THE BEST OF THE REST

This is the end of my african safari blog. Please go to the first post in May and travel to South Africa with us.

I hope you will enjoy the accounts of our hunt and photo safari with Frikkie du Toit Safaris.

                                                                     John Straitiff

HORSE PLAY IN THE BUSH

Xanthe, you are so cute. "I KNOW!"



MY BUDDIES....FJ & XANTHE

GAME ROOM IN OUR CHALET





 





ELEPHANT PROBLEM



Our first encounter in Kruger

The first citing of elephants in the African wild was a real shocker for me. We had just left the elephant museum in Kruger. Frikkie was driving on a dirt road running near the river looking for hippo and buffalo. Suddenly in the bush just yards off the road stood a herd of elephant. I knew elephants were big but they seemed giant peering over the bush at us. The herd was headed for the river in the mid-day heat and we were in their way. Several trumpetted loudly in protest as the herd went crashing through the bush. We had many other encounters with elephants. One close encounter that stands out was when we came around a bend to find a herd standing in the middle of the road. One young bull decided he did not like the look of the  Fortuner or the people in it. He flaired his ears and walked towards us blowing all the way. Frikkie camly slipped the Toyota into reverse and backed up slowly. I guess the teen bully figured he had proven his point as he trumpetted and trotted into the bush. One evening we came upon a big bull in some open grass land working his way toward the road. He approached our car very slowly and calmly. Suddenly he flaired his ears. Frikkie slipped the car into drive and told Di the time to snap a picture was at hand. The bull was making a threat and we needed to go...NOW!  Actually, Kruger has an elephant problem. On one occassion we watched a bull elephant push over a tree, then only eat a mouth or two full and move on. There are more elephants now in the park than the food chain can support. In many areas of the park damage to the trees and the habitat is clearly visible. Many conservationists and professional hunters in Africa feel the park needs to cull the herd numbers. Good intending bunny huggers have some crazy solutions including birth contol. Sounds good on paper but not very practical in a park this massive. These are giant wild animals in a huge wild place. Not the poor elephants you see at the zoo or circus. Some people want nothing done at all. In this case, I think just letting nature run its course would be a monumental error. The battle over the elephant population within the park is a very heated issue on both sides. I feel the only way to save the land now for all animals of the park and future generations is to thin the elephant herd numbers. Without man getting involved the elephants will simply continue to breed and eat themselves out of house and home. These magnificant creatures deserve better.



Please back up

Point proven

Take the picture now!

Youngster follows his mother at the river crossing

ON THE ROOF

DINING CHALET WITH THATCHED ROOF


Who knew grass could make such a strong and weatherproof roofing material? In the bush, almost all structures have a traditional thatched roof. Frikkie was building a new lodge and we got the chance to watch the fascinating thatching process close up on a daily basis. A truck first delivers bundles of grass/reeds. Workers then climb on thin long sticks as makeshift scafflolding to attach the grass to the wood framed roof. Two workers on the outside of the roof catch bundles of grass that are tossed up to them from the ground. They work the bundles into place and fasten them with a wire.  The workers feed the wire through while another worker on the inside feeds the wire back through to the workers on the outside. They use a large brush to comb the grass into position and to keep the ends even. It really was amazing to watch these skilled craftsmen apply their trade. The South African style of thatched roof is very strong and durable. With a combing every year or two it can last for up to 50 years.

DINING CHALET INTERIOR



BUNDLES OF GRASS

WOOD FRAMING

THATCHING CREW






I HATE SPIDERS

We encountered some huge spiders on our safari. The region we hunted for bushbuck had what I thought was a really cool looking one. I called it the Steelers spider but the real name is Golden Orb Spider. To me it seemed massive as far as spiders go. It sported a sleak shiny black body and legs with bright gold markings. When hunting the river bottoms in the evenings, we drove down some very over grown narrow roads with thick brush just teaming with spiders and their webs. Stretched across the roads were hundreds, maybe thousands of strands of webbing. In the right lighting, it looked like a kids fishing trip gone really bad, as the thick tangled web strands danced in the sun. During daylight hours the web strands were a pain. But, at least you could dodge or move most of them. Near dusk and after dark they took on an entirely new type of creepiness. As you drove along  the spider webs would constantly hit your face and arms. It drove me nuts but that is the price you have to pay to hunt bushbuck and nyala. Huge spiders make some pretty darn strong webs too. Frikkie commmented, "With three strands I think you could bind a guy." Thank god my wife decided to ride up front with Marco in the safari truck instead of in back on this hunt. She would have flipped out with her well known love of spiders...LOL!

