From Cape Town we flew across South Africa to Hoedspruit, which sits just east of the Kruger National Park. We had booked two nights at two different safari camps. The first was located in the Timbavati Reserve, a large area of private game reserves that is open to the Kruger Park. We chose to stay in these private reserves rather than in Kruger itself, as in Kruger, you are not allowed to leave the roads and thus your chances of viewing wildlife are more limited. Within private reserves, game lodge operators can look for wildlife anywhere.
We spent our first two nights at a camp called Tanda Tula, which was about a 45-minute drive east of the Hoedspruit airport. Tanda Tula is what’s known as a ‘tented’ camp. There were twelve individual ‘tents’. We use the term ‘tents’ loosely as our tent was really more of an upscale cabin that happened to have canvas walls and ceiling. Here are a few photos of our ‘tent’, #8.
We spent our first two nights at a camp called Tanda Tula, which was about a 45-minute drive east of the Hoedspruit airport. Tanda Tula is what’s known as a ‘tented’ camp. There were twelve individual ‘tents’. We use the term ‘tents’ loosely as our tent was really more of an upscale cabin that happened to have canvas walls and ceiling. Here are a few photos of our ‘tent’, #8.
The bathroom was a mud structure attached to the tent.
View of the riverbed from our tent. During the summer that sandy area is a flowing river.
Pool on the main part of the lodge. Animals such as nyalas and monkeys wander close by.
Upon arrival we were greeted by everyone working at the camp - Harry, Smiling, Pretty, Ryan the chef and many others. Everyone here is very friendly and welcoming! We arrived just in time for the first of many excellent meals prepared by chef Ryan.
Our first lunch by Chef Ryan. Perfection!
We met up with the rest of our group, who would share a guide, tracker, and safari vehicle together for the next two days. We were very lucky as we ended up with a great guide (Scotch), tracker (Patrick) and group mates (Thomas, Sabina, Barbara and Ann). Thomas and Sabina are from Munich and were vacationing in South Africa for a few weeks. Barbara and Ann had both retired to Antigua and were beginning an African vacation as well. We had a lot of fun with our group and shared a lot of laughs over the next couple of days!
We toured the bush in a Land Rover pictured below. We could get very close to the animals without alarming them because they think the Land Rover is just another large animal. We had to maintain the shape of a the vehicle because if we were to stand up, the animals would think our vehicle was a different animal, potentially an enemy, and they would attack or run away.
We toured the bush in a Land Rover pictured below. We could get very close to the animals without alarming them because they think the Land Rover is just another large animal. We had to maintain the shape of a the vehicle because if we were to stand up, the animals would think our vehicle was a different animal, potentially an enemy, and they would attack or run away.
Chris in front of our Land Rover.
After meeting up with our group, it was time to get ready for our first game drive. Typically, on a safari, you will go on two drives per day, one in the early morning and one around sunset, as this is when the animals are most active. Therefore, at Tanda Tula, we had four separate drives, each of which lasts 3-4 hours. Without going into each of the game drives specifically, here are some of the highlights of our time at Tanda Tula:
Lions
We came across two male lions catching some sun on a dried up riverbed. The younger lion does not yet have a mane, which typically comes in when the lion is 6-7 years old. They were taking turns keeping watch and snoozing. We later caught the same two lions in a field. Take note of the younger lion here. He put on a bit of a performance for us which will be highlighted in a future post…
Lions
We came across two male lions catching some sun on a dried up riverbed. The younger lion does not yet have a mane, which typically comes in when the lion is 6-7 years old. They were taking turns keeping watch and snoozing. We later caught the same two lions in a field. Take note of the younger lion here. He put on a bit of a performance for us which will be highlighted in a future post…
Two male lions on the riverbed
Closeup
We found the same two lions hidden in the grass later on that day
The younger lion
Elephants
The Timbavati Reserve and much of the Kruger region abounds with elephants. In fact, there are too many elephants, which is a problem because they eat trees nonstop. There was an attempt to relocate some elephants to Mozambique, however, they soon found their way back to Kruger. At least we were able to benefit by seeing lots of them!
The Timbavati Reserve and much of the Kruger region abounds with elephants. In fact, there are too many elephants, which is a problem because they eat trees nonstop. There was an attempt to relocate some elephants to Mozambique, however, they soon found their way back to Kruger. At least we were able to benefit by seeing lots of them!
Different elephant generations
Eating
More eating. These guys eat constantly.
Attempting to hide from us
Rhinoceros
We saw loads of these guys too.
We saw loads of these guys too.
