The trees and grasses of Africa

It's no secret that I'm a complete gardening fanatic, so the pictures below should come as no surprise.  I adored being there in the late summer where the grasses where at their peak and the way they caught the light was incredible, especially at sunset.  Unfortunately I couldn't capture it on camera.

Kruger National Park

Drakensberg

Kruger National Park - Sweni Wilderness Trail

We spent six nights in the Kruger National Park.  Three of those were at the Sweni Wilderness Camp.  This was an amazing experience because there are just eight people and the two rangers.  In the morning we were woken up before dawn to start our walk as soon as the sun came up.  The morning walk lasted about 4 hours and the sunset afternoon walk around 2 hours.  I loved the walks.  You have no vehicle noise.  You get to see the plants close up and sometimes the animals are more relaxed.

Our home at Sweni Camp for 3 nights. There is a balcony at the back.

Our home at night.  There was no electricity so we had the charm and romance of paraffin lanterns.

The other members of the group.  The two rangers always walked in the front.

Kruger National Park - Elephants

 
 
One afternoon in the Kruger we had the best time watching three different herds of elephants coming to drink.

The herd walking in front of us.

Kruger National Park

I adored my time here.  Nothing could have prepared me for the size of the park.


Our first 'camp' was Olifants.  We had a rondavel which had the kitchen outside in the balcony area that overlooked the river.  Brilliant layout because you get to be outside whilst you cook and get the views.

Our view of Olifants River from our rondavel.

Our kitchen and our wee friend in the kitchen.

One morning I booked to go on the morning mountain bike adventure.  Loved it, for the same reason as the Sweni Wilderness Trail - that you have no noise.  We were very lucky to see a couple of rhinos on the other side of the river from where we were watching the hippos.

Our ranger and the vehicle that got us to the starting point.

Animals that we saw during out time at Kruger.

Swaziland

Swaziland is a perfectly formed little kingdom.  We spent a wonderful afternoon walking in the Malolotga National Park and Nav outdid himself by booking us into Phophonyane Lodge.  See link below for photos:
CLICK HERE for Phophonyane Lodge 

CLICK HERE for Nav's Facbook site photos

On the way out of Swaziland we stopped by Coral Stephens handweaving studio.  I treated myself to a couple of blankets as a reminder of our time in Swaziland.  Here is her website:
CLICK HERE for Coral Stephens Handweaving 

Malolotja National Park

Lesotho

I loved being in Lesotho.  In many ways it reminded me of provinces in northern India - Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.  The people were incredibly friendly and the sky was the most gorgeous blue (when it wasn't overcast!).We did a lot of walking and then had a stunning drive through the mountains to get back to South Africa.

CLICK HERE for photos posted on Nav's Facebook site

This was the road in and out of the Malealea Lodge where we stayed.
Click on this link to see more photos on the lodge website: 
CLICK HERE for Malealea Lodge

The scenery of Lesotho as we drove.

On the gorge walk.

 


















The rewarding swim at the end!