The students are listening to a birding lecture, and an array of bird calls emanate clearly from the central lecture area, at Makuleke Camp – a moment in time. Alongside is a washing line, pegged not with clothing but leaf samples, all different and meticulously numbered from one to 21. A nyala bull passes silently in front of my tent No 9, built on a raised platform and under thatch. It gets hot here in summer, so the thatch is essential, as are the tall shady trees.
Simultaneously, an elephant snaps a twig nearby but out of sight, and a nyala cow appears alongside her bull before quickly disappearing into the bush without a trace. They appear again 50 metres further on and graze silently and discreetly in the nyala way, soft drizzle on their backs.
In the kitchen, there’s the lilt of ladies’ happy voices – Olivia and Elisa – and a gentle clinking of dishes as they prepare dinner. What they conjure up in their bush kitchen is truly remarkable, always delicious and has everyone hopping up for seconds. Meals are wholesome and hearty to sustain students through a full day’s lectures and different activities. Coffee is always on tap, along with fresh air and ample wildlife.
And so, just a minute has passed at Camp, with plenty happening on this wet Saturday afternoon. Everyone in camp is eager to do what they’re here for, be it to learn, teach or cook, and the wildlife and birds resident around the camp are astounding – not just by day but also by night. One night’s drive yielded four eagle owls, two genet, a civet, numerous bush babies, an elephant, a zebra, an impala and more bright stars in the night sky than could ever be counted in 100 lifetimes. Imagine surrounded by wilderness, teeming wildlife and endless birds, unique culture and the extraordinary antiquity that’s palpable and only found in Africa. It’s absolute magic here ate Makuleke camp – a moment in time!
Makuleke Camp | What you can expect
Are you considering an EcoTraining course and want to know what to expect from the camps and reserves?
Take a virtual walkthrough of our camp in the beautiful Makuleke concession situated in the Greater Kruger National Park and all the incredible wildlife that calls this beautiful place home.
Situated in one of the most remote wilderness areas of the Kruger National Park, the beauty of this place will blow your mind!
About the Author:
Keri Harvey is a Travel Writer and Photographer.
For Keri, travel is life, like breathing. She is a modern-day nomad from her home in the Cape to Cairo, Abidjan to Zanzibar, into the Middle East, Europe and Asia. With about 50 countries visited date, her stories are told on blogs and websites and in over 3 000 magazine feature articles spanning over 20 years.
Previously an award-winning editor on various South African lifestyle, travel and wildlife publications, Keri has worked freelance since 2001 and published articles in over 100 magazine titles. Every day, Keri wakes up to write or to travel, and her greatest wish is to inspire people through her stories to pack their bags and allow the travel bug to bite.
