You can always tell if there is an interesting animal on the side of the road in the Kruger park as there is a queue of cars waiting. It’s actually usually very civilised. People pull up, take their photo’s, and move on for the next person. So we stood in the queue and then moved in the prime position just infront of the Lions (ok, so we were on the wrong side of the road which is not etiquette, but who cares).

The Lions were lying of the side of the road. One male and one female. A bit odd that they were not with a pride, but it didn’t matter to us. We sat and we watched and watched. and took a photo each time they moved. And there was no way Sanjay was going to give up THIS position, so all other cars just had to come and go as they wanted, we were not moving.

After about half an hour the female lion gets up and stares at us, and starts moving toward us. We get a bit nervous and roll the windows up slightly.

She walks toward the car and then walks right up agains the back of the car and crosses the road. The male jumps up and follows her across. Once on the other side of the road, they simply just lie down again. We’re still in prime position, because the cars of the other side of the road park very nicely so that we have a great view. Many cars came and went, often stopping in-front of us to take photo’s and apologising most profusely, but it was fine.

We stayed there for 2 and a half hours!! Sanjay said he would stay till the lions left, or the camp gate was going to close (5:30pm). It was only about 1:30! Eventually. the only reason we left was because Sanjay needed the toilet! We went  back to camp and had lunch, and left again within an hour.

We headed straight to the Lions again. They were still there, they had just changed position. We stayed there until we had to leave for the camp because the gates would be closing (You get a fine if you are not in on time). It was hard to pull Sanjay away,  but his wife is such a nag! We got to the camp with 2 minutes to spare – which Sanjay was quite disgusted with as that could have been 2 minutes more with the Lions.

Kruger Park - Female Lion showing her teeth	Kruger Park - Male Lion
Kruger Park - Female Lion getting comfy	Kruger Park - Male Lion finding some shade

Kruger Park - Male Lion crossing the road	Kruger Park - Female Lion getting up to cross the road
Kruger Park - Female Lion not looking happy	Kruger Park - Female Lion big yawn

Kruger Park - Female Lion	Kruger Park - Male Lion
Kruger Park - Male Lion

On Wednesday we had booked to go on a morning game walk, and Rheanna’s parents had been booked on a morning game drive. The start was even earlier than the previous days, as we could leave before the gate opened. We drove almost an hour to the place where we were going to walk. It is a bit off the beaten track so that there are no other tourists or vehicles around to disturb the animals.

Luckily we were only on the walk with one other couple (from Montreal), and 2 guides who were armed with rifles and a magazine of bullets. Obviosuly they will only shoot as a last resort (at the animals we think!).

We tracked a Black Rhino for a while, and were shown tracks for Lions that had been through, and also elephants. We studied dung from the black and white rhino’s, (which were fresh) and also elephants.

Black rhino are ‘browsers’which mean they eat leaves etc, whereas white rhino are ‘grazers’ which mean they eat grass. This means that their dung is quite different. We also learnt about the white rhino’s ‘midden’. This is basically their toilet. They have a number of these ‘toilets’ around their territory and they always do their business in one of these – as a means of marking their territory. For another rhino to use one of these, would be a challenge for the territory.

Black Rhinos are also aggressive animals, so you don’t want to be found downwind from them as they will attack.

It is also a slightly nervy feeling walking through thick reeds and bushes, knowing that a predator such as a Leopard or Lion may be greeting you at your next step. When I was walking last, I made sure I kept turning around to watch my back often!

Unfortunately though, other than tracks and dung, the only thing we saw on the walk was baboons and Impala. It was very interesting though, and we learnt alot.

Kruger park - morning walk	Kruger park - Rhino midden (toilet)

We then decided that time was running out and we really needed to find some Lions. Sanjay really wanted to see Lions (during the day). So as soon as we got home we went with Rheanna’s mom for a ‘short’ drive. As soon as we left Skukuza, Sanjay saw another leopard. Unfortunately it walked into the bush, and we lost sight within minutes. We also saw  giraffe, ground hornbill, and a chameleon crossing the raod! He was so slow. He picks up his leg, pushes forward about 3 times to get momentum to take the step. It was painful to watch!

We then came across 2 kudu. They looked like they were about to start mating so we stopped and were taking photo’s, and video. Isn’t it kind of weird how we find this so cool, yet the human version is best left alone! Meanwhile a car drove up to us and says there are Lions 2km down the road, they are lying in the road! So in a huge rush, we left the Kudu to do their business and we were off to find Lions!

Kruger Park - Giraffe	Kruger park - chameleon crossing the road
Kruger park - Ground hornbill	Kruger Park - Kudu trying to 'get it on'

Kruger park - Leopard

On Monday we woke up early and were at the gates by 5.50am for the 6am opening.

