The post Kruger Sneak Away 27 February appeared first on Böhms Zeederberg.
]]>I try to sneak away to my beloved Kruger at least once a week for 4 – 5 hours (when no guest arrivals are expected , of course. )
This is not about searching the Big 5 or exciting predator sightings because we had ample of those during my time as a freelance Kruger Safari guide before Covid struck.
No , it is rather a humble entry into the mysterious world of the animals , birds , reptiles , insects , trees and grasses and the privilege of observing and enjoying them at my own chilled and unhurried pace.
I normally enter at Phabeni Gate and unpack my modest breakfast at Albasini Ruins where I sigh deeply and say to myself :
“ all is good , you are home where you belong “
After that I like to slowly cruise along mostly gravel roads with plentiful stops to observe and listen.
On this specific Sunday these three scenes caught my eye :
A super confident zebra stallion standing next to the road directly opposite my car , alternatively staring me down with a bossy determined look in his eyes , and inspecting the oncoming and departing traffic , each time cocking his ears in the relevant direction.
An ellie mom hurriedly chasing her young calf and teenager across an intersection and up the incline , to get them out of possible danger’s way into the safety of the trees on top.
A very alert young impala ram watching the long grass across the gravel road with a look of intense concentration on his face while his herd mates continued undisturbed for quite a while until a great chorus of loud snorting erupted and everybody scattered in all directions. He might very well have spotted a predator long before the others became aware that anything was amiss. We will never know.
And that is the beauty of it.
More next time !
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]]>The post River Magic appeared first on Böhms Zeederberg.
]]>I think everybody in the tourism industry , especially those of us catering to the international traveller , suffered from some degree of despair symptoms as the covid induced travel bans just carried on and on.
Although I am known to be an irritatingly positive soul , this also hit me in the last couple of months when week after week bookings were cancelled with no end in sight.
Relief came in an unexpected way : after my son’s departure to Pretoria to pick up his normal life , the task of switching on the powerful pump at the river became mine , meaning walking down from the top of the valley to the river (approx. 1 km ) twice a week.
At first it was a schlepp and then I started seeing things with new eyes :
- The difference between the forest at the top of the valley and the almost rain forest at the river’s edge.
- Numerous species of different multi coloured butterflies fluttering around.
- Different types and shapes of mammal scat which I have now learned could be porcupine , otter , bushpig , genet , civet etc
- Porcupine quills scattered along the trail.
- The odd shy red duiker looking at me warily and then scurrying away.
- A spider wasp pulling a spider out of his hole and injecting him with paralysing venom .
- Antlions luring unsuspecting prey into their cone shaped traps.
And the list goes on and on and on…..
I have discovered a magical wonderland and have voluntarily increased my pump duties to every second day as I simply can’t get enough of it.
I invite you , our precious guests , to join me on a discovery trip into the heart of nature , through indigenous forest and along the Sabie river’s banks – I promise you you will not be disappointed. Put on some decent walking shoes and off we go. Let me know when booking your accommodation at Böhm’s.
Renate
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