The pictures below are large thumbnails and if you click on them they should enlarge. To return to this page you will need to go to the previous screen (back arrow on the browser).

At the end of October 2009 we were fortunate enough to be invited to join the last 4x4 trip along part of the Lebombo Trail. We decided to extend the holiday a bit and stayed in a number of places which we had never visited before.

The people who joined me and Sylvia were:

Koos Fick

Rudi Delport

Etienne Gerhard Fourie

Claude Human

Helen Human

Ken & Tina Schmidt

Jan & Helen Reijmer

And we were fortunate enough to have as our guide:

Peter Davies

On Thursday 20 October we set off for Crocodile Bridge. Brunch was enjoyed at Milly's just before Machadadorp. (It will not be long before we will have no idea what the towns and cities are called but never fear co-ordinates will survive. Having chewed we set off and enquired of the GPS which might be the shortest route to Hazyview. Oh what fun - the route given was over the old Sabie Road and as it rained the roads became interesting. It was heartening to be in a 4x4. The pictures are just of the scenery - it became very dark and misty - we should perhaps have tried to capture some of the excitement in a few pictures.

After entering the Phabeni Gate at about 13h00 we were fortunate to see quite a few animals on our way. The veldt was extremely dry.

Just before reaching the camp we picked up some of the others on the radio and the party had begun. We used our pop-up tent that night and it rained quite hard during the night. That tent is wonderfully waterproof.

On Friday 30 October Jan and Helen arrived and joined the rest of us. We met peter and after a little chat we all st off.

The picture below shows the group posing in the rain after looking at the view.

There is a river crossing and everyone made it easily.

The first night out on the trail allowed us to show off our equipment.

Some had lots of equipment.

And others a little less. I noticed baboon spider holes in the area and made sure that our tents were not placed over them.

Barbie Cruisers require special attention and are sometimes put to bed lovingly with pillows on the engine.

Claude handing out booze.

Lunch stop -

Tina showing high fashion with her lovely hat.

The boys cooking - note full the pan.

The boys chewing - note the empty pan.

Sightseeing over the river below.

Grysbok - had I not been told I would have thought it was a Steenbok.

Sometimes it is hard to decide whether partings are sad or not.

The group saying goodbye to Peter. It was a privilege to have him as the leader.

Our pop-up tent at Balule.

Sable Antelope - We were extremely fortunate to see them.

Rhino and her calf.

My favourites - elephants.

Sunset from Shipandane Sleep Over Hide - Near Mopani Rest Camp.

I took about one thousand two hundred pictures and have made a presentation with over two hundred and fifty pictures.

After the trail we spent nights at Balule, Shipandane, Tsendse Camp and Tamboti Tented Camp.

Thank you to everyone who made this a lovely trip.