Our recent visit to Kruger National Park was marked by unexpected difficulties. After enjoying a pleasant stay at Kromklip in December and January, we eagerly returned to Kruger, excited for another memorable experience. However, nature had other plans in store for us, putting our resilience to the test.
Only four days into our journey, the continuous rain started. While we initially embraced the adventure of camping in wet conditions, we soon realized the stark difference between rain showers and floods. On Thursday, February 9th, at 02:30 am, we were abruptly awakened by the deafening sound of swiftly moving rapids, a mere 10 meters from our campsite. The once dry riverbed was on the verge of overflowing, jeopardizing our safety and belongings. Faced with this perilous situation, we made the difficult decision to pack up our camp, salvaging what we could, and relocate to higher ground. Covered in mud and thoroughly exhausted, we gathered our strength to withstand the chilly, damp weather. Although the night presented challenges, we resolved to face the situation head-on when daylight arrived.
A few hours later, the sun emerged, the river levels dropped, and the Berg-en-Dal campgrounds quickly emptied. We returned to our old campsite to retrieve the remaining items before setting up again at a new, safer spot.
Determined to continue our Kruger journey, we sought a location that offered a greater sense of security. Leaving the park was never an option; our commitment to the experience remained unyielding. However, our optimism was soon tested again. On February 12th, a second wave of flooding struck with even greater intensity. Roads were closed, bridges were washed away, and camps like Lower Sabie were evacuated. We deeply empathize with everyone who has faced similar challenges. Despite the circumstances, we endeavored to maintain our spirits, going on game drives when possible, albeit limited to a single open road. However, the crowded scenes at sightings, with rows of vehicles obstructing our view, made it difficult to fully enjoy the wildlife encounters. To compound matters, our caravan, which had been a reliable haven throughout our journey, succumbed to leaks, leaving us without a dry refuge. It became evident that we needed to reevaluate and regroup.
With heavy hearts, we decided to cut our trip short and return home. Our departure was not a sign of defeat but rather a strategic retreat. We needed to reassess our plans, renovate our caravan, and prepare ourselves for future adventures. This necessary decision was made to ensure our safety and well-being.
Amidst the challenges, one silver lining emerged. We were fortunate to have the Wild Coolers WC25 hard shell cooler box with us. Packed with a significant amount of meat, which we couldn’t afford to lose, the cooler box proved its worth. Even after a long 13-and-a-half-hour drive, the contents remained frozen, a testament to its reliability and performance.
As we concluded our eventful seven-month journey, during which we traveled through all nine of South Africa’s provinces and met remarkable people, we now embark on a period of renovations. Our aim is to equip ourselves with better tools and strategies to handle future uncertainties. The upcoming blog post will delve into the details of our caravan renovations as we prepare to hit the road once again.
