In and around Shingwedzi

What a great camp, my favorite, everything works and the camp is well run, the staff are tremendous and well trained in the needs of us campers.

Saturday, as always, is my rugby day, the only time I watch TV, great win for the Stormers, again.

Weather has been perfect, daytime has reached 34C and at night has dropped to about 10C perfect for camping.

Sunset from Shingwedzi

Mother and Child

Shaking off the pests Red Billed Ox pecker

Peaceful scene along the S58 towards Babalala

Lots of Elephant and Buffalo around Shingwedzi, still hunting for cats, but hope to see tomorrow as we have heard there is a Buffalo kill on the  H1-7 near Babalala.

Tomorrow Sunday is our last day at Shingwedzi before we move to Tsendze for 5 nights

Tsendze is a rustic camp with no electricity, so we will have to conserve our power.
The computer and I pad will be switched off until the situation normalizes. Cell phones will be charged in the car. All The Perishables will be move to the car fridge and the frozen stuff stored in the camp freezers.

We will try to do a regular Blog Post from Mopani, the biggest camp from where we are. 

Shingwedzi

Arrived at Shingwedzi for 6 nights, a great shady site next to the fence which Archie and Judy had kept for us until we arrived at 08:30. easy set up.

We had a braai the first night, very pleasant other than a neighbor who had his TV a bit loud ""Sevende Laan"", a polite request from me to turn it down worked (was going to go out at midnight and knock the aerial out of alignment).

Stayed in camp the second day to paint we both half finished a painting. Will show once complete.

Had a deboned leg of lamb with roast potatoes for supper Had Archie and Judy over for dinner.

At about 01:30 this morning we woke with the Hyaenas making a huge racket followed by Lions growling, Lettie got up in her PJ's to see if she could see, I was to lazy to look for my pants and stayed in bed, everything quietened down only to be followed by an enormous roar very close by.
Everyone was up and I found my pants and spotlight and was out like a shot.

An amazing sighting of 9 agitated lions, one with a collar, not more than 30 meters from the fence right in front of our caravan. They were moving fast and growling, the spotlight I spent R900- on the other day just paid for itself. No Photos as the cameras were in the car, note to self, always take one camera to bed with you, you never know, keep spotlight charged.

A few campers had gathered trying to see the Lion, it was pitch dark with no moon, one lady stepped into the bird bath we had set out for the birds, much to everybody amusement.

It was either a skirmish with the Hyaenas or a territorial dispute.

Things quietened down and we went back to bed unable to sleep from excitement. We heard a few roars as they moved in a westerly direction. At about 4:00am we heard an almighty roar close by and wondered if this might be the new owner of the territory having expelled the lesser pride.

We awoke early, bleary eyed we set off to see if we could track down the pride. We found the spoor on the road but no sign or sound of them. Completed the Red Rocks road to Bateleur, on the way back we found a riverside shady spot where we caught up on lost sleep and snoozed for an hour or so
wonderful wonderful sleep.

Came back to camp contented and had a late breakfast.

A truly amazing sighting, a first for us...what next will this Eden offer up?

This was tinged on Kruger Sightings by me at 02:00am by me (Rogie Rogie)

Bateleur on the Red Rocks road

Tonight we are braaing at the day visitors site right on the river what could be better

Braai 101

Moving to Shingwedzi tomorrow 26/5/2015, one day early. spoke to Archie who says that the internet is not working at Shingwedzi so the Blog posts might not be as frequent, hence this late post before we go. Come on Vodacom whats the problem same thing at Lower Sabie.

Last Braai at Letaba after we have packed and ready to go.

BRAAI  101

Heat..Eat..Drink..Repeat. 

Packed and ready to go to Shingwedzi. canvas down, caravan turned, we leave at 06h00 26/05/15

We are at Shingwedzi for 6 nights before moving to Tzendze for 4 and then back to Satara for 6. 16 nights left, have been in the park for 32 nights already.

In and around Letaba

On Friday 22 May Kim and I went on another walk in the Letaba area, same routine, left at 05h15 and drove to the walking area about 12Km from Letaba, same briefing, absolute silence, single file, don't run. this time there were only 3 of us on the walk with 2 armed guides. As we waited for the light to improve to start walking a Lion roared very close by, we all looked at each other and stood closer together, we waited for the Lion to roar again to get a directional fix on him and set off in that direction. Fortunately or unfortunately we did not bump into the Lion, we walked for about 2 hours before stopping on a Koppie where there was a Hyaena den, we had some juice and snacks. on the walk we saw Hyaena, Klipspringer, Impala, scrubs hare and Springhaas. This walk was not as interesting as the Lower Sabie one but then it was in Mopanie veld.

Searching for the lesser Honey guide which was trying to attract our attention

On the Koppie at half way

Walking just behind the guides

On Saturday we took a long drive along the Letaba River towards Olifants, onto Baluli and down the Timbavati to the picnic spot where we had a late brunch. We saw lots of game unfortunately no cats or dogs but still a great drive. Returned to camp for sundowners and a great braai while watching the Rugby on DSTV. go Stormers.

Watching us braai and laughing at the Cheetahs

Contemplating the Stomers win

The Boabab at Timbavati

A most unusual sighting a Car Wash at the Goedgegun waterhole on the Timbavati. This is the waterhole that supplies the Rangers Post about 2 Km away.

Sunday morning we went for a short drive before coming back to camp. We went to the Letaba Mug&Bean for breakfast. Took a leisurely drive to Phalaborwa gate to drop Kim at the airport.

Great 4 days with our daughter.

We have secured an extra 2 nights at Letaba so we only move to Shingwedzi on Wednesday morning.