Marloth Park & Kruger National Park 2022
When I returned to work in August 2019 from a 2 month stay in South Africa, Di was adamant that she would never again let me take leave mid June – mid August. At the time Di and I did not realise that her words relating to leave would be prophetic.
We managed to book airfares for July – August 2020. This was past the busy midyear period.
Enter Covid19 early 2020. Plans up in the air re travel overseas.
May 2022 we decided to redeem our Qantas credits and rebook for 7 September to 7 November. Not my favourite time of year though because of the winter/spring heat.
The rebooking process was a nightmare. The ticket redemption was time consuming and expensive. Price of each ticket had increased by 50%.
Our first shock after boarding was the compactness of the Dreamliner. We were spoilt on previous trips on the 747.
However we were excited (doesn’t take much) to be flying on “Emily’s Yam Dreaming”.
We managed to book airfares for July – August 2020. This was past the busy midyear period.
Enter Covid19 early 2020. Plans up in the air re travel overseas.
May 2022 we decided to redeem our Qantas credits and rebook for 7 September to 7 November. Not my favourite time of year though because of the winter/spring heat.
The rebooking process was a nightmare. The ticket redemption was time consuming and expensive. Price of each ticket had increased by 50%.
Our first shock after boarding was the compactness of the Dreamliner. We were spoilt on previous trips on the 747.
However we were excited (doesn’t take much) to be flying on “Emily’s Yam Dreaming”.
We also travelled below Heard Island and McDonald Islands in the Southern Ocean.
On another trip in 2005 we flew over the edge of Antarctica and this is the closest we have been since then.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
The Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands is an Australian external territory comprising a volcanic group of mostly barren Antarctic islands, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. The group's overall size is 372 km² in area and it has 101.9 km of coastline. Wikipedia
Elevation: 2,745 m
Area: 368 km²
Population: Uninhabited (2011)
Location: Indian Ocean
Major islands: 2
UNESCO Site Id: 577
Continent
Heard Island and nearby McDonald Islands are located 4100 kilometres southwest of Perth, Western Australia, and about 1500 kilometres north of Antarctica. The islands are home to Australia's only active volcanoes. Big Ben, Heard Island. Division (A.J. Graff).
https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-information/dimensions/remote-offshore-territories/heard-and-mcdonald-islands
On another trip in 2005 we flew over the edge of Antarctica and this is the closest we have been since then.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
The Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands is an Australian external territory comprising a volcanic group of mostly barren Antarctic islands, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. The group's overall size is 372 km² in area and it has 101.9 km of coastline. Wikipedia
Elevation: 2,745 m
Area: 368 km²
Population: Uninhabited (2011)
Location: Indian Ocean
Major islands: 2
UNESCO Site Id: 577
Continent
Heard Island and nearby McDonald Islands are located 4100 kilometres southwest of Perth, Western Australia, and about 1500 kilometres north of Antarctica. The islands are home to Australia's only active volcanoes. Big Ben, Heard Island. Division (A.J. Graff).
https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-information/dimensions/remote-offshore-territories/heard-and-mcdonald-islands
Crossing the coast (Durban area) and into JNB. 30 minutes.
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Landing in Johannesburg.
We arrived in Johannesburg on time, 2.30pm but it took 90 minutes to clear immigration and customs. 4 international flights landed within 30 minutes and only 2 staff on passport control.
We were met in the arrivals hall by a porter from the hotel who assisted the “invalid” SO with the luggage.
Check in at the hotel was quick and we were soon in our room looking forward to a hot shower.
We had a 7.30 booking for dinner. Dining room was extremely busy so G&T’s were ordered while we waited for a table.
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/johannesburg/jnbhc/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-IC-_-ZA-_-JNBHC
Thursday was spent catching up with friends and purchasing data and airtime for our phones.
G&T’s were consumed during the afternoon followed by another trip to Quills restaurant.
First 3 photos are 2019.
youtu.be/h0E_7bTxD84
We were met in the arrivals hall by a porter from the hotel who assisted the “invalid” SO with the luggage.
Check in at the hotel was quick and we were soon in our room looking forward to a hot shower.
We had a 7.30 booking for dinner. Dining room was extremely busy so G&T’s were ordered while we waited for a table.
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/johannesburg/jnbhc/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-IC-_-ZA-_-JNBHC
Thursday was spent catching up with friends and purchasing data and airtime for our phones.
G&T’s were consumed during the afternoon followed by another trip to Quills restaurant.
First 3 photos are 2019.
youtu.be/h0E_7bTxD84
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8am Friday. Packed and ready to walk the 100 metres to domestic departures. The plus for this hotel, it is 60 metres from International arrivals and departures and 100 metres to Domestic.
We were a little overweight in our baggage for the small jet but I think the young man at check in felt a little sorry for the “oldies” so no excess charge.
We were a little overweight in our baggage for the small jet but I think the young man at check in felt a little sorry for the “oldies” so no excess charge.
The flight to Skukuza is a quick 45-50 minutes. City, farmland, townships and bush.Always have the window seat to spot the wildlife once you are flying over Kruger.
