We're in Africa! Marloth Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa to be precise. Marloth is a private game reserve where Nicola's family have a lodge. It is tucked into a bend of the Crocodile River and boasts Kruger National Park as its main neighbour.
Just down the way is the perfect game spotting spot. A small cliff overlooking the river shaded by a thatched shelter and a large tree. Straight out of 'Wild Kingdom' our jetlagged souls watched a herd of elephants having a bath. It is now early afternoon, not a prime game viewing time, watching a hippo munch on some bushes then wallow in the river. A herd of impala skittishly cross the sandbar for a drink. Just spotted another hippo having a big yawn. This is seriously cool!
On our game drive/walk this morning, we encountered the expected herd of impala. Despite being common, they are sleek, shiny and nimble. We walked through a herd of zebras, past a couple of wildebeest and a giraffe. Up close, the wildebeest are not the prettiest but the warthog still takes the award for the most unattractive critters. Monkeys! Vervet monkeys running over the sand and teasing the impala.
Neighbours Gerry and Caroline with their friends, Col and Mavis - serious birders - popped down to see what they could see. Birding, I have determined, is for those with a significant amount of time and is as much about the ambiance as it is about the birds.
This place has some serious citters. We have an understanding how the Crocodile River got its name. Evolution sopped at the perfect killing machine and they look sinister even just floating down the river and so huge, we suspect steriod use!
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