On Monday around midday, all of us students at LWEC were told that we would be heading to Phalaborwa to attend an Honorary Rangers meeting. Excited for the unexpected trip, we packed up and set off.
We arrived just before sunset at our accommodation, the Phalaborwa Forever Holiday Resort, located just outside the Kruger National Park gate. The heat and humidity were intense, so the first thing we did was jump straight into the pool—fully clothed (well, in our underwear at least!). It was the perfect way to cool down after the drive.
Later that evening, we headed into town for the meeting. Some of us found it quite interesting and informative, while others… not so much. But either way, it was a good experience. Afterward, we returned to the resort, lit a fire, and enjoyed a relaxed evening together. Jaysen and Kyle took charge of the food, and we had a great braai while chatting and unwinding as a group.
The next morning, we entered the Kruger National Park through Phalaborwa Gate and made our way toward Letaba. Our first sightings were elephants—a great start to the day! When we arrived at Letaba, we discovered that only the shop was open; the museum, camp, and restaurant were still closed due to the severe flooding earlier in January.
From there, we continued to Olifants Rest Camp, where we enjoyed the breathtaking view from the restaurant. Unfortunately, the card machines were offline there too, also because of the flood damage.
We then drove toward Satara, and what an incredible road it was! There were birds everywhere—especially Southern Carmine Bee-eaters sitting right in the road, only moving when you got extremely close. It made for some amazing sightings. We also spotted several raptors, including Tawny Eagles, African Hawk-Eagles, and the magnificent Bateleur soaring above us.
One of my personal highlights was finding a lifer—the Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark—which became my 460th species!
After a nice stop at Satara, we drove the final 50 km to Orpen Gate near Hoedspruit. Along the way, we saw White-headed Vultures, White-backed Vultures, and my favourite—the Hooded Vulture. Interestingly, we didn’t see many elephants on this stretch, but just before exiting the park, we were lucky enough to see two White Rhinos, which was especially exciting for Lienca.
We exited the park around mid-afternoon and began the long drive back to Bandelierkop, arriving at the lodge at around 8 PM.
All in all, it was an incredible trip filled with great sightings, good company, and unforgettable moments. A big thanks to Reinardt, Kyle, Jaysen, Pero, Waldie, and Lienca for making it such a special experience.
