Back to South Africa, what a difference crossing a border can make. On this side things work, like phone, internet and services. It was hot coming in though at or just under 40C, so we got a cabin with air-conditioning for a good nights sleep.

We headed South on N1 toll road for a way then cut off 200 meters before the next toll booth on R37. This turned out to be a good choice as not only did we not have to pay the toll but it is a very scenic route. Traveled through beautiful farm ground and then up into the hills and pine and eucalyptus plantations. Turned off of R37 and went over Robbers Pass then finally down to Nelspruit. We took the bike into the local BMW dealer for service and a couple of warranty items, rented a little red car and were ready for Kruger National Park.

Kruger National Park is huge covering 20,000 sq. K. and would take at least a week to just drive it all, we are going in on a Friday and will come out on Monday. After paying park fees and driving through the gate we were not 500 meters before we came upon a rhino. The first we has seen in Africa and it was big. Pictures don’t do these critters justice, you need someone to walk up side of them for a size comparison but Martha was not willing.

Wart hog

Elly

Kudu

Giraff

The first night we spent at Skukuza and pitched the tent. It was hot and miserable all night, even worse when the mosquitoes found where a zipper had got left open a little. They must have took me for a pint of blood. The next two nights we got a cabin with air and now mosquitoes.

For anyone coming to Africa this is the park to come to, the following is a list of critters we saw in our time here:
all the big 5
Lions African Wild Cat Common Duiker Kudus Warthogs
Leopard Black backed Jackal Giraffes Nyala Waterbucks
Elephants Blue Wildebeest Hippopotamus Zebras Wild Dog
Buffalos Baboons Impalas Spotted Hyaena Crocodile
Rhinoceros Cheetah Klipspringer Velvet Monkeys Leopard tortoises

Croc

Egyption geese

Road Closed

Baby elephant

Dinner in a former train station at the park. We had Crocodile.

Lions taking an afternoon nap

Zebra

Lions and cubs, this may be why they don't let you ride in on a motorcycle.

Buffalo

Sunset

We got back to the Nelspruit picked up the moto and turned in the little red car, (which had a smaller engine than the moto). They did a great job of cleaning up Elly and fixed minor issues.
We found a great lodge to stay at called the Bundu, with Zebras, ponies, an ostrich, peacocks and bunnies running around the grounds. From Bundu we headed to Sabie, in the rain, where we stopped at the Old Mill Pub where we had seen a sign that said “bikers welcome” when we came through before. Got a nice cabin and would recommend the place. We did make a stop on the way at the Elephant Sanctuary and got to play with the elephants. The camera refused to work so we got pictures on the cell phone, now if I only knew how to down load to PC.

The next morning the rain continued and we headed out for a very wet day. Was told that Nelspruit had 150 mm of rain and parts of Krugar got 500mm. It was starting get a break in the weather as we got to Marble Hall and got a room at the Buffalo Hotel, kind of a strange place but it worked.

Thursdays we went to Schlowy Custom Motorcycle to get an accelerator module put on the bike. Unit makes it run better and improves fuel mileage. Also ordered a tire for the rear which I will get put on Monday. The rear tire (Heidenau K60) got me about 12000 k, which is not bad for a traction tire. Putting a new one on now and we should be good to go for the next leg of the journey.

We are down to the last few days then we fly home.