
This week turned out to be arguably our best holiday
ever to date. I can not describe the enjoyment we got out of this
outing and the relaxing time that we had. To say that the lord looks
after us in mysterious ways is so true. I do not know what Lindsay
and I ever did to deserve this in our life, but he really looks after
us.
To say the hosts were fantastic and the fellow visitors
an absolute pleasure to be with is an understatement as well.
We arrived on Thursday the 16th to be greeted at the
Lodge entrance by Brett, his wife Salome as well as Mpho and Jo. This
is a team of note. Not that I have been anywhere else, but these guys
looked after our every wish or desire. Bret took us on the most wonderful
and enjoyable drives and walks while Salome, Mpho and Jo fed and pampered
us. Every day, the table was set differently and the best food I have
tasted in many a year was served. Honestly, I put 4kg's on in 1 week!!!!!!!!!!!!
Salome, it's your fault! Lastly, it was lovely listening to Salome
and Mpho singing in the kitchen while we were doing our own thing.
I am sure they did not think we were listening, but listening we were.
As for our fellow guests, again, it was like we had
been friends for many many years, even though we had only met for
the first time that day. Everyone got on like a house on fire with
much laughter and enjoyment. And boy, did we laugh. Greg, Debbie,
Ian, Jo-ann, Andre and Anja, thanks for a truly enjoyable week.
As mentioned, we left home on Thursday morning and arrived
at the Lodge at about 14h30. The drive was a pleasure except between
Zeerust and the Lodge. There are many tribal trust lands on this section
where the speed limit drops to 60km/h for more then a kilometer. Well,
after each time cruising at 120 and then having to set the speedo
cruise at 60 made it feel like we were crawling along.
Anyway, Now to some pictures. As always, click a thumbnail
and a larger photo will come up. However, I want you all to see these
photos in a bigger format and as such have made the larger photo 1024
pixels wide as opposed to the normal 800 pixels I have on all the
other pages. So, these photo's may take a little longer to load. Also
the panoramic above will probably size itself for your screen when
you click on it. Hover your mouse over it and a little block will
come up on the bottom right of the photo. Click on this again and
it will go full size. Then using the bottom slider, move the photo
left and right to see the full panoramic.
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Here
we have the team extrodinair. From Left to right: -
Jo,
Bret, Salome and Mpho |
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This
was the main Lodge. Awesome. I could live and die here. |



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This
was our "palace" for the week. The thatched cottage
was marvelous. It really was. Walk in cupboards, lovely
bathroom / toilet and the crem del lar crem, an outside
shower overlooking the bushveld.
Look
at the next photos below.
The
outside shower was something else. As someone put it, it's
like skinny dipping with the thought that you will get caught.
Makes
you feel young again and very exciting.. |



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And
here are some inside shots of the lodge itself.
The
outside table you see in the first 3 photos is where we
ate every time bar two nights. The first due to a wind I
have never even seen in Cape Town and the second due to
an invasion of bugs.
The
photo on the left is the kitchen where some amazing food
came out of and the photo on the right the inside dining
room.
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Tamboti
sun rises.
Close
to heaven. |
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And
then the swimming pool.
No,
it's not green, the pool wall is colored to help absorb
the suns heat. Every day you would find people in the pool,
myself included.
Now
for me to be in there (taurus the bull), you know it was
hot! |
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Here
is the braai area. On two nights we were out here. In particular,
the night shot was on the last night and fillets were cooked.
Finger
licking good. |

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Every
morning, Bret was to wake everyone up at 05h30 so we could
get out for a morning drive at 06h00.
Well,
believe it or not, on the first morning, Bret woke us up
an told us there were lions in front of the lodge!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nooooooooo.
I
could not believe my eyes. This was better then the Kruger
web cam's
These
4 lions, 3 male and 1 female, dozed until the sun hit them.
Then they got up and sauntered into the distance to find
some shade. What a start to our game viewing. |
As
you will see from above, the water hole in front of the
lodge attracted many animals. It was amazing to see what
actually came for a drink every day. Regular visitors in
particular were a hare and a Jackal. Obviously not at the
same time.
Below
is a collection of photos taken from the comfort of our
"viewing chairs" |
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Photo
on the far left: - Debbie, Anya, Andre and Lindsay.
Photo
on the right: - Lindsay and Debbie |


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Elephants
had a wonderful time in the water.
How's
the pose at the bottom right |


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And
then tons of Kudus, Zebras and Wildebest. |




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Another
pastime alien to me was on each and every game drive, we
would come to a point where it was out with the table and
table cloth and drinks and eats.
Each
morning drive was coffe or tea with muffins, crunchies and
the like.
Each
evening drive was beers wine or hard tack with biltong,
drywors, provitas, cream cheese, chips etc etc.
My
absolute favorite was the provitas with creame cheese and
Sweet chilli sauce. Man O man. Delectable.
Photos
on the left are from the many stops we had.
Yes,
I did keep a constant look out for Lions ;-) |








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On
two occasions, we were privileged to have a morning walk
like never before. Now if you look at one of my other "Berg
en Dal" pages, you will see I talk of a walk in Kruger
and how much e enjoyed it. The problem was that it was over
so quick.
Well,
this was totally different. On the first walk, Bret took
us out at 06h00 and we only returned at 11h00 after a wonderful
walk.
However,
the second walk was even longer, more enjoyable and amazing.
On
the second walk, Bret took us to a mountain range called
20-20 (twenty twenty). We started the walk through dense
bush and were incredibly cautious. Man it was scary, but
if we wanted to go where Bret was going, we had to do it.
During this section we came across this spider hole as in
the top left photo. Bret tried to coax the sucker out and
together with Greg actually saw its leg, however, it never
came out. Bret said however that they are the size of large
saucers.
Second
photo down is where we came out of the thicket to see this
amazing tree. I took a photo from here, but once actually
under the tree, I was so wrapped up in the experience, I
forgot to take a photo. Man am I mad.
The
photos to the left were 1/3rd up the mountain. It was basically
a waterfall that had no water.
Bret
had just taken us past where he was hoping to show us Wild
dogs and their den. However, they were not there. There
was tons of evidence though with Scat and spoor all over
the place.
Then the whole reason Bret brought us up here. We could
have a commanding view of Madikwe from upon up high. We
all sat there for some time taking in the beauty.
And
here is Pinky and Perky. Not sure who is who, but anyway.
Spot
our vehicle. See if you can see it in the photo on the left
first. The Photo on the right is a zoomed in shot.\
Lastly
a shot from the bottom up to where we had walked. We came
up to the top via the other side and came down this side
actually following a game path. |
I
could go on and on talking about what we saw and where.
However, I will not as it will take weeks for me to get
the web page completed and I do not want to bore you.
Some
or the rare anumals we saw on night drives was a Red rock
Rabit, Serval cat, a proper 100% wild cat, and a spring
hare. This little guy looked and hoped just like a Kangaroo!
Below
are an asortment of some of the photos from the holiday.
I hope you enjoy. |





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Till next time keep well, travel safe and enjoy.
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