PIETERENELINE travel

September 2006

 

From Johannesburg to Entabeni (in the Waterberg region) takes us about 3 hours with a rental car. There we meet the funny though scary warthogs and some rhinoceros, as well as steenboks, impalas, wildebeests, giraffes...

The next day, the ranger wakes us up for a morning drive, after which we are offered an excellent breakfast near the fireplace before leaving for Botswana. 

It takes several signatures to cross the border. An hour later, the Mashatu personnel welcomes us with a bottle of champagne. 

Sleeping in a tent is somehow different and we are happy to hear that the electric wire surrounding the camp should keep most animals at a distance.

Each morning we get up early for exploring a different part of the reserve. Suddenly being surrounded by about 20 elephants is wonderful. And tracking a leopard is apparently no problem for the ranger. When we finally bump into a few lions, we forget about the creepy hyena's.

Once back in the camp, it's time for brunch, relaxing/swimming and a variety of desserts. A few hours before sunset, the ranger brings us to elands, zebra's, herds, giraffes and a giant ostrich. In the dark, we then slowly return in order not to miss the campfire dinner.

Refreshing in the five-star Coach House and eating oysters helps us to forget the Mashatu Game Reserve. This place is the perfect venue for a luxurious weekend with magnificent views.

15 minutes after we have left the Coach House, our car breaks down in a township near Tzaneen. Despite numerous efforts and calls of some local people, our 'new' car only arrives in the evening (just before people wanted to call the police to protect us). Continuing our long drive to Kruger would be ridiculous and so we spend another night in the Coach House.

The day after, we leave early and the smaller car makes the elephants even more impressive. We did not expect Krugerpark to be that fun and to see such a range of animals in only one afternoon.

Here ends our stay in South Africa. We drive back to Johannesburg for flying to Mauritius...