SANParks.org Forums

shingwedzi causeway by dinkybird, on Flickr


shingwezi river bed by dinkybird, on Flickr

We have seen it dry, then with the river flowing and the crocs just waiting for the fish to be washed over the causeway. Mostly with just a pool on either side of the road and then almost always with at least 10+ bird species around. The North is our usual trip, not that we don't love the South, but it seems that as one moves North the population of other visitors declines.

You mean crocs like this one leervis?


Croc at Shing Causeway 2 by saraf2011, on Flickr


Croc at Shing Causeway 1 by saraf2011, on Flickr

Dinkybird your photo’s are stunning. We have sat in front of the Rentmeester house many a time admiring that view and when I look at your photo’s it almost feels that I am there. Those old trees are magnificent in a haunting kind of sense. Saraf those photo’s of the croc are

Love this area as well and we have spent many hours sitting either on the causeway or at either end just observing.

In contrast to what we found this Feb where the river was bone dry, in Feb 2010 there has been quite a lot of rain in the area and the water was flowing over the causeway with some exciting results.





The crocs were all lined up alongside the bridge and gorging themselves on the myriads of little fishes literally falling into their open gaping mouths.









One smallish croc was even lying on the bridge and allowed us to creep past without flinching.

One of my favourite places just before closing time.

One can often tick of a goodly number of birds in a short time.

Elsa - What an amazing sequence of photo's and what a great sighting -

Probably one the best places to witness bird and animal (including leather fish ) close-up! And its so close to camp! I cannot think of any other place except maybe for Biyamiti weir. But the causeway beats the Biyamiti Weir hands down for me

Taken a few years ago.

Have just booked 2 night at Shing in Dec while our daughter and new hubby are staying with us in Phala!!

Here are a few photos of it taken last November.

Hi DinkyBird,
What wonderful photos by you and the other Forumites.

Wonderful photo's everyone
Bring back a memory I have of this causeway - it was January 2009. Coming from Punda Maria I crossed the causeway just to be flagged down by a couple in a car parked at the causeway. I was told that the river is coming down. I thought how long will it take for the water to reach the causeway? I opted not to sit in the baking sun and drove to camp to check in. It only took about 20 minutes to check in and return to the causeway. Big surprise The causeway was already been cover with water! And 25 minutes later a SANParks vehicle came to close the causeway! Everything happened less than an hour after I have crossed it.
It's then I realized that nature is very unpredictable.

Amazing story Spookie.

Must have been great to see!