South-Africa safari

In September we flew to South-Africa for a 2 weeks safari trip around 4 game reserves from the Greater Kruger and more to the north. After a flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg we arrive late in the evening. We sleep in the Tambo Citylodge just few footsteps from the airport and the next morning we take a domestic flight to Nelspruit. There, somebody of the Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is welcoming us and a short transfer later we check in for a couple of nights and a lot of gamedrives. In the 6500 ha of the reserve we make 2 gamedrives per day and besides the usual wildlife as lions, elephants and more we see rhino's, hyena's nyala's, waterbucks and birdspecies as the steppe eagle, savanne eagle, oxpeckers, hornbills, lilac-breasted rollers and lots more.

On Sunday we visit the local community and we go to church were the locals are in to a lively celebration. After church we are invited in the hut of the shaman. We get info about the rituals and the attributes necesary to use for it, and the collection of medicines and medicinal drinks. It was without doubt an interesting morning.   

From the Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge we move on to the Nthambo Tree Camp in Klaserie Private Game Reserve, a private concession of 60 000ha still in the Greater Kruger area. Here we see the first leopard of this trip and also other big cats, lions great and small. On one of the evening gamedrives we see the very shy Fiery-necked nightjar and a hyena. Further special discoveries are the millipede and a Serrated Hinged Terrapine. At the swimmingpool of the lodge we get a daily show when a thirsty herd of elephants enjoys the watersupply.

On the last gamedrive in Klaserie we have encounters with 3 hyena's and a pack of wild dogs which we observe for a long time. Further a leopard, a Wahlberg's eagle and an African sea eagle we notice too.

After Klaserie we head for the north in the direction of Welgevonden Private Game Reserve (36 000ha). Due to the long distance we have an overnight stay in Tzaneen and we sleep on an estate annex mango plantation. Next morning after breakfast we leave to the Sediba Rock Lodge where we arrive just in time for lunch.

These days the weather in South-Africa changes completely. Temperatures are abnormal cold and in the open vehicles blankets and warm poncho's are delivered to warm the passengers. We wear 6 layers of clothing to get warm but it doesn't help much. We hear from other guests in the lodge that some passes in the Drakensberg are blocked with snow. Despite the bad and dark weather we enjoy our days in Welgevonden. After returning from a gamedrive, almost frozen, we dive into our private jacuzzi to warm up. The excellent kitchen of the lodge makes us very happy guests too.

The landscapes in this reserve are very diverse and stunning and also here we see some rare animals never seen before as the bat-eared fox and unknown birds as the Denham's bustard, the Cape white-eye, the White-bellied sunbird and much more. For the first time ever on safari we see here rhino's with horn. In most other countries and game reserves, even here in South-Africa horns are removed to avoid poaching and protect the rhino's. But here in Welgevonden they are very well monitored and protected. We are delighted by the beauty of this amazing animals.

The last location after Welgevonden is more to the north close to the Botswana border and it is Madikwe Game Reserve (75 000ha). We stay in the Motswiri Private Safari Lodge from where we make again several gamedrives twice a day. Very soon we meet Felix the cheetah, a beautiful and photogenic male. On one of the morning gamedrives we follow a couple lions. Our ranger decides to stop and take the time to observe them. The mating season is going on and maybe who knows with some luck ... it can happen suddenly. We get paid for our patience and the two decide to mate just in front of our vehicle. A really unique happening with the necesarry roars and growls. The many elephants often in company of baby's which can be so cute clumsy are so great to see here. It looks a babyboom of elephants.

In the Motswiri Lodge guests can spent some time in a birdhide so I decide to sit a few times overthere and wait what will come to surprise me. Some unknown species for me are passing by such as the Green-winged Pytilia, the Violet-eared Waxbill, the Chinspot Batis and lots more. Also the waterhole is an attraction with herds of thirsty elephant families, kudu's, impala's, zebra's and more. On one of the evening gamedrives in the dark we pass an elephant carcass in which a spotted hyena was hiding and eating some leftovers. Without doubt that were unique sightings.

On the last gamedrive we drive back to Felix' territory with the hope ... and yes, he is there. Even more ... he is not single anymore... it looks the pretty female named Selati has stolen his heart. Both are enjoying upcoming sun and with some distance between eachother they are chilling in first light. This was the perfect end of a magnificent new African adventure. Goodbye South-Africa.