GO STEELERS!

FOR THE BIRDS

 

LILLAC-BREASTED ROLLER
When most people think of Africa, images of the great cats, elephant, rhino, crocs, hippo and other animals come to mind. More often people think of great migrations and wild creatures than they think of birds. Africa is a true bird lovers paradise. You will find birds of every size, shape, and color... from the Grey-Lourie that has blown many hunts with its GO AWAY call, to the ugly looking and goofy sounding flightless Southern Ground Bill, from stunning to odd, and everything in between, Kruger Park is home to 238 species of wild, wonderful, and exotic birds.

KORI BUSTARD



SWAINSON'S FRANCOLIN






AFRICAN HOOPOE



WHITECROWNED LAPWING

MARTIAL EAGLE





AFRICAN FISH EAGLE


SOUTHERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL





SOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILL...PICKING IN ELEPHANT DUNG

More African bird photos:
http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=43537

 

IT'S RAINING SAUSAGES

At the small parking area behind our chalet at Crocodile Bridge in Kruger Park was a sign reading "WARNING, Please beware of falling sausage fruit." We started to chuckle as that is just something you don't see every day. Frikkie said to be careful because getting cracked on top of the head with heavy rockhard sausage fruit falling out of the trees above could really hurt you. As soon as I stepped around the front of the chalet I could see what he meant. There beside our chalet hung dozens of what looked like fuzzy salami sticks. Not long after we settled in, I was outside talking with Xanthe when I heard a loud thud. It reminded me of the time I was fox hunting at night with my friend Dave. We turned on the call and a medium sized bear jumped out of the huge oak tree we were sitting under. The sound was like a bowling ball falling out of the sky. This time the thud had come from a sausage fruit crashing to the ground. Little Frikkie and I decided to try and open one. After some considerable effort we finally broke it in half. I would say it looked sort of like a zucchini packed full of fiberous strings.   

SAUSAGE FRUIT

NOTHING BUT BLUE SKYS

SCANNING THE BUSH FOR GAME

The South African sky has a bright blue cast that fascinates the eyes. Deep in the bush you are far away from pollution, both light and air. The clear air in the Kalahari and Kruger Park lets you see the true richness of the blue sky without any haze. The cooler more moist air of the mountains between these two regions can be hazy and even foggy at times. At night the lack of light pollution enables you see to thousands of more stars in the sky than you can see in the states. All the tiny stars that are not bright enough to shine through the American light pollution just pop out and come alive in the deep black African night. There are few things  in life that are more relaxing than sitting around a fire after dinner with a drink in hand and just looking up into the stars. One evening just after dusk, Di and I watched a distant thunderstorm approach across the Kalahari for at least an hour. The tops of clouds were a deep purple and the lightning danced across the sky. At times the entire horizon would come to life. It was better than any fireworks show. A sky this clear and amazing can only been seen in places that are still truly wild.

CLOUDS BUILDING OVER A RIVER IN KRUGER

THE BUSH





SUN JUST STARTING TO GO DOWN IN KRUGER



SUN SET ON THE AFRICAN PLAINS


                                                                         

THE CLOWNS OF THE BUSH

HITCHING A RIDE

On an early morning drive in Kruger we came upon a troop of baboons. The infants clung tightly to their mothers. A group of young baboons played a comical game of king of the mountain on a rock pillar. They would pull tails and shove each other of their perch. All was going well until a young male decided to beat up on the youngsters. The dominate male in the troop would have none of it. He made his way over and put the young male back in his place quickly. An unattended vehicle with the windows down is an easy target for the local baboons. They will simply hop through the window and take everything they can grab, including cameras, purses, and coolers, looking for food.

