Kruger National Park
South Africa
South Africa
Trip Report: Camping in Kruger (again)
+ a bit of Eswatini
2019
+ a bit of Eswatini
2019
Lower Sabie Rest Camp
This next sequence of photos captures one of the magic moments of Kruger. We were stopped on the H1 tar road watching some zebras at the Ngotso bore hole. Suddenly hyenas popped out onto the road in front of our SUV. A small group - maybe 4 or 5 crossed the road and confronted an adult zebra. He/she didn't back down and challenged them. They instantly lost interest and started toward the waterhole joined by more that crossed the road. A dozen or so in all. The impala and the zebra quietly backed away. The hyenas ran to the water and dove in. Yes, dove. They were jumping and splashing and play fighting for five minutes while we watched. One even jumped out of the water and did several running laps around the waterhole. Somehow you can't imagine these vicious-looking creatures just having fun and getting refreshed around a pool - just like we do. Then one of the hyenas set off into the bush and they all quickly followed and the moment was gone. Wow.
We were now heading to our last camp of our Kruger stay. Lower Sabie is a favorite camp for many. It is right at the junction of the major east-west road in the south and the north-south tar road that heads to all things north. It is also right on the Sabie River and its permanent water supply, so there is always wildlife around - Nile ibises, hippos, buffalo, crocs etc . . . The prized accommodation is the row of BD3U cottages that line the river, with a nice manicured lawn dotted with trees - included some fig trees that attract critters at night. These often sell out 10 - 11 months in advance. We had #9 this time around.
We arrived just after 2 pm after a stop for lunch at the Mlondozi picnic area. We also popped in for coffee at Tshokwane Pinic area on the way by but their machine was broken. The horror! No cappuccino! Thankfully the view at Mlondozi wasn't broken so it was a nice spot to rest. A herd of buffalo lounged down below.
The LS parking area was just getting over the lunchtime madness as we arrived, so we registered and got to our semi-detached cabin to admire the view in short order. The grass was much, much taller and the river had a lot more water than the last time we stayed here three years ago in the last year of the recent drought. These units have two twins in the BR and one in the kitchen area with dining tables both in and outside.
For simplicity, we ate at the Mugg & Bean restaurant and only mildly regretted it. The Mexican-themed food was mediocre - except for the nachos! - but once again, the wine was good and cheap and I didn't have to cook.
We arrived just after 2 pm after a stop for lunch at the Mlondozi picnic area. We also popped in for coffee at Tshokwane Pinic area on the way by but their machine was broken. The horror! No cappuccino! Thankfully the view at Mlondozi wasn't broken so it was a nice spot to rest. A herd of buffalo lounged down below.
The LS parking area was just getting over the lunchtime madness as we arrived, so we registered and got to our semi-detached cabin to admire the view in short order. The grass was much, much taller and the river had a lot more water than the last time we stayed here three years ago in the last year of the recent drought. These units have two twins in the BR and one in the kitchen area with dining tables both in and outside.
For simplicity, we ate at the Mugg & Bean restaurant and only mildly regretted it. The Mexican-themed food was mediocre - except for the nachos! - but once again, the wine was good and cheap and I didn't have to cook.