Category Archives: Addo Elephant Park

Gecko goes to Addo – Day 3

Once again we woke to a beautiful day with just a bit of cloud cover and a slight nip in the air. We left camp at 7:30 and made our way to Carol’s Rest stopping along the way to look at various creatures.

Simon spotted the ellies marching to the pond first then called – hey – there’s also a rhino! We must have just missed it taking a drink as it was heading back to the thickets.

There were red hartebeest about too (The Earl’s photo)

When the elephants left we moved on and found many more decorating the landscape.

There were a few birds about but most refused to pose.

This ant-eating chat always obliges and makes an excellent model

There were plenty of speckled mousebirds

Bokmakieries were constantly dueting and finally one posed for a portrait

When we returned to camp at around 10 am it had warmed up quite a bit. We went to the Cattle Baron for breakfast. The Earl had an omelette, Simon had the Classic Breakfast – 2 eggs, bacon, mushrooms, pork sausage, rosti and toast and I had the Sunrise – 2 eggs, bacon, tomato and rosti. We also enjoyed their excellent Americanos and Cappuccinos. We then relaxed in camp till around 1 pm before going out again. There were lots of elephants dotted about the landscape but we were too late for the waterhole activities. We did not see anything new and decided not to drive around too much as tomorrow we will do the south of the park before exiting.

When we got back I took a walk and went to the camp waterhole and the bird hide. The waterhole was quiet except for a few birds. The blacksmith lapwing was still sitting on her nest.

There was a great deal of activity at the bird hide. It was alive with weavers and bishops building nests and chatting to each other. A bushbuck also made an appearance and spent quite a while drinking and nibbling the water plants.

A sweet little bushbuck enjoying a snack and a drink

In the evening we braaied and had Magnum ice creams for dessert then we took down the canopy and packed up as much as possible in readiness for tomorrow’s departure.

Gecko Goes to Addo – Day 2

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Friday 19 November 2021

Temperatures rose to around 24 degrees C today and we enjoyed the sunny conditions. We were up and ready to explore by quarter to eight.

These sweet yellow mongooses were catching the early morning rays

We came across quite a few elephants feeding in the bush – they love the spekboom

We have never seen so many Scrub Hares before – we had at least four today

We saw a few warthogs but not as many as we usually see

The Sombre Bulbul calls all the time – Willie – Come out and fight – but he is not usually so conspicuous

Usually, we see the Spekboom with just their little green leaves but at this time of year, they burst into blossom. The leaves of the tree are highly nutritious. Elephants, rhino and kudu love them. They are good for human consumption too. I have some growing in my garden and use the leaves in my salads. They have a delicious lemony flavour.

We stopped at Jack’s Picnic Site for a loo break and to stretch our legs. It’s a good place to look for birds too.

We returned at 10:30 and made breakfast and then went out again at 12. But first, we checked out the camp waterhole. All we saw were Egyptian Geese, Lesser Striped Swallows, Hadedas and Blacksmith Lapwings.

Our afternoon trip produced elephants at most of the waterholes we visited and we also had good sightings of zebra, kudu and red hartebeest. Simon has excellent spotting skills and got us a black rhino. It was far off and kept disappearing into the bush so we did not get a photograph but it was lovely to see.

Lovely to see a couple of these guys – Red-necked Spurfowl

Supper this evening was braaied chicken, chops and boerewors with potatoes and salad.

Gecko goes to Addo – Day 1

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In spite of LockDown restrictions, Gecko 81 has managed to break away and do a bit of exploring this year. After our long Kruger trip, we really did try to stay home for a while. We had a few things that needed our attention in Struisbaai but once they were over we felt drawn to hitch up the caravan again. But first, we had to pop over to Cape Town so I could attend a College Old Girls’ gathering. We were there for four days, did some chores that needed doing, visited a few friends and relatives, and then came back to Struisbaai to fetch the caravan. Our daughters, Lisa and Laurie drove up too and then travelled with us to Plettenberg Bay where we stayed with our middle daughter for a few days. We celebrated her 50th birthday on the 16th. We had not planned to take any of the grandchildren to Addo with us but discovered that our youngest, Simon (almost 17) has completed his school year and was on holiday. His sister (almost 20) is studying and working so could not take time off much to her and our disappointment!

