When I began planning our tour to South Africa late last
year, I knew I wanted to have the dates of our trip coincide with my milestone
birthday somehow. Turning 60 is a big
deal. I really wanted to do something special.
In previous trips to Africa, some of my most favourite days
were spent on a game drive in the bush. So, I decided to time a stay at a game
lodge during the weekend of my birthday.
The weekend began rather badly. Our group was ready to depart the hotel in Johannesburg
for the 6 hour drive eastward travelling from the high veld to the low veld
through what I remember to be stunning scenery. Everyone was excited, as it was
their first time venturing out on a true safari.
Louis, our charming Afrikaans guide who accompanied us on our
journey, happily told me that we were to expect a larger coach, a 19 seater
Sprinter, an upgrade to what had originally been booked.
Moments later, a vehicle towing a luggage trailer pulled
up. Not a Sprinter. Seems there had been a last minute
change. Not too concerned, we loaded the
bags in the trailer and boarded the bus.
Off we went down the highway.
With on- going interesting commentary from Louis we left the
metropolis of Johannesburg and headed out beyond the suburbs, into Mpumalanga
province. The rolling countryside was brown
from drought, we passed through a few small towns, slowly descending the
Escarpment into the lowvelt. Mpumalanga
means land where the sun rises in the Zulu language. It’s largely agricultural. Oranges, avocados are grown here.
We stopped to top up with gas and have a rest break, before
continuing toward Kruger. About 20
minutes later, chugging up a hill, literally between Nowhere and Nowhere else
at 11:30 am, the coach died. Stopped dead on the highway. The frantic driver attempted to get it
started, checking all the things that could cause a breakdown – oil, battery,
etc. But we weren’t going anywhere.
After a lengthy conversation in Afrikaans between Louis and
the driver, and then with me, a phone call was placed to dispatch and another
vehicle was to be driven out to rescue us.
It would take about an hour.
Within minutes the Highway Patrol stopped to check on our
situation and said they would tow the vehicle out of the road and on to the
shoulder.
It was hot. About
35C. We had water with us, and now we
are all standing by the side of the highway watching the vehicle being towed up
the hill. A beautiful horse and her foal
were frolicking in a nearby pasture, a scenic distraction t least. As the group
leader, my concern was for the well-being of the people, as well as knowing we
had a timeline in terms of arriving at our Game Lodge in time to check in and
have some refreshments before heading out on our first game drive before
sunset. A few people were upset at the
delay, but most treated it as just part of the adventure.
About an hour and 10 minutes after breaking down, a
replacement coach screamed up to us. Yeah! We had been rescued and could get on
our way without being too late.
Thinking we could make up some of the time by taking a
shorter route proved to be our next problem.
We wound our way on country roads at imposed slower speeds, behind
country vehicles and through small towns.
After a couple of hours driving, Louis phoned the lodge to warn them we were
much delayed. They assured us we would
have our game drive, but by now had missed lunch. We stopped at a service station to refuel and
pick up some snacks and refresh with a cold beer!
Finally, as the sun was descending lower in the sky, we
turned off on to the dirt track toward Moditlo Private Lodge, arriving to a
warm welcome from the Manager and Staff.
We were greeted with cool cloths, a cold drink and taken to our rooms
for a quick change before climbing on board the open land rovers for our first
evening game drive. A bit rushed, to be
sure, but we had made it.
I reminded everyone, “this is Africa, stuff happens. It’s how it gets resolved that counts”.
Next Chapter – Birthday Safari
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