Long roads are us - Botswana to Krugar

2 days of driving moved us 1200kms from the Zambian border, across the entire county of Botswana & into South Africa - our destination - Kruger national park & the Bushman's adventure campsite.

We arrived with sore bums & little sense of humour. The fact that I now felt like I was on a school outing compounded my increasing frustrations. I can understand an 18 year old forgetting sun cream, sun glasses or packed lunch & perhaps needing a gentle reminder to go to the bathroom; but at 34, if I get sun burnt - it's my own fault - right?

Anyway - pigeon holing the sideline annoyances we had the most fantastic night drive, spotting Leopard, Lion & Elephant... oh yes & the savage beast that is - Rabbit too!! The spot light blazed out into the night as we searched for pairs of eyes to reflect back at us. The XYZ private game park, (the name of which escapes me) was not only fun but pretty exhilarating too. The open top land rover had us within touching distance of both Lion & Elephant, & 15 ft of a Leopard mother with 2 newly discovered cubs. (pictures to follow)


The altitude has risen & the temperature had fallen. We can see our breath after sun down & for at least an hour or two after sun rise. Driving in own top vehicles takes on a different level of enjoyment when you're wrapped up in blankets like Lawrence of Arabia from the biting cold. Day 2 had us out in Kruger. The 5am start meant we arrived at the park gates just after first light. I believe my eye balls thawed out just after midday & was finally able to see the limited wildlife from the tarmacked roads that cris-cross the park. Kruger has a very different feel to the Serengeti & the Masai Mara. South African families cruise through the park in their 4x4's & SUV's, enjoying a bank holiday day out together, on set tracks.

Everyone struggled to enthuse about solitary elephants dotted far away on the
horizon or the occasional group of wildebeest clustered in limited shade. Call me blasse or flippant but I think a combination of trek fever, extreme cold & general fatigue played down what Kruger actually offered us. We did see lots of animals including this huemugus terrapin but we were all to tired/bored to get excited.