Campfire Safaris

Trip Start Aug 11, 2008
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Trip End Aug 18, 2008


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Where I stayed
Game Reserve
(Hoedspruit hotels)

Flag of South Africa  , Limpopo,
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Well the quiet relaxing stay at the Stumble Inn ended and we had recharged our batteries.  Now on the 18th August 2008 we had yet again to set off to a new destination.  So set off early, good job we did with all the traffic, back to Jo'burg Airport.  Got there easy again (best navigator there is doing her job well), Avis was well organised, and domestic terminal very easy to negotiate (without porters asking for money if they help you).  Plane to Hoedspruit was larger than the ones to and from Manzini - a DeHavilland Dash 8 if you're interested.  Plus we had a large bun, kitkat and fruit juice for the 1 hour flight.

Touchdown Hoedspruit Gateway to the Kruger National Park.  Pilot slowed plane down quickly as we landed.  Why? There were two cheetahs, one each side of the runway just sunning themselves.  Warthogs too just a bit further up.  Tractor (Massey Ferguson - old type) & trailer to collect baggage and take it very short distance to front of a building (the terminal, couldn't all fit in so had to stand outside).  Brass was there to meet us, together with Elliot a young welsh lad who is on the course too.  Collect bags and get into the buikke (pickup with lifton liftoff safari seats, yep helped to lift them on/off already).  Cold day and a bit of drizzle, well it is winter, so t-shirt and fleece gear on.  Arrive at Campfire Safaris and are put into number 2 Rondavel.  Very cosy and warm.  Kitchen and facilities are communal but good.  This time dinner is cooked for us.  Staff and other volunteers very nice.  Viewing tower is great and can see for miles.  All that separates us from the animals is yet again an electric fence and sheep netting - but this one is on!!  Have heard the lions roaring and seen pawprints next to wateringhole.  Yet again we have dogs and one is a staffy - bush is his name and lovely nature and build.  Plenty of animals coming to waterhole.  Going on another game drive tomorrow. communal kitchen/dining area
communal kitchen/dining area
 Plus walking in Drakensburgs, boat trip down the Blyde River Canyon, Panoramic Drive around Kruger Park yet to be done.  Hope to sleep out in the zebra hide one night, out away from the security of an electric fence.  Had lectures already on birds, game farm management, ecology, and been working out in the reserve doing erosion work and bush walks.

More to come another time.
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