I’m excited to be heading to Kruger National Park today. This has always been a destination I have dreamed of from watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom as a child.
First, we will drive through mountainous landscapes, and visit the Matsama Cultural Village and learn about the Swati people.
The soil is a deep red colour similar to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. Rich in nutrients and perfect for growing mangos, macadamia nuts, tangerines and other citrus.
There is a large forestry industry here where they grow eucalyptus and pine for roofing and furniture. The rivers are dammed with the water used for irrigation of crops.
We pass a lot of logging trucks but also trucks hauling minerals such as coal which is the primary heat source of the country.
We are now travelling back into South Africa and once again walked across the border from Eswatini after our passports are stamped.
I found the poverty and garbage in these parts to be sad. People don’t have services such as garbage pick up and can either bury or burn it.
Matsama Cultural Village
We received a friendly greeting from a woman in her cultural Swati dress and similar to the Zulu village, we had to shout in Swati that we wanted to come in.
The tour and customs are similar to the Zulu with some differences. You need 15 cows to marry but you can pay over time vs. 11 cows in Zulu.
In case of attack, the young girls of the village (<13 yrs) are housed in huts at the front gate. it is believed that their youthfulness will distract and persuade the enemy not to attack.
Polygyny is practiced here also. Men can marry more than one woman but they are kept in different huts. The men will approach the door and bang the ground with a stick and the woman must let them in. No headaches allowed! lol
The grandmother is held to the highest esteem and solves many issues in the village.
After an orientation to the Swati customs, we head to a seating area where we listening to singing and dancing. The music is so joyful.
The Swati men danced first and they kick really high, even higher than the Zulu men dancers we saw earlier.
We were moved to a pavilion area where we enjoyed a lunch. We learned that the people performing don’t get paid but are given food and accommodation.
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park covers 20,000 square kilometres and is home to 137 species of mammals, including the Big Five game animals. We have seen 4 out of 5 and we are looking for that elusive leopard. Maybe this new location at the Nkambeni Camp will be successful.
We are staying in luxury tents which are wonderful.
Each tent has air conditioning/heating units and flushing toilets with a shower. It will be wonderful sleeping to the sounds of nature.
The weather is warm today, but rain and cooler temperatures are in the forecast. Glad I have a raincoat and fleece.
Game Drive
Safari jeeps were waiting for us in the main parking lot and off we went for a sunset game drive.
We saw many varieties of antelopes, lions, giraffes. zebras and hyenas. The setting African sun is spectacular!
Our leaders gather us at one point and share drinks, Amarula shots and snacks with us. It was a lovely way to end the evening. The stars seemed to pop out every time I blinked with the brightest in the eastern sky, Venus.
Back to our camp, it is time for dinner and get organized for the morning game drive.
What wonders of nature will we see tomorrow? Honestly, I can’t believe this is all real.
