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A visit to Addo Elephant Park South Africa

Sunrise Bob & Lesely's CSers Gonubie Eastern Cape South Africa

Sunrise over the Indian Ocean

After a marvelous stay with CouchSurfers in Gonubie…

N2 West Eastern Cape South Africa

…I continued my journey west along N2 headed to Addo Elephant National Park.

Farm Stall at jct N2 & N10 Eastern Cape South Africa

At the turn off to Addo I stopped for a quick lunch of lamb/mint pie. Like pot-pies, which I’ve never really cared for, only much better.

Made a quick stop in the Visitor Center then with park map beside me cruised the dirt roads in search of wildlife.

Warthogs Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

The first animals I saw were a couple of warthogs. Not the cutest critters out there. And I wanted to see elephants.

Tortoise at Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

This football-sized tortoise ambled along the road. Check out that tongue. But where are the elephants?

Distant rainy sky over horizon Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

The rolling hills offered some distant views.

Elephants Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

Finally I got to see elephants. When at Kruger National Park they were my favorite animal of all.

Buffalos Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

Then buffalos. Yes, there’s two of them there.

Elephants Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

And more elephants.

Elephant Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

This elephant was headed my way.

Prickly Pear Cactus loaded with fruit Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

The landscape amazed me, so much diversity.

Indian Ocean view from drive through Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

Had thought about staying in Port Elizabeth and connecting with fellow blogger Jonker but the sight of the city didn’t call me so I continued a little farther west to Seaview where I found another sweet B&B.

 

Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa , , 19 Comments

Couch Surfing in South Africa

Great Kei River Bridge N2 W Eastern Cape South Africa

After the excitement of meeting some of the Mount Frerer police to straighten out a little fender bender and getting a new rental car my journey continued west through the Eastern Cape to my first experience Couch Surfing in South Africa. A magnificent drive across a land of gentle hills and rivers.

Indian Ocean & firepit in backyard of Bob & Lesely CSers Gonubie Eastern Cape South Africa

I’d tried to pre-arrange staying with several Couch Surfers during my visit in South Africa but due to my lack of timed schedule most didn’t work out. Not so with Bob and wife Lesely in Gonubie along the Indian Ocean.

Backyard & house Bob & Lesely's CSers Gonubie Eastern Cape South Africa

A brai, or BBQ, was planed for the evening with a few friends coming over. Even with a few sprinkles of rain there was a magnificent sharing of food and fun.

Bella, Lesley & Ron Gonubie Eastern Cape South Africa

After most of the guests left the party continued inside at the bar with Bella another CSer from Australia, Lesely and Ron.

Paintings on bedroom wall at CSers

I finally slipped off to my room, wonderfully painted by Lesely’s daughter who no longer lives at home.Great Fish River Bridge N2 West Eastern Cape South Africa

And after a delightful breakfast and coffee overlooking the Indian Ocean I continued my journey west to Addo Elephant Park.

Eastern Cape, South Africa , 6 Comments

Drakensberg hike to Brian Bush Camp – Day 1 of 2

Sunrise from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg South Africa

After two days of intermittent rain in the Bergs Joan and I woke up to clear skies above. And that’s where I’d be headed for my scheduled overnight Drakensberg hike lead by John (son of Jo from memorable meanders).

Trailhead from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

A good sign.  About 8.5 miles (14 km) to Brian Bush Camp. (Please correct me if I’m wrong about the distance. It felt like that far.)

Sandstone cliffs Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

We initially walked up through a short stretch of indigenous forest, and then continued into bushveld, thick scrubby trees and bush in dense thickets, and eventually grassland.

 Crystal Falls Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

I took a fall at Crystal Falls stepping onto a slippery rock to take a photo but was OK and saved the new camera from a soaking. Actually drank the stream water, delicious and no problems.

Champagne Castle, Cathkin Peak & the Sterkhorn Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Champagne Castle 3377m, Cathkin Peak 3148m & the Sterkhorn 2973m

A little further past the Sphinx the path winds steeply up the rest of the Little Berg and onto the plateau.

Bugs, butterflies and lizards Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Once on the plateau we stopped at Breakfast Stream for a snack and were entertained by a couple of sun lizards (top right).

Eye of the Needle Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

The eye of the needle

The path lead us slightly uphill and down following the gentle contour of this lush plateau.

Flowers Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Even during fall there were a few flowers and we grazed along  the way on wild berries.

The Sphinx & valley view Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

The mountains are capped by a layer of basalt approximately 1,400 meters thick, with sandstone lower down, resulting in a combination of steep-sided blocks and pinnacles.

Basalt with zeolites Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Many of the primary minerals within the basalts have been altered to form zeolites, found in cavities in basalt. Looked like pale blue banded agate to me.

Gaelyn at Blind Man's Corner Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Day hiking is not recommended beyond Blinds man corner…

Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

…a great place to stop for lunch and enjoy the views.

Dragons Teeth & Eye of the needle Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

As we continued towards the Dragons Teeth it seemed the breath of the dragon began to roll in.

Stream Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa 

Suddenly a monster storm rolled over us with loud and energetic thunder and lightning dropping buckets of water until we were soaked.

Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Just as quickly, the storm moved on and the earth smelled freshly washed.

 Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Soon after the squall passed we turned a corner and saw Monks Cowl towering above Brian Bush Camp.

 Bush Camp Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

And in only a bit farther–seemed like forever at that point–John had camp set up and hot water on for tea and cocoa. He’s a great guy and guide. We basically dried fast after our drenching yet as the sun disappeared I was glad for dry poly and warm supper. John walked down to the stream and took a dip before retiring but not me. I like hot water down my back, which would happen the next day after our hike back.

(Update: my apologies, as the name of the camp is actually Keith Bush camp.)

Drakensburg mountains, South Africa , , 13 Comments

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