SANParks.org Forums

Jacov- this happened after her return from KNP? , did DB learn something while in KNP that game spotting is better from the air and deceided that the old broom was not adequate and upgraded to fly bigger planes What was her mishap called " a rather bumpy landing" - could have finished the report before starting new flying lessons- wonder if she filed a flight plan with civil aviation. Landing 2foot short of the landing zone must mean her new GPS is not working too well

Hang on,excuse the pun DB, but I don't think the GPS has a fault, it must be like angels scoring at cricket, the wrong scores goes in

I've just discovered a solution for DB's immobilty : "The Wonder Broom". It is a lovely eco friendly green, made of soft imported rubber and is guaranteed to transport angels salfely and gently from rooftops to ground level. Has a rate of climb of 1000m per min and a glide angle of 1 in 50. It's spin proof and and is stressed to 4g. To activate and maintain flight capabilities it must be used for cleaning Muskteers living quarters at least one hour per day.

I got the suppliers name from Harry.

She can start sweeping in my house now. Great idea Hawk!

YOUR house is a bit far away

I will start right here in my trip report and test it tonight

Jis! Don't these mousies know that angels have STUFF to do?

Oh please let Mary Poppins alone

Hi DinkyBird
Sounds like you had a super trip to Kruger..we missed you by an hour or two at Afsaal.
Did you enjoy Lion King - we could have had a meet there too -our house is 2 minutes away from Monte!!

Addo and Tsitsikamma in December

We had a wonderful time thanks Kathy sa - I hope you guys did too! Pity we missed each other!!!

Right to get things back on track here... before the mousies messed with my trip report ... I started here and then posted more here.

... and the next installment? (Please before I leave in 4 days?)

Snippets from our 3 night stay at Shimuwini

Shimuwini - (Tsonga for "at the baobab tree") is a small bushveld rest camp and borehole that overlooks the dam on the Letaba River from which it takes its name.

A tranquil and peaceful place to rest and restore the city weary spirit. Early morning birdsong; the cry of the Fish Eagle; the squabbling of the Egyptian Geese; the constant barking of the Hippo. But at times pure silence.

How magical to watch the full moon rise over the Shimuwini Dam


Sunrise over the Letaba


Our home from home.


Shine - marking her territory


Majestic trees

Nights and early mornings were really cold.

We so enjoyed the bird hide - and it was while sitting there one evening that I had my first sighting of a honey badger! I was just scanning the opposite river bank with my new binocs, when, oh my word! Through my binocs I saw a honey badger...tripping this way and that. I quickly told the others - who, of course, could just not spot him. I had another look. Yes! There he was... sniffing his way around. A sighting on my wish list - oh wow!!! I was so excited!

Shine was delightful, and took a shine to Candy. So much so, she followed Candy all around. We decided to take an evening stroll a short way along the camp's fence to enjoy the full moon on the bushveld... Candy was just a teeny bit concerned about how safe this was to do, and of course Shine followed Candy along the fence. Candy: "Do we really have to take live bait with us!"

Brad joined us at last!!!


I think it is a known fact that I am not the greatest cook on this forum My kids have had to learn to forage for their food.


We did a morning walk with Johann and Hlungwane. We set off with them in the bakkie at 5.30am - still pitch dark and golly, was it cold! They took us for drive across the Letaba, into the mopani veld. Johann has such a good knowledge of the veld and made the walk extremely interesting for us. Wonderful to learn more about the little things and the trees and moods of the bush, and to hear about the traditional use of plants for medication etc. We saw giraffe, impala and zebra while out walking.



An absolute highlight for me was the drive over the Shimuwini weir. On our way to the walk, it was still dark when we crossed and we saw litterally hundreds of croc's eyes lit by Hlungwane's torch. Driving back over the weir after the walk, my thoughts turned to Kobie Kruger's stories that I love so much. She wrote of driving on this weir. I could see why she loved the area so much.

Lovely pics DB, enjoying your report - you sure had a good time.