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Good day all

Just booked site number 25 (hope it's okay as there was not much available - I just asked to be next to the fence). Will be arriving on 29 September and departing on 02 October 2012.

Can't wait!

And hot off the press, a pic from Rodger of the hyena!


rodgerhyena by ForumAdmin, on Flickr

Yes, indeed it was VisOog staying at Tsendze!
I can report on behalf of our group of 7 that Rodger is an amazing host and made us feel more than welcome.
His warm 'Hello' every evening was wonderful!
My 3yr old (Superman) made a good friend and we will all fondly remember how he leaned out of the car window - while we were watching the Hyenas in silence - and shouted a loud 'Hello' to Rodger who came past on the way to the camp .

A short trip report: on first impressions driving up to Tsendze from Skukuza it seemed that there was a lot less game around. There were some roads where we did not see much, but as always patience was rewarded and we did have some unforgettable experiences.

The Mooiplaas heard of Buffalo is a sight to behold! It is said that they number over a 1000!!!
Many Elephant encounters - some quite hair raising (one stormed the camper van and another came right up to the fence at Tsendze while were were watching him from close up).
The sounds at night were fantastic and Tsendze is a very special camp!

We made friends with other campers and generally enjoyed the spirit of goodwill that exists in Kruger.

A short story:
A couple arrived at Mooiplaas a little rustled by the Bull Elephant grazing next to and in the road quite close to the parking area.
As they saw me they took the care to warn me about him.
As I was well aware of the Elephant since we had to pass him as well I could not resist responding with a bit of reassuring humour that the Elephant is quite tame and just a few minutes before ate some grass from my hand...
Well, I did correct them just before they took off to go and try do exactly that . Silly me!!

Before I visit Kruger again I will first have to forget how far it is to drive from the 'Visdorpie'.
I'm sure when we print our photos we will treasure many happy memories!!

VisOog

Wow! Just to let everyone know what happened:
we were cooking on the fire at site 27 & 28 at about 7pm when we heard something collide with the electric wire that runs along the top of the fence in Tsendze - on closer inspection we saw that a part of the wire was broken off the main fence.. with no sight of what animal caused the damage.
At least on one occasion two days earlier an Elephant came to feed right next to the fence and a couple of others during the day. Nice viewing!!

When camping at Tsendze one has to remember that you are surrounded by wild creatures while only having a wire fence separating you.

We had a great time at Tsendze from 6-9 June!! Saw LOTS of Buffalo, Lions, Tsessebe, Eland, Jackal, Hyena + pups as well as Ostrich and Kori bustard at Tihonyongeni waterhole!

I would like to say a special thanx to Rodgerh. Rodger, you are a fantastic host! Thank you so much for coming to chat to us every night - you made us feel very welcome! Your passion for your job is obvious!

End of my evening round @ the camp Tsendze Rustic Campsite,
we don't have Baboons and Monkeys here in the camp, feel free when you are in the camp,
sighting for today the 17th, so many Buffalo's along the fence maybe 200, one Elephant with broken tusk, one is very long near the fence, leopard snore this evening on site 13, 14 and 15 along the fence,
one Genet on top of the tree near our house this evening, end of today's sighting.

Chat to morrow great people the bush lovers.
RODGERH AM OUT

Is the one Song gordin,one day I will take him a pic from the gate,he likes at the gate everytime.

Hi Rodger,

If we talking about the same elie I got a pic for you. We spotted this elephant first time in 2009 if I am not wrong.



Looks like the same guy coming to say hello to you. :

tent dwellar,

Yes thats Mooiplaas. Not sure where Rodger were hiding, but the elies comes in often for a picnic.

Here is another shot of an elie hinding behind the kitchen area

RodgerH with Elinah trailing had something,
almost demanding I needed to witness this!!

He said "bring da kamera" I suggested binoc's
and Rodger replied "It's big enough to see!!
Don't need binocs"

I replied "Is it that big?"

He replied "Yes", don't need binocs.

And all the while the trumpeting continued!

So there they were the two of them crouched
over a huge dump of dung, Elinah gently stroking,
seeying the good fortune it holds and RodgerH,
holding head in hands. All may be very well but
looking at this dump in the pathway!!! We have
a problem!!!

So off we went the four of us in search.

For sure the fence was flattened and by
the not for the first time.. So we had us a
intruder at hand. That was fun and turned
out to be the highlight of our stay.

Tsendze is a small camp and a gentle giant
cannot hide easily but alas. Still there was
that trumpet-call sounding.

That was just about it for us and we just had
no more time on hand. All the way home a
question crossed my mind,. "Where was that
ellie"?

Elinah/Rodg what was the outcome??

Hi people, I love to read the forum and enjoy all the great stories that you share.
We are regulars in Kruger but had a baby that is now 18 months.
So have not visited Kruger for last 2 years.

We are booked in Tsendze (first time in this camp) from 6 October to 9 October.
But I read on the forum that there can be snakes and other crawly things around.
What I want to know is the following: do you think that it is to dangerous to take a small child (21 Months) to such a rustic camp?
Or is mommy being paranoid??

I don't think you are being paranoid at all - just a caring, responsible mum!
I haven't stayed at Tsendze so can't speak of it specifically but I think that there may only be a slightly higher chance than normal of encountering snakes or spiders for example, due to the camp being more rustic and more intimate with the bush (if you get what I mean). My thinking is that normal close supervision of a young child will be sufficient - but don't let vigilance turn too much to worry which could spoil your enjoyment
Just my thoughts. Hopefully a seasoned Tsendze camper can set you straight