Skip to main content

Thunderstorms, hail & camping at Pilansberg

What a weekend...

We neglected to check the weather forecast on Friday afternoon as we set out from Joburg to Pilansberg for a weekend of camping. We arrived at the camping ground, chose the perfect site and commenced setting up camp. The clouds slowly got darker and darker (the sky was black at 4.30pm) and the lightening and thunder got closer! First there was torrential rain and wind, then hail the size of large marbles, lightening and thunder directly above us in the sky and then more rain. We were scared the tent would fly away so we seeked refuge in it. We have never heard lightening so loud- was unbelievable! I was a little scared as to whether we would make it out alive from the tent, however luckily the storm passed in 20 min and we were able to witness the destruction. Our trusty little tent was fine (not even wet), however the camping ground looked a bit like a war zone. All foliage was lost from the trees, where there were roads there was now flowing rivers, and many tents did not make it!!


Early the following morning, we ventured into the game park. We saw a lot of animals, with most at close range. Highlights were the male lion (very exciting to finally see one - we even saw it walking towards the traffic jam of cars!), elephants causing mass destruction with any tree in it's way, masses of zebra and wilderbeest, some jackal (look like a cross between fox & dog) and around 10-15 rhinoceros.
We went to Sun City for lunch on Saturday which as the Lonely Planet describes "Disneyland collides with ancient Egypt in a demented attempt to look like Vegas". In the middle of the dry and dead looking landscape, Sun City is bright green with manicured grass and flower beds, artificial beaches and thousands of slot machines for the gamblers. Very gaudy, but seeing we pass it every time we visit Pilansberg, one of the sites that needed to be experienced (For golf followers, the South African Nedbank Classic is being played here next week).

Sun City (type of amusement park)


We were joined on Saturday night by Loren, Tim, Dabbo, Chris, Casey, Jessie & Kitty. They arrived right during the storm however weren't deterred. Game viewing on Sunday was even better with a rhinoceros wondering less than 10m from our car! The rhino has overtaken the lion for me as the scariest animal... Always need to make sure that the car is in gear & we are ready to go if required.

Pete & rhinoceros




L: Wilderbeest & R: Wooden carving (very popular souvenir!)


Sunset as we left Pilansberg on Saturday night

Popular posts from this blog

First impressions

Thought it time we touch base and let you know that we are still here!!! We have been very busy since Jen's arrival. Mainly involves trying to lease/buy cars & getting the necessary documentation, sorting out my work VISA, sorting out housing.... We are getting an Audi A3 which we should have by Friday. We can't wait to drive it! Second car to be confirmed (but hopefully purchased by early next week). I have been dropping Pete at work each day so that I can use the hire car... looking forward to sleep in's in the near future and really being a lady of leisure- enjoy it while it lasts I say! I have met with Charles Orbach (accounting firm) and am now in the process of obtaining documentation for VISA (copious amount) and then getting it processed ASAP. They are lovely people and I look forward to starting (probably another 1-3 months though due to length of time to get VISA). I seem to fill my days quite easily with daily food shopping, lunches, breakfasts, gym, organisi...

Harrison James Chandler - born 9 June 2009

Harrison James Chandler arrived at 14:30, Tuesday, 9th June 2009. Weighing in at 3.86kg and 55cm long, he was delivered via c-section surgery. Both Mum and boy are in great health. Dad is besotted with them both even after changing the 1st nappie!! Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! Tipping the scales at 3.86kg (8,5lbs)

Sabie, Drakensburg Escarpment & Kruger NP

Friday The boys (UP and Pete) finished work at 3pm (normal for a Friday) and we began the roadtrip east of Joburg to Sabie. Sabie is a small town in the Drakensburg escarpment. We arrived at our traditional Africaans hosted B&B (hideous arched brick house stuck in 70’s!) and ventured into town for dinner and drinks. For dinner we ate local delicacies of kudu (antelope family) casserole, springbok schnitzel and biltong (like beef jerky) pate. We have also discovered the obligatory finisher to any meal- a Dom Pedro- single or double shot of either whisky or kahlua, blended with icecream- yum! We then headed across the road to the local pub. It was fascinati ng being the only tourists and watching the locals in action… Saturday We decided to visit Kruger National Park. Most of the National Parks in Africa are fenced to protect the animals from hunting. Kruger NP is enormous (apparently the size of Israel)- we drove around it all day and would have only seen a small portion of the park...