crook’s Corner was a No Man’s Land and a haven for law breakers such as ivory poachers and gun runners amongst others. In the corner there was a beacon that marked where the three countries met – in those days Mozambique was called Portuguese East Africa and Zimbabwe was called Southern Rhodesia. The ‘crook’ if the law caught up with him would hop over the beacon to the side that was not the jurisdiction of the cop who was after him. If all three country’s lawmen were there at the same time they would fight over who would get to take the wrong-doer prisoner and of course he would be laughing his head off as he hopped from one side to another.

Today there were no crooks there but there were a number of crocodiles who are equally as scary.

We also heard and saw a fish eagle fly overhead and a giant kingfisher made a brief appearance.

From Crook’s corner we made our way to Pafuri Picnic site. It was after 10 o’clock and we were starving having only had coffee and a rusk before we left camp. We were really looking forward to Cathy’s scrambled eggs and bacon. But uh oh – our way was blocked as is shown by Cath’s photographs.

We had to turn around and take a different route. Alec was behind us and reversed and then called us on the two-way radio to pull in next to him which the Earl did and then took the lead. Well to our horror, a short way along the road another gang were determined to keep us hungry a little longer! They were on both sides of the road and just kept blocking the way. After a while the Earl managed to slip past but the gap was blocked again and Alec couldn’t follow for several more minutes. Finally, the ellies gave way and we continued only to be blocked by first, impala darting across in front of us and then helmeted guineafowl deciding to forget their road safety rules.

It was almost midday when we finally arrived at beautiful Pafuri. We found a table overlooking the river, Cathy and Alec set up their cooker and soon we were enjoying a delicious breakfast in the most beautiful setting in the world.

While my companions enjoyed the view I did a spot of birding. There were many to see but photography was difficult. After half and hour I needed a chiropractor to adjust my stiff neck!

The attendant saw me looking into a tree and called me over and told me where to find the black-throated wattle-eye. This bird has a very limited range in South Africa.

It was almost two o’clock when we left Pafuri. Cathy and Alec took the lead while Earl and I followed slowly behind stopping for every little bird of course. Cathy saw a lovely African Hawk-Eagle and is allowing me to post her photograph.

Earl and I were pleased to find a bateleur.

Posted below are some of the other birds that we saw during our drive.

We also watched these cute tree squirrels frolicking in a tree.

We arrived back at Punda Maria at about quarter past four and Alec alerted me to a flock of marabou storks flying overhead.

Then an elephant trumpeted and splashed water at some nyala at the waterhole. They decided to leave.

Cathy and Alec were in charge of dinner this evening and we enjoyed their wonderful spaghetti bolognaise followed by pears and cream. We really do eat well in the park.

Tomorrow we leave beautiful Punda Maria and for the campers out there I would like to comment on what the facilities here are like.

There are two ablution blocks which when the camp is busy are not enough. They are also in need of an upgrade. Maintenance is a problem. Some of the shower tiles are broken which could cause someone to hurt him or herself. The toilet door in one of the men’s ablutions did not have a lock. Also there were not enough toilets.

Reception, shop and restaurant are in the same building. We were treated in a friendly manner when we checked in. Covid protocols are also in place. The shop is adequately stocked with basic groceries, books and clothes and souvenirs. The service at the restaurant is a little slow but the food is good. The staff are polite and friendly both in the restaurant and the shop.

There is a pool which looked okay but we did not make use of it.

The laundry has one washing machine and one dryer. Each operates with four R2 coins.

The camp kitchen is kept clean and neat by staff – but other campers sometimes don’t clean up after themselves. I bring my own wiping clothes and kitchen cleaner just in case. I usually end up cleaning before and after. There are plugs in the sinks but always bring your own as often these disappear.

Monkeys are a problem. There is someone who walks around with a catapult to chase them but other things need to be put in place to prevent the monkeys causing havoc. The bins are monkey and baboon proof but when the staff collect the rubbish they leave the bags out for the cart to load and the monkeys then get into them and make a mess

I don’t like to be negative but feel it is important to let potential campers know what to expect. After we had set up camp, another camper wanted to use one of the electrical outlets that has four points. Two were not working and of course Alec and Earl were already connected to the two that were. Within minutes Earl fixed them. The camper told Earl that maintenance men had come earlier but failed to do a very simple job. Earl reported this to the camp manager. It’s not the first time that Earl had done free maintenance for Sanparks!

In spite of these little niggles, Punda Maria is a wonderful place to stay. Just be prepared for less than five-star maintenance. The biggest plus is the waterhole.

Oh and one more thing – the ground is hard. Bring a drill.

Once again we had a beautiful warm sunny day today. To us, from the cold and wet Western Cape, it felt like summer. At 4 pm it was 30 degrees C and even after the sun had set we sat outdoors without jackets.

Our morning drive started at 8:15 and we were back at camp by 11:15.
Just outside camp on the H13-1 we saw quite a few female kudu and continued to see lots of kudu in large groups for the rest of the day.

The H13-1 was quite active with birds but we heard more than we could see and when we did see them they refused to settle quietly for a photo. I was, however, delighted to see a flock of white-crested helmet shrikes and one obliged by sitting still for a few seconds.

Everybody who follows my travel blogs knows I love giraffe. Today. several came out to say howdy.

At 9:20 we turned onto the Ndzuondzwini Loop. Soon we found a huge herd of kudu and impala and in the distance some waterbuck too. We sat and watched them drinking and browsing and grazing. Sometimes they would all stop and stand perfectly still all looking in the same direction. We think they were aware of a predator in the area. They could certainly sense something. After a while they relaxed and continued with their breakfast and entertained us with their activities.

While we watched the buck interacting we were unaware that a bull elephant had appeared on the scene. I happened to look to the left and there he was.

Eventually all the kudu and impala left the scene and disappeared into the bush. The elephant soon lumbered off too so we moved on but stopped when we spotted an interesting bird.

We continued to see the usual suspects – more giraffe, zebra and birds who refused to pose, before returning to camp. Cathy and Alec had also gone for a short drive and were back at the same time. The Earl cooked us some lovely scrambled eggs for breakfast and we only went out again at 3:30 pm.

These are the highlights of the afternoon drive.

Baobab trees lose their leaves in winter but Spring is just around the corner and so some are beginning to wake up for the summer.

The sun was just going down when we arrived back at camp and as we parked I noticed two men staring up into the tree under which the Gecko is set up. I asked what they’d seen and they said it could be a Gabar Goshawk. I could only locate it after a few minutes of their careful direction. “Perhaps it’s a Shikra,” I suggested and we checked my Roberts App. Indeed it was and they were delighted. Well, so was I! A shikra in my tree!

It was my turn to do dinner tonight so I brought out my trusty Remoska pot and made a chicken casserole with lots of veggies.