Toddelelfe goes to Marakele
Leaving in the morning Bela Bela /Warmbath. After a quiet trip of about 130km and a break in Thabazimbi I arrived at 8:45 at the Gate. Very quiet, the guard at the gate, the cleaning woman and the woman at reception were all people there.
They were all very friendly, and the woman at the reception gave me good explanations. After buying the Wildcard and getting the permit, what takes +- 15 minutes, I went to the toilet. Thought, it could be the last chance for a while. Notice to all, there are no other facilities at the gate. No shop, curious, restaurant i.e.
Then I drove to the gate. I love it
, to fill in all the formularies in SA. Ok, the guard filled up the most. I signed and gate opened.
No beer, no music, but opened all windows and smelling and hearing and seeing. I feel home! At this moment it became to be hot there. But im clever enough to take a big bottle of water with me. But I forget the ashtray. So I took the box from the films.
And now starting to found the game. All roads in the main section of Marakele are gravelled. I took the junction left, and the 1st sighting. Around a lot of dung, perhaps Rhino, I saw a Dung Beetle, trying do his work. Not a clever boy, I think. Ran there and there and least he falls on his back. Oh silly boy. I couldn`t see this dramatic action, so I leave the place.
On the next 2 km I saw some Piggies (very nervous and shy) and some Impies. And a lonely male Baboon running very fast across the road and hiding behind some bushes. Then I saw a Blue Wildebeest.Great for the 1st 30min.
Than I came to the fence and drove up the fence on my left. The area has many bushes, some trees and you could not look at any times deep in the bush. Also many parts of the park has burned, but there came a lot of fresh green up. And the night before it had be rained. Lots of small pools in road holes.
Then, whats that? Oh Rock Monitor on the Road. He what does he? Moves into a hole, makes
and was never seen again.
Leaving the fence and went in the middle of the park, saw Red Hartebeest and Impies. Very quiet but beautiful. Then I came to the picnic spot. Here I saw the first other car in the park. Two Ladies having their break there. We are talking about our sightings. They had seen yesterday 8 / eight Rhinos. Whow. I eat some fruits and cakes and walked around the picnic spot. In the bach of the place are some basic toilets. And then I saw threw bushes again running baboons. These are not KNP - Baboons. No chance for a pic. Seeing many centipedes on the ground, nice birds in the trees (don’t ask for names) and a Gecko. And it was hot.
Then I leaved the place and came to the open plain area. Looks a little bit like the open places in Serengeti I saw on tv. Very nice, lovely, one of my favourite places. Than I saw a little antelope. I think a Duiker. Not sure. I will later post the pic, for your help to id. And really like Serengeti, many Zebras and Black Wildebeest. Also Red Hartebeest with baby. And many Impies and Piggies. And a lovely group of Kudu.
Then I decided to go back to the gate. There is near by a 2nd section of the park. All roads there are only accessible by 4x4, but the road to The Towers is tarred and could drive with a normal sedan. The Woman at the gate warned me, if I be scared about the heights I better will not go. But I will try it.
At 15:00 I arrived at this Gate. Only one guard there, a normal fencegate. If I see correct in the list of the guard, im the visitor of the day! Behind a 2nd sedan. The road is really small, but in good condition. No problem to drive. Ups and down, lovely, green landscape. Looks like the â€Â
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Not more than 531 days
! And no chance to be back this year
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