Janet Musk Nel was enjoying her winter break in the Kruger National Park when an accidental injury left her in agony, the kindness of a fellow camper turned her whole trip around.
Kruger National Park, South Africa (29 June 2023) – One of the best times to visit the Kruger National Park, is winter. You get to see far more animals as the bush dies back from the cold and there is nothing better than sitting by the fire, sipping a warming drink while listening to the distant roars of lions or hyenas calling out to friends. Campers and visitors always make a habit of waving, greeting or helping fellow “Krugerholics” and we love sharing those moments of kindness.
Janet Musk Nel was recently the recipient of some Kruger Kindness when a fellow camper turned an agonising calf injury into a moment she will never forget!
Taking to the Kruger National Park Facebook group, Janet shared an appreciation post to a fellow camper named only Rene. The post has quickly gathered support and many are also thanking Rene for her kindness.
Janet explained that she and her husband were at the Maroela Rest Camp, which is situated on the banks of the Timbavati River, on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park, approximately 2km east of Orpen Rest Camp. The satellite camp is popular with those using caravans and campers as there are no structures at the camp (other than ablution facilities).
On the evening of the 24th of June 2023, Janet caught her foot in a shallow trench, and felt her calf muscle tear. She was immediately overcome with pain and could barely walk. Janet’s husband helped her with some mild pain medication and a muscle ointment which they had on hand. Wanting to keep the injury warm, she went to have a soak in the bath but the water was not hot enough to do much.
When she had finished her bath, Rene came in to enquire if there was hot water available. This one question turned into a moment of kindness that Janet will never forget!
“After taking a lukewarm bath – water wasn’t hot as there’d just been load shedding – and whilst still in the ladies’ ablutions, a fellow camper merely enquired with me whether the water was hot… well, because I was in such pain, very emotional and feeling very sorry for myself I burst into tears and told her what had happened.
She hugged me and told me to wait in the ladies’ ablutions while she fetches me a pack of Transact Pads, her hot water bottle and some more Myprodols!
I offered to pay for everything to which she refused saying that’s what fellow campers do for each other.”
Janet has shared the post in the hope that Rene is part of the KNP Facebook group.
“I just want to again say thank you very much for your kindness and generosity by blessing me with the meds and sacrificing your personal hot water bottle for me to use to keep the affected area warm. I am forever grateful that I met you at that moment in the ladies’ ablutions”
It has been several days since Janet had her injury and she is recovering well. She shared that she is able to walk again.
“Perhaps someday we’ll meet up again somewhere in the KNP in the future …. I have named your water bottle “Rene” as a reminder of the good deed you bestowed upon me. Thank you again and God Bless you”
Kruger Kindness is a real thing. It is essentially the typical South African kindness that we get to see here on Good Things Guy every day but is somehow magnified once crossing into the park. You have to be there to feel it, and it is like no other experience. Krugerholics will totally get it!
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