Wednesday, 4th October 2017

Nambiti Game Reserve to Bloemfontein

Our last game drive this morning and before long the ranger pointed out two male lions in the distance. They were moving around turpentine grass (so called because of its smell) and blended in with the grass, with only a glimpse of their darker mane visible. Soon they were on the move so we pulled over and waited as the ranger thought they would cross the track we were on. Sure enough both came into clear view, stared for a while then passed by so close my heart was thumping. I could have reached out and touched one, he was so close. They went on their way and stopped behind our jeep to drink from puddles on the track.

We came across a very large herd of elephants, with a couple of young ones. The ranger told us some interesting facts about their habits. We had to reverse back up the track as a large male was about to cross.

Lots of animals about this morning, including herds of zebra and giraffe. A large number of ostrich with chicks were in the distance and guinea fowls kept running across in front of us. Also a black coated jackal.

Back to the lodge for breakfast and then on our way, heading towards Bloemfontein.

                                               The lounge and bar at the lodge

Before doing so there was a flurry of emails regarding the "original Bill of Loading". South Africa said they didn't have it and Australia was closed due to time difference. Eventually this was sorted out with our shipper saying it wasn't necessary as a telex had been sent to the shipping line in early September. More stress we didn't need!
We were going to take the south N2 road to Port St Johns but the rangers said it was notoriously bad with drivers passing on blind corners, lots of crashes etc so we will take the north road around northern Lesotho.

This route took in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains so was particularly scenic. Huge sandstone mountains with interesting formations where the lower parts had eroded leaving blobs sitting on the tops.

The roadsides had plenty of monkeys and baboons flitting about. Warning signs not to feed the baboons or a $50 fine would be imposed. It must be the breeding season for the grey monkeys as there were a lot of young ones about. 

This area has a serious problem with termites, throughout all the paddocks. Mounds about eighteen inches high were everywhere and there didn't appear to be anything done about eradicating them.

Maybe it was useless land so nothing was cost effective. In the reserve there were termite mounds in one area and the ranger described them as flying queen termites but at least there the birds were swooping and catching them to eat.