Part 2…Kruger National Park photos…Most turbulent flights in the world…

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We spotted this Goliath Heron at the Sunset Dam: This enormous heron stands 1.5 meters tall and has a robust, dagger-like bill. The immature has rustier upperwings than the adult. Its flight is ponderous and labored. Goliath Heron inhabits large rivers, marshes, estuaries, and mangroves, hunting for large fish and other animals, stabbing them with an open bill. It has a distinct, barking “kowoork” call that can be heard from up to 2 km away. Purple Heron has similar plumage, but Goliath Heron is twice the size, has a much larger bill, and has a rufous (not blackish) top of the head. 
The photo wasn’t clear enough to determine this type of bird.

With concerns about flying after several recent crashes worldwide, travelers are more reticent about flying than ever. Educating oneself with statistics about flying can quickly allay some of those fears. Also, as in today’s article, knowing the more high-risk areas, airline ratings, and turbulence-prone flight patterns can put one’s mind at ease when making travel plans.

Small rapids as we drove across the bridge at the Sabie River.

On the other hand, a vacation or holiday is just that—a time to relax and unwind. If you are a terrified flyer, researching your intended route may put your mind at ease. Of course, turbulence can be a factor on any flight route or at any time. Remember that it’s a rarity for a crash or injury during even the worst turbulence. Keeping one’s seat belt on at all times reduces such risks.

Another view of the rapids at the Sabie River at Lower Sabie.
A Cape buffalo lying in the grass on the bank of the Sabie River.

From this article:

“These Are the Most Turbulent Flight Routes in the World—and No. 1 Flies Through Air Notoriously Called ‘Mountain Wave’

By Evie Carrick
Published on March 5, 2025
  • A turbulence tracking company mined data to identify the most turbulent flights in the world.
  • The most turbulent flight is a one-hour journey from Mendoza, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile.
  • The route passes over the Andes mountain.

A few jolts and bumps during a flight are expected, but specific routes have more than their fair share of stomach-dropping turbulence. A study from turbulence tracking company Turbli, reviewed turbulence forecast data from NOAA and the UK Met Office, to identify the most unstable flight routes in the world.

As always, I perused the offerings at the extraordinary gift shop, the best we’ve seen anywhere in the world. I didn’t buy a thing but it was fun to look around.

At No. 1 is the flight between Mendoza, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile, which has an eddy dissipation rate (EDR)—EDR is a turbulence intensity measurement of 24.684. That’s a full 4 EDR more than the second most turbulent flight route in the world: the flight between Cordoba, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile.

Another view of the shop.
The Mugg and Bean restaurant at Lower Sabie. We didn’t stop to eat due to our diets.
Starlings are often seen at the Mugg & Bean restaurant. They are prolific scavengers.

Turbulence is most often the result of weather or geographical features. The latter is most certainly the cause of the turbulence between Mendoza’s El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ) and Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL). The one-hour flight passes directly over the Andes mountain range, which forces air to rise, creating waves and currents that lead to turbulence in the sky. The effect mountains have on the air above them even has an ominous nickname: “mountain wave.”

The sausage tree, scientifically known as Kigelia Africana, is a notable tree species native to tropical Africa, including South Africa. It is known for its large, sausage-shaped fruits and showy, dark red, trumpet-shaped flowers.
“Sausages” that fell from the tree to the ground

Interestingly enough, the top four most turbulent flights originate in Argentina.

A Cape buffalo on the bank of the Sabie River.

Coming in at No. 5 is the flight passing over the Himalayas between Kathmandu, Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and Lhasa, China’s Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA).

Here is the full rundown of the most turbulent flight routes in the world in 2024:
  1. Mendoza (MDZ) – Santiago (SCL)
    EDR: 24.684
  2. Cordoba (COR) – Santiago (SCL)
    EDR: 20.214
  3. Mendoza (MDZ) – Salta (SLA)
    EDR: 19.825
  4. Mendoza (MDZ) – San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC)
    EDR: 19.252
  5. Kathmandu (KTM) – Lhasa (LXA)
    EDR: 18.817
  6. Chengdu (CTU) – Lhasa (LXA)
    EDR: 18.644
  7. Santa Cruz (VVI) – Santiago (SCL)
    EDR: 18.598
  8. Kathmandu (KTM) – Paro (PBH)
    EDR: 18.563
  9. Chengdu (CTU) – Xining (XNN)
    EDR: 18.482
  10. San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC) – Santiago (SCL)
    EDR: 18.475″

Soon, we are leaving to go see Kathy and Don at their house on the river.It will be wonderful to ee them after almost three years!

Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, March 12, 2015:
It’s exciting to see many more flowers blooming in Kauai as spring nears. For more photos, please click here.