Our tour included two nights at Andy's Camp, part of the Drifters Private Bush lodges, in the Balule section of the Greater Kruger Park. Our hosts Joostie and his Team went to great lengths to ensure that we have the best opportunity to spot as much wildlife as possible, attached are just a few pictures. It is also amazing to walk in the wild bush, finding out about how all the little animals, insects, plants and even the soils create an environment that supports the larger animals and plants. We also had fun when a Impala dung spewing competition was started by Joostie.
Victor ( one on the Trackers) have developed a friendship with one of the Hippo's nearby and this huge animal responds to Victors calls by grunting and showing off its teeth, all in all I would like to state that the best way to experience a place like Kruger is to stay in a fence less tented camp, the sounds at night followed by the sounds of countless birds at break of day, is what I would classify as Heaven.
Driving the well known Panorama Route has its splendour, with Panoramic Mountains, Canyons and Rivers supplying plenty of eye candy, but at the end of the day, when the day's driving is done Tourists need to unwind. Jaco and his family at Stille Woning in White River are the perfect hosts, with fun filled welcome drinks (Mampoer and sherry, for the less adventurous) perfect dinners, as well as perfectly appointed rooms. but it is in the Lapa that stories, and some jokes are told. the odd song could be sung until late after midnight, it is this atmosphere that makes one want to stay for another day.
Arriving in Port Elizabeth one gets reminded that this City has been named as the friendly as well as the windy City. we could hardly stand upright when we stepped off the Aeroplane. Singa Lodge in Port Elizabeth is very comfortable but oh so formal, you need to unwind a bit to have all those tired Tourists warm up to you. I have herd so many good comments about Singa from my tourists, but they all ended with a proviso, we would have liked a more relaxed atmosphere.
Driving to Tsitsikamma one gets the feeling that the garden of the Garden Route is just waiting on our arrival, with huge and deep gorges, mountains and even more rivers, competing with the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga. the splendour of the Tsitsikamma National Park is legendary and one can have some fun crossing the suspended bridges while admiring the spectacular coastline. Some hotels and Lodges have fantastic charm together with dinners to match. two that needs special mention are Tsitsikamma Lodge with its wooden chalets, and the other has to be Tsitsikamma Village Inn, the rooms here are wonderful and their restaurant and pub has just the right old school charm.
The road to Oudtshoorn from Tsitsikamma is one of the reasons that this route has become a tourist attraction because there is the Knysna Forrests, yes there are Elephants living in those forests, I know because I have seen one a few years back, followed by the Lakes District and Wilderness Beach and Victoria Bay. beyond George lies the Majestic Outeniqua Mountains over witch many spectacular Mountain Passes have been build, travelling any of them is well worth it. Arriving at Thorntree Lodge near Oudtshoorn is always quite special, you are escorted to your room and the Ostrich dinner is so good that seconds is always an option, if one could find space after the meal. Our every single whim is tended to with a smile ,,,,,,,mm mm.......not always capable to do, yes some even 5 star Hotels are having problems with
The Swartberg Mountains and the Ostrich Farms, and related activities in the Oudshoorn district warrant a stay of several days, and if your group is big and needs to be fed with a memorable dinner a visit to Kobus se Gat is a must. this time he supplied music and we all sang along and even danced most of the evening away, yes even my alter ego misbehaved, and apologies should be in order, thanks Kobus you and the team make a visit to the Swartberg special!
After one has visited the Kruger park with its vastness one sometimes feel a little disappointment when visiting a Private Game Reserve or Park and it feels that the animals are captured behind the fencing, well it is true but one must not forget that these parks have place in the tourism industry, and when they make a special effort to ensure that our visitors have that special experience they deserve, it is to be appreciated. The Garden Game lodge near Mosselbay, has during the past year gone through great lengths to make our visits special, and it is for that reason that i would send Tourists Friends and Family to them for a visit.
When visiting a great city like Cape Town one tend to forget about the effort some of the smaller establishments take and go to to make a visit to them, I would like to mention three of these by name and thank them for being what they are and say keep up the good work, they are Welgemoed B&B,Leonore you are and will remain a friend. Afton Grove, Chris you and your team had some troubled times this year, but a a Guide and Tour Operator, I am more than impressed, then lastly De Noordhoek Hotel, small friendly, yes I always feel welcome. It is places like yourselves that ad value en make time fly, while we are having fun
