KNP Talamati

We left Swaziland with John and Danie at Bulembu and travelled over the Makhondjwa Geotrail to Barbeton. The area has been declared a World Heritage Site but we didn't have time to explore it at all. We had a deadline. To meet the traveling birthday party at the Potluck Boskombuis outside Graskop for lunch. 

It's Stephan's 50th and he wanted to celebrate it in Africa! He and Andrea, Larry and Jean and Cathy have all travelled from LA and we meet up in Graskop. In the afternoon they toured Bourke's Luck Potholes and we went grocery shopping. We spent the night at very comfy and well equipped but rather oddly named, Havana Nights Guest House. 

Early the next morning we were on our way to the Kruger. We entered at Phabeni Gate and got to Shukuza for brunch. The Cattle Baron Restaurant served a very good breakfast to our large group (9 of us ) on the deck overlooking the river. Great chaos and excitement ensued when Jean spotted a leopard in the riverbed!

I have been coming to Skukuza for nearly 40 years (and Neil for over 50 ) and this was a first! We continued our journey to my shhh! best kept secret camp, Talamati. We saw plenty of game and a pack of wild dogs right in the road. And then another leopard! Lying in a tree!

The waterhole at Talamati served up constant stream of game and so many elephants we couldn't keep count. We spent 3 nights at Talamati. We did an organised evening drive and a bush walk.We spent our last night in Kruger at Letaba Camp. We ate good food and enjoyed lots and lots of excellent wine - Stephan's birthday celebrations extended over a few days!