Moditlo Lodge, Hoedspruit, South Africa, March 2018

A short three-hour flight from Cape Town took us to Hoedspruit, where we were met by driver Bernardo for our transport to Moditlo Lodge. Looking forward to seeing lots of animals on safari, sightings just in transit from the airport included Cape buffalo, impala, giraffe, and wild boar.

We were welcomed at the lodge with a cool drink, waivers to sign, and security information to heed. After being shown around the common areas, we were escorted to our allocated room #18 – the room furthest away from the bar! We decided to request a room closer so we didn’t have to walk as far, and we could be “amongst the action.” Happy to be changed to room #7, the closest to the common areas. That’s better. Possibly a smidge less luxurious but worth it for a more central location. Some folks would love the solitude of being the last chalet, which may even have been a slightly larger room, but we preferred the central location.

Impala were seen strolling past our chalet door during the day as I sat quietly journalling and Tom napping – it had been an early start to fly up to Hoedspruit from Cape Town. Visits also from several geckos (cute) and a spotted snake (not that cute).

We enjoyed a late lunch at 2pm, with excellent buffet-style food and plenty of entertainment from the velvet monkeys as they scampered around the roofs, gardens and chalets, on the lookout for any unattended food.

Around 4pm we eagerly set off on our first game drive. Will we see any of the big five? Early sightings of giraffe, impala, guinea fowl, cheetah, kudu, and a group of dwarf mongoose (mongeese?).

Nyala, chacma baboons, warthog, and leopard turtle. More impala – they call them “McDonalds” – they’re everywhere!

Meeting up with the anti-poaching vehicle, we learnt there are 21 rhinos in this area; they do an ear notching/numbering system to track them. The staff spoke of no sympathy for poachers caught in the act – it seems the guns aren’t just for dangerous animals, then.

A blood-red sun was the backdrop as we paused at a waterhole for the sunset drinks break. Followed by a pee break – with the three couples in our group heading in three directions – and each of us on the lookout for unexpected wildlife.

Waterbuck, guinea fowl, Egyptian geese sighted in the twilight at the waterhole. A beautiful bark spider web pointed out as we drove back to the lodge, now in darkness.

Time to freshen up before a late dinner. Forgive, our room escort and table host, welcomed us back with hand towel and small port. After enjoying the dishes on the set menu, we were off to bed soon after the meal, in readiness for an early start for the morning game drive.

Everyone is escorted to their room once it is dark – for animal safety as well as your personal safety in the dark. Although, in the dark I still managed to trip over a step and fall flat on my face! Not too much damage – mainly pride! Hands and knees not skun (Aussie slang for “skinned”) too badly. Just another “Ouch!”, this time on safari.

My “Ouch on Safari” Haiku:

Here I go again
Not watching where my feet go
Darkness of the night

足元は
またつまずいた
夜の闇

Ashimoto wa
Mata tsumazuita
Yoru no yami