Sept. 9 – First night in Kruger National Park

Driving up to Kruger, we stopped at Pick and Pay grocery store, located inside the Witibank Mall. Judy and I perused the aisles looking for healthy food that was also safe to eat. We settled on chicken breasts and ostrich mince (like hamburger, only made of ostrich – Is that kosher?) along with several bottles of South African wine. When we got to our accommodations – a rondavel – cement building with thatched roof – in Malelane Camp, just barely before the park gate closed, we were starving. We went to the indoor and outdoor communal kitchens in search of pots, pans and dishes and could find none. A young German couple lent us their cooking pot, and the three of us, using forks we had luckily brought from home, enjoyed the ostrich mince, seasoned with some spices Judy had brought from home, right out of the pot. It was delicious, and of course the South African chenin blanc  – shared with our new German friends – added to the ambience!

I spotted my first wildlife – the omnipresent and graceful impalas – as we drove into the camp.