From Punda Maria to Louis Trichardt

Our last night in Punda Maria was the first and only night in Kruger that was filled with night sounds, an Elephant walking along the fence line and eating away, Jackals calling and then again the Bush baby. It was wonderful. Dick got up during the night for a comfort break and there the Bush baby was investigating our camp site, like it was his house.

We left early, like 7.30, which is early for us and travelled the last stretch of road Northwards to Pafuri. The Pafuri area is a birders delight. There are HUGE trees and plenty birds. I think many people go there especially for the birds. We could hear many, see some and identify none! You have to give this birding business time and sit there for the day, which we obviously did not have. Next time, maybe.  We stopped at “Crook’s Corner” at the confluence of the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu  rivers.  It is the junction point between Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa and clearly the crooks used this to their benefit in their “business dealings” and the subsequent escaping from the long arm of the law. We didn’t see any crooks, but a little sandbank with 16 crocodiles on it , enough to keep any crook away!!!

One thing that is great in the Kruger is the lovely picnic sites and the one on the Luvuvhu river at Pafuri must be the best of all. It is situated under those huge trees and it was clear to us that most people come there to spend the day and chill and seek for those elusive birds. Anyway, over the river and off we were. The Kruger done and off to Louis Trichardt to visit Mike and Gail, friends from way back for 2 days. Louis Trichardt is a big town, much to my surprise and clearly a growing one at that. We went out for supper on the night of our arrival and the next day we did the tourist route in Louis Trichardt. Our friends took us into the forests to see the view over the town and then we went for lunch at the Mountain Inn. It is an old hotel with wonderful atmosphere and an even better view over the valley below.

We have had a lovely time with Mike and Gail and like always the times spent with old friends and the sharing of memories from the times you have shared together and the fact that you can still spent time together and enjoy it and make new memories are some of the real blessings of life.

Today we head off to Mapungubwe on the Limpopo river between Botswana and South Africa. We are staying ahead of the winter weather and the cold front that has the country in its grip. After that we start heading south and I think we are going to be running out of warm winter days then.