A few interesting things about the Kruger

In April 2017 we had the privilege of touring with six friends (Thys and Marlize Odendal, Herman and Linda Steyn, and Alwyn and Stephanie Laubsher) in the Kgalagadi. Our accommodation in the open camps at Rooiputs and Polentswa was probably the most enjoyable. Yes, we had nightly visits from lions, but they “behaved” themselves and didn’t bother us. We merely saw their footprints in the mornings – after all, lions move softly and in fresh air in the Kgalagadi causes you to sleep like a log. One of the highlights of the holiday was the morning at the Kij-Kij waterhole when we departed from Rooiputs to Polentswa. Herman Steyn saw a troop of seven lions walking across the road to go drink water. After they drank, the lions stayed at the waterhole for quite some time. One of the younger lions, I suspect a male, decided he wanted a closer inspection of Thys’s Toyota. He first walked very determinedly towards Marlize’s side of the vehicle and then towards the back where the spare wheel was. Here the lion checked out his reflection in the rear window while testing the strength of the BF Goodrich tyre. Thys felt the movement on the car and drove forward. The lion wasn’t that easily deterred though and repeatedly followed the Toyota while it was moving forward. The following few days we saw a lot of predators, game and birds, and I must say that it warms the heart to see how many people make an effort to stop other tourists to tell them where interesting things, especially predators, can be seen. A good example of this is Hentie Steyn who was en route to Nossob and then turned around to come and tell us at the Kamqua picnic spot where a spotted hyena with her babies were. Kgalagadi 2017 was truly an unforgettable experience!