Page One

The Cheethams and Kruger Park

After our stay at Djuma Camp, we went on to the Kruger National Park while the Schambergers flew to Port Elizabeth and drove the Garden Route to Capetown. We had done that before and wanted to visit our e-friends, Tony and Erika Cheetham. Our drive out of the Sabi Sand Reserve was quite horrendous on the flood damaged (and still flooded in places) roads, but we got to Olifants Camp in Kruger by mid afternoon and checked into our rondavel which Tony had arranged to be near theirs overlooking the river.

Tony and I had corresponded by e-mail for over a year, after originally becoming aquainted on the Africam website. We realized that our families had a lot in common and were fairly sure that none of us were serial killers or other kinds of sociopaths so decided to meet at Olifants Camp in Kruger, which is easy to get to from their home in Phalaborwa. We got along famously and knew that the rest of our visit with them would go well--I don't know if Erika has recovered from 18 days of company however!

Tony

Erika
Tony is a gourmet cook and loves to make a traditional South African brai. They brought and prepared all the food which was wonderful for us. They served huge delicious meals with terrific wines. We sat and talked for hours on the stoop listening to the river. Here's chef Tony.

In the early morning we headed out to see what game was around. Right outside the gate we came upon a lioness and seven cubs--I didn't even have my camera out yet. Those lions went into the bush, but Daddy was right behind. Is there any question as to whose road this is?

We stopped first thing (unless a lion interrupted us!) each morning for a cup of tea and a rusk at an overlook above the Olifants River. The view was magnificent and sometimes we could see distant elephants or hippos below us. Other pages will be devoted to them soon.

After a couple of hours driving around looking at animals, we would stop in one of the places in the Kruger Park at which you're allowed to get out of your car and Tony would cook us a huge breakfast. Erika brought all the stuff for a nicely set and accessorized table too.

Now on to some animals of the Kruger Park

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