Rental car was not what we had booked but it was a case of transport or no transport. The seat and configuration of, in this vehicle was the cause of my pinched nerve in elbow.
Rental car was not what we had booked but it was a case of transport or no transport. The seat and configuration of, in this vehicle was the cause of my pinched nerve in elbow.
No seatbelts required in Kruger and speed limit is 50kph on tar. Windows open to smell the heat and bush.
First sighting after we left the airport was ground hornbills followed by honey badger (not a common sighting) and elephants.
First sighting after we left the airport was ground hornbills followed by honey badger (not a common sighting) and elephants.
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Lunch on the go from Nkhulu picnic spot was a buffalo pie and bottle of water.
At Crocodile bridge exit gate we stopped at the camp shop and purchased bottled water and a few staples. We would do our first grocery shop on Saturday.
At Crocodile bridge exit gate we stopped at the camp shop and purchased bottled water and a few staples. We would do our first grocery shop on Saturday.
20 minutes and we will be back home in Marloth Park after 3 long years. Speed limit now 80-100kph. Locals still sail past when you are at the limit.
Sugarcane still growing. Banana plantations unchanged. Citrus groves in abundance.
Sugarcane trucks seemingly fill the road. No major potholes...a change from Canberra roads.
We must reduce speed again once we are in Marloth (50 kph).
Another 15 minutes and a few bumpy roads and we are home.
Our neighbour Malcolm greets us. A bittersweet moment as his wife Freda died in 2020 and this would be our first trip since 2009 that she was not present.
Was great to be back at the house. Had to remember where I packed everything before we left in 2019.
I took a set of sheets and towels with us (excess baggage) and first chore was make the bed and then shower away the dust and heat.
We had a more thorough check of rooms and removed the covers from the furniture. There was some evidence of mouse activity in several spots but after 3 years we were not too concerned.
Further damage by mice was uncovered in the following weeks and dealt with. The little mice are twice the size of our mice. Photo taken 2019
Sugarcane still growing. Banana plantations unchanged. Citrus groves in abundance.
Sugarcane trucks seemingly fill the road. No major potholes...a change from Canberra roads.
We must reduce speed again once we are in Marloth (50 kph).
Another 15 minutes and a few bumpy roads and we are home.
Our neighbour Malcolm greets us. A bittersweet moment as his wife Freda died in 2020 and this would be our first trip since 2009 that she was not present.
Was great to be back at the house. Had to remember where I packed everything before we left in 2019.
I took a set of sheets and towels with us (excess baggage) and first chore was make the bed and then shower away the dust and heat.
We had a more thorough check of rooms and removed the covers from the furniture. There was some evidence of mouse activity in several spots but after 3 years we were not too concerned.
Further damage by mice was uncovered in the following weeks and dealt with. The little mice are twice the size of our mice. Photo taken 2019
We had a short stay in Malelane camp 13-14 September. Optometrist appointment for new specs. Also amazing sightings in this and the Berg en Dal area. The children were in the reception area at Skukuza. I normally would not take a photo like this without asking but could not resist. The hyaena was drinking from the puddles after a rain shower. The elephant was rather cantankerous and we had to back up for quite a distance. When it was obvious he was not going to walk off the road we turned and took another road.
Rather sad to see the rhinos without a horn. The poaching of these animals is at an all time high and the sightings are few and far between.
Just love to watch the giraffe drinking. Such a graceful effort.
A lion and some cheetah doing what they do best.
Rather sad to see the rhinos without a horn. The poaching of these animals is at an all time high and the sightings are few and far between.
Just love to watch the giraffe drinking. Such a graceful effort.
A lion and some cheetah doing what they do best.
19-23 September we spent in Orpen camp and enjoyed some of our best sightings in this area.
The white lioness was regal, and we were lucky enough to see her on consecutive days. Waterbuck posed from sitting position. Always love the zebra and giraffe. Love a secretary bird. The young leopard was hard to capture. Baby elephant. Cuteness overload. Nile crocodile was enormous. Cheetah was all ours for a few minutes. Another vehicle arrived and she walked in front of us ad crossed into the bush. Such elegance. Blue wildebeest or gnus are always a bit crazy. Black back jackal are usually not seen in the middle of the day. Lilac breasted roller ...so many colours in a small bird. Lion blending into grass.Eagle (not ID'd yet). Hyaena and another cheetah.
The white lioness was regal, and we were lucky enough to see her on consecutive days. Waterbuck posed from sitting position. Always love the zebra and giraffe. Love a secretary bird. The young leopard was hard to capture. Baby elephant. Cuteness overload. Nile crocodile was enormous. Cheetah was all ours for a few minutes. Another vehicle arrived and she walked in front of us ad crossed into the bush. Such elegance. Blue wildebeest or gnus are always a bit crazy. Black back jackal are usually not seen in the middle of the day. Lilac breasted roller ...so many colours in a small bird. Lion blending into grass.Eagle (not ID'd yet). Hyaena and another cheetah.
Remainder of Kruger photos October-November.
