Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park November 2008
31 October 2008
How time flies… I cannot believe how much has happened and how much we had traveled since we left Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in August. We were heading back – almost a déjà vu of our previous visit. Early morning through the now sapphire green vineyards of Kakamas and Keimoes. We were once more in Augrabies National Park to see the newly renovated chalets – which I will write about at a later stage. After shopping in Upington, we headed in the direction of the red dunes. It was hot – 40 degrees Celsius – and I was pleased that we had the airconditioner repaired prior to our trip, as it was working overtime.
The landscape was very much unchanged, the yellow grass which covered most of the dunes in August were starting to fall over, but as we traveled on, I realized that even if I had been on this road, there will always be something new. It was just a matter of looking with new eyes.
This time I was ready for Kgalagadi in more than one aspect. Armed with hay fever and allergy medication for starters. But this trip was different, my initiation was behind me and I read up on everything that fascinated me since our August trip. I even checked the moon phase – it was going to be full moon whilst we would be there.
“So….?” Partner asked, “what is your wish list looking like for this trip?” “It’s rather blank except for one thing…” I replied. A question spread over his face. “I want to see rain in the desert, thick, dark-blue rainclouds rolling over the Kgalagadi…” I answered his question. “And yours? He smiled. “As always…lions, cheetah and leopard…” I smiled back, hoping that his wishes will be granted.
With only eight kilometers of gravel road left to Twee Rivieren, our journey felt quite quick. A half an hour later, we had set up camp and headed eagerly in the direction of Samevloeiing water hole. Just outside the gate, partner pointed to a Springbok, which I could not see immediately, but rather a male lion walking in the direction of the Two Rivers waterhole on the Botswana side. “Uhmmm, I cannot see the springbok but I can see a lion…” I replied. Partner laughed out loud. “A lion…?…!” He thought I teased him until he shifted his view from the Springbok. The lion was on a mission to the water hole. The late afternoon sun turning everything in coppery hues, gave the lion an almost surreal aura. Welcome to the Kgalagadi he said with his shiny amber-yellow eyes and I felt excitement stir deep within my being…
At gate closing time, the boy was sitting right next to the fence, much to the predicament of the staff that had to lock up. We were inside with hearts yearning to be out there in the oncoming night. It was time for our first Kalahari braai under the stars and we consoled ourselves that tomorrow was another day…
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