So after spending three nights in Plett with the family we set off to Addo this morning. It poured during the night and was raining still when we awoke. We worried that it would be raining in Addo too but by the time we left Plett at 8:30 it had stopped and we had no rain on the trip. We found out though, that it had also rained here the day before and this morning. Simon is sleeping in a tent so hopefully, the rain will hold off for the rest of the time that we are here.

It is not easy to get caravan sites in Addo Elephant Park at short notice and when I booked ten days ago there were very few sites available. We entered Colchester Gate at 1 pm and arrived at Addo Rest camp an hour later.

One of the first creatures to greet us – A Male Ostrich – He might be sitting on eggs?

Although the Eastern Cape has had a terrible drought for the past few years, the park was lovely and green. Clearly, the recent rains have brought on new growth. Much more is still needed.

The campsite was pretty full but we managed to get a really nice, shady spot near the ablution block. Two staff members appeared and helped us set up. It really wasn’t necessary especially as we had Simon but it did speed the process up considerably.

A lovely corner site – more pics to follow tomorrow

After this morning’s rain, lots of dung beetles emerged from the bush and this one decided to visit our campsite.

After setting up, doing a bit of shopping and having a cup of coffee and a snack we set off for our afternoon drive.

We saw quite a few suricates (meerkats) but they were far off and quick to scurry away

Most of the elephants we saw were hiding in the bushes

And gave us a fright when they suddenly emerged

They really look magnificent against the skyline

And of course warthogs – this baby was with his mom – more of these creatures to follow

We returned just after 6 pm and decided to go to The Cattle Baron for dinner. Skukuza has a Cattle Baron that does excellent Chateaubriand and we hoped Addo’s would be as good. And it was! It is served with a choice of chips, rice or baked potato plus spinach and butternut for the table. Simon had calamari and thoroughly enjoyed that too. It was a real treat to get such lovely food and excellent service.

Gecko on The Road again – Addo Elephant Park

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We had great plans for a long road trip in the second half of this year but a few things caused us to change our minds. Our big trip of the year was the cruise from Mauritius to Venice and we have also done a few short caravan trips. We have had some family events to attend and our little home in Struisbaai needed some attention so we decided to just do a short trip before we have to start thinking of the Christmas Season.

We packed up the Gecko Xtreme Off-Road caravan and left Struisbaai on Thursday 5 September then spent the weekend with our sister-in-law at Great Brak River. She was celebrating her 60th birthday and there was a bit of a family reunion there. Diane and Carey live on a small farm and some of us camped in the garden! It was awesome fun.

On Sunday we headed to Addo Elephant Park – our third trip there this year! It was not as exciting as last time but very enjoyable nevertheless. We only managed to get two nights when I booked and we planned to spend a third night at a private camp outside the park. I asked if there were any cancellations when we checked in but no luck. However, the next day I asked again – and there was a vacancy so we got our three nights saving us an extra pack-up day.

gecko

The weather was awesome – very hot on Sunday and Monday then cooler morning and evening on Tuesday but still shorts and t-shirt temperatures during the day.

Tiny baby enjoying the mud

Protected by his elders

This is so refreshing

I’m just gonna sit here and enjoy the waters

The warthogs seem to have no fear of the giants above them

AAAH a lovely trough of cool, fresh water.

Early on our second morning, we came across this strange looking goose!

It looks like a shelduck

Then we saw a more familiar-looking one a little further away.

Mr. Shelduck

And soon we also saw his wife

Mrs. Shelduck

So the odd creature must have been their youngster not yet in his full adult plumage.

