WALKING WITH DINOSAURS IN LESOTHO

Six of us left Cape Town, after Andrew had hired a Landrover from TRAVELSTART. Soon we were on our way northwards on the N1, our destination being Graaf Reinet via Beaufort West.

We had some lovely accommodation at a B&B in Graaf Reinet, as well as a lovely pizza meal.Just north of the town, we were able to go the famous Camdeboo National Park, our primary interest being a visit to the Valley of Desolation. The viewpoints at the Valley provide a breathtaking glimpse of piled dolerite columns against the backdrop of of the plain of the Great Karoo with its timeless sense of wonder. Afterwards we did some 4x4 driving on special trails, as well as view the wide variety of game.

Early the next day we were off on our way towards Lesotho via Cradock and Burgersdorp. We entered Lesotho through the Telle Bridge border post. Thence through the (2003 m above sea level) Gates of Paradise to Malealea Lodge which became our comfortable,mountain base for a few days.



From there we were able to tour around the country side on winding mountainous dirt roads.



After walking around the village we went pony trekking into the fascinating country side and swam in some icy mountain pools and visited some waterfalls. One has to be wary of  beggars but they are mostly friendly children who love being given sweets.           




All too soon we were on our way to Maseru, the capital city where we had comfortable central accommodation. There is a casino there as well as nearby sites depicting Bushman paintings. Maseru is a small, bustling city with outlets for mohair tapestries, pottery, basketware, knitwear and leatherware can be bought.



We were able to traverse the tarred western route up to Teyateyneng. En route we visited a valley that had a museum and interesting tour of ancient dinosaur footprints.

Our final destination in Lesotho was at the Maliba Mountain Lodge at the Tsehlanye National Park. From there we had scenic tour on tarred roads up the mountain side to the Katse Dam. This is a wonderful engineering feat and there is a restaurant there where one can have a simple meal. There are many villages on the way where the inhabitants rely on subsistence farming.


                                                                                             



The final journey was a long haul back to Johannesburg through Sasolburg and Vanderbijlpark. Altogether we had an interesting, exciting and "different" holiday.

PLAY HOOKEY AT PILANSBERG

After the hustle and bustle of the "BIG SMOKE" you might just want to get away to the tranquility of the bush. About a two hour drive north of Johannesburg via Rustenburg, you will come across the Pilansberg National Park. In the future the Pilansberg will link up with Madikwe, through the Heritage Park Corridor. This will result in a conservation area of more than 250 000 ha. All the hides and picnic areas have toilets. There are two rest camps, 7 commercial lodges, 8 large dams, 6 picnic spots, 8 hides and 204 km of game viewing roads.

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Andrew had hired a Mercedes from TRAVELSTART and we skirted around the eastern boundary of the Park until we came to Bakgatla Camp where we had timeshare accomodation. After the customary evening braai we were soon in bed resting for an early start the next day by entering the Park through the Bakgatla Gate.

Game was plentiful and there was a fine sprinkling of  different species. Basically the main road through the Park runs straight down the centre of the Park to the Pilansberg Centre. This is an interesting place that once was a Magistrates Court for the area, built in 1936. Refreshments are sold there and there are some outlets for African curios. It is a good place to stop off for a nourishing English Breakfast. Herds of wildebeeste congregate there as there is a salt lick in front of the restaurant. From there one can wander down to the Bakubung Gate which leads into the Sun City resort, if you are inclined towards bling! There are a number of side routes in the Park that are interesting. There is also a sprinkling of lakes and rivers which are the best places to see game. There are numerous picnic stops en route so it is wise to pack a basket.


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The entire Park is situated within the crater of an ancient alkaline volcano, one of 3 in the world. As a result the terrain is fairly mountainous and interesting with the highest peak towering 700m above the valleys. I have never seen them but there are 4 prides of lions in the Pilansberg, located around Mankwe Dam. Rhino (black and white), hippo, crocodiles, antelope, giraffe, wart hog. zebras and elephants are plentiful, as well as numerous birds. Good to see Tsessebe. Be very wary of elephants for they are bigger than you are. Avoid them especially when they are in musth. Such a male will be full of musth swagger and there will be fluid excretion from the temporal gland as well as penile fluid excrettions.


On one of the days we left the Pilansberg all together through the Bakubung Gate and drove on the R27 to Groot Marico via Swartruggens.

Groot Marico is of course Herman Charles Bosman territory and is one of the most unique places in South Africa. We listened to recitations of Oom Schalk Lourens stories and booked in for lunch at a working farm where we learned all about the making of Mampoer which is an extremely strong peach liqueur reaching 90% proof. If one holds a burning match above a glass of Mampoer, it will burn with a blue flame. Although it is a bit far, the expedition is more than worthwhile. In Bosman's words:-

There is no other place I know

that is so heavy with atmosphere,

so strangely and darkly impregnated with that stuff of life

that bears the authentic stamp of South-Africa.