To Kruger, with love
Sean the architect
Director at X YR AVG JOE Group of companies Owner of Scheckters Raw OCQ (Pty) Ltd Creative Director of The Upward Group | Creative Director at Podtec Modular (Pty) Ltd Life coach and author of Joe.blogs
Joe. Blogs #96 – Sunday 22 September 2024
TO KRUGER, WITH LOVE
Howzit guys!
I arrived back yesterday from my father-son camping trip to the Kruger National Park and all I can say is WOW!!
The Kruger never disappoints…this time round she showed me just why I love her so much!!
My son and I arrived in Nelspruit International Airport (what a pleasure now that Fly Safair flies direct from Cape town) last Saturday and were welcomed by a 35-degree heat! Yes please!!
We were greeted by Johan from Kitted Africa and got a quick tour of the fully kitted car that we would be using for the week ahead. The Suzuki Eeco was equipped with everything we would need for our camping experience.
We set off on our adventure heading to Malelane Gate, one of my favourite gates into the Kruger! It was so amazing for me to be returning with my son after some 7 years since he first came to the Kruger with me. It was truly a dream come true…
We spent the week driving through the Kruger, creating many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever!
The camping was a little challenging in the beginning as we had to orientate ourselves and get familiar with the various aspects of the camping equipment and putting up the tent! The first day was a challenge getting our heads around how the tent works and by the end of the trip we became experts! The car was an integral part of the camp setup as it had the fridge and kitchen housed in its various drawers. I would park the car strategically so that it created a space between it and the tent that would become our ‘living area.’ The space between the tent and the car had our camping chairs and table where would eat and chill after our game driving. After becoming more familiar with where everything was stored in the car, I became much more comfortable with the camping process and started to really enjoy myself. This was my first real camping experience and definitely the longest! I like camping, do not get me wrong but I need to do it properly and be fully prepared. So, this journey with Kitted Africa was just the opportunity I needed.
The car is designed for two people, and it also gave me the opportunity to take this journey with my son. He is 12 years old but fast developing into a young man now and I think it was the perfect time to do this trip. He has been going to the Kruger with me every year since he was 5 years old and loves it too, but I wasn’t sure just how much?
The Kruger is a difficult place for some as it requires a lot of time and dedication to get the most out of it. It is a very raw experience but is SO rewarding if you put your all and everything into it.
My son was amazing on this trip. He never complained about the long distances we travelled of the long hours we spent in the car searching for the elusive animal sightings! He took everything in his stride, and we had an amazing bonding experience. He does not realise it now but in years to come I know he will look back and cherish this memory as much as I do now!
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We had magical sightings. I always say that in the Kruger all you need is luck and timing…and lots of time and dedication. We were rewarded with twelve sightings of lion, including a kill that happened right in front of us and four sightings of leopard. We were also fortunate to see rhino as well, completing the big 5! I have been going to the Kruger for well over 40 years and I have seen one other kill sighting that I can recall. To see this kill sighting with my son was extra special.
I tried to take him to all my favourite places, picnic spots and hides that had a special place in my heart. I wanted my special places to become his one day too…
Another awesome part of the Kruger are the people you meet there. I had so many amazing interactions with people sharing their sightings and some actually flagging me down to tell me where I could see a leopard they had just seen! Lots of people were also impressed that I was sharing this experience with my son as they too reflected back on their special times spent with their parents.
I was never lucky enough to spend time in the Kruger just with my dad, but we still went together as a family every year.
I just love the rawness of the Kruger, and I think it allows each person to create their own special relationship with it. It does not pretend to be anything else, and you visitors are left to make the most of it…or not! It is up to you…
Sadly, a lot of people were just driving way too fast through the Park and I was left wondering what their expectations of the Kruger really are?? It is not a place you take for granted and I find that the more love and attention you give her, the better she will treat you!! Sound familiar?? ??
Arriving back after a full week in the Kruger I realised just how good that place is for me!! I disconnected from the outside world, woke up early and also went to bed early. The only focus for the week was to find the animals and make memories every day…
The Kruger is like an elixir for me, it rejuvenates my soul and lifts my spirits in ways I can hardly describe. I feel energised again, ready to face the real world again!!
So, to Kruger, I love you so much and I thank you for taking such good care of me and my son! You shared so much with us, and we appreciate all that you are!
We will definitely be back with hopes in our hearts and expectation in our soul…
I now look forward to the coming week with new vigour and wish you all an amazing week – I will see you on the other side!
Later,????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Joe.blogs