Orpen rest camp. Brown hooded kingfisher and Francolin. Leopard kill. Rhino and midden. Tawney eagle? Young Verreaux eagle owl. Martial eagle?? Cheetah resting. Steenbok. Red crested Korhaan. Was too slow getting the shot with the red crest displaying.
Orpen rest camp. Brown hooded kingfisher and Francolin. Leopard kill. Rhino and midden. Tawney eagle? Young Verreaux eagle owl. Martial eagle?? Cheetah resting. Steenbok. Red crested Korhaan. Was too slow getting the shot with the red crest displaying.
On our return from Orpen we set up 6 camera traps around the house.
Most nights we just had the Bush bucks setting off the cameras but we did get a few special photos and videos.
The day shots are taken from front stoep or dining area. Lion tracks were the end of driveway. The deck area in sunset photo is our favourite pub Jabula.
Blue wildebeest zebra and kudu ...daily visitors. Trumpeter hornbill in our fever tree. Grey lourie outside kitchen. Majority of trees have thorns.
Most nights we just had the Bush bucks setting off the cameras but we did get a few special photos and videos.
The day shots are taken from front stoep or dining area. Lion tracks were the end of driveway. The deck area in sunset photo is our favourite pub Jabula.
Blue wildebeest zebra and kudu ...daily visitors. Trumpeter hornbill in our fever tree. Grey lourie outside kitchen. Majority of trees have thorns.
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Posting some photos of tradies renovating and connecting electricity to our Wendy house. We upgraded, cleaned, lined, added lights and converted to sleeping /living quarters for our "caretaker".
No photo of the snake that has been sharing with us and he/she is still in residence.
https://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com/articles/beware-of-the-stiletto-snake/
https://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com/articles/beware-of-the-stiletto-snake/
The mice, snake, lions, leopards and scorpions are part of living in the bush. Africa is not for sissies.
They were insignificant compared to the inconvenience of load shedding. Load shedding is planned power outages, level 1 to level 8. 2-3 hours in length and 3-4 times each 24 hours. Usually morning 5-9 when people are trying to get kids to school and evening meal time. Middle of day outages are not too bad if you can find a pub or restaurant with a generator.
In most areas no power also means no phone signal/internet. It also impacts water supply/purification.
They were insignificant compared to the inconvenience of load shedding. Load shedding is planned power outages, level 1 to level 8. 2-3 hours in length and 3-4 times each 24 hours. Usually morning 5-9 when people are trying to get kids to school and evening meal time. Middle of day outages are not too bad if you can find a pub or restaurant with a generator.
In most areas no power also means no phone signal/internet. It also impacts water supply/purification.
4th November we are packed and ready to leave Marloth. The 8 weeks have passed in a blink.
We made new friends. Mostly trades people. Leslie and her amazing technician who serviced rebuilt and replaced our air conditioners. Christa who upgraded our hot water system before we arrived and provided general plumbing services. She was also tasked with the re thatch of our roof after we left. Nick the amazing builder and his crew who did the upgrade of the Wendy house. We are already in the process of engaging him for more minor renovations.
Chris for the electrical connection to the Wendy. Adele and her cleaning service will be our lifesavers. Many thanks Deon for the removal of the alien plants/trees on our block and trimming the large thorn trees. To our caretaker/Security guard Vusi...Thank you
Most importantly our good neighbour Malcolm and son Will who take care of the house when we are not there. You are always there when problems arise and most importantly to collect the online shopping.
We made new friends. Mostly trades people. Leslie and her amazing technician who serviced rebuilt and replaced our air conditioners. Christa who upgraded our hot water system before we arrived and provided general plumbing services. She was also tasked with the re thatch of our roof after we left. Nick the amazing builder and his crew who did the upgrade of the Wendy house. We are already in the process of engaging him for more minor renovations.
Chris for the electrical connection to the Wendy. Adele and her cleaning service will be our lifesavers. Many thanks Deon for the removal of the alien plants/trees on our block and trimming the large thorn trees. To our caretaker/Security guard Vusi...Thank you
Most importantly our good neighbour Malcolm and son Will who take care of the house when we are not there. You are always there when problems arise and most importantly to collect the online shopping.
We spent the night at a relatively new lodge in Skukuza rest camp. Photos now are only from our phones.
https://skukuzalodge.com/
https://skukuzalodge.com/
Flight to Johannesburg on Saturday was short and we were back at the Intercontinental 20 minutes after landing. Nothing much on the agenda and Sunday was Breakfast with friends and and a stroll over to the airport where we discovered an area to plane spot. Also airport history here. In hindsight we should have taken more photos here. Something for next trip. Departure day 7/11. Late check out and porter to assist getting bags to Qantas check in.
Checkin was only a few minutes. Passport control and immigration another matter. Too many passengers and only 2 staff.
Checkin was only a few minutes. Passport control and immigration another matter. Too many passengers and only 2 staff.
1 video crossing the coastline in Victoria. 2 videos taken over Canberra and 1 landing in Sydney.
15 minutes to clear customs and exit airport.
15 minutes to clear customs and exit airport.
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