S1 - Ep 425 - Punda Maria Rest Camp!

[@cherylpruss3677]

Best game drve I've been on in a long time 😊

[@mrstukutela5126]

When I see episodes like this one, it makes me feel that I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world. Thank you for giving us so much pleasure on your trips.

[@stephenbright9316]

Absolutely love watching your ventures all over RSA, brings back such wonderful memories of growing up in SA when Mum and Dad would hitch up the Gypsey 2 caravan on the back of the Valiant Safari, load us 3 kids in the car, and load up the caravan with a pack of boerewors, a packet of charcoal, 6 tins of beans, 12 beers for Dad and a bottle of Old brown sherry for Mum, braaiing under the stars, no cell phones! 😵🤗 Just a wonderful peace and quality to life which we battle to find nowadays. Merry Christmas from a cold rainy UK. Keep them coming, much better than watching the news with all the negativity going on in the world today ☺

[@mariusroos]

No words can describe the Kruger. This was a stunning video and we saw so much. Well done. Cant wait for tomorrow

[@flodillon991]

Wow l am so glad to see the KNP its really amazing you have already so many different animals that is great. Looking forward to the rest of the park❤❤😊

[@nicolecrous3217]

This video was amazing, loved it!!! Thank you. Enjoy every minute of your time in the park.

[@sicko_the_ew]

Makes me "homesick". I had the privilege of spending a lot of time in the Park, living near it for a few years, so your footage is making me feel like I'm back in there, physically, getting screamed at by the "Christmas beetles" even. One of the best things is to just go in to the first nice shady spot, switch off, let the silence in, maybe read a book if there's no wildlife around. (The "silence" is always pretty noisy, I suppose, but it's a lovely noise.)

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

We always did that with our kids. Only 2 day visits to Kruger!!!!!

[@axelmertens7762]

Stunning scenery and animals from the first day in the Kruger! Drive carefully and see you tomorrow Sonia and Curtis!

[@laliedutoit]

Absolutely Stunning! Thank you

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Super exciting!!!!!

[@ingeborgvanderveer789]

Ach al die vele prachtige dieren …. En die immer majestueuze olifanten, zeker de kleintjes zijn te schattig. De lenigheid van giraffen blijft mij verbazen, hoe die dunne benen heel blijven tijdens het diepe bukken om water te scoren. Het gewei van menig hersensoort is fascinerend, hoe de natuur zulke sierlijke draaien fabriceert alsof er een wilde waterstroom langs is gekomen 🦓🐘🦒. Mijn gids met dieren van het Kruger Park ligt steeds naast me als ik jullie episodes bekijk, om de dieren zoals die uil meteen op te zoeken. Dat is het voordeel van dieren spotten vanaf de bank, thuis kun je gemakkelijk een (vogel)boek erbij pakken 😊. Soekmekaar, het is en blijft mooi, de benamingen in het Afrikaans, op de eerdere reis reden jullie langs Helpmekaar. Je zou graag willen dat de boom kon praten, bij die ‘pleisterplaats’ op weg naar het werk in de mijnen. Nu al iconisch deze reis, en wat een geluk dat we als volgers nog vele episodes te goed hebben !! 😍

[@etiennebeukes9384]

When I saw the plaque on Cecil Barnard known as “Bvekenya” and a book called The ivory trail by T.V. Bulpin it rang a bell. I have many books from my late dad and found a first edition 1957 in my study. Thanks for leading me there. I shall enjoy reading it into the new year!

[@frederikbrits9559]

Great guys, my beloved Pafuri....visited it from the early 1960's when i was a boy in Vendaland, visiting my parents friend in Pafuri Police Station, the late uncle Jan Pietersen, sleeping in tents close to the confluence. Also later years when a school friend of mine became the station commander....up to the end 1999

[@rosemarymoolman6765]

Thank you so much for the beautiful video. You are bringing back so many memories of my wonderful trips, with my parents, to the park. We had good times together there. I know that tears will start flowing soon. This is so special. That hide at Punda is so special. Enjoy your daily trips!

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! Thank you for taking me on this amazing trip! The abundance of wildlife and the vegetation is spectacular. What I appreciate even more is the stops you made at historical and other interesting points which we seldom notice when we're there. I am ready for the new day! Keep safe!

[@debbiekruger9414]

Thank you so much for taking me with on this trip. I will follow and also be able to say I was at the Kruger National Park.

[@Claudia-ie3gu]

Yay! Been waiting

[@terrimeyer3815]

Aaai i see my message went for a walk again. This video was stunning. That you saw so much from the get go was encouraging for everyone. Wonderful to see the park is thriving and well maintained. I'm on the end of the seat trying to spot the animals. Thank you soooo much for all the excitement. Can't wait for the next episode 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@doktorgebhard1587]

Greetings from Poland .😄😄

[@Micah_Mom]

Just love your videos. KNP is my favourite place on earth. Just returned from a trip south to north, all the way up to Crooks Corner and back to Croc Bridge. Looking forward to join you on your trip and share your experiences. Safe travels. Greetings from Bloemfontein.

