XWORLD AFRICA tour diary Stage 12

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Day 1:

 

Autumn must be one of the most beautiful times in South Africa. It is no longer as hot, and nature shows itself from its most beautiful side. Perfect for a week-long 4x4 tour around Johannesburg. The guests are actually meant to have arrived early in the morning so that sufficient time remains for a brief tour of the city. However, they all miss their connecting flights, which means we have to change the route slightly. New arrival times are set for the following day. Allowing us a little more time to prepare the vehicles for our adventure into Kruger National Park.

 

 

Day 2:

 

All the guests arrive in the early morning. So as to not waste any time, we drive directly to our guest house. During a second breakfast, we outline the new trip itinerary before briefing the guests on the vehicles and stowing the luggage. We set off shortly after midday and head east on the N4. The weather deteriorates and torrential rain begins a short time later. Perfect for our first off-road drive through the mountains. The vehicles look as one would perhaps expect afterwards! We arrive at our guest house in Schoemanskloof Valley late in the evening. We toast our first day of driving with the obligatory gin and tonic, and enjoy our dinner by candlelight, as the storm has cut the power.

 

 

Day 3:

 

We set off early in the morning, as we do not want to arrive in the Kruger National Park too late. We head north through Blyde River Canyon. Fantastic views alternate with canyons over which the clouds hang low. What a magnificent sight! At around midday, we reach the Phalaborwa Gate into Kruger National Park. The formalities are rapidly completed, and we are the star attraction at the gate with our vehicles. It is around 90 kilometres to our lodge beside Olifants River. However, we choose not to take the quickest route but instead to drive along the little trails off the main road. We spot the first elephants, giraffes stand at the roadside, and impalas cross our path time and time again. The temperature rise to a scorching 30°. We reach our camp beside Olifants River in time for sunset. Situated on a plateau, the camp offers spectacular views over the park and Olifants River in which the odd elephant bathes. Latest now, all of us feel that we have arrived in Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4:

 

The fourth day is devoted entirely to animal watching. We leave the camp and travel to the southern part of the national park. We encounter countless large herds of elephants along the way. We drive beside Shisakashanghondo River – what a wonderful name! – and come upon the largest herd of buffaloes of the day. We are surveyed by the disgruntled herd. Even positioning our “Amarok buffalo” in the foreground as a sign that we are one of them doesn’t change anything. The buffaloes grunt as they watch us and carefully consider our every move. We gradually edge from their midst and conclude that sometimes you also have to be able to back down. In the afternoon, we stop for lunch in a guarded public campground where we are by no means alone. I had thought we were well prepared for lunch, but we learn otherwise. We are treated to “braai” (barbecued meat) cooked to perfection. Mountains of meat and sausages wait to be laid on the grill. We are visibly impressed. The journey back to our camp along Olifants River in the late afternoon turns out to be a peaceful drive through wonderful scenery. At times, we were accompanied by lone wild dogs and hyenas.

 

Day 5:

 

Today we must bid farewell to Kruger National Park. That said, around 200 kilometres of trails through the national park still lie ahead of us. At the same time, we do not want to leave the park without having seen any lions. This wish is finally granted while crossing Sandi River in the north of the park. A couple of lions laze on a sand bank, seemingly content with full bellies. Indeed, we appear to have narrowly missed the hunt: the carcass of a zebra lies a short distance away. We leave the park via Kruger Gate with ample photographic material, returning to Johannesburg on the N4. We enjoy our last evening together in the best steak restaurant in Johannesburg, Chaplin’s Grill, and share accounts of the past few days whilst indulging in 600 g rib-eye steaks.

 

 

Day 6:

 

Today is our last day together. We drive our Amaroks, which we have since grown fond of, back to the VW dealer before heading straight on for an extended sightseeing tour of the city. Johannesburg is considered one of the “greenest” metropolises in the world, and we can only confirm this. In the afternoon, it is time to bid one another farewell. We have experienced a great deal in this short time, and are already looking forward to meeting again – sometime, somewhere.

 

 

 

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