South African Safari : Part 1

So Friday started with a wake up alarm at 4.45am, followed by coffee and packing the rental car to the gills and hitting the road to the farm. By 8.45am we were there, unpacking and repacking, sorting the caravan and getting the bakkie started. I have never prepared for a three week camping trip so fast but by noon we were back on the road, returning the rental car to OR Tambo Airport before 2pm and driving to Marakele Game Reserve; making the 6pm gate closure with about 10 minutes to spare. (We even stopped to refill our gas bottle, only to be told it was actually already full.) The meat was on the fire by sunset and we sorted ourselves out, discovering what we had managed to pack and what we had left behind! Luckily, for this trip we stayed within South African borders and were never more than a few hours from shops! In our party for this leg of the trip we have the Thompsons, the Rix's and Colette. What a treat to be out in the bush again. It's been about 18 years since we were last in Marakele. It's pretty and the next day we drive up to the top of the mountain for a picnic with a view. This hill climb is not strictly 4x4 only, but you do need nerves of steel to navigate the twists and turns and with a bit of luck you won't meet too many vehicles head on; requiring deft reversing until you find a bit wide enough to pass the other car! Marakele is a "Big 5" reserve but animal sightings are tough in the dense bush. We stay three nights. On Monday, we drive to Lephalale, stock up on groceries and after lunch we head to Blouberg Game Reserve. We fancy our chances on a route via a village called My Darling, which I have to say I have never been through before. It's not much of a settlement and thereafter the dirt road deteriorates somewhat due to recent heavy rains. Once again, we find ourselves chasing for the gate by closing time! The Rix's have returned to Joburg but the Fouries, hot off a plane from London are a few hours behind us and also get somewhat lost. Luckily, we are the only guests in the entire game reserve and the rangers are happy to let them drive to the campsite well after dark. It's a beautiful reserve and home to a breeding colony of Cape Vultures, but less than adequate management by Limpopo Parks has taken it's toll. Our party is happy to have the peaceful and remote camp to ourselves, of course. We are all getting into the swing of the outdoor life; the cooking on an open fire, the white wine in the sun with brunch, the late morning nap in the shade that inevitably follows. Our bush cooking is rather gourmet these days and we all derive great pleasure from producing imported cheese from our fridges, or knocking up a quick apple pie from scratch in a dutch oven. ( Just a flat bottom potje pot, really) I actually did a trio of sliders one night; beef and haggis, chicken prego and mushroom and haloumi! Am I nuts?

Marakele

The road to Blouberg

Brunch