SANParks.org Forums

Working of the pretty ordinary map that I have available to me would it be the Piet Grobbelaar dam?

Closer... but not the exact spot - wanna try 1 more guess?

Good morning

Ratelpan?

Tough without a decent map, but I seem to recall there was a tablet or something there to look at - no details but the best I can do.

Hi TP

I'm 3,000 km from my maps and the memory is not always working that well! Never been to Roodewal and was down and out on this one! You did well

And Nungu is SO pedantic, will not cut you 10m slack on the destination...

Yes Wall-E Ratelpan it is... but for calling me pedantic I'll give it to TP...

Well done TP - you've done all the hard work - I can't place a pic of Ratelpan if you said Piet Grobler - can I?

Ok... so Roodewal was closed for about 7 months or so from July 2008 for upgrading of the camp. That's why I couldn't go then, but this time I left camp and turned left on the S39 Timbavati road - carried on to the H1-4 and turned right onto the tar road towards Satara. Drove past Ngotso North and Nyamarhi windmill. Quickly turned in at Ngotso dam - where I saw the Saddle Bill and Warthog. Went back onto the H1-4 and eventually turned right onto the Ntomeni Road (S127), and followed that to the T-junction. If I had turned left I would have gone to the Timbavati picnicspot like TP first guessed... but I turned right and drove past the Piet Grobler dam - saw the lions and then went onto the Ratelpan hide. All in all a trip of about 41kms...BUT had Tysie turned right leaving Roodewal, it would've only been 19kms to the same spot.


Here's a pic taken by Gamespotter of Ratelpan:

Sitting here staring at this huge buffalo herd (nogal at the same waterhole that gives the herd it's name), I'm reminded of seeing them at exactly the same spot in 1999. Only years later did I learn that one of it's members were the first ever recorded and confirmed to be carrying TB north of the Letaba. From here they all seem healthy. Making my way through the mass of bodies I continue on to the turnoff on my left about 8km's up the road. Turning west I drive along the riverbank for a short while. Only getting out of the car briefly, I make my way to today's destination of choice. Keeping left twice, it's not long before I find the spot. A friend of ours has shown me a way to stay out of sight here and have the peace and quiet all to myself.... until someone phones camp to let them know they've spotted an abandoned vehicle!!! Poor Tysie!!!

A little more difficult this time.... clue: total distance travelled 23 kms, and remember we're north of Letaba.

You're not kidding it's a little more difficult I'm really struggling with your start point, how about a little more clue - like how far north of Letaba are you? I'm feeling something like you end up in the Red Rocks area but I must admit that would be a flier

OK TP - I'm north of the tropic of capricorn but south of Babalala

Cait wait to join this quiz but I have to study until Friday then I have the time see you all then

Had a look at this last night and thought you ended up at Tshanga lookout - don't have a map with me now so not sure about that waterhole name right now.

Great, can't wait for you to join B5S - the more the better PS: good luck with the studies



It amazes me how you guys manage to get to the end destination without having the starting spot. First TP knew it was Red Rocks area and now Johan has the end destination spot-on .... But where did I start??

I checked the map last night but was not sure about the waterhole - don't have my map here. The waterhole is on the tar road from Mopani to Shingwedzi, on the right and 8km before the dirt road turn-off to the left (to the Tshanga lookout) - can't remember the name right now.