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By kalyan3
Kalyan Neelamraju+ Add Contact

This photo was taken on July 29, 2012 using a Sony Alpha NEX-7.

Its flower fill of color the forests of South Africa

Erythrina caffra flowers of an intense and bright orange-red. Its successfull scientific name defines it to perfection: Erythrina from the greek erythros meaning red and caffra which is the Latin name of the Kaffirs region of Africa where it is native, ie South Africa.

South Africa’s beautiful coral tree in full bloom in early May photographed in the Elche city of Alicante province (Spain). The flowers open before the leaves, which further enhances the beauty of flowering. This tree can reach 12 feet in cultivation and up to 20 meters in its natural habitat. The most spectacular examples are found in the Alexandria Forest that is part of the Addo Elephant National Park in the Cape Region. Its branches are protected by spines short and thick. The leaves are trifoliate and have no spines on the rachis and petiole. The wood is brittle and lightweight, so should plant it in a place sheltered from strong winds.

Erythrina caffra spectacular inflorescences that seem to fire flares. The flowers produce no perfume. Pollinators,
mainly birds, are attracted by the striking red color of the petals and
the nectar reward of nourishing the flowers produced in abundance. Each
flower contains up to 10 drops of nectar (about 1 cc.) And each cluster
consists of about 80 flowers, which secrete therefore about 800 drops
of nectar (about 80 cc.). Considering
that in the crown of a mature tree can have up to 2000 inflorescences,
ie up to 160,000 flowers, the total calculation gives us a production of
1,600,000 = 160,000 cc drops. = 160 gallons of nectar per tree. The Erythrina caffra effort to ensure the next generation is truly titanic.

It has been demonstrated pollination of the flowers of this legume species by the starlings Onychocnathus morio, the nightingales of the genus Pycnonotus sp., the yellow weavers of Ploceus subaureus species, the sunbirds of genus Nectarinia sp., the birds of the genus Orioles sp., and many other birds in the middle of spring can be seen in flocks of hundreds of individuals visiting the trees in bloom.

Erythrina caffra immature legumes photographed at the Lisbon Botanical Garden in early May.

South African mature legumes of coral tree in early May. The seeds remain attached to the opened shells, which are shifted away from his mother by gusts of wind and torrential rains, thus facilitating the conquest of new territories. As with many seeds without juicy pulp around, the ones of Erythrina caffra present two limitations to germination, so-called external lethargy and internal lethargy.

Erythrina caffra seeds of a deep red. The brighter cuticle that cover it is waterproof. Represents the so-called external lethargy. For
the embryo to hydrate and leave the internal lethargy should be
scarified by bacteria, fungi and soil acids, which erode the cuticle and
make it permeable to water ingress. Once
they have been scarified, seeds need two more requirements for its
embryo leaves the internal lethargy: moisture and direct sunlight. Seeds
that remain under the crown of its mother or have the misfortune to be
moved to a shady spot, although the cuticle was permeabilized to
hydration, do not germinate because they need sunlight to impinge on
them or on the thin of land that covers the embryo to awaken the inner lethargy.

Small South African coral tree sprouted recently. In
one of the two cotyledons can be seen the mechanical loosening which
underwent the seed scraping against a sandstone block to break the
cuticle and facilitate hydration of the embryo. Once scarified I planted in a pot I placed in full sun. The light sensors detect seed sunlight having an impact on the thin layer of soil that covered it and woke the embryo.

The closing date for registration for the Sasol/Addo Birding Weekend is 27 August 2012.  The Birding Weekend will take place at Addo Elephant National Park from 19 – 21 October 2012.

The weekend of birding will offer a wonderful opportunity to experience the diverse biomes of Addo Elephant National Park and the chance to spot over 200 bird species.

Organised by the SANParks Honorary Rangers at Addo, participants will have a choice of taking part in different excursions.  Birders will join groups birding in different areas of the ecologically diverse Addo Elephant National Park. Excursions include a trip through the Nyathi area of the Park while another group will lazily float up the Sundays River on a ferry spotting darters and different species of kingfishers. Other groups will depart for Kabouga section of the park, which is situated close to Kirkwood for the chance to walk on the ‘wild side’ or take a ride through Addo game viewing area and see parts of Addo that are not open to the general public.