[@debbiekruger9414]

Imagine the world being like this again. Wow

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

Of all the spesies of buck, the kudu is my favorite!! I can not think of anything so majestic!!❤❤

[@shaunmoller2997]

Puik Puik episode oom paul se tuin epic

[@maureenrule8244]

Absolutely love the North of Kruger. Looking fwd to my next trip.

[@willemkruger4564]

You mention Zanzibar Border Post... my father was the contractor for that Border Post....and many others along the Limpopo River in the 1960's and 70's. I recall spending many a school holiday on those border posts hunting along the Limpopo.

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Thank you. I enjoyed it so much!!!!!!

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys SAFARI ❤❤❤ WOW YOU GUYS. I've said it before but you are blessed to be able to drive from your home to the Kruger Park! All be it the equivalent of me driving from my home to the south of Italy to a Park the size of Wales only in South Africa 🇿🇦 so many elephants and other wildlife braai in the dark with the sound of elephants I felt like I was there I have no words to explain how great it was I've tried to tell people what is like but you have to go there thanks for taking me along and showing me my memories are correct it's mind blowing thanks again for a amazing video cheerio till the next one

[@Mankind0112]

So much history, am learning from this channel, I didn’t know about Crooks Corner. Thanks for showing Pafuri Border Post.

[@susannaemmerich1166]

Kigelia Africana, sausage tree.!!🙃🎶🙏🥵

[@richardkking]

The Kruger Park is my peace of Heaven on Earth, thank you for this awesome video

[@etiennebeukes9384]

Some info I found on J.J Coetzer you might enjoy. In 1919 Captain JJ Coetzer, after serving in the military in East Africa, was appointed to a new ranger post in the north of the then Shingwedzi Game Reserve. He named his base, at the Shikokololo fountain at the foot of Dimbo Hill, Punda Maria - a combination of punda milia, Swahili for zebra, after the first animals he encountered in the area, and his wife’s name, Maria, who reportedly loved wearing striped dresses.

[@dawnf6617]

Thanks for sharing your travels with us. Makes me miss South Africa so much. Great sightings. You are definitely making the most of your time by waking up so early. The insects by the swimming pool were so loud. It's been 25 years since I last visited kruger Park. We travelled up north around 1990. We stayed at the Shingwedzi camp, it was very dry and hot. Not many animals about. We saw a lot of black backed jackals. Can't wait for your next video. I don't suppose you saw the price of those painted ostrich eggs in the shop. They are beautiful. My parents bought 3 nearly 40 years ago but only 1 survives today.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Sonia loves those painted ostrich eggs too, so I did check in passing. 😁 I saw one with zebra and birds with gold accents @ R535 and another with the Big 5 @ R555. 🥚🦓🐘🐦

[@samanthashepheard]

South Africa is such a beautiful country. And to experience and enjoy God's beautiful creations and the stunning sunrises, to hear the lovely sounds of South Africa. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and experiences with us that don't have 5he privladge. God bless you both ❤️

[@caroleparker8063]

Love these Kruger videos…we’ve been to all the camps over the years and I loved going into the shops with you! I can feel and sense all of it and I also loved going into the units. We stayed in the big house at Punda so I’ve never been inside the white terraced units before. Thankyou once again for NOT playing music. Everything was so normal and natural as if I was there. Really enjoying them. 😊

[@theunskoch7406]

So bly om te sien jy braai weer, ek weet dis moeilik as jy heeldag op die pad is. Die Kruger lyk goed. Die grondpaaie het meer diere.

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Making lists and having competitions.

[@GabrielTshoma-gw4fz]

always wonderful to watch your videos thank you so much

[@sampat70]

Love you programs

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much! 🚙🤩

[@CharlesJHin]

The tree at Crooks Corner is indeed a sausage tree!

[@lyndseyfirm]

I am watching your Kruger videos for the second time As soon as I finished the last one I started from this one again!! You both know a lot about animals and the bush and you teach me so much and I thought I knew about SA nature! I love listening to Sonia she is so observant and sees everything

[@Mankind0112]

Always best moments sleeping in Kruger Park

[@etiennebeukes9384]

Sonia for many years I scoured the trees for leopards. Yes I did find some in trees relaxing or with kills, but a lot I have also seen have been on the ground, walking, crossing or walking along a road, under a bush, drinking. Expect the unexpected with leopards. And at times of day you least expect them.