We drove around for a few hours searching for animals. We saw: Vervet monkeys, Bushbuck, Hippo, giraffe, Steenbok, Baboons, Elephant, Warthog, Buffalo and even Wild Dog (and a few other things)

Then we went back to Skukuza to check out and then made our way to Lower Sabie rest camp. The road between Skukuza and Lower Sabie follows the Sabie river and is supposed to be one of the best for game viewing. The  43km distance took us nearly 4 hours, with all the stopping and taking photo’s and so on. It was great, but a long day.

We checked in at Lower Sabie, and only had a short time before our night drive. The night drive from Lower Sabie leaves earlier than the one the previous night at skukuza, not sure why that is. We had a female guide this time, who was awesome. She talked about the animals, and found many animals. We were busy driving along a dirt road, seeing a few animals, when she gets a call on the radio from the other guide. We can’t understand what they are talking about, but she says to us we have to rush a bit, she will stop if we want, but there is something we have to see. We drive and drive, by now the light is fading. We see a herd of Buffalo. We stop to take photo’s, and then the guide says, we can come back, there is something just around the corner. Around the corner we find a big tree, with an Impala (dead) in the tree, and lo and behold – a leopard!

We spent a while at the leopard, since it was getting darker, you could not see alot, but we did see it feeding on the Impala. We then went back to the Buffalo, and then we caught a glimplse of a pride of Lions walking through the bush. The guide followed them, and even went down a path that she was not allowed to go through just so that we could get some photo’s. It was great. All in all, we managed to  see the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant) in that one night drive – now that is a worthwhile drive!

Kruger Park - Buffalo (nice pose)	Kruger Park - Wild Dog
Kruger park - Hippo	Kruger Park - Bush buck

Kruger Park - Elephant at a watering hole	Kruger Park - Lioness
Play Spot the Leopard - can you see the Impala?	There IS a leopard - look closer

Sunday we arrived in the Kruger Park. We were going to ener via the Paul Kruger gate, but due to time and the fact that we were close to the bottom third of the park, we entered via the Numbi gate which we’ve never been through before.

The day was fairly uneventful but we did see:
Elephant
Impala
Steenbok
Kudu
Crocodile
Wildebeest
Giraffe
White tailed mongoose
Lion

When we were checking in we met a family who had entered in the Paul Kruger gate and they told us there was a Leopard lying in a tree close to the gate. Over an hour after their sighting we went to look for it but never found it.

Then we did a 3 hour sunset drive with a rookie driver who was fairly hopeless. I can’t believe how little we saw, but we were rewarded towards the end of the night with a really close sighting of 4 Lions. Because we hadn’t seen much we were able to spend a long time with the Lions, although obviously it’s hard to take a decent photo at night.

Kruger Park - Numbi Gate	Kruger Park - Pretoriuskop
Kruger Park - Elephant	Kruger Park - Female Kudu
Kruger Park - Female Lion at night	Kruger Park - Female Lion at night

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to have lunch with Leon Scheepers, a friend of mine who has run 11 Comrades! It’s always interesting to see how different runners are – in stature, training methods, and beliefs.

As our time in South Africa is starting to draw closer to ending, we have been doing more and more of our favourite sport, shopping. Thursday morning it was back to Westgate.

In the afternoon we travelled back to the Hartebeesport dam area and went to the Elephant Sanctuary.

This is one of 3 around the country, and has 5 elephants. 2 Males and 2 females in the main enclosure and 1 4-tonne Big Bull who is being trained/rehabilitated.

The elephant sanctuary aims to rehabilitate elephants and provide a venure for people to learn and interact with the giant mammals.

Firstly we got to touch the Elephants all over. It was interesting to feel how thick and hard their skin is in different parts of their body. They have a very hard elbow! And their tail is made of the stiffest hair which is a great fly swatter!

Juvenile Elephant being a 'hooligan' we are told

Next we got to pose for photos with them and have a kiss with the Elepants!
I complain when Rheanna gives me a sloppy wet kiss, but this was much worse as it was big, warm, sloppy vacuum cleaner on your face and full of mud (we hope) from their trunks!

One slobery kiss on its way	Ewww, and then there was (I hope) mud on my face
Elephant sanctuary - Sanjay and Rheanna with an elephant

Then we fed the elephants, giving them pellets that are made of a variety of plant material for nutrition. (Elephants eat 200+kg per day as they only absorb about 30-40% of what they eat). You simply hold the food and pour it down their trunk!

Elephant sanctuary - Rheanna feeding an elephant

Next we walked the Elephants (well not sure who was walking who, as you don’t really argue with a 2-tonne walking partner!) by holding and leading them with their trunks.

Elephant Sanctuary - who is walking who?

Then it was time to climb on back and enjoy an elephant ride. With their size and weight, a 75kg human being doesn’t bother them at all. We rode barebacked, with just a towel, and it is much more comfortably then riding a horse.

Elephant sanctuary - Sanjay riding an elephant

Finally we went to visit the Big 4-tonne Bull and give him some food.

At the end of a long day, it was time to enjoy some sundowners in the Maglaliesberg mountains. With a beautiful view, Monekys nearby and great company as there was us, our guide Ignaceus, and 3 American friends, Blaze, Andreas and Melissa.

