Surprise Weekend at Marakele; Friday 11 June 2021

38 Replies

This past weekend Marilize celebrated a milestone birthday, and unfortunately this coincided with South Africa experiencing a “third wave” of Covid-19 infections precluding any big commemoration with the extended family and friends. It was up to me and Joubert to make the event memorable, so we surprised Marilize with a weekend breakaway to Marakele National Park. We left Pretoria just after 1pm on Friday, routing through Bela-Bela (Warmbad) and Thabazimbi, and arrived at Marakele’s gate just before 4pm.

After performing all the requisite formalities, which these days include a questionnaire on the recent medical history of the entire family, we set off on the 17km drive to Tlopi Tented Camp in the golden glow of the bushveld sunset.

Marakele scenery, along the road from the gate to Tlopi
Natal Spurfowl hen
Natal Spurfowl chicks (photo by Joubert)
Natal Spurfowl chick
Scenery along the road from the gate to Tlopi Tented Camp in Marakele National Park
White Rhinos
Jameson’s Firefinch
Marakele scenery (photo by Joubert)
Marakele scenery

In our estimation Tlopi Tented Camp is Marakele’s most beautifully situated accommodation option, and we were very lucky to be allocated unit 10, “Loerie”, right at the far end of the camp. Tlopi looks out over a dam frequented by a large number of birds and mammals, and the mountains of the Waterberg beyond.

Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele National Park, June 2021
Tent #10 (Loerie) at Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele National Park, June 2021
The view from the deck of unit 10 (Loerie) at Tlopi Tented Camp
A view of the sunset from the deck of unit 10 (Loerie) at Tlopi Tented Camp (photo by Joubert)
A view of the sunset from the deck of unit 10 (Loerie) at Tlopi Tented Camp

To be continued…

38 thoughts on “Surprise Weekend at Marakele; Friday 11 June 2021”

  1. naturebackin

    Belated but best birthday wishes to Marilize. What a lovely place to celebrate a milestone birthday in compensation for not being able to share celebrations with relatives and friends,
    Keep safe during this devastating surge in infections.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Thank you very much, Carol! Indeed this “third wave” has progressed from snarling to biting very quickly, and it seems especially so here in Gauteng. Do take care at your end as well, please.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  4. T Ibara Photo

    Hello Dries!
    A very Happy belated Birthday to Marilize, and I am glad you could enjoy a special day together despite the third wave. What stunning views. Wishing Marilize a wonderful, safe, happy and blessed year ahead.

    I may be commenting as much, but am always enjoying your posts and looking forward to them. All our best to Joubert too!

    Best wishes,
    Takami

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  6. sustainabilitea

    Happy belated birthday, Marilize. Sorry to read about the Covid surge but it looks like a pretty good place to celebrate anyway. Hopefully you can see friends and family soon and have another celebration!

    Like

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      We’re blessed that at least inter-provincial travel has not been closed off again in South Africa with this third wave, and thankfully our national parks are perfect for “social distancing”!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  11. Anne

    I empathise with Marilize as I too celebrated a milestone birthday sans fanfare last month. Good news that, despite the third wave, provincial borders have not been closed, so I will celebrate with my daughter and her family in MZNP next month – better late than never. You and Joubert made the right choice: what a wonderful celebration!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      I can’t think of very many places more special than Mountain Zebra National Park for celebrating a special birthday together with special people! What a marvelous trip to look forward to, Anne.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  13. H.J. for avian101

    My most sincere Happy Birthday to Marilize! My friend, you’re a genius making it her birthday a romantic and glorious gift. 🎂 Baie geluk met jou verjaarsdag, Marilize! 😊

    Like

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Daar is regtig min ander plekke waar n mens so veilig kan gaan “isoleer” as in ons nasionale parke en ons is regtig dankbaar vir daardie voorreg. Baie dankie vir Marilize se verjaarsdagwense, Ineke.
      Baie dankie ook vir die skakel – ek gaan beslis bietjie lees daar!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      1. scrapydo2.wordpress.com

        Ek het baie jare gelede saam met my swaer-hulle vir n paar dae na een van die wildplase gegaan in daardie omgewing. Kan ongelukkig nie onthou wat die naam was nie. Ek was siek gewees en hul het my gevat om te herstel. Sou nogal wou onthou wat die naam is. Glo nie ek het eers fotos geneem nie.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. de Wets Wild Post author

        Dis n baie spesiale omgewing met so baie wildplase daar. Mabalingwe en Mabula is twee bekende privaat reservate tussen Warmbad en Thabazimbi – miskien was jy by een van hulle?

        Like

      3. scrapydo2.wordpress.com

        Ek dink dit was tog meer na Nylstroom se kant noord. Ons het van Potties Nylstroom om gery om daar te kom. Sal nog bietjie gaan rondkyk aanlyn. Ek het dalk ook in my journaal/dagboek dalk iets daaroor geskryf. Het altyd so baie geskryf oor plekke waar ek was.

        Liked by 1 person

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