I had booked four nights in the tented camp at Songimvelo, south of Barberton, on the Swaziland border. The office gave me directions, but they sent me to the wrong gate & I waited & waited but no-one showed up. I called them to find I had a drive of a further 62 kms to get to the other gate.
Me waiting at the wrong gate! Thanks a lot, office!
This is middle veld country: very scenic.
on the way to the reserve!
They had stopped using this gate a couple of weeks before. Thanks guys really helpful! I drove around & transferred to the Humala Lodge Tented Camp on the banks of the Komati River. It was a lovely drive in the afternoon sun & I saw four White Rhino in the far distance (the only ones of this trip)!
Complete with outdoor shower!
The camp is in a wonderful setting the the tents, (if one may call them that) were very comfortable indeed.
This reserve is 49,000 hectares amid the very scenic Barberton Mountains. It is a stunning landscape rich in biodiversity (over 1,500 species of plants)! It holds a good variety of game species, but both Cape Buffalo & Elephant proved elusive for me!
This reserve is 49,000 hectares amid the very scenic Barberton Mountains. It is a stunning landscape rich in biodiversity (over 1,500 species of plants)! It holds a good variety of game species, but both Cape Buffalo & Elephant proved elusive for me!
Dawn.
Getting around the reserve, in an open topped vehicle
is always a lot of fun!
Springbok Flats
Secretarybird
Picnic on the Springbok Flats.
Blesbok
Eland
Zitting Cisticola
The next morning was up early & on a game drive with Tandy my guide & driver for my stay. She proved to be a keen birder & guide & we had a great few days together.
Tandy - hoping to be a
good birder one day!
White breasted Cormorant nesting along the river.
African Darter
A young African Pied Wagtail
Kudu
Red Hartebeest
Striped Pipit
Familiar Chat
Golden breasted Bunting
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