Our accommodation for our weekend was the Punda self-catering chalet.
There was covered parking to the left of the chalet and it was close enough to make carrying food etc less of a chore. With that in mind, it was so cold on the nights we were there that we could have left the food IN the car and used it as a fridge.
We did put the fireplace to good use, cooking up a delicious lunch and dinner for the two of us.
A comfortable chalet that offered all the mod cons that visitors to this camp could require.
During the morning, this stoep was bathed in sunlight and we spent time here, watching the animals wander past and the various bird species going about their morning ‘chores’.
A VERY comfortable bed with excellent linen that made it difficult to get out of in the morning.
The welcoming towel swans and leaf greeting were a nice, unexpected touch.
These spinning ashtrays were very popular in the 1950s and early 1960s. When I was growing up, both my parents smoked and I have a very distinct memory of having some of these in our home.
Spin Top ashtrays are a great way to keep cigarette butts tidy and contain most of the smell. The ashtray works by pushing down on the top knob, which causes the metal disc top to descend and spin-off ashes and butts into the container.
The interior of the unit as seen from the entrance to the bathroom.
This particular unit has a bunk bed and is designed to accommodate a family, whereas the cabins and the rustic tents on offer are for couples.
The bathroom has a basin, toilet and shower, fed by the donkey boiler, lit by the camp staff twice a day, to keep the water at a comfortable temperature.
This is a donkey boiler, a water-heating system for domestic use that is basically a drum of water mounted over a fire.
The water is gravity-fed into the chalet and can be kept at a constant temperature by tending to the fire during the course of the day.
An eco-friendly and cost-effective way of supplying hot water for the needs of the guests.
The well-stocked kitchen has a gas oven, a microwave and a fridge/freezer combination for keeping food and beverages fresh and chilled.
The kitchen is also supplied with hot water from the donkey boiler that is set up outside, out of sight from the front of the chalet.
Throw another chop on the braai? My wife had a brilliant idea when it came to food times.
Instead of braaing at night, we did it at lunchtime! Why, because it would be light and warm AND we would have food for 2 meals, which is how it turned out.
Like a good pizza that can stand the cold breakfast test, our meat was eaten cold for both dinner and the remainder was enjoyed for breakfast.
There is a supermarket not too far from the camp should you feel that you need to stock up on your supplies.
Usually, I forget at least ONE item per trip, this time it was two. Ketchup and fire starters. We were able to source both at the supermarket on our way in and at a reasonable price.
This is one of a small herd of Black Impala that can be found wandering within the fenced boundary of the camp.
This rare colour variation of the common Impala is characterized by its distinctive dark or black coat.
This unique pigmentation sets it apart from the typical reddish-tan colouration of standard impalas.
Unfortunately, what makes them rare, ultimately makes them vulnerable!
The recessive gene drastically reduces the chances of survival for this rare antelope, as most predators see predominantly in black and white.
This means they can spot the Black Impala easier than those of normal colour.
A tough break for this rare colour morph.
Sunset or sunrise, the days of our stay blurred into each other as time slowed down until we realised that it was only a construct and was not a necessity or a requirement while we were in camp.
Many thanks to those who made our stay such a memorable one.
Ngiri is a great place for a self-catering getaway in the Dinokeng Nature Reserve, close to Pretoria and Johannesburg.
To find out more about what the camp offers, click on their logo above.
Travel is the proud winner of this prestigious award from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife. The award is in the category Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa.
Check out the archived and current interviews… click on the image above.
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
Edgar Bergen
All images are the copyright property of
and may not be used without permission.
All images used in Travel & Things posts are edited using Ribbet software. To learn more about the product and what it offers both amateur and professional photographers, click on the logo above.
