***I just noticed that some of the below photos did not load properly due to the poor internet here. I will try fixing them over the following days. I was able to add the photos that didn’t fully upload. Please disregard the partially uploaded photos. Everytime I delete them, it deletes other photos. I am still learning how to use Blogger, sorry...
This morning we packed up, loaded the van, and said goodbye to Skukuza Camp. Here’s a quick look at our room after we finished packing.
The forecast called for 98°F (36.5°C), and even early in the day you could feel it was going to be our hottest one yet. Before leaving, we passed by the Skukuza reception building, then began our drive toward Satara.
Along the way we spotted giraffes, impalas, elephants, kudus, warthogs, waterbucks, wildebeests, zebras, and even hippos—both alive and not so alive!About halfway, we stopped at Tshokwane Trading Post and Picnic Area for lunch.
They have a small outdoor kitchen serving sandwiches, light snacks, cappuccinos, and espressos. I even snapped a photo of a staff member trying to shoo away blue monkeys from the picnic area with a slingshot. They’re tricky to spot among the trees!
By early afternoon the temperature hit 96°F, and it was clear the animals were slowing down with the heat. Thankfully, the forecast shows cooler days ahead.Before checking in at Satara, Douw wanted to stop by the dam. The water level is quite low right now, but we still managed to see hippos (including one we smelled before we saw…), elephants, waterbucks, and zebras.
We finally checked in and got settled into our new digs for the next few days. We’re sharing a two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage with Douw’s parents, while Douw has his own single-room bungalow. The cottage is really comfortable and even has a full kitchen—perfect for our stay here.
Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler and we are going out very early, hopefully we see a cheetah!