Share Your World – 22 July 2019

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Here is my contribution to this week’s Share Your World from Sparks

What happens if you stare at the mirror for too long in the dark? (credit to Ursula of An Upturned Soul. If you haven’t read Ursula’s blog, go over and just wade in and enjoy. To me she’s fascinating and what she writes about is always worth the journey).

If you’re sitting in front of it you will eventually fall over from boredom. If you’re standing in front of it you might go into a trance, and walk right through it to the other side where you will have an amazing dream. You might see yourself in a completely different way and emerge back into your real world and start living life to the full.

Do you think you’re judgmental? What tends to bring it out in you? (Credit to Ashleyleiafor this one)

I try not to be. Each to his own, live and let live, whatever floats your boat or lets the wind blow through your hair.

However, there are times that I think I am judgemental. The thing that brings it out in me is when I simply can’t understand why people do things to themselves that are so clearly harmful. I can’t understand why they can’t take my excellent advice!

The thing is if you know someone’s story, you are better able to understand why they act the way they do. So my advice is – find out what that story is before you stand in judgement.

Do you work better with actual lists or with mental lists? (Credit to Sadje of Keep it Alive)

When I was a working woman, raising a family and had tons of stuff to do I used to work with lists – actual lists – and loved ticking them off. I still make lists but sometimes forget to look at them!

I do have mental lists – but they’re harder to follow.

Would you go streaking across a football field during a game for a million dollars (insert your own country’s currency), knowing there’s a 50/50 chance you’ll get arrested for indecent exposure? (this one is mine. Yeah, my mind wanders to some highly strange places sometimes).

You know what – I just might! Not for a million rand – not enough in my currency – but for euros, pounds or American dollars? It would be worth it! But I doubt anybody would pay me all that money to streak – simply wouldn’t cause enough of a stir!

Gratitude/Thankful/Enriching

What has happened in your life that made you feel uplifted and happy, if only temporarily?

The Earl and I lost a good friend this week. He died very suddenly and unexpectedly. We were shocked and sad. But the celebration of his life service was uplifting. There was a beautiful slide show of memories made with all his friends and family. Life is fragile which is why every day should be lived as if it were your last.

We will never forget Willie – a wonderful human being and an amazing friend.

Willie cooking us breakfast at Addo Elephant Park in 2017

Addo Elephant Park is Awesome

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The Southern Tip of Africa is a great pace to be during the summertime and when the winter days are warm and sunny. But when the North West Wind blows and the rains come down it can be extremely chilly! Such a cold spell hit us earlier this month so on 4 July we hitched up the caravan and went in search of warmer spots!

One of my favourite break-away spots is Warmwaterberg – situated on the R62 between Barrydale and Ladysmith and in spite of it being school holidays we were able to get a site for three nights. Not only were the warm spring waters soothing to the soul but the days were warm and sunny and we enjoyed some lovely walks and bird watching too.

The Stark Beauty of The Karoo

Popping up from the dry earth

A Thornbush full of Mousebirds

White-throated Canary

From there we went to The Rural Family in Plettenberg Bay where we spent a delightful weekend. Other relatives were visiting from Kokstad so it was lovely catching up with them too.

Our granddaughter, Shan, was having an adventure of her own. A young man had invited her to his matric dance in East London. This necessitated his parents collecting her from Plett, having her stay with them for a few days in Queenstown and then taking the young couple to the event that weekend. Afterward, they would need to bring her back. Quite a mission but this is what it takes when you live in the back of beyond! To save them some of the distance we offered to meet them in Colesberg – midway between Queenstown and Plett and then take Shan and Simon with us to Addo Elephant Park. It all worked out perfectly.

We spent three days in the park with the kids, enjoyed brilliant weather and had wonderful sightings. We were last in Addo with these two in January and as luck would have it we got the exact same caravan site this time too.

The kids and I took control of the three cameras in the car and had great fun recording our experiences.

First creatures seen – elephants of course!

