If you were born in Africa, at sometime you would have experienced the smell of the first drops of rain on a dry thirsty earth. This smell becomes imprinted on you and when you understand its importance you feel a secret superiority – you feel you have been given a stamp that bonds you to the earth forever. This smell is called petrichor, a word derived from Greek origins to describe the scent that accompanies the first rains after a dry spell.
In early January 2012 and 2013 the skies opened and unleashed their power upon the land. The rains affected the entire Limpopo Transfrontier Park hitting camps in the Kruger National Park the most severely. The rains followed a pattern. Just when we thought that the rains were over in 2012, the rains were back on the exact day a year later. As 2014 rolled in, we were prepared for any predicted eventuality!
The Sand River in flood after heavy rains upstream. Luckily the water level is dropping rapidly and the river should be crossable again fairly soon if the good weather holds. Photograph by Simon Smit
As is often the nature of life, the rains did not arrive in January. Instead Londolozi’s staff and guests watched mesmerized as the horizon lit up in shades of deep blues and bruised purples during the first week of March. We watched the lightning pierce the clouds, and trembled at the rumbling thunder, every bit of it awakening a sense of excitement as it rolled in to soak the summer land and swell the rivers until they too were thundering past.
In spite of the mayhem, every being around us seemed to embrace the rain. Even the hawk moths did not let the storms interfere with their work – flittering from flower to flower while the rain continued to pour. Under the safety of cover, guests were treated to delicious high teas, hot chocolate and the Londolozi family’s signature service that outshone even the darkest of skies.
Londolozi’s staff and guests watched mesmerized as the horizon lit up in shades of deep blues and bruised purples during the first week of March. Photograph by Mike Sutherland.
When the sun appeared a few days later, the land showed itself flourishing in hues of green grass, wild parasol and white sage. Out on a game drive the Sparta pride lay in the grass, the youngsters with paws facing the sky. It was a marvelous sight to see the pride. They, like us, seemed content taking in the freshness of the bushveld around them. Since the rains, many of our identifiable leopards have begun to reappear, lazing on termite mounds; pawing their way through muddy crests and even hoisting a massive buffalo calf into a marula tree.
A very bedraggled Majingilane male shakes himself off after a heavy downpour. Photograph by James Tyrrell
Striking flowers were seen after the rains. Photograph by Mike Sutherland
The Mashaba young female surveys the landscape under stormy skies. Photograph by James Tyrrell
Despite the flourishing landscape, the floods also have the tremendous power to change the course of rivers, uproot trees and shift the rolling landscape. Around the world, as our planet experiences the many faces of Mother Nature, nobody can guarantee what the weather will do next. The only constant is change….but hey, that’s life!
Written by: Kate Collins
Photographs by Rich Laburn, Mike Sutherland, Simon Smit and James Tyrrell
September will be lovely.
Nice article and great picture by Simon Smit of the Sand River in flood.
Lovely blog Kate. And great photos.
Enjoyed your article Kate – nice writing lovely pics
Beautiful, makes me want to be there!
Beautifully written Kate … Made me feel & smell it all
Thank you Lesley. It’s been a beautiful start to my new adventures!
Super article Kate! Sounds like your first few weeks have been filled with adventure! I totally agree there is nothing like the smell of the earth after the rain! It evokes a sense of refreshment after the quietened pace that is enforced on the bush by the hard rains.
Londolozi is perfect no matter the weather!
A phenomenal piece Kate! We are so thrilled to have you on our team! X
Thank you Kate Neill. It is wonderful to be part of such a creative and talented team! x
THANKS KATE FOR THE REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY TRIP IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, WHEN THE RESERVE WILL BE BENEFITTING FROM ALL THESE RAINS!
KIND REGARDS,
TED.
Hi Ted, I am sure the reserve will be looking beautiful and green for your visit in September. Come and visit us at the Londolozi Creative Hub.
HI KATE,
THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO VISIT YOU AT THE HUB.
I WILL MOST CERTAINLY DO SO TO SEE WHAT YOU DO ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS TO KEEP ALL OF US WHO ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT LONDOLOZI INFORMED.
KIND REGARDS,
TED.
What a beautiful article that took me back to my time spent in Malawi. I’m from Buffalo, NY, where precipitation is consistent year round, so living in Northern Malawi was my first time experiencing a ‘dry season.’ My, my, MY do you appreciate the rains when they finally fall! All the dust in the air is just wiped away and the smell is incredible. Thanks for taking me back down memory lane!