Colbol’s Travels July 2024. Part 1 - Mapungubwe

[colbol]

Hello everyone welcome to Colbol’s travels .
I had been thinking about planning a return to northern Kruger and possibly visiting Mapungubwe for the first time , after our 8 Explore Kruger Aug Sept 2023 trip .
Was thinking we would go in a few years time and visit when the migratory birds were there .
But my job situation was changing over the month of July so I had a look at accommodation options in Mapungubwe and Kruger NP, made many plans and changes and finally locked nights in most camps that I wanted to visit
Game on .

The big difference this time around was SO couldn’t make it.
So I was travelling solo and camping where I could .
Usually there is the two of us, has been parties of 5 and of 8 on other occasions.
Many different experiences coming up for this mite
Ticking off a few bucket list items

After Sleepless nights and long flights Joburg welcomed me July the 9th.
Next morning a flight to Polokwane to avoid the first 3 hours of driving .
We took off to the south from O R Tambo and looped over Johannesburg, great view of the metropolis then a 50 minute flight over the ever changing countryside to Polokwane .





Arrived in Polokwane picked up my little Green car and away I go

[Hugh]

Colbol I am already in your little green car at the back as Dunkey has taken the front Passenger seat Lets go

[Ollie]

Looking forward to your TR in the green car.

[Carla + Tony]

We're on board too
We'll just squeeze in the back with the others . As Hugh said, dunkey has got prime seat in the front

[Pumbaa]

Colbol,

I am on board as well

[umtali1]

Squeezed in alongside Pumbaa, Carla and Tony, Hugh and Ollie
Looking forward to this story

[john n poppy]

On board....but I think its going to be a squeeze as we saw your little green car and I think you meant 'very' little green car

[Meandering Mouse]

Yay, I am right on board.

Waiting in anticipation.

[RichardJ]

Book marked

[Tessa G]

Colbol's travels.
The planning is so exciting.

I'm here next to Hugh and the others in this ever expanding little green car. Padkos (road food) is packed and we're ready to go when you are.

[inyanga 1]

I've dusted off and serviced our fleet of TT cars for everyone to use.
They are all connected so use hand signals if you don't want your conversation inside your car to be broadcast

uanditrs-sml.jpg (55.16 KiB) Viewed 173 times

A solo trip without SO

[Jan van Wyk]

Also on board and looking forward to your new TR.....camping alone ...

...plus waiting for your Mapungube part and experience ....

...we were there a few weeks ago and will share my TR and overview later...

[colbol]

Hello again and welcome all fellow travellers glad your on board .
Cheers for the padkos Tessa G

Dunkey the travelling monkey did join me on this journey and his experiences were shared via WhatsApp at the time with the grandkids back home .
He was relatively well behaved this time even though he had to try the local treats on arrival Joburg



And he can sit anywhere in the little Green car so there is some room in the front for others




Thanks inyanga 1 for the additional wheels
Might come in handy !!

Ok choice of car explanation.
Needed high clearance vehicle according to research in Mapungubwe but wasn’t doing any 4x4 trails .
Little Green car higher than a Corolla Cross by some margin and about 4 times cheaper per daily hire
Little Green car was marginally lower than a 2x4 Fortunner and 6 times cheaper per daily hire .
Only one person , no need for lots of space as I was travelling light and keen to see how cost efficient I could be .(read - cheap )
One fellow camper I did meet in Mapungubwe who was in a LR Defender could not believe I was doing this trip in “that little bubble car”



Camping gear from home was a pop up light weight tent , one inflatable mattress , a fry pan and pot, basic cutlery.
Purchased a chair, cooler box, pillow and a blanket in Alldays plus my staple food supplies.
But let’s not forget I wasn’t camping all the time . Will explain as I go

On the road near Alldays either side of the town, I started seeing baboons, LBRs, Ostriches on land nearby and many other bird species.
I was getting into my African happy place.
Not far to go now.
Check in at Mapungubwe was a breeze.
Very efficient with everything well explained and great chat in the office with all staff

[john n poppy]

Nice monkey Colbol, I also took along my traveling monkey only she won’t pose for photos

[umtali1]

Colbol, I’m pleased Dunkey behaved himself, mostly

I’m surprised the little green car was high enough . It must have worked okay. As you said, you weren’t driving the 4x4 trails.

It didn’t take long for you to be in your happy place