It was a busy week here on Amukela. The giraffes stopped by several times and the elephants were also seen more then once. We also saw impalas, duiker, jackals and beautiful birds. As icing on the cake we had a lonely bull buffalo.

It is still lovely winter weather, giving us beautiful mountain views during the day and breathtaking stars at night.

Off course we also had guests at our lodge who enjoyed all this.

Regards from the bush
Miriam

Whoohoo it's winter!

I know, a lot of people will think this is strange. Who is happy it is winter? Most people like summer better. But when you live here in Balule in the Lowveld in South Africa the winter is a lovely time, especially after a long hot summer.

Here in the Hoedspruit area the winter is nice and warm with average day temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit). The nights are "cold" with average about 8 degrees (46 Fahrenheit), but the advantage is that you can sit around a cozy campfire.

Officially it is still autumn but this transition period is less present then for instance in the most of Europe and here we mostly just talk about summer and winter. May is the month in which the leaves start falling, our Baobab has lost a lot at the bottom already. The Impala Lily also loses it's leaves and the first flowers appear. 

Soon the bush will look dry and bare, less attractive but very good for game viewing. The winter is a good time to travel to South Africa. The dry bush makes it easier to spot the big 5 and animals are more active because it is not so hot. The temperature is very nice and the weather is very stable without the rain that can spoil the fun in summer sometimes. The mountains are very clear and the stars are even more breathtaking then in summer. Because of the cooler temperatures and the absence of rain there are almost no insects and no mosquitoes.
All in all the winter is an ideal time for a holiday to South Africa.

Personally I enjoy the cooler temperatures very much, just as the fact that you can wear your "winter clothes" for the cold nights. Summer clothes do not get packed away though, during the day the shorts and T-shirts come in handy! The cozy campfire and the beautiful stars and Milky Way are every time special again.
Still I know that in only four short months I will be happy with the warmer mornings (especially if you have to get up at 6 to get the kids to school). For now I enjoy the winter though and I hope many of you came to share this special time with me.

Regards from the bush
Miriam