After our first, peaceful night in Motswedi camp we set off early to see what action was taking place along Kameeldoring Loop and the adjoining network of little roads.
We’ve always found this game drive to be a rewarding and, as we’d expected there was plenty of general game to see.
A good sized herd of buffalo crossed the road ahead of us and a single jackal looked down from a high rocky outcrop and watched us pass.
As usual, there were plenty of red hartebeest, tsessebe, eland, gemsbok, zebras and blue wildebeest about, but the sable and roan antelope were keeping their distance. After some very productive game viewing and birding we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the beautiful, remote Kameeldoring picnic site.
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Heading towards the Lilydale section after completing the loop we tried out the two new 4X4 tracks – there is no charge but you do need to collect a permit from reception to do these routes – then we rewarded ourselves with tea at the ‘pergoda in the veld’. This lovely open-sided wooden hide offers a 360 degree view of a waterhole and an extensive grassy plain and is one of our very favourite places in the park.
We love spending time there so lingered for a couple of hours after our tea, watching the constant stream of animals visiting the waterhole. At last we were treated to the sight of a herd of roan antelope and we hoped to see some sable there as well.
A huge herd of them visited the waterhole while we were there on a previous visit. Alas, the sable, one of South Africa’s most majestic creatures, remained elusive.
Back in camp we spent the afternoon and evening ensconced in our camping chairs overlooking the waterhole, watching the eland, baboons and playful warthogs and ticking off a number of interesting birds.
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The next day was our youngest grandchild’s first birthday.
We would have loved to have shared it with him and his parents but they were far away, in Australia, so we celebrated it by spending a wonderful day in one of our favourite parks.
It started off on a high note. Soon after leaving camp we at last saw a sable – just a single one but a magnificent adult – on the Matopi Loop as we were heading for the lovely picnic site for coffee and rusks.
The picnic site, with tables and benches set out in the red sand beneath camelthorn and other dryland trees, is so peaceful and pretty and is also a great spot for birding. While we breakfasted were spotted a pygmy falcon eating a lizard in a nearby tree – another highlight of the day.
Our smallest raptor, this little arid area hunter is too adorable for words. About the size of a dove or shrike they are difficult to spot until you get to know them. Look for them around the sociable weavers’ nests as they take over the communal nests’ vacant chambers.
To add a celebratory note to the day we toasted little Charlie’s health with a glass of chilled white wine over lunch at Mokala National Park’s popular Mosu Restaurant.
If you are visiting Mokala, the famous Mosu venison pie is an experience not to be missed, although the venison bobotie comes a close second.
The restaurant also offers excellent and friendly service and we make a point of treating ourselves to lunch there whenever we visit the park.
I must say, friendly, good service is not just a hallmark of the attractive restaurant but of the whole park. The pleasant staff members always make our stay at Mokala even more special.
After a leisurely post-lunch afternoon in camp, we returned to Matopi picnic site for sundowners. There was no-one else there – unlike back at the camp where, once again, all six sites had been taken. It is very seldom that Motswedi has any vacant sites as Mokala really has become such a popular park.
We spent our final evening in that lovely camp watching a glorious sunset then the full moon rising over the sheltering camelthorn trees. We clinked our glasses and wished our little Charlie a happy second year.
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