Massingir Dam [Part 1]

Evening descending at a waterhole.

Part of the mystique of the Southern African continent derives from the majesty and variety of our wildlife.  Many foreign tourists come here solely with the objective of seeing 'The Big Five' (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros).  Indeed, a visit to one or more of our many game parks and wildlife reserves is regarded by many South African citizens themselves as a 'must-do' holiday destination.  Massingir Dam is one such spot.  It is a little more remote and less well-known than others and is located in the Gaza District of South-western Mozambique, bordering the Kruger National Park of South Africa and falling within the Limpopo National Park's Trust.

In April 2010, my husband and a colleague of his were commissioned to undertake an ecological survey of the Massingir Dam and the Olifants River.  At the time, I was unfortunately not able to accompany them, so my husband promised to take as many photographs as possible, of both the area and wildlife, to share with me afterwards.  It was the next best thing to being there myself and I thought I would share some of these delights with you, over the next couple of posts.

Please click the Read more button below to continue this post...

So... starting at the beginning, I'll show you Phalaborwa airport to which they flew and from where they collected their hired 4x4 vehicle in order to make the necessary roadtrip into Mozambique.

  This airport is so unusual I am sure it will be of novel interest to many of you!

Some additional seating within the Arrivals and Departures area...

With a view...naturally!

I have certainly never seen such a picturesque and unique little airport.  It sets the tone straight away for an adventure into the African bushveld...so, let's continue!

We have 5 or 6 hours of driving ahead...most of it on gravel roads!  Keep your windows up and I'll switch on the air-conditioning!

Fasten your seatbelt, sit back, relax and take in the passing countryside...

I'll worry about the traffic...

We'll pass by and through a number of little villages...

And there will be plenty of natural vegetation to look at along the route we're travelling!

These thatched roofed huts are typical of the housing built and occupied by the locals.

We will pass through fairly dense bush interspersed with more barren areas where the locals have cleared the bush for housing and grazing.

Pathways are lined with rocks in some of the villages...

In Africa, the women do the labour...the menfolk are often seen sitting smoking their pipes in groups!

These thatched huts all look different even though the basic materials used in their construction are the same...I guess it depends on how skilled the individual builders are!

When you drive through the bush in Africa, you need to keep your eyes pealed...it's easy to miss a large, well-camouflaged bird (possibly a Kori Bustard) taking a leisurely nap!

Look ahead...here's a sight you do not want to miss...these are the endangered and rarely seen African wild dogs (more of them in a later entry)...it's your lucky day!

For now, I don't want you to get too hung up on the wildlife - those sights are being saved for another day, so make sure you pop back if you want to continue this excursion :)

Right now, I'm fascinated by all the huts!  Made entirely of local materials, each is unique in design and style.

Each serves a specific purpose...this is a little zinc sheet kiosk, where you can purchase airtime for your mobile!  Yes, right out here, in the bush...cellphone companies have a captive market in these remote places.

Mozambique was a Portuguese colony until it gained its independence in 1975.  Many years of devastatingly violent civil unrest followed,(1977-1992), until it finally held free and fair elections in 1994 and has operated as a democracy ever since.

A lapa at one of the restcamps in the Limpopo National Park.

Rural farmers are still herders and, as in most parts of rural Africa, a man's wealth is measured by the number of cattle, goats or sheep he has.  After almost 30 years of civil war during which the infrastructure of this beautiful country was almost destroyed, Mozambique remains one of the poorest countries in Africa.

Women's work starts at dawn and ends with sunset.

The little villages, by western standards, are simple in design...no tarred roads and traffic circles to contend with, here!  Everyone knows everyone else and there is a great community spirit amongst the villagers, despite their seemingly impoverished circumstances.

This homeowner has used rock in the construction of his home and has the additional comfort of a patio chair :)

No large supermarkets and busy malls to distract one here.  A fisherman is attempting to ply his catch to the local shop keeper. 

Fishing is the major source of income in this region. The locals themselves are great fish-eaters and export their excess catch throughout Africa.

These children grow up without computers and video games and yet some will aspire and rise to great heights once they leave school.

Life is simple and without the excessive temptations that face urban dwellers.

One of the more 'western' villages...

Yet the cows and goats still have free access to the homeowner's yard!

These large, umbrella-shaped trees provide essential shade in the heat of summer, when temperatures regularly climb to the upper 30s and mid 40s C !

Now, I think it's time to break our journey for today.  Please do check back if you care to continue, as I still have plenty to show you!