Komati Springs

Who would ever expect to find a highly specialised and well-equipped dive centre in the heart of Mpumalanga? Well, that is exactly what we found when we arrived on the farm Komati Springs (previously known as Badgat). The farm is also surrounded by the Nkomazi Game Reserve; a big-five reserve owned by Dubai World!

We were welcomed by Andre Shirley who showed us around while husband Don was busy with a training session. The farm is enclosed by electric fencing to keep the lions, elephant and other dangerous game out. It is hard to imagine a more effective security system…

As soon as Ufudu was levelled and set up we grabbed our cameras and binoculars and set off for a short’ish walk to the dive site, which is an old, dis-used asbestos mine.

The mining process left a large hole and an ajoining cave system that filled with water after mining stopped in 1972. The site was rehabilitated in 2002, giving excellent conditions for all forms of diving. In the open water it reaches 55 meters and the caves have been explored to 186 meters. For more information go to http://www.komatisprings.com/ .

Precariously perched on the cliffs above the water is where the Bald Ibis have decided to set up a breeding colony. There are approximately 40 birds, and we had the opportunity of watching them return to roost at dusk. They also share this space with herons roosting in the fig tree at the base of the cliff.

After dark Don drove us back to camp. A thunder storm swept in while Roger was braaiing and although the rain brought welcome relief from the heat and dust, it almost extinguished the fire! Luckily he saved the day by transferring the veggies tot the ‘Go-Anywhere’ (a small rectangular version of Webber). After the storm the fire was still good enough for the lamb chops!

In 2005 Don and his friend Dave Shaw were involved in a heroic attempt to recover the body of Deon Dreyer from the depths of Bushman’s Hole in the Kalahari. A book by Phillip Finch called Raising the Dead (HarperSport 2008) tells the story of this harrowing ordeal. We got our copy at the dive centre and look forward to reading it soon.

We left the farm in the late morning bound for Nelspruit.