The weekend starts on Friday evening with a get-together and ends with a venison potjie on Saturday evening.  A variety of accommodation has been pre-booked by the Honorary Rangers in Addo Elephant National Park and bookings should be done well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Sasol has provided sponsorship for logistics and lucky draw prizes with Stretton’s Gin and Glendower Whisky being the other main sponsors.  RiverBend Lodge as always will assist with night drives in the Nyathi section on Friday evening.  Funds raised by the Honorary Rangers birding weekend will go towards funding conservation support work within Addo.

For more information, contact Nicky Bosman, 082 336 4471 or nbosman@nmmu.ac.za.

Registration forms and information are available at http://www.sanparksvolunteers.org/addo-region

One of the many remarkable aspects of the South African heritage is our traditional cuisine and cultures, best experienced in its original setting and environment. Many restaurants claim to offer such cuisine and atmosphere, but seem to fall short. We recently discovered a magnificent Country House Spa, situated in close proximity to the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape.

The Woodall Country House Spa boasts the exceptional Addo Restaurant, defined by local cuisine and dishes, sure to tempt your taste buds with their delicious offerings. The gourmet food on offer has been inspired by the flavours of local ingredients and freshly picked vegetables and herbs from their very own vegetable and herb garden. Karoo venison, freshly caught East Coast fish, home-made stocks, freshly baked bread, and local cheeses are some of the organic delights found on their menu. Complementing the menu is an underground wine cellar, boasting a unique and comprehensive collection of fine South African wines, personally selected by the owner of the Woodall Country House Spa.

All this delectable cuisine is served in the beautifully decorated thatched waterside dining room, featuring Afro-Chic features with comfortable interior. The dining area at the Addo Restaurant flows onto a sundowner deck and outdoor lounge, creating the perfect atmosphere and mood for enjoying snacks, cocktails, moonlit dinners and after-dinner drinks and cigars with friends and family.

For more information about this proudly South Africa restaurant or for a full menu of dishes on offer, be sure to visit the Woodall Country House Spa website, located at http://www.woodall-addo.co.za/cuisine.html

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The closing date for registration for the Sasol/Addo Birding Weekend is 27 August 2012.  The Birding Weekend will take place at Addo Elephant National Park from 19 – 21 October 2012. The weekend of birding will offer a wonderful opportunity to experience the diverse biomes of Addo Elephant National Park and the chance to spot […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

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RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience. Article source: http://riverbendaddo.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-we-love-to-see-at-river-bend-lodge.html

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

CONGRATULATIONS to Natalie Vos of South Africa who has won a three night stay for 4 people at the 5-star graded Addo Afrique Elephant Lodge. Includes accom­mod­a­tion for 3 con­sectutive nights for up to 4 per­sons; break­fast daily; braai / bar­be­cue around the camp­fire on your first night; Schotia Safari with open top 4×4 vehicle, fol­lowed by din­ner on your second night; Addo river safari / cruise with all drinks included whilst cruis­ing, fol­lowed by din­ner back at the lodge on your third night.

Natalie, your voucher is on its way. Please con­tact Addo Afrique Elephant Lodge to redeem your voucher (valid until 26 January 2013). We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay!

Jealous?

• See other com­pet­i­tions at Win with SA-Venues.com
• Just because you didn’t win, doesn’t mean you can’t go. Find out more about this won­der­ful estab­lish­ment, read guest reviews, find rates and spe­cial offers at Addo Afrique Elephant Lodge.

Budget Travel in the Eastern Cape South Africa – malaria-free.

The capital is Bisho. It was formed in 1994 out of the “independent” homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, as well as the eastern portion of the Cape Province. he best time to visit the Eastern Cape is April and May.

