NKOMAZI GAME RESERVE SEPTEMBER 11

For our 24th wedding anniversary we treated ourselves to a luxurious long weekend at the marvellous Komati Tented Camp in this reserve.  This is a relatively new reserve and is only 15 000 hectares.  It has Lion, Elephant and Rhino of the big five, and many different species of antelope.  It was a lovely relaxing weekend and we were treated like royalty.  The "tents" are huge canvas structures, with a private deck and your own plunge pool.  As you can see from the way we are dressed, it was a little chilly to be plunging into anything, but we had a wonderful time.

Beautiful scenery

A Coral Tree

Yes it was freezing!

Wattled Lapwing

Brown Hooded Kingfisher

Firey necked nightjar

Madikwe October 11

So at the end of October I spent a few days at Mosethla Bush Camp in Madikwe with a group of amateur photographers.  The temperature was in the mid 40s while we were there, and those who know Mosethla will appreciate the challenges of no running water and no electricity, no pool to jump into and cool off!  The first two nights the camp was full (about 20) with people from all over the world, Norway, England, USA, and of course South Africa. We had some lovely chats around the fire after dinner under the stars.  I am hoping to stay in touch with some of them.

The game viewing was second to none.  The rains have not come yet and the land is still parched.  The area around Vlei Pan was as busy as usual with the elephants and rhinos (white and black) trying to get the best mud patch for wallowing.  Zebra, impala, wildebeest, rhino, elephant, buffalo all come to this pan to drink.



Not too far from the Vlei Pan is a jackal den where a mum and two pups hide during the day and just before sunset when the temperature has dropped (slightly) they are allowed to come out to play.  Very curious they wanted to sniff and look at everything, including our vehicle, although when they got too close mum called them back.

The lions were also quite active, even though the males usually were doing what they do best, sleeping off a big meal.  One pride of two males, three females and five cubs were particularly entertaining one afternoon.

The bird life around Mosethla is fantastic too.  Just a small bird bath under a tree is enough to attract a steady stream of traffic.  I was lucky enough to be able to sit quietly on the steps to my room and take some photographs of the birds coming and going.  Of particular interest is the Klaas's cuckoo, not because it is a good shot but because the green and white colouring really stands out. Sometimes they can look quite dull when in full sun.

Hope you enjoy looking at the pictures.

This giraffe looked quite surprised to find himself amongst a herd of buffalo

How cute is this cub?

Another beautiful African sunset

Plenty of fighting going on for the attention of the females

Klaas's Cuckoo

Black collared barbet - all the birds sat with their beaks open trying to stay cool

He had just had a lovely wallow in the mud

This kudu took ages to approach the water as it was very nervous - then caught sight of its own reflection!

Having a refreshing drink

These two were feeding their young inside the tree

The resident lizard at Mosethla in the tree next to the breakfast table

These cubs were very playful

But still best of friends

Jackal pups - about three months old

Xeena

Wakkerstroom

African Rock Pipit

Black Headed Oriole

Long Tailed Widow Bird

Grey winged Spurfowl

This tiny town, on the border of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal is home to the offices of Birdlife South Africa and the abundance of birdlife in the area is an attraction for twitchers from all over the world.  The town, quaint in the extreme is two streets, but has one of the best restaurants we have ever been to - the Bistro.  Seats about 20 people and has quite an extensive menu.  Delicious!  Early morning saw us with our local birding guide travelling about 50 kms around the town and learning a lot of new species.  In the afternoon we sat in one of the many bird hide overlooking the wetlands watching the springtime activity.  Lovely lovely place.  September 2011.

Welgevonden Private Game Reserve

Sunset

Little Banded Goshawk

Full of the Joys of Spring - baby warthogs

In late September 2011 we were fortunate enough to be invited by good friends to their house in this wonderful, well run, well stocked game reserve.  10 friends together, rising early to go on morning game drives, returning mid morning to a brunch to settle the hunger pangs of our screaming tummies.  Then rest and relaxation in the heat of the afternoon, sitting on the deck with the binoculars hoping to see and identify some of the many bird species flitting back and forth, or even wildebeest wandering across the plain towards the water for their late afternoon drink.  Then a quick cup of tea before heading out again in the late afternoon, sundowner picnic box packed and the excitement of driving out in the heat of the late afternoon with the prospect of another beautiful sunet and the cool air of the evening.  Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops suddenly, and by 6.30 pm we are looking for jerseys and jackets!  But we get back to camp and the fire has been lit and the braai can get started while we all sit around the fire sipping our red wine or whisky on the rocks and share stories.  Some of the photographs I took appear here.

Welcome to my Blog

I came to Africa as a 23 year old, not really knowing what to expect.  30 years later this continent (and I have only seen a small part of it, so far) has reached deep into my soul and awakened in me a passion for the bush and the silence of the wide open spaces and vast skies, has left me wanting to see more, but also happy to see the same places over and over again.  For in the African bush, no two days are ever the same.  Each sunset is spectacular, even if it is a little ordinary.  So here goes.  I have made it my mission to escape the confines of big city Johannesburg as often as I possibly can and get "out there".  Don't get me wrong, I do not "rough it" by any means.  A girl still likes her shower and toilet facilities.  However, I am off tomorrow to a camp (for the second time) with neither of these things and am so excited I can barely keep still.  Hopefully you will read some of my blogs.  I am no writer but I love South Africa and I love the wildness of Africa, so perhaps that will come through.