full campsite for 3 or 4 nights. How bad could it be?
The drive up to Punda (S22.69323 E31.01762) was only 70km or so, so not far.
The game viewing along the way, nice, some birds, but nothing to shout
about. Well apart from the Leopard! It was only a brief crossing of paths
but exciting none the less. We had stopped as we do most of the time to
check out a bird in a tree. This one happened to be an Open Billed Stork
perched high up on top of an acacia. Having observed him, I turned the
ignition to get Mufasa growling again, looked up, and before we had moved a
few feet stopped as there was a cat in the road ahead wandering towards us.
Binoculars up, 'LEOPARD'! Beautiful animal. Sadly it was only in view for 10
seconds or so before it slinked off into the grass next to a small river. We
drove up not in much hope of spotting it again, and we didn't. They are hard
enough to see off the road when the grass is dead and low, but in these lush
times, no chance!
As we had set off from Shingwedzi first thing we arrived at Punda not long
after 09h00 and were delighted to find that the campsite was almost empty so
we had plenty of places to choose from. It was a no brainer really. Our
favourite spot is in the first corner by the fence under some trees, but
this was taken. So next to it in the open would do us just fine, the spot we
had camped on when we arrived from Mozambique with a rush that last day of
our trip up thru Africa in 2008.
Friday night was not too hectic but Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were full
full full. The only thing that was a real surprise was the weather. It had
been pretty warm still during the days up until we arrived at Punda. Friday
was cooler and cloudy. Saturday was cold, it drizzled all day, only got up
to 16C or sommit like that. Sue had 2 fleeces and long sleeved t-shirt on
during the day, and I had on thick socks and hiking boots to keep my feet
warm and dry. Sunday was better and we had a great long drive up to the
Pafuri picnic spot (S22.42312 E31.24746) and then along to Crook's Corner
(S22.42565 E31.30700) at the confluence of the mighty Limpopo river with the
Luvuvhu River. We saw a large herd of Elephant munching their way thru the
trees, several good bird spots, and plenty of lovely Nyala, not to mention a
couple of dozing Lions. Monday was a day of rest again, cold, bit of
drizzle, and some afternoon sun. Perfect feet up and read a book day, yep
another one.
The family group next to us in 'our' corner spot were very nice, all 14 of
them, from Ouma and Oupa down to their grandchildren. One of the families
lived at Punda for a while when the husband worked there as a ranger and
trail guide. They were living at Punda during the great floods of 2000, with
a few stories to tell now. Thanks to them we had a new animal spot one
evening, a Large Spotted Genet, nipping in and out of the grass just outside
the fence, too cute. Overall the weekend was very pleasant indeed. We knew
it would be busy, and it was. We knew that at times it would be noisy, and
it was. But everyone was friendly, although I think we might have probably
been the only non native Afrikaans speakers there! I sometime feel like I am
in a foreign country!
After Punda, only another 6 nights left in the park. Can't be greedy now,
but once you are here and settled in it is just a way of life.
Internal Virus Database is out of date.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2786 - Release Date: 04/02/10
18:32:00
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