Kgalagadi...here we come!!

We 'hit the road' on Friday 11th December in the early afternoon, on our way to the Kgalagadi! We camped at Pigmy Lodge on the first night about 4 hours out of Pretoria in a place called Delareyville.

We drove through a place appropriately called Hotazel, it sure was!!
... the open road
Donkey-less cart!

Stopping for lunch at Van Zyl's Rus

We made it! This is the reception area at Twee-Rivieren camp, Kgalagadi. We are now appoximately 1000k's away from Pretoria.

Me trying to eat an icy quicker than it melts!

Squirting Reinier with the water sprayer I brought along.

The camping site

A night-time shot Reinier took. The camera was on a tripod, with the shutter open for quite some time.

This is typical Kalahari landscape, have any of you watched "The gods must be crazy" or "Beautiful People"? This is where the Boesmans (Bushmen) come from. Its amazing how anything can survive out here!

Spot the Gemsbok / Oryx. They have a unique cooling system in their noses so that they dont over-heat! Amazing.

Cape Cobra. Reinier was very excited to spot him! I was glad to be sitting in the car... They range in colour, this one was quite a bright yellow.

Aren't they spectacular?? Apparently they are so accurate with their long horns, that if you throw a small rock at them they just flick it away.

The temperature was above 40 most days, and the sand temperature can reach 70degs. Phew! You could often spot animals under the trees like this eagle.

even owls were trying to stay cool in the shade

Springbokkies!!

Reinier the master chef. (By the way, our camping fridge packed up on the 2nd day, so we had to make do with the coolbox! The ice sure didn't last very long!)

Desert flowers, how do they grow and stay alive??

Red Hartebees with young ones.

Honey Badger!! We were SO excited to see one. He was quite far away, so I couldn't get a better photo. They are so comical, and walk really funny, you just imagine some funny tune playing when they walk. It was really hot, all the animals were hiding away, but the badger was just trotting along looking for food. These animals are extremely tough and not really scared of anything. There were two jackals following him, probably for scraps; after a while the badger got sick of them and charged for them, hilarious to see! There is a saying here "Taai soos 'n Ratel / Tough like a Badger".

Historical house, originally used and built by the farmers here many many years ago.

Hello there....aauugghhh!!! Its a type of cricket.

We went to look at the house, its been changed into a mini museum, really interesting. It was a tough life back then!

Springboks keeping 'cool' !

Cheetas

Giraffes, its unusual to see them lying down during the day, but I sure dont blame them!

This guy was the rebel of the group and looking pretty modern.

The baby owl was keeping a close eye on Reinier

Howzit!! I love these little guys. My best translation in English would be a "bushy tailed squirrel" but I'm note 100% sure. They sit on their tails with the end over their head for shade.

Ostriches with chicks

Hot? Its not hot!

Good hiding spot sly Mr. Jackal!

Making some brunch at a picnic spot

Spot the lion!!?! He's peeping at you...

Yum, bacon & eggs with orange juice

I'm sure they get alot of prickles in their paws

When you just sit there and look at the size of their necks, you just cant believe how big & strong they are. Its always amazing.

Tshongololo! (Centipede) I just wanted to show you how big they are. I was very glad they dont run very fast!

Looking at Twee-Rivieren camp site from the reception area

Bronze statue of Oryx

On our way out to continue our road trip...

... in the direction of Upington.

You see lots of these 'colony' nests. I dont have a clue how they get all the grass to stick together on a pole?!? I wonder if we could make one with our mouths, and hands tied behind our backs?!