Bouncing around Berg en Dal - September 2012

[BunnyHugger]

There is something about a visit to Kruger that is balm for my soul. That recharges my batteries and puts in place a certain serenity and sense of perspective and wonder.

This trip was to do more for this sense of awe and wonder than any other. It was different in many ways and ideal in many others. Never before have we left for KNP in torrential rain or had a two day layover before entering paradise but this trip was such. For the first time ever, I reached the gates of paradise relaxed and with great xpectations of a trip that will most likely take a lot to better.
We left Egoli in pouring rain and it rained just about all the way to Witbank and was cloudy and overcast as far as Belfast. The business end was done quickly and we left the burg at around mid day headed foir the spruit. The slowveld kid was a great host and we got the grand tour. "This is the fridge, that's the kettle, coffee's here and so is the sugar"
"If you want something, don't ring the bell, the servants are off!"
(Now at this point, - have to say "so was he"

Apparently he had been at work which somehow involves being a baboons toilet and something of a waiter and mother to lions and Rhinos. So, he was smelloing rather rank and oiff.

[Amoli]

Super start BH.... this is gonna be a good TT -O

More please...

[BunnyHugger]

After a fair deal of partying on Saturday (minus RP who was apparently sick in bed) and a bit more on Sunday with the big Induna, we finally crawled off to bed in anticipation of the real start of our trip.

We awoke on Monday morning to the sound of a TV at fair volume and found the kid still asleep on the couch. Something tells me he spent the night checking out the TV through the back of his eyelids. (Silly tart)

So after packing all our gear, coffee, and a shower, we were ready to go. Woke the kid up to let us out of the gate and taking some driving lessons, from the Induna hisself, I managed to keep clear of the gate post and navigate our way through without modifications to either gate or vehicle. Heading towards Numbe gate and paradise for the next few nights.

There was one helluva queue at the gate and my spirits sank when I imagined it would take at least an hour to get in. I stormed off to the front (on foot) and asked the gate attendant if we could go in since we had reservations for overnight accommodation and was politely informed that I still had to wait my turn. AS one of our other members would put it, this gave rise to the "pelican face".

It turned out that our wait was less than 5 minutes and we got moving again. This time though, no ellies at the gate to welcome us. We got on with that and on the road just as soon as we could. Game viewing mode "ON" and off we went at a nice sedate pace. Took a little while to get used to the way the car drives at idle speed and what gear worked but found a nice sweet spot in third gear giving us about 22 to 23 km an hour. Not too fast, not too slow.

For the first couple of km, I had the sinking feeling that all the aminals had taken a long weekend in Jozi as there was nothing to be seen. I could hear birds, but nothing to be seen.

A short while later I got a sighting of a grey duiker. Not exposed enough for a picksha but definitely visible with the binos. Next we saw the first of many lone Impala (something I have never seen in paradise before) and then very shortly after that, another grey duiker.

[Mel]

Entertainment on the way!

Love the start and am ready for more.

[Penga Ndlovu]

Great start bud.

Got any ??

[BunnyHugger]

Er slight technical glitch which will delay the picksha end of the trip report for a couple of days.

It seems that my access to Photobucket has been interrupted. Where we had access before on the network, it has become a blocked site.

[Penga Ndlovu]

Technically disadvantaged??????? -O -O -O

[Richprins]

Well done, old chap!

[Flutterby]

Great start Bunny!! Can't wait for the pickshas!!

[flying cheetah]

Me too