This is the home of the Xhosa, and the birthplace of many prominent South Africans, such as Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki. The Eastern Cape is extremely diverse. The western interior is dry and arid, while the east is wet and green. This South African Province offers a wide array of attractions, including 800 km of coastline with the best beaches you have ever seen, and wild life viewing in a malaria-free environment. The Eastern coastal regions enjoy hot summers and moderate winters and Port Elizabeth experiences a daily average of 7 hours sunshine. Northern regions are much cooler. Certain areas receive rain throughout the year albeit erratic. See your Eastern Cape Map here: http://www.12234455.co.za/newprovinces/ecape.gif Attractions: Wild Coast: Hole in the Wall, Nelson Mandela Museum Sunshine Coast: Bayworld Oceanarium Snakepark, Baviaanskloof Reserve Kouga Region: Jeffreys Bay – world famous surfing, Langkloof Valley Fruit Route, Kouga Cultural Centre Tsitsikamma Adventure Route: Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Reserve, Bloukranz Bridge – bungy jumping Karoo Heartland: Mountain Zebra National Park, Valley of Desolation, Nieu-Bethesda Owl House Freindly N6: Aliwal North Hot Springs Amatola Mountain Escape: Voice of the Earth Eco Shrine, Mpofu Game Reserve Frontier Country: Grahamstown, Valley of the Ancient Voices, Shamwari Sundays River Valley: Addo Elephant National Park, Kirkwood Suggested Travel Route: Day 1 – 2: Kei Mouth Caravan Park Wild Coast – Kei Mouth Tel: 043 841 1004 Fax: 043 841 1180 Day 3 – 6: Boesmans Caravan Park Sunshine Coast Country – Boesmansriviermond Tel: 046 648 3584 Fax: 046 648 3584 Day 7 – 9: Addo Elephant National Park Sundays River Valley – Addo Tel: 042 233 8600 Fax: 042 233 8643 Day 10 – 11: Jesa Caravan Park Karoo Heartland – Graaff-Reinet Tel: 049 893 0966 Fax: 049 893 0965 Day 12 – 16: Bloukrantz Caravan Park Tsitsikamma Adventures – Tsitsikamma Tel: 042 281 1450 Fax: 042 281 1457 Distances in km from Port Elizabeth: Aliwal North 668 km East London 310 km Graaff-Reniet 291 km Grahamstown 130 km Jeffreys Bay 70 km Middelburg 357 km Port St Johns 576 km Umtata 490 km Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za

Related Articles –
gerald crawford, south africa, africa, 12234455, Eastern Cape, Wild Coast, Kei Mouth, Komga, Port St Johns, Umtata, Sunshine Coast Country,

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Cape Recife, Port Elizabeth

Call me an optimist, but summer is not too far away (I hope) and if you’re looking for a place to jump start the season, consider taking a trip to Port Elizabeth, there’s more there than you might think … or at least more than I thought.

I was invited to Port Elizabeth at the end of last year by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism to check out what life is like in the slow lane. Well, they didn’t exactly say slow lane, but I had heard that life in P.E. is incredibly chilled, even by Cape Town standards. To my surprise, I spent an action-packed couple of days there filled with a host of things to do and places to see, all supplemented by a rich undercurrent of  history.

It’s easy to see why Port Elizabeth is called The Friendly City. The city exudes a relaxed atmosphere and out-of-your-way hospitality. It must be all those hours of sunshine (apparently they get more hours of sunshine than any other South African city). So, for the historian, the bush-lover, the sport fanatic and even the adrenaline junkie, here are 10 things not to miss.

Explore the Donkin Heritage Trail

If you want to get to know Port Elizabeth on personal level, take on the five-kilometre trail that follows in the footsteps of the 1820 Settlers. It links no less than 47 national monuments and historical sites in central Port Elizabeth and is named after the acting governor of the Cape Colony at the time, Sir Rufane Donkin. Whether you like historical tours or not, this trail includes some fascinating facts about the area that will enlighten you about the city. Points of interest along the trail are signposted with information boards, making the trail very easy to self-navigate and a pretty neat way to get you walking around town.

See the ellies at Addo Elephant Park

Escape to the bush and spend hours scouring the pristine Eastern Cape landscape for wildlife at Addo Elephant Park, home to over 550 elephant. It is the third largest national park in South Africa and has expanded to conserve a wide range of wildlife and flora from the semi-desert Karoo down to the coastline of Sunday’s River Valley Mouth.

Tel 012-428-9111, email reservations@sanparks.org, www.sanparks.org

Chill out on a Sunday’s River Cruise

Cruising along the Sunday’s River on a ferry is a perfect way to take in the scenery along the marine section of the Addo Elephant National Park without lifting a finger … except of course to snap a picture or two. Head up to the upper viewing deck and take in the view out towards the city and Algoa Bay. Twitchers, look out for the myriad birdlife along the river banks. The 2.5 hour, 20-kilometre cruise offers both self-catering and catered trips and the captain, Les, is a bundle of fun.