Cape Glossy Starling

A wonderful Male Kudu

Iconic in Addo – The Bokmakierie

Black-headed Heron

Not seen often enough – Meerkats catching the rays

Male ostrich – very relaxed

Too close for comfort for Shan

Red-faced Mousebird

No lions about – so resting up till the next chase!

Even the tiny creatures get our attention

Burchell’s Coucal

It was a hard night – Oupa needs his rest

The Three Little Pigs still hanging with Mom!

Cape Weaver

Another of the many Kudu seen

Jackal Buzzard

Cape Long-claw

Precious

The Ellies were at the Zebra’s waterhole and wouldn’t let them in!

Cheeky tried to scare them off

So Sweet!

Making for the waterhole

On our last day – we found Jack and Jill

Jack

Jill

The Red Hartebeest are wary

So are the zebra – one negotiating with a hyaena who also pitched up on the scene

They ignored the lions

The cuteness is just too much

At yet another waterhole

Bad Hair Day? Or maybe the latest zebra fashion.

Last Treat of the Summer Holidays

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Government schools in South Africa began their school year on Wednesday 9 January but as our two grandchildren are at private schools they had an extra week before needing to return. At very short notice I managed to get a camp site in Addo Elephant Park for two nights which we later extended to three.

After years of visiting parks we tend to take certain things for granted so having the kids with us and seeing the creatures through their eyes gives us a fresh appreciation for the wild. They also have keen eyes and their spotting skills amaze us. They also each had the use of a camera and so most of the photographs featured here are credited to them.

We left Jubilee Farm at 5:30 am on Wednesday, stopped at Jeffrey’s Bay for breakfast and arrived at Addo at midday. After a basic set up of the caravan we got straight back into the Everest and set off on a game drive. It was not too hot as there was a breeze blowing.

The ever present warthog – a face that only a mother can make

Shan spotted a scrub hare in the distance

Take care when you get out of your vehicle – You’ve been warned

We returned to Addo Rest Camp and finished setting up and then enjoyed a lovely braai.

On Thursday we were up early and ready for a long day in the park. We had an idea where we might find lions so planned a trip to see them and then to leave the park via the Colchester Gate and have breakfast at the coffee shop near the petrol station.

First sighting of the day – the cutest yellow mongoose

Common Buzzard catching the early morning rays

Her sister was settling down for a nap a little further away

We also enjoyed watching red hartebeest at a waterhole

After a while of seeing very little, Shannon yelled – Grandpa – do a U-turn now – Elephants are coming through the bush and will probably cross the road behind us.

To just do a U-turn is not that easy so Grandpa started to reverse and then the ellies suddenly appeared and did not cross over behind him. Shan yelled – Go foward – Go forward they’re coming after us! Grandpa remained perfectly still. And the ellies simply brushed past the car! Shan’s window was open and she could have touched the giant but instead she slip over to me in a state of angst! We all giggled nervously as the herd lumbered by.

Right next to the open window – the teen was almost hysterical!

The bum brushing the car was the last straw – I had to give her Rescue!

But they’re gentle creatures and this approaching car was in no danger

Shan soon calmed down and was ready to order breakfast just a few minutes later!

Our return journey was somewhat quieter. We enjoyed watching ellies at the waterhole but they did not swim as we have seen many times in the past.

We stopped for a break at Jack’s picnic site and then made our way home enjoying all the other little things on the way.

Education about the birds and the bees for our teens!

On our third day we were lucky enough to see lions again.

We also had an awesome time watching elephants at Haphoor Waterhole

All too soon it was time to return to Pletteberg Bay. We arrived back on the Saturday afternoon and spent the night with the family. The next day we took Shan to George and then continued to Great Brak where we spent the night with our family at Rondomooi!

We have now been back in Struisbaai for just over a week. What an awesome holiday we had!