We then shared a beautiful 3 course meal around the fire in a nice boma, entertained on the Mbiera (a traditional African instrument made of steel keys and a fibeglass shell that sounds like a mix between a piano and xylophone) around the fire. Not sure why whenever there is a fire we feel compelled to sit around it! However nothing beats sitting around the fire in the African bush, pitch black all around, with only small lighting methods.
I’ve also never seen a person (Ignaceus) stoke the fire with his bare hands! When we asked him how he did this, Ignaceus simly replied, “This is Africa”

Driving back home late at night in the dark on smaller roads we started to freak ourselves out when we saw signs saying “Hijacking hotspot next 2km.” This is Africa for sure…

On Tuesday we started off by going to Menlyn Park shopping centre in Pretoria, before we made our way to the hallowed turf of Loftus to watch the second round clash between Japan and Paraguay – obviously it is my favourite stadium in the world as it is home to the Bulls. Driving to Pretoria it struck us for the first time how different Pretoria is to Jozi. There are so many more trees and the quieter nature gives it a much more peacful feel compared to Johannesburg.

It’s only been 2 years since we were last at Loftus, but boy has it changed. It was orignally built in 1923, and much of the structure is still the same. Old concrete hallways dominate the architecture, but there have been some major improvements, including the seats, and the addition of the roof on the far grandstand.

You can even see Union Buildings (office of the President) in the background.

Sanjay with some art along the road	Rheanna and Zakumi
Hallowed Loftus	Sanjay in his beloved Loftus

Pretoria Union Buildings from Loftus	Crazy fans at Loftus - no, Bafana Bafana weren't playing

I had told Rheanna I wanted to see penalties, (and we were lucky enough?) which we got after the game and extra-time ended in a 0-0 draw.

Unfortunately Japan came out on the losing end after their third penalty taker hit the crossbar.

Japan vs Paraguay	Loftus at night
Japan vs Paraguay - he's going to miss it	Japan vs Paraguay - he missed that one too

Sunday we went to pick up our last soccer tickets in Sandton. Once we had our tickets I was offered tickets to the Brazil v Chile game at Ellis Park. I was offered tickets in all 4 categories, with category 4 (the cheapest seats valued at R350) seats costing R1500! Needless to say I declined!

We then went shopping at Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square. It’s been a while since we have been in Sandton, it’s a very nice suburb, upperclass and expensive!

Obviosuly we are terribly unfit. After a few hours shopping our feet were killing us, we were moaning and groaning and barely able to make it back to our car without collapsing. There’s going to have to be a serious diet and exercise program at the end of this holiday!

On Monday we went to Fourways to do more shopping. First we went to Sports Horizons, a sports store that sells equipment and memorabilia.  before shopping at Fourways mall and having lunch at Panarottis.

On Thursday we spent the day with Diane and Michael and took them to the soccer in Polokwane (well it might have been the other way around…who knows!). It was also a nice compact stadium, and it was a pity that it was quite empty and turned into a goalless draw between New Zealand and Paraguay as neither side were that intent on winning.

Friday we travelled back from Louis Trichardt to Randfontein. We would have been back by mid-afternoon, except we stopped in Krugersdorp to do some necessary shopping.

On Saturday we had a braai with most of the family we hadn’t seen. All those staying in Secunda came late on Saturday. Not sure how they packed 4 adults and 5 kids into the back of a bakkie, but I didn’t want to look and find out! It’s about a 3 hour drive to Secunda, not something I envy!

Sanjay, Susan and Petrus

Moira, Dot and Louise

After a couple of days in Steelpoort we travelled on to Louis trichardt, up near the northern border of South Africa. We got to visit plenty more family
and had a large family dinner on Wednesday at Aunty Jean and Thursday at Landi’s.

On the way we noticed our rear number plate had fallen off. Amazingly we got one couriered to Polokwane and had it on (with double-sided tape) the next morning!

Landi is a professional photographer,  who runs Reflection studio. After dinner the family had some photos taken…what an experience! Having to have my photo taken with a bunch of crazy ladies can only be described as interesting!

Rheanna, Susan, Diane, Chanty and Landi

On Monday before we left Middleburg I got to play with our two nephews Zander (5) and Rico (3). Zander loves his fishing more than rugby, but Rico looks like a natural rugby talent with a great boot!
With 3 month old nephew Wyatt who lives in Steelpoort looking like he may be more of a forward and provide some greater bulk surely these future Bulletjies can ensure Bulls rugby remains strong!

Rico, the klein bulletjie	Zander playing rugby
Rico playing rugby	Zander playing rugby with Sanjay

We left Middleburg on Monday and headed for the small industrial town of Steelpoort, some 2 hours away in the warmer interior of South Africa. Not much there but family to visit. It was great to see Susan, Hannes and 3 month old Wyatt!

Wyatt

Not sure if it is a true reflection on the area, but the police from Burgersfort had a BMW police car!
Nice for some…