Day: April 24, 2019

The morning started before sunrise. We each got a wash bowl placed in front of the cabin and after a quick coffee we were off into the “Wilderness!”. By jeep into the bush and then on foot a few miles through the countryside. Fiona and Christopher always take a short storytelling break when interesting things appear along the way, such as elephant graveyards, tiger tortoise shells, dinosaur fossils, … turn up.

We learned a lot about nature and the people who used to live here. There are centuries old holes carved into the rocks for playing fields with stones! Lunch break was high up on a small mountain in the ruins of the “castle” of the former cruel, African king Makahani. The view was fantastic. A Black Eagle nest on the cliff side used to be used to punish disgraced men by lowering them down on a rope and only bringing them back up if the person could steal the eagles’ chicks from the nest. Otherwise, the rope was cut! We also learned a lot about the beautiful ancient Baoab trees. Among other things, containers are made from the bark, they serve as food for the animals and you can also make medicine with it. In our camp is a huge Baoabtree. After we were back in camp, there was lunch and then siesta. At 16:00 we left again, with the jeep and a short walk to a hill where we admired the sunset with a can of beer.

Afterwards Winston, the camp cook, spoiled us with a good dinner and we had a nice chat with the others. By the way, we also saw hippos, zebras, impalas, nyalas, buffalos and many birds and small animals.

Silke

On Easter Sunday we had breakfast at the Silonque Bush Estate in Phalaborwa and then drove north to the Punda Maria Rest Camp. The drive took a little longer, because on some roads a few holes ( pot holes) forced us to drive slowly. There are also cows and donkeys running along the road.

Un 12:30 we reached the gate and then leisurely drove to the camp. From the car we could again spot giraffes, zebras and impalas.

After a little wait, we met our guide Christopher and his assistant Fiona and our 4 fellow travelers at the camp. Two couples, Eric and Giesela from South Africa and Doro and Pablo from Basel are coming with us. Our cars stay in Punda Maria. We still had the opportunity to buy extra drinks like wine, coke or beer in the store. Then we have been driven with an open jeep to Camp Nyalaland to a Wilderness Trail, 4 days – 3 nights. .

The camp consists of four cabins, each with two single beds, a communal hut, a fire pit, a wash house, a kitchen, a supply store, a ranger’s hut and a fence, which, however, is more to keep the visitors in the camp than the animals out. A part of the fence is currently collapsed because an elephant wanted to look after the right. After the delicious warm dinner we sat together at the fire and got information about the schedule of the next days. Among other things: – If we see any eyes on the way to the outhouse, we are to turn back to the safe hut and call Christoffer for help. – During the “Walks” we must always walk united behind the two armed rangers and act on instructions in case of danger. – It is advisable to carry a flashlight in the dark and wear closed shoes to avoid accidentally stepping on snakes or scorpions. All precautions of course!!!

Silke