Tel 041 468 0140, email info@addocruises.co.za, www.addocruises.co.za

Conquer the Maitland Sand Dunes

If you’re looking for a dash of adrenaline then try your hand (foot?) at sandboarding at Maitland Sand Dunes. The dunes are easily accessible and provide hours of fun. It’s a challenging trek up to the top, but the views and scenery are worth every breath. The way down, of course, is the best part. Anything that you can slide on will do – trays, pieces of cardboard or the obvious choice, sandboards. There are also three hiking trails (check out Port Elizabeth’s top six day walks) that wind their way into the forests of Maitland Nature Reserve. The Sir Peregrine Maitland Nature Trail is a three-kilometre trail which follows an old wagon road, while the Igolomi Trial will take you on a four-kilometre stretch through Maitland’s dense forest. The more exuberant can try out the nine-kilometre De Stades Nature Trail which rewards hikers with a unique view of St Francis Bay.

Tel 041-584-0584, email fcain@mandelametro.gov.za

Live the local life on a township tour

Take a drive into the townships of Port Elizabeth, mingle with the locals and step into a culture that many tourists may not have experienced before. Taste home-brewed beers at a shebeen, eat a traditional Xhosa meal and visit the Red Location Apartheid Museum. It is an eye-opening experience and a chance to experience authentic Xhosa hospitality.

Tel 041-367-3611, email: anna@gugustownshiptours.co.za, www.gugustownshiptours.co.za

Pop in at Kragga Kamma Game Reserve

Take a short drive through the Kragga Kamma Game Reserve, located just outside the city centre. It’s a small reserve that’s home to free-roaming buffalo, giraffe, zebra, nyala and bontebok, amongst others. The short loop through the park guarantees wildlife sightings. Visitors can choose to drive in their own vehicle or take a two-hour guided drive. The park is also home to a family of cheetah which have been hand-reared by dedicated volunteers. Stop off at the Bush Cafe for a bite and take a sky walk over the monkey bridge through the lush forest section at Kragga, which is home to monkeys and a wealth of bird species.

Tel 041-379-5646, www.kraggakamma.com

Feel the heat at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Built specifically for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the impressive Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (read more about Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium) now plays host to a variety of sporting events including rugby’s biggest party, the IRB Sevens Rugby World Series. If you’re there on a weekend, catch the E.P. Kings in a local rugby match up. Alternatively, take a 30 minute stadium tour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 13h00 and 16h00.

Tel 041-408-8900, email info@accessmanagement.co.za

Light it up at the Cape Recife Lighthouse

The Cape Recife Lighthouse is one of South Africa’s most iconic lighthouses, with a deep history to boot. It’s situated on the south entrance to Algoa Bay on the treacherous Thunderbolt Reef, approximately 15 kilometres from Port Elizabeth. The unmistakable black and white banded tower stands near the site where, in 1902, numerous sailors and rescuers lost their lives to a hurricane that wrecked both moored and sea-faring vessels. Ironically, the monolith that now steers vessels clear of this dangerous reef was erected on April Fools’ Day in 1851.

Chat up the birds at SAMREC

The South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) is located near the Cape Recife Lighthouse and is the temporary home to many sick or injured African penguins and other sea birds, most as a result of human influence. The non-profit organisation is open from 09h30 until 17h00 every day and the volunteers that dedicate their days to the rehabilition of these birds are super friendly (of course) and more than willing to show visitors around the centre and introduce them to its special inhabitants. The best time to visit is at 14h30, when you can watch the staff feed the birds while grabbing a bite for yourself at the Flying Penguin (another smart irony) coffee shop.

Tel 041-583-1830, email info@samrec.org.za, www.samrec.org.za

Bask on a Blue Flag beach

Of the six Blue Flag beaches located in the Eastern Cape two are situated in Port Elizabeth. Humewood Beach and Wells Estate Beach have both passed the 14-point criteria and been awarded Blue Flag status. Visitors can enjoy a stretch of coast that has impeccable water quality, visible environmental information and safety services, including excellent life-saving standards, ample parking and sparkling ablution facilities. So take advantage of the Port Elizabeth sunshine, head to the beach and catch that long lost tan that winter has robbed you of.

For more cool images and updates from The Friendly City, visit fireflyafrica.blogspot.com and for more info contact the team at Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. As the name of their city implies, they’re always more than happy to help.