Family Holiday Fun

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I have been absent from the Blogosphere for a while. This happens from time to time when I am visiting places that have little or no internet access. It can be very frustrating trying to blog and post photographs when the connection is weak and the network is slow. So this is just a short catch up on what has been going on in my life!

It has been a month of catching up with the rural family! Those of you who know me and/or follow my blog will know that our daughter has moved from rural Kokstad in KZN to rural Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. This has made visiting with her so much easier and since she’s been in Plett we have visited her four times! However we still have relatives back in KZN who would normally have contact with during the Christmas season. 2018 was a tough year for them as one nephew’s wife had a kidney transplant and a niece gave birth to triplets who needed intensive neo natal care. We felt the need to visit and catch up with them after Christmas so Kokstad was part of our holiday too.

On 16 December we left Struisbaai and made our way to Plett where we stayed till just after Christmas. Our Cape Town kids were already there and our niece from Spain came to spend some time at a nearby Game Lodge with her family so they all joined us for Christmas lunch. It was a really superb day!

My fun-loving grandchildren with their Christmas stockings

Me, my great-niece, Olivia, daughter Laurie, grandson Josh

My nephew-in-law with the great-nephews Thomas and Sebastian

After an awesome time in Plettenberg Bay we set off for Kokstad on 30 December. We stayed with Barbara and Andrew on Brooklyn Farm for the first two nights, visited Joan and her new babies, celebrated with Murray whose birthday in on New Year’s Day and The Earl took his boys fishing at the dam but sadly no fish were caught!

Joan gave birth to premature triplets on 24 July but sadly Samuel didn’t make it. Joshua and Jesse were in neonatal care for 86 days. It’s been a tough struggle for Joan and Henk and their extended family. We were delighted to meet these gorgeous babies who are now doing very well.

Me and Barbara with her youngest grandchildren

At Murray’s Birthday Lunch – Andrew (Patriarch of the Mackenzie family) Seth and Aiden (Murray’s boys) The Earl

Joan’s hubby, Henk with her eldest son, Caleb (3)

On 2 January Barbara, Andrew, Earl and I set off to Port Edward to spend time with our niece Heather who has a holiday home there. We ended up staying three nights! Ann was there with her three kiddies and it was awesome catching up with them too.

Ann and her delightful children – Caitlyn, Sarah and James

Sarah and me on the swing at a local coffee shop in Port Edward

It was an awesome three days at Port Edward but time was running out and we had to get back to Brooklyn Farm. On our last day we visited Andrew’s brother on his farm in The Swartburg. Ken and Caroline entertained us with a stunning lunch then Earl went to fish in his dam while some of us went for a ride to see the farm. It was fun standing on the back with wind blowing through my hair.

Awesome view from the top of a hill on the farm

Catching up and bonding with this side of the family was awesome even though it was just a short visit. All too soon it was time to head back to Plettenberg Bay. We left early on Monday morning, arriving at Jeffrey’s Bay at half past three. We over-nighted with our friends Maureen and Jim and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with them at Kitchen Windows on the beach front.

On Tuesday we left mid-morning and arrived back at Jubilee Farm at 2 in the afternoon. In the meantime we’d managed to get a caravan site at Addo Elephant Park and on Wednesday we took Simon and Shannon there for three nights. More about that in my next blog post.

Thanks to all our family and friends for hosting us and making this such a memorable holiday season. It has been awesome catching up with everybody.

Adventuring into Retirement

Making the most of The South African LIfestyle

Category Archives: Addo Elephant Park

Gecko goes to Addo – Day 3

Gecko Goes to Addo – Day 2

Gecko goes to Addo – Day 1

Gecko on The Road again – Addo Elephant Park

Addo Elephant Park is Awesome

Last Treat of the Summer Holidays

Family Holiday Fun

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Would you go streaking across a football field during a game for a million dollars (insert your own country’s currency), knowing there’s a 50/50 chance you’ll get arrested for indecent exposure? (this one is mine. Yeah, my mind wanders to some highly strange places sometimes).

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