I had two options to get to the Pafuri Gate – straight north on the N1 to the Pafuri Gate, and if there was time, I could then drive to the Luvuvhu River and back. Or I could turn off at Polokwane towards Giyani, enter at Punda Maria Gate and then travel north on the tar road to the Pafuri Gate. I calculated times and distances about 50 times, and on the night before my departure finally settled on option 1. I therefore felt that I could then sleep a little later. The N1 through Jhb and Pretoria was surprisingly busy, but it wasn’t long before I left the city lights behind me and crossed into Limpopo. I felt like bouncing in my seat – I was so excited.
I stopped at the garage outside Polokwane for a quick leg stretch. And I checked google maps for the travel time to Pafuri and Punda. After a quick calculation I realised that I would have more than enough time to travel to Punda Maria and from there to the Pafuri Gate. And so, it happened that my decision from the night before was quickly overturned and I was on my way to Giyani. Except for a short stretch of roadworks, the road was perfectly fine.
Where I felt like bouncing in my seat earlier that morning, I literally did so as I turned right at Malamulele for the last little stretch to the gate. And then I was at the gate.
I don’t think my mask could hide my smile. I had filled in most of the entry form at home, and the rest of the admin was quickly completed. A couple of quick phone calls to family and pets, and I was in the Park, with the door to the outside world firmly shut behind me.
I had three hours to get to Pafuri gate. That meant that I had to keep an eye on the time and also had to set my cruise control at a slightly faster speed than normal, but still keep well within the speed limit.
I logged a few birds but did not really stop for any birds unless they were right next to the road. The first Kruger Resident I photographed was a beautiful Lilac-breasted Roller. 
I also spotted a little raptor above me in the sky – a pretty Gabar Goshawk. I also saw a Black-winged Kite in the same area, as well as a Purple Roller.
The road was quite quiet, and it took a while before I saw my first mammals – a couple of impalas. A short while later I saw a Nyala under a tree. The last time I was in Punda Maria was in January 2019. That part of the Park was very dry at the time. I was therefore delighted to see that some of the little waterholes and pans were full of water this time round. The one waterhole even had enough water for a couple of hippos!
The H1-8 was very quiet as far as animal sightings were concerned, but I had expected it. Every now and then a bird would appear to keep things interesting. I also saw lots or Armoured Crickets on the road and a few Locusts. 
Klopperfontein dam is so close to the tar road, I decided that I had time for a quick stop. It was also quiet, but there were a small herd of zebras not too far off.
As you drive north on the H1-8 you are surrounded by open savannah shrub land. And then the first giant appears.
And another, and another. One of the creatures in the north of Kruger that I love the most – the Baobab Trees. Or Fairy-tale trees as I tend to think of them. These ancient trees are spectacular, whether they are full of leaves in summer or have their bare branches in winter. I think I may have photographed every tree I saw! 
I also had to stop at a small roadblock. 
A stunning Flap-necked Chameleon was crossing the road. I had seen very few cars up to now, but I was not going to risk someone coming along and accidentally driving over it, so I stopped and waited patiently while it crossed the road. I love how these guys move. A few steps, then a pause, scanning in different directions at the same time, then another few steps. 
One car did come along and were quite happy when I pointed out the reason for my stop. When it reached the side of the road it gave me an over-the-shoulder look. I like to think it was a thank you for watching over him. 
Just before you reach the Luvuvhu river there is a small dam on the eastern side of the road. When I reached it, I was greeted by quite an animal party – Zebras, Warthogs, a Buffalo, Impalas and two Elephants.
I stopped for a few minutes on the Luvuvhu bridge. I spotted a Hamerkop and Pied Kingfisher downstream. The iconic African Fish Eagle flew overhead. I wished I could have stayed longer, but I needed to push on to the Pafuri gate.
Again, I stopped for the Baobab trees, I just could not help myself!
I saw a car pulled over next to the road with the driver looking up into the sky with his binoculars. I stopped to ask what he was looking at and he pointed out a pair of African Hawk Eagles soaring very high. I thanked him and continued on. I would see him again a few hours later – it was Duncan, our other guide on the trip. As I reached the 18km marker from the river I reached a stretch of road that I had never driven before and could now mark off on my map. I did not stop for anything again until I reached the Pafuri Gate.