Tag Archives: Beautiful South Africa

Africa, Birth Place, Blessings, Current Events, Dreaming, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Human Wildlife Coexistence, Nature, Reflection, Ritual, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 30

We have arrived at the last day of this challenge to self – wander travel memory lane all through April 2020. A way of travelling virtually while in my lockdown bubble. Dreams of travelling again when this too has passed. An exercise in gratitude for all I have been given in this life already.

Going to finish with Kruger memories part two.

No more stories…. Just some Johnny Clegg wisdom… from the Johnny Clegg & Savuka song Great Heart

There’s a highway of stars across the heavens
There’s a whispering song of the wind in the grass
There’s the rolling thunder across the savanna
A hope and dream at the edge of the sky
And your life is a story like the wind
Your life is a story like the wind
I’m searching for the spirit of the great heart
To hold and stand me by
I’m searching for the spirit of the great heart
Under African sky

Guka ‘mzimba (body grow old)

Sala ‘nhliziyo (but heart remain behind)

Africa, Birth Place, Education, Family, Girl Empowerment, Grace, Gratitude, Holidays, Human Wildlife Coexistence, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel, Wildlife Conservation

Wanderings Day 29

Only two more posts to go for this virtual wander down my travel memory lane.

Two days of Kruger National Park memories… this is part one.

I was just looking down the list of rest camps in Kruger. It turns out over the many adventures there since childhood I have stayed at all but two.

My favourite area to wander would be from Satara northwards.

Pafuri is particularly magical with all those fever trees and glimpses of nyala in the shadows by the Luvuvhu River. That brings to mind the Nyala Walking Trail – sublime!

Actually any of Kruger’s walking trails are a fabulous experience. Lucky enough to have walked a few of these over the years too.

Kruger visits were so formative for me. I learned so much about ecology and how ecosystems work simply from soaking up all the info I could get my hands on. Here is where I fell in love with birds and took up birding under my wonderful Dad’s guidance.

Kruger has a distinct spirit of place. The air crackles with its magic as you arrive at the gate (any of the gates). I thought this might change over the years, grow dim somehow as I aged. But no. I got to visit again last year briefly and the magic is still there.

Now I probably need to say at this point that I am fully aware of Kruger’s history. Not all decisions made in regard to its management both for wildlife and for the surrounding communities have been sound or just over the years.

All I want to focus on right at this moment in time is the gratitude I feel for having had so many opportunities to pass through Kruger’s gates and get swallowed up in that bushveld magic.

Africa, Blessings, Family, Gratitude, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Mindfulness, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Traditions, Travel, Wildlife Conservation

Wanderings Day 6

Today’s wandering takes us to the other side of South Africa.  To Mpumalanga. 

Near Ohrigstad there’s a pass that winds up towards the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment – Robbers Pass. At the top of this pass there is a forestry track off to the left, hard to spot unless you’ve been there before.  Bump along this track through the pine plantation for a short way until you turn a bend and the whole valley stretches before you.  You have arrived at Themeda Hills Mountain Camp. 

Now I don’t know if it still operates anymore, but this spot has to be one of Mpumalanga’s best kept secrets.  My family have been visiting for years.  I can’t remember who found it first, but I definitely associate trips to Themeda with my Grandad Jim.

Eight little stone rondavels perch on the edge of the world here with simply spectacular views.  At a fairly decent altitude there is a distinct alpine tinge to the air and vegetation and the sometimes moody cloud.  Rondavel 8 is the best.  I saw my first African Crowned Eagle here. 

Words and photos do not do the magic of this pure space justice.

After losing yourself on top of the world for a little while, time to join reality again.  Down the other side of Robbers Pass you will come to Pilgrims Rest.  Two options from here. 

First, the road less travelled.  A dirt road the follows the Blyde River from its source near Pilgrims Rest as it ambles and meanders its way toward Bourke’s Luck Potholes. 

The second option is the more popular R533 to Graskop.  A stop at Harrie’s Pancakes before finding the R532 which will start you on the Panorama Route through the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve with lots of scenic stops like God’s Window, Lisbon and Berlin Falls along the way.

More of this Panorama Route tomorrow…