Day 6-7: Kruger 2 and Sleep Out

Sleep Out

Yesterday we left after high tea for our sleep out.  The road to get there was astonishingly rough (especially considering our guide, Doug, kept talking about how it had recently been fixed up.  On the way we saw a 45 year old elephant and several giraffes.  We saw another younger elephant, who acted threatening enough that Doug was hitting the side of the car to make noises and scare it away (apparently if you reverse, they charge). 

Soon enough we arrived at camp (before sunset).  Doug and our tracker lit a fire, and we sat by it as we ate some pre dinner snacks and some cider (they constantly offer alcohol). While we waited for the embers to burn down, we saw Rhinos and Elephants at the watering hole (it feels like cheating, but they have a pumped watering hole).  Apparently black rhinos only have young once every 7 years (in comparison white rhinos every 3-4, and elephants every 2).  Once the embers burned down we ad a traiditonal braai (barbeque) with some sausages, ‘pup’ (a sorta porridge thing made out of cornmeal- taste and texture similar to mashed potatoes), rolls, salad, and a sort of ‘bread and butter pudding’ (it’s a traditional South African dessert).  All yummy. 

braii

Despite clear skies, our platforms were below trees so we did not have great starwatching.  Thus, there was not much to do after dinner, and dad retired to our tent by 8:30.  I held out til 9.  The sky is pitch black by 6 or so, so it felt later than that.  Our tent was basically a mosquito net, so we could actually see stars from our (luckily very warm) sleeping bags.   

In the morning we woke up for hot drinks at a leisurely 6 am, then headed out.  On the way back we say Ostrich, Buffalo, a beautiful male kudu, and lots of great birds.  Generally a quieter ride.  Then we drove back to Rhino post to repeat the usual evening adventure.  While we hung around through the mid afternoon two monkeys came onto our deck- we locked our doors.

Our evening game drive was quiet, and it seems like we will leave Kruger leapord-less.  We did see some wild cat, Jeset, Bush Babies, a Rhino, and an adorable Warthog family to lessen the blow.  After a dinner of Impala (like leopards eat) it was off to bed.  No game drive in the morning, as we have to fly to Livingston.