On the road to Johannesburg:
After our two day safari adventure in Kruger National Park, we left the Mpumalanga province for the morning drive to Pretoria. On the way we stopped at Millys Take Away for Trout Pie and Venison Pie. Wow! Best road food ever.
In Pretoria we stopped for lunch at the Blue Crane Restaurant, then went to the Union Building to see the Nelson Mandela Statue.
The plains on the way from Mpumalanga
Selfie stick bus entertainment
Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Building in Pretoria
The Union Building in Pretoria
Onboard the bus to Shangana Village:
An early start for our second safari day in Kruger National Park. On the road at 5:30 a.m. we were able to catch the sunrise in the park and see wildlife at the best time of day. Today we saw a leopard, so we got The Big Five over our two day safari trip. Here’s a few photos from the day:
Elephants crossing the road in Kruger National Park
A giraffe in Kruger National Park
A zebra in Kruger National Park
And after our safari day we went to the Shangana cultural show and dinner.
Tonight’s appetizer: corn, peanuts, impala, and worm!
Dinner after the show at Shangana village
Tomorrow we had back to Johannesburg by way of Pretoria.
Today was our first safari day at Kruger National Park – South Africa’s largest wildlife refuge. We left the Protea Hazyview Hotel at 6 a.m. and entered the park around 7 a.m. It’s Freedom Day is South Africa, a national holiday, so the park was crowded at the end of the three day holiday weekend. Sam – our park guide – did an amazing job finding wildlife to see in the park. After our first safari day we’ve seen four of the Big Five – elephants, buffaloes, a rhino, and lions.
Part of the Big Five: Elephants in Kruger National Park
A pride of lions in Kruger National Park
A zebra in Kruger National Park
The view from our safari vehicle
If we see leopards tomorrow we will complete the Big Five!!
On the bus to Hazyview in Mpumalanga:
Today was moving day. We traveled most of the day by bus from Johannesburg to Mpumalanga along the Panorama Route. Once outside of Johannesburg it’s surprising how much of the countryside is cultivated for farming. We passed acres of corn fields.
Farmland outside of Johannesburg
After driving all morning to Lydenburg and lunch at Wimpy, we made our way to the spectacular Blyde River Canyon – the world’s 3rd largest canyon – to see The Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and God’s Window.
Russel at The Three Rondawels
The falls at Bourke’s Luck Pothole
Donna, Patty, and Mickey at God’s Window
From the lobby bar of the InterContinental Hotel:
Today we saw Africa in transition, from a wild life reserve dedicated to protecting indigenous species to the changing face of Soweto.
We began the day at the Rhino & Lion Park Nature Reserve with the opportunity to see Rhinos, Lions, Water Buffalo, Antelopes, and Ostriches. Rhino & Lion Park is a privately owned facility setup to breed Rhinos in an effort to prevent the declining population as a result of poaching. A Rhino horn is worth $1,000,000 on the black market.
A lion at Rhino & Lion Park
Zebras at Rhino & Lion Park
Mickey with a leopard cub
Next we visited Soweto. Our tour guide and Soweto resident Eric talked about life in the township and the challenges residents face as they adjust to life in a democratic South Africa.
A street in Soweto
The Mandela House in Soweto
Tomorrow we travel to Kruger National Park via the Panorama Route.
View from the balcony ...
Michael S. Liberman