KINGS OF THE MOUNTAIN

THE FIGHTER

PILGRIM'S REST



 Garage/Gas Station

While on our scenic drive through the mountains we stopped at a South African National Monument known as Pilgrim's Rest. It is like stepping back in time. An entire town is dedicated to life in the early gold rush days of the late 1800's and early 1900's. Vendors were selling all types of nuts and crafts. The streets are lined with shops, museums, restaurants, and a beautiful hotel. We enjoyed strolling through the town, picking up some souvenirs, grabbing a bite to eat, and learning a little about the gold rush days.

General Store

Royal Hotel

Hotel Lobby



Cold Castle Beer...YUM!

Visit Pilgrim's Rest:
http://www.pilgrims-rest.co.za/



MAC MAC FALLS

\

On our way back from Kruger Park to Jo-burg, Frikkie took us on a high mountain ride on the stunningly scenic Panorama Route in Mpumalanga's Sabie area. Mac Mac Falls is one of a cluster of lovely waterfalls in the region. The twin falls plunge dramatically 70 meters into the narrow gorge below.
According to South African Tourism, "Although the Mac Mac Falls are named for Scottish miners who sought their fortune by panning for gold here during the heady days of the 1870's gold rush, they themselves did not come up with the name. Apparently President Thomas Burger was visiting the area in 1873 and was struck by how many of the miners' names began with 'Mac'. On the spot, he named the area Mac Mac-a name that has survived to this day." At the parking area several locals were selling crafts and artwork. We picked up a wooden carving of a kudu bull and a pair of giraffe carved from stone for just 140 Rand which is about $20 U.S. It was just a short walk down the trail to a photo platform over looking the thundering falls below. Sadly on this day, it was rather hazy so the lighting in my photos is a little flat. The views in this region are stunning though. Around each bend a new and spectacular scenic view awaits.

Wood Carvings

Learn more About Mac Mac Falls:
 http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/cn/full-article?oid=9963&sn=Detail&pid=7014

DON'T GO IN THE WATER

The pool above looks calm and tranquil. It seems like a refreshing  place to take a swim and escape the hot African sun. Just under the surface of this water and almost all water in Kruger Park hides two killers...the  hippoptamus and the crocodile. Water means life in Africa. In rural areas many people live on or near the water. The waterways of Africa provide people with food and a means of travel.  Hippo kill more people in Africa than any other animal. A bull hippo has a giant mouth armed with huge long tusks. He is very aggressive and will defend his territory and his females against all who enter it. Hippos spend the day in water and feed at night on land. More than one fisherman has met a tragic end just by being at the wrong place at the wrong time in the early morning when a hippo was making his way back to the river. Being between a hippo and water is never a good thing. You are in his way and he is not about to turn back or go around.
The croc hides just under the water's surface and waits. When an unfortunate animal or person comes to the water's edge to drink the croc strikes. He will grab his prey and pull it to deeper water where he can drown it.  As we watched the seemingly calm pool above for a short time, both crocs and hippos were seen. If you want to stay alive in Africa the rule of thumb is DON'T GO IN THE WATER! Heck, don't even go near the water!

Look out little birdie!

The beach is now closed.

Look who just popped up


Trouble cruising



Bull with scars on his back from fighting.



 

 

 


DRUNK ON AMARULA

The Amarula tree produces a round yellow fruit. When the fruit hits the ground the sugars can ferment in the african sun. Sometimes when the fruit is very plentiful,  when the fruit falls in huge quantities at a rate faster than the animals can eat it, the bush can turn into a bar full of drunken saliors on a three day shore pass. I have seen videos with baboons and elephants flat out smashed. It was a riot. On our trip to Kruger we drove by the plant where they bottle the sweet rich liquor made from the fruit.  My wife loves this stuff and I am pretty fond of it too. It tastes sort of  like Kahlua with a hint of strawberry. We drank at least two bottles during our stay at Frikkie's ranch. The reason I bring this up is because of the strange creature called the Roan. It is a large hearty antelope with a masked face, short horns that curve back, a thick neck, and goofy looking tuffed ears. Frikkie and I think that the Amarula tree is to blame for the creation of the Roan. The way we see it, a female eland and male gemsbok got smashed on fermented amarula fruit. In their drunken stooper they got a little frisky and thus the Roan was born.

A lone Roan

The gangs all here