[@etiennebeukes9384]

Bvekenya by the way means “ the one who swaggers as he walks”

[@trailedtracks]

You two are ambassadors of this great nation. BTW Zanzibar border post between ZA and BW was withdrawn as a port of entry in late 2023. Keep doing what you do.

[@annawitter5161]

Love the sound of the Christmas beetles. Baobabs are magnificent and lovely to see all the animals, especially elephant, which is my favourite. The babies are so cute! Love all the magnificent trees. Sausage tree is supposedly a cure for infertility in some cultures. Oh gosh, it must be so hot. Doesnt your car have air con? Covid over? No ways! Theres an outbreak of a new variant out there. Take care, guys! A lot of the traffic between Mozambique and SA is church related. There is a huge Christian outreach to Mozambique from SA, my church was very involved. Love seeing all the antelope, and the giraffe.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our car always has an air-con, otherwise I'll be a solo traveller! Filming with an open window somewhat lessens the effect though. 🚙🥵 The SARS virus was around long before COVID and I would imagine it will be around for a long time to come, but wherever we travelled, there was never any mention of any screening measures, masks or anything like that. 🧬😷

[@annawitter5161]

@@DustBugsTravel Ha ha! Yes I can believe that, I also suffer with the heat! Sars virus...yep...but there is new one out J49or something, and its all over UK, Europe, India and China....its all so very boring now isnt it!! Look atfer yourselves and you will be okay.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I had no idea that there was a new one, we were oblivious to the outside world for a few weeks. 😁

[@annawitter5161]

@@DustBugsTravel very recent. Just take care. You might want to get booster shots.

[@annawitter5161]

JN1 is the new COVID variant

[@ChickenWire28]

Such a great visit...memories of family holidays in the kruger. The last time I eas in punda Maria was in 1968/9 when I was 10...😅 thank you

[@laliedutoit]

Thanks!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Many thanks for your generous support of our channel, it's very much appreciated. 🚙😊

[@bullaschonken521]

Very nice bring back nice memories just for interest sake should have mentioned prices of stock in shop only bad thing

[@markusdippenaar331]

Netjies "" dis die lekkerste vir ons om op die rivierloop brue te staan en kyk ek kan net dink hoe moet daai riviere lyk vol

[@metalbird8992]

My grandfather asserted that you will always see resting animals around midday as they get up to move to the other side of the tree for shade! 😅

[@ajl1973]

Wow! You're almost at the tripoint or trijunction of Zim, ZA, and Moz... a lot of Z's. 😊 Lekker mooi! Additionally, I hadn't realized ZA owned land across the Limpopo River. Must have been strategic.

[@francoispieterse7371]

Crowned Ginea fowl

[@Helgardt6189]

Die rustigheid en stilte is oorverdowend👍👍

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Must have been fewer elephants in 1992. Now they said there are 40 000 now.

[@Annies11]

You guys need to invest in the Nikon P1000 camera, it is an awesome camera that will complememt your travel pictures Love your videos

[@tonynz9954]

Thank you Curtis and Sonia for taking us to the beautiful Kruger Park. 42 C is lekker warm !! Curtis are you allowed to use your drone in the Kruger Park ? Keep an eye out for those nasty poachers. Hopefully you will come across a pride of lie-ons 🦁. . Enjoying the great shots of the scenery and wildlife 🦓🐘🦒🐒🦉🦛. That lady you met was lucky she saw the elephant in time when she came out of the ablution building. She could have walked into a lion. That would have been interesting. Bly versigtig julle .

[@DustBugsTravel]

Drones aren't allowed in the National Parks, no. 🚫 And with good reason, I think. It'll spook the wildlife and disturb the tranquil atmosphere too much. So for the first time in almost two years Droney stayed behind. It was quite a strange feeling.

[@eksteinmalan3517]

Sonia is right to call it a Sausage tree. Scientifically known as the Kigelia Africana. You will see the plate on the large one at Tshokwane. But Sausage tree is definitely the more common name. 😊

[@jacquismit4922]

Thank you for sharing your😂 travels with us. My hubby and i love Kruger. We've never been up North. Highest weve been is Letaba Rest Camp. We know Sonia's name but not yours 😅 And also we haven't seen Sonia 😊 Thx again. Regards Jacqui and Andre from Durbanville in the Western Cape. xxx

[@DustBugsTravel]

As you probably know by now, Kruger is our favourite place in the entire world. We're happy that you're revisiting that special place with us. 🚙🤩 My name is Curtis. My darling wife isn't keen on being filmed. 🥰

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

40 000 elephants in Kruger and we didn't see one. 1992

[@graemeogilvie9009]

The name Sonja gives the tree is the correct name. That is what it is called

[@MariaVenter-n4k]

Worsboom of drolpeer

[@mzeinvestments9176]

What does Thulamela mean

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thulamela, directly translated, means 'mound which grows', and refers to the tall anthills in the area. 🐜