The South Africa Adventure - Day 6

Thursday, August 2nd, 2018


This morning, we are packing up to leave for the final day of our tour. Although departure is quite early, we still get breakfast before we leave.

It is only a short drive to our first destination. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the river is called, but that doesn't really matter. What matters most is the fun we're having.

We get kitted out with paddles, and those who wish can wear swim vests too.

Praveen, Claudine, Machiel, Claudia, Ganeshmurthy, Ujjwal

Team one, Ganeshmurthy and Claudine

Team two, Praveen and Ujjwal

Team three, Grandma and the fearless leader

I can't resist resting the paddles and asking Machiel to get my camera out of the waterproof bin so I can take a picture of this amazing reflection.

There are many more beautiful scenes and lots of bird life that could be photographed, but it is too complicated, so I just have to commit it all to memory.

We paddle up the river just past the punt and go ashore for a little walk.

Going halfway across the river on the punt for a 'family' photo.

Then we get back into the canoes and  paddle back to base.

This is my first canoeing experience and I am enjoying it immensely. The only trouble is, I seem to have a knack for shoveling water into my lap with every stroke.

I am absolutely soaked in the end and have to change pants before getting into the bus.

As we travel on, we stop at the House of Aloes in Albertinia. 

They make all sorts of wonderful products using the species Aloe Ferox, but I'm not in the mood to buy anything and explore the garden instead.

The big Aloe - man made, like the Big Banana etc in Australia

We still have a fairly long drive ahead of us. Machiel decides to stop at a rest stop for lunch where we have Roosterkoek which is one very tasty, big warm bun filled with whatever one fancies.

 

We  leave the N2 in Swellendam and continue on Route 60 via Ashton and Robertson to Worcester where we pick up the N1 and go through the Du Toitskloof Tunnel

We're definitely on the scenic route here. This is our last stop in the afternoon before we come to the tunnel.

This route also has the advantage that it brings us close to Brackenfell where I can get dropped off without my friends having to drive all the way into the city and all the way out again.

That's it for me. Hugs for my four travel mates and our fabulous guide. 

Thank you Machiel Basson for a fantastic trip. You are a legend.

The South Africa Adventure - Day 5

Wednesday, August 1st, 2018

Today is the day we visit the Addo Elephant National Park. We have another very early start. Breakfast was not even being served before we left. Machiel has done some shopping and as soon as we get on the bus, he hands around some picnic breakfast.

He drives into the park through the bottom gate. It is not yet sure whether or not I'll get to have my little safari in the open vehicle as there haven't been any other bookings. We'll hear about it as we get closer to the top.

The first animal we spot is a male Kudu

Very decent of him to pose for a portrait.

Warthogs - Phacochoerus africanus

Birchell's Zebra - Equus quagga burchellii

This subspecie of Zebra is not totally black and white but has a bit of brown. Also the stripes go right round the belly.

Cape buffalo among the warthogs

Elephant on a mission

Just being bashful

Red Heartbeest - Alcelaphus buselaphus caama

Herd of buffalo

Here we all are just before I get on the Safari. The others will continue in the van.

The following pictures are taken from the front seat of the safari vehicle. The driver and guide is another very knowledgeable man and quite funny at that.

That's a pretty big boy  to still be suckling from his mother. But that's boys for you.

Slathering on the make-up.

Terrapins - all looking intently at some spectacle

There is no privacy around here

 A mob of Meerkats 
Why their young are called pups is beyond me. Shouldn't they be kittens?

Male Kudus

Female ostriches that won't be eaten by people

Yellow Mongoose

An Ostrich pair

Not sure who he is.

Vervet Monkey

There are other animals in the park, i.e. lions, black rhino, white rhino etc. But they don't come out in the middle of the day.

There are no giraffes here because in this part of Africa, there is not the tall vegetation that giraffes live on.

When we are all reunited again, Machiel drives on to the Tsitsikamma National Park for a sunset walk down the boardwalk and lots of steps to the suspension bridges by the Storms River Mouth.

Another fantastic day comes to an end. All that's left to do is drive back to the lovely Guesthouse in Sedgefield for a Braai and one last night.