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
Tel o41-582-2575, email info@nmbt.co.za, www.nmbt.co.za

Need to get around in Port Elizabeth? Find useful contact numbers for transport here.
Check out our selection of affordable places to stay in Port Elizabeth.

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Tags: addo, Cape Recife, Donkin Heritage Trail, Kragga Kamma, Maitland Sand Dunes, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, Red Location Apartheid Museum, SAMREC, Sunday’s River Cruise

Addo Elephant Park

The Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape boasts an area of some 180 000 hec­tares, mak­ing it the third largest national park in the whole of South Africa. It is situ­ated less than an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth and includes an intriguing vari­ety of land­scapes, fauna and flora. The Bushman’s and Sundays River val­leys tra­verse its land­scape, as do the mag­ni­fi­cent Zuurberg Mountains. This nat­ural beauty is, no doubt, one of the many draw-cards to the more than 140 000 vis­it­ors that the park wel­comes every year.

Elephants are a prized pos­ses­sion, hav­ing been hunted for their valu­able ivory for cen­tur­ies. In 1931, this area of the Eastern Cape was declared a national park with the express pur­pose of pro­tect­ing a dwind­ling ele­phant pop­u­la­tion, which had dropped to fewer than 20 indi­vidu­als. Due to the ongo­ing con­ser­va­tion efforts and breed­ing ini­ti­at­ives of Addo, this park now boasts more the 550 indi­vidual elephants!

In addi­tion to the mighty ele­phant, Addo is also home to the Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, warthog, ostrich, leo­pard, lion, zebra, kudu and a host of other fas­cin­at­ing species.

Addo Flightless Dung Beetle

The Addo Flightless Dung Beetle has intrigued trav­el­lers for years. This pecu­liar beetle spends its life rolling ele­phant dung into per­fect balls, which it uses as a source of food. Avid bird-watchers will be well-rewarded as they keep their eyes peeled for some of the 170 dif­fer­ent bird spe­cies found in the park. These include dif­fer­ent weavers, her­ons, red bish­ops, coots and terrapins.

Addo offers a vari­ety of activ­it­ies that are suit­able for dif­fer­ent age groups and phys­ical cap­ab­il­it­ies. These include:

• Guided or self-driven game drives at dif­fer­ent times of the day so that vis­it­ors have the oppor­tun­ity to see the widest range of animals
• Horse rides along gor­geous trails – the ideal pace at which to enjoy the countryside
• Various hik­ing trails
• The Tree Dassie Trail
• 4 x 4 trails
• Bird watch­ing
• Picnicking and bar­be­cuing near one of the pop­u­lar water­ing holes

A Herd of Elephants

Addo Elephant National Park is suited to the influx of local and inter­na­tional tour­ists that enter its gates every day, week and year. In order to ensure that vis­it­ors have an authen­tic African exper­i­ence coupled with the lux­ury and con­veni­ence that makes Addo so mem­or­able, the park has an a-la-carte res­taur­ant and a curio shop, a refresh­ing swim­ming pool, bar­be­cue and pic­nic area and a fuel sta­tion for ulti­mate con­veni­ence. The under­ground hide and lookout plat­forms at the water­ing hole set the wild­life view­ing exper­i­ence of Addo apart.

Addo Elephant National Park puts the con­ser­va­tion and pro­tec­tion of the South African fauna and flora first, mak­ing it a stun­ning tour­ist des­tin­a­tion in its own right.

Useful Links

Addo Elephant Park
Addo Elephant Park Accommodation
Eastern Cape Game Reserves
Eastern Cape Weddings
South Africa Game Reserves

For all the avid wildlife seekers out there, the Woodall Country House and Spa hosts a wonderful opportunity, allowing guests to come face-to-face with the African landscape and wildlife. Not only housing an array of spectacular accommodation facilities, Woodall Country House and Spa hosts a luxury open topped land cruiser that offers daily game drives through the game park and surrounding areas. Their highly experienced and qualified guides, each holding an exceptional amount of knowledge on various aspects of wildlife, offer personalized tours with great care taken to meet all expectations and outdoor perceptions. Game drives are offered twice daily, and include transfers, drinks, snacks and picnic baskets.

Closely located to Woodall Country House and Spa is the well-known Addo Elephant Park, home to the densest population of elephant in the world. Addo Elephant Park also houses a wide variety of other animals, including lion, hyena, Cape buffalo, and Black Rhino. