Causeway and River Loops

Just outside Shingwedzi Camp there is a narrow causeway or low-water bridge. When the river is full, this causeway is underwater but during drought there are usually just pools of water on the side. In drought or plenty, spending some time here is always rewarding as there are always birds and animals around this spot. 

Elephants are plentiful in the Kruger Park. The Bulls are often alone or in small groups whereas the females and young elephants are found in herds. Elephants like fresh water and, (as this one in the picture did),  often dig water-holes in the dry river beds to find underground water.

There were lots of Kingfishers around the causeway. Above is a Pied Kingfisher and below, a small "jewel-coloured" Malachite Kingfisher. 

Monitor Lizard or 'Leguaan' as it is known in South Africa. This one was lying a short way from the pool of water on the side of the causeway.

Terrapins sunning themselves. They are a type of freshwater turtle.

A Saddle-billed Stork "fishing" .

A group of Chacma baboons came along too. 

Not far from the causeway is a road that winds along the river in a series of "loops" until it reaches the "Kanniedood Dam". Translated into English the name means "Cannot-die" Dam. Even in times of drought there is water in this dam. The game viewing is always good here. 

Part of the Kanniedood Dam. The dam is full of hippos (pic. below) and crocodiles. 

Young Waterbuck and Egret on the bank.

Herd of Impala on one of the river loops  - there are over 130 000 of these antelope in the Kruger Park

Nyala female (above) and Nyala male (below)

An African Buffalo crossing the road. We saw lots of buffalo during our time in the Park.

Bridge over a very dry Shingwedzi River. Many animals are still to be seen in the dry riverbed as there are pools of water here and there. Apparently just the day before a big male Lion spent most of the morning just below this bridge.

At sunset, while driving back to the camp we came across this pair of Bateleur Eagles.

And so ends another day... :)

Shingwedzi

Shingwedzi takes it's name from the Shingwedzi River next to which the camp is situated. It is a rustic camp that still carries the essence of the bush. The area teems with wildlife. Here are some random photos taken in camp during the two days we spent in that area.

Veranda and kitchen area of our bungalow.

There is lots to see just by staying in camp. Birds, squirrels and other creatures that come into the camp are quite unafraid of people and often come onto the bungalow verandas. Monkeys and Baboons come in to the camp daily and love to open fridges and cupboards to see what they can find to eat. All the cupboards are now fitted with locks and one has to turn the fridge around to face the wall whenever you leave the bungalow.

There are many tree squirrels in and around the camp - they are so cute! :)

A glossy starling paid us an early morning visit.

Despite the drought, plants like the pretty Impala Lily still flower.

Walking to the restaurant for breakfast.

The office, restaurant and shop complex

In the restaurant - you have a great view from there over the river and surrounding bush. 

We saw a number of animals and birds from the restaurant window including this elephant.

The second night of our stay we had a braai (like a barbecue) for supper and once again had a early night - the early rising (at 4a.m), fresh air, heat and driving round makes one sleepy by 8 o clock. :P  At just after 3a.m. Mom and I woke to the sound of a lion roaring, he carried on for a little while and then all was quiet - everything keeps silent when a lion roars! :)

Trip to the Kruger National Park

"Unpredictable" - that's basically what life is like in South Africa, well, at least it is for my family and most other people I know who live here. It can be frustrating, but it can also be exciting...like an unexpected holiday and a last minute change of plans. That's what happened to us last Monday...we were on the road just after 4a.m. going to spend a few days in a private game reserve when we suddenly decided to change plans and go to the Kruger National Park instead. :) 

We had a good time there - saw lots of animals and enjoyed being out in the African bush - and took LOTS of photos! Enough pictures for a number of posts so here's the first one... :)

Nearing the town of Phalaborwa which is situated just 3kms from the Kruger Park's Phalaborwa Gate. 

Kruger's Phalaborwa Gate office and shop 

Entering the game reserve. The Kruger National Park is the "flagship" of South Africa's national parks. It is a huge area - 2 million hectares and is roughly the same size as the whole of Wales or Israel. It forms part of South Africa's border with Zimbabwe in the North and Mozambique in the East. The Kruger is rich in wildlife and plants.

The northern park of the Kruger park is in the grip of a severe drought at the moment and rivers are running low and some have dried completely. This river we crossed, not too far from Phalaborwa Gate, still had enough water in it for hippos and crocodiles. The following two pictures were taken from the bridge.

The first animal we saw on entering the Kruger - Impala are numerous and you see herds of them all the time.

We had a two and a half hour drive from the Phalaborwa Gate to Shingwedzi Rest Camp where we were staying but we stopped off for a short while at Mopani , another rest camp which is about half-way.

The walkway that leads to the deck that looks out over the huge dam that is just outside the camp.

A Boabab tree inside the camp. An amazing tree!

We saw a lot of animals and birds on the drive including this small herd of Giraffe which were feeding off trees on the side of the road.

We arrived at Shingwedzi Camp in the late afternoon, and booked into our bungalow which is pictured in the photo below.

After we unpacked it was good to walk around the camp and "stretch" our legs after the journey. :)

The Loft room where Rachel and I slept.

Looking the "other way" from the loft, down.

Sunset and sunrise are always spectacular in Africa and especially out in the bush. :) 

That night after a light supper and time spent just sitting outside, we went for a walk around the camp and then it was early bedtime for all of us. :)

17 Today! Happy Birthday!

Birthday blessings and wishes
 to my special and wonderful sister, Jessica! 

May God richly bless you.

Love you lots!

More Precious Than Gold

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory

 at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

~1PETER 1:7

Why do we come to these troubles? What makes these things come? Why should a Christian ever be perplexed? Why wouldn't not everything just run perfect for a Christian? But it doesn't, and we know it.
And sometimes we have more troubles when we become a Christian than we did when we were sinners. 'Course it is written, "Many is the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivereth him from them all." God promised many afflictions, strange feelings, and strange things that would be beyond our understanding, but it's always done for our good. Just can't understand it, because if we did, then it would not be of faith to us; we would go with an understanding. But we do it, and we have it, and we believe by faith His Word, that it's going to work some good thing for us. If we could grasp that today, on this morning. If we could grasp that all of our troubles... And there's none of us immune from them. And if we could realize that those things are for our good...

It is written in one of the Scriptures in the Bible, that, "Trials are brought upon us, are more precious to us than gold itself, for it is God giving us these trials." After we become His property, our confession, and our baptism, and our promise to walk in life for Him, then every trial that comes upon us is to perfect us for His glory. It's to bring us to a place where God can make Himself more real to us than He was before the trial come.


I want to join in this morning with Job to say that I've lived long enough to know that's the truth. I have seen it in my own life, that every time a great situation rises, that I can't get around it, or under it, or over it, God makes a way, and comes out glorious. I just wonder how His grace ever does it, but He does it.
And remember, in all these things Satan tries to make us nervous, and upset us, to get us to think, "Oh, why did this happen? Why couldn't I have been like this?"....

...It's those crucial hours that press us on to those sacred sands. It was in the Bible. And remember, no matter how great the distress is, Satan cannot take your life until God has finished with you. There is nothing can happen to you unless God permits it. There is no evil can come unless God permits it. And it's for your good He's working that.

~Bro. William M. Branham  - I KNOW 60-0417s