The Road Back Home

Well, here at last is our final post about our trip to the Kruger National Park. Thank you to everyone who viewed the posts and also for all the lovely comments. :) 

We really had a wonderful time and the Lord blessed us so! Just being out in nature is a blessing itself, and it was wonderful to be in the bush, to see millions of stars in the very dark night sky, breathe such pure air and just relax and enjoy everything. Our time there seemed so short though and soon it was time to take the long road back home.

Leaving the Kruger Park at Phalaborwa Gate

This photo was taken just outside the town of Phalaborwa.

The long road stretching into the distance, at least the drive home is a scenic one. :)

Part of the Drakensberg Mountain Range, the "Dragon Mountains" as it translates in English. In Zulu these mountains are named, "uKhahlamba" (the Barrier of Spears) - this mountain range is the highest and longest in South Africa.

Passing through the town of Ohrigstad.

The road winds up and down through mountain passes, some are long and high with sheer drops on the side down into valleys.

Villages on the side of the road

If you look carefully near the top of this picture you will see the road winding up again.

Wind-swept :)

Looking back at part of the road we had traveled and the tunnel we had to pass through.

South African roads are not always in the best condition and one often has to swerve and zig-zag to try and avoid the potholes.

So thankful to the Lord for a lovely time away and a safe journey!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."

~Psalms 103

Masorini - Place of Secrets

In the Kruger National Park, close to the Phalaborwa Gate is an archeological site which was inhabited during the Iron Age by a group of people who were part of the BaPhalaborwa clan. These people had discovered that this area was rich in iron-ore and so they made their home here on this hill known as Masorini. They learned to smelt and manufacture iron and then sold and traded with other people and tribes. How they made the iron artifacts was a well-guarded secret and the site of their village was kept secret and well-guarded. Once they had manufactured enough items, a few men would set off to sell these goods - they would often travel far and be away for a long time. So closely guarded was the secret of the iron that the women of the clan were not allowed to marry anyone from outside the village so that they would not be able to take the knowledge of the iron-making to any other people.

Archeologists have restored the village and the story of this site is a fascinating one.  

Masorini Hill which was inhabited and closely guarded by the BaPhalaborwa people.

There is a small museum at the foot of the hill which gives a brief history of the site and also has exhibits of some of the artifacts (pic below) found at the site.

It is interesting to go on the guided tour of the site and see how these people lived and to hear about their history.

Beginning our guided walk.

Huts are situated on different levels on the hill. 

Pieces of rock containing iron-ore - they are actually quite heavy for their size!

A reconstructed smelting furnace where the iron ore was melted and then shaped into tools, arrow-heads, etc.

This hut was home to one of the chief's wives. (The artifact on the right is a drum.)

Walking to the huts that are situated higher up.

The "look-out" hut was situated above the rest of the village.

This was the council meeting place and the "seat" you see almost in the center of the picture, was the Chief's throne.

Masorini, Place of Secrets, is altogether a fascinating place to visit. 

Letaba

This is a post with lots of pictures, but I've tried to keep the descriptions brief. :)

After leaving Shingwedzi we traveled south-east through the game reserve to Letaba Camp. The journey took us about  and on the way we passed the Tropic of Capricorn marker, pictured below.

The Bridge over the Letaba River. The drought is not as bad here as it is further North and there's still water in the river.

Entrance gate of Letaba Camp

A Bushbuck walking around inside the camp.

We stayed in a family bungalow, right near the camp fence and had a wonderful view over the river and surroundings.

One doesn't even have to drive out if you don't want to - you see so much from the camp.

Walking in the camp - although the weather is hot, there are signs of Autumn setting in.

Jessica and I went for a walk along the camp fence.

In the late afternoon we took a drive further up along the river.

A Crocodile basking on the river bank.

We saw quite a number of animals, including this herd of elephants. After they had drank at the river they made their way back up the banks and crossed the road just behind us, (picture below). There were lots of babies and youngsters in the herd.  

This young Elephant bull was last to cross the road after the herd and he was not in a very good mood, trumpeting and thrashing around in the bushes!

After the being held up by the Elephants, we made it back to camp just before the gates closed for the night and then prepared the braai for supper. :)

One of the many little Geckos which come out at night and crawl along the outside walls of the bungalows, hunting insects which are attracted by the outside lights.

Jessica and I went for another walk along the fence just as it was getting dark and then came back to a delicious supper of braaied Wildebeest steaks. :)