Hills and valleys
What a
wasted day!! We broke camp early with the intention of spending half the day in
Pilansberg and leaving at midday to go to Madikwe Game Reserve but after
travelling for three hours, arrived there to discover that there are NO CAMPING
AREAS!! Well I guess that this is our fault for not doing our homework and
checking before we went up there. As our next stop was going to be Marekele
National Park, decided to check this out on line first only to discover that
most of the roads there are suitable to 4x4 vehicles so once again we were
stumped!! It was getting late and decided to go back as far as Groot Marico,
spend the night and decide what to do next. Great disappoint and many miles wasted......
In our
search for a place to camp, we stopped at the local drinking hole called Wag ‘n
Biekie to ask directions and the owner very kindly offered to let us camp for
free in the gardens. What a lovely thing to do!! We gladly accepted as we could
see a storm approaching on the horizon and wanted to set up camp before it hit
us. Camping next to a bar was a new experience for me but as it was Sunday
night, the only sounds we heard were from the traffic on the road nearby. Thank
you so much Herlaas for your kindness and hospitality!!
Besides a
high wind, the storm did not develop but seemed to blow over and we set out
early the next morning for our next destination which of course was Kruger
National Park. It is a long way from Groot Marico and camped that night at Hans
Merensky Dam near Tzaneen. The dam is situated on the banks of the Letaba River
and the Reserve offers a huge variety of birds and wildlife with great hiking
trails.
In one way
it is a really lovely camping site but totally run down. There are lovely shade
trees to camp under but the roads were bad and the grass almost as tall as the
car. The dam itself is beautiful and quiet but unless you are willing to spend
a night without a shower/bath, do not stay over. There are bathroom facilities
but not ones I cared to use.
We made an
early start through Magoebaskloof Pass to Phalaborwa Gate entrance and as we
wanted to see more of the northern areas of the Park, decided to stay for a few
nights near the refurbished Mopani Camp.
Mopani Camp does not have their own camping grounds situated in the camp itself but have it about 8km away. Tsendze Rustic Camp is wonderful!! There is no electrical outlets there so all facilities are gas. Each camping area is demarcated with bush between them so you do not have someone on your doorstep.
(Above: Gaelyn taking pictures at the lookout over Magoebaskloof.)
3 comments:
What a wild drive we had going in circles and sleeping at a bar. At least we didn't have to dance for our accommodation in the garden.
LOL!! It might have been fun seeing two people like us dancing on the tables. :D
Sometimes the best camping spots are accidently found. Great story!
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