Leopard
This is apparently one of the more elusive animals to spot. Unlike lions, leopards are typically solitary and are harder to find during the day. On our second day, we saw this in a tree on our morning game drive. This is a freshly-killed impala, pulled up into a tree by a leopard the night before. We searched the area for the leopard but to no avail – in fact, we ended up with a flat tire after driving over some sort of small tree and had to abandon the hunt.
This is apparently one of the more elusive animals to spot. Unlike lions, leopards are typically solitary and are harder to find during the day. On our second day, we saw this in a tree on our morning game drive. This is a freshly-killed impala, pulled up into a tree by a leopard the night before. We searched the area for the leopard but to no avail – in fact, we ended up with a flat tire after driving over some sort of small tree and had to abandon the hunt.
Leopard's freshly killed impala
However, the next day, our fortunes were better. We found this female leopard in the grass under a tree protecting a recent kill. She also had two cubs with her! The cubs ran off when we approached, but we were able to snap a shot of them heading off into the bushes…
Female leopard
One of the cubs hiding from us, courtesy of Thomas who was quicker with his camera than we were!
Wild Dogs and Hyenas
Another animal that is fairly rare to glimpse is the wild dog. These are similar to a large domestic dog, and they travel / hunt in groups. We were lucky, and came across a pack of wild dogs that had just killed an impala. Soon afterwards, a group of hyenas stole the kill, chasing off the wild dogs! This all happened right next to our jeep and we got to see the hyenas fighting over the kill up close. They also had a baby, which had to fight for a few bits of the carcass just like the others. Hyenas are slow and therefore rarely hunt for their own kills. They are, however, vicious, move in large groups, and typically take kills away from many other types of animals. Unfortunately, this all happened after sunset, so our photos are a bit blurry, but it was amazing to see.
Another animal that is fairly rare to glimpse is the wild dog. These are similar to a large domestic dog, and they travel / hunt in groups. We were lucky, and came across a pack of wild dogs that had just killed an impala. Soon afterwards, a group of hyenas stole the kill, chasing off the wild dogs! This all happened right next to our jeep and we got to see the hyenas fighting over the kill up close. They also had a baby, which had to fight for a few bits of the carcass just like the others. Hyenas are slow and therefore rarely hunt for their own kills. They are, however, vicious, move in large groups, and typically take kills away from many other types of animals. Unfortunately, this all happened after sunset, so our photos are a bit blurry, but it was amazing to see.
Wild dogs after being chased away from their impala dinner.
Hyena about to dig in
Yum. Credit for this photo goes to our friend, Thomas, who was wisely using his flash!
A baby hyena unhappy about our interruption of his meal. (Also courtesy of Thomas)
In addition to these, we also saw a variety of other animals including buffalo, warthogs, giraffes, monkeys, lots of different types of antelopes such as impalas, kudus and water bucks, and many types of interesting birds. Here is a sample:
Buffalo startled by our approach. Of all the animals on the safari, this is the one the guides fear the most, as they can charge at the vehicles.
Group of impalas. Known as the 'McDonald's of the bush' because they are everywhere - good fast food for all types of predators!
Male impala
Steenbock
One of the many giraffes we passed by!
A warthog
Zebras (pronounced Zeh-brah)
Monkey ascending a tree. These guys were everywhere and loved to try to steal our food at meal times!
Tree squirrels
Hornbills
A lilac breasted roller. These birds were very pretty.
An eagle perched on top of a tall tree.
Flying away
Our fantastic group at Tanda Tula! Sabina, Thomas, Barbara an Ann, and our tracker, Patrick and guide, Scotch
Team Barbier!
The animals were amazing. We saw all big 5 animals (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard) in just two days at Tanda Tula. In addition to the game drives we also enjoyed the traditional aspects of safari life. For example, every night at sunset we stop in the bush for Sundowners - a cocktail & snack. The South African sunsets are stunning and it's also fun to look at a sky full of stars on the drive back to the lodge.
After our game drive, everyone warms up with an Amarula hot chocolate before dinner. Then the entire lodge eats together - either fine dining style or a typical braai (BBQ). We enjoyed many different game meats that Chris surely write about in a future Culinary Delights post!
We had an AMAZING time at Tanda Tula - stay tuned for more safari adventures from our next stop, Nottens Bush Camp!
After our game drive, everyone warms up with an Amarula hot chocolate before dinner. Then the entire lodge eats together - either fine dining style or a typical braai (BBQ). We enjoyed many different game meats that Chris surely write about in a future Culinary Delights post!
We had an AMAZING time at Tanda Tula - stay tuned for more safari adventures from our next stop, Nottens Bush Camp!
Sundowner vista
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