Satara Summer 2021 – The Lie Of The Land

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While there’s no denying that the diversity and numbers of animal life of all descriptions steal the show in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, none of that would have been there if it wasn’t for the healthy Lowveld ecosystem sustaining it all. We were reminded again of this fact while exploring the Satara area of the Park during December 2021. From delicate plants to vast plains stretching as far as the eye can see, all of it forms an important piece in a wonderfully created and intricate jigsaw.

There’s a good reason why the opening sequence of Disney’s “The Lion King” features a rising sun. The symbolism aside, there’s very few things on this planet more beautiful or inspiring than an African sunrise. I am biased, I know.

Sunrise over the plains north of Satara
Satara sunrise
Sunrise on the S90 towards Olifants, 20 December 2021
Satara sunrise (29 December 2021)
Sunrise on the H6 towards Nwanetsi (27 December 2021)
First sunrise of 2022
Orange clouds over Satara at sunset on the 28th of December 2021

The central sections of the Kruger National Park is characterised by relatively flat plains stretching to the horizon and dotted with Marula, Knobthorn and Leadwood trees, interspersed with only a few rocky outcrops.

Central Kruger Scenery
Rocky outcrop
Satara plains
A seasonal pan on the plains west of Satara
Long dead Marula Tree
Long dead Leadwood Tree

Through these open plains flow a number of small streams, most of which have their source right here in the Park and are thus devoid of any human pollution and all eventually forming part of the greater Olifants and Nkomati River systems flowing towards the Indian Ocean – these are the arteries carrying the lifeblood of the Lowveld.

Central Kruger Scenery
Central Kruger Scenery
Olifants River
The Nwanetsi Spruit from the viewsite at Nwanetsi Picnic Spot, with the foothills of the Lebombo Range in the background
The Nwanetsi Spruit from the viewsite at Nwanetsi Picnic Spot
Hlanganini Spruit just outside Letaba
Olifants River
Piet Grobler Dam on the Timbavati River
Waterhole on the Sweni Spruit at the Sweni Hide
Waterhole on the Sweni Spruit at the Sweni Hide
The Mavumbye stream crossing on the S90
Crossing the Mavumbye stream on the S41
Crossing a small stream between Letaba and Olifants

With sunlight, soil and water available the plants and fungi thrive in greater diversity than I can even comprehend.

Interesting large fungus emerging from inside the ground
Enormous fungus growing on a lawn in Satara
Water Lily
Weeping Bride’s Bush
Weeping Bride’s Bush
Transvaal Candelabra Trees (a kind of Euphorbia) growing on a rocky ridge along the Nwanetsi Spruit
Common Tree Euphorbia
Possibly a species of Solanum growing on the grassy plains around Satara
Reminiscent of Bell Flowers, these unidentified beauties grow wild on the grassy plains around Satara
A species of wild Foxglove growing on the open plains east of Satara
Tiny purplish flowers adorning a rocky outcrop near Olifants
Interesting fruit belonging to a yet-to-be-identified climber
Ground Lily
Knob Thorn
Marula Tree (photograph by Joubert)
Pride of De Kaap
Weeping Wattle blooms

What a privilege for us humans to be able to get a glimpse into this fascinating world in a place like the Kruger National Park.

A group of hikers and their ranger-guides encounter a small herd of elephant soon after starting their morning walk along the Sweni

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13 thoughts on “Satara Summer 2021 – The Lie Of The Land”

  4. Anne

    This is a marvellous overview of the KNP – well illustrated as always. My heart contracts at the sight of the Pride-of-de-Kaap flower which is symbolic of where I grew up. There is a bush in full bloom growing on a central island in a main street here which I ‘reach out’ to every time I pass it!

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      I can just imagine, Anne! The cultivated variety on sale here in our nurseries does not match the wild bloom in my opinion though. Next time I visit Skukuza’s nursery I’d rather get one there.

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  6. sustainabilitea

    Oh how I enjoyed this, especially reading about the pristine water. Your bias about African sunrises is difficult to refute given the beautiful photos you shared. 🙂 Beautiful flowers (I especially like the shot of the water lily) and fungus are often fascinating.

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