Marakele
– September 2003 by Lukas van der Merwe
We
left Pretoria at 10:00 on Friday 5 September on the way to Marakele. This would
be our first trip to Marakele and also our maiden camp with Boggom, our newly
acquired camping trailer. So named after our Land Rover – Adoons II.
One
of the reasons for leaving early was to miss the weekend traffic and the results
were as expected. We had an uneventful drive to Thabazimbi where we purchased
the last of the weekend’s supplies and headed of the parks main entrance 11Km
outside of town.
To
our disappointment, site no5 as described in Bongani’s trip was taken by a
couple from Cullinan so we had to make do with the site next door. Good thing we
paid extra for the full awning on Boggom’s tent since shade proved an
expensive commodity in this part of the Bontle campsite. However the rest of the
afternoon surpassed our expectations with regards game viewing and we soon
relaxed and reverted to African time.
Saturday
morning we decided to follow the 4x4 track to the first viewpoint and then join
the Towers road to the top of the mountain. With Fridays wildlife experience
fresh in our minds, we entered the greater Marakele with hopes of herds of
elephant and buffalo grazing amongst other lesser creatures. The disappointment
was bitter. In the 90 minutes it took us to complete the circular route, we saw
absolutely nothing. The 4x4 track, I can only describe as uncomfortable. Apart
from the usual slopes & climbs, we seemed to be going from one football
sized boulder to the next. Although we completed this very rocky trail without
so much as a wheel spin from Adoons I would not recommend it to anyone. The only
reward I got was a lingering lower back pain.
On
completion of the narrow tar track to the top of the mountain, we found
ourselves in the company of a family with a new Landcruiser Prado that evidently
ships with a car stereo. We did see a couple of Cape Griffen Vultures but the
omnipresent sound of Steve Hofmeyer spoiled the natural beauty.
We
returned to camp only to be shown video clips (by my wife who stayed at
basecamp) of all the creatures that had passed within a stones throw from the
tent! We spent the rest of the weekend lazing around the camp enjoying the
wildlife in close proximity.
Although
the ablution facilities are great, some families may not find Marakele to be the
perfect destination. For younger kids, the total lack of soft grass to play on
may pose a problem. For older children, the lack of any shops or other forms of
entertainment may prove difficult. Not all families can spend a weekend watching
game in total silence.
In
summary, I will return to Marakele after the first rains. Bontle campsite is
truly magical and must be even more so in summer. I will recommend Marakele any
day.
And
with regards Boggom our camping trailer? Absolute luxury! Great investment for
families doing regular weekend camps.
For more information, send e-mail to adoons@wol.co.za or just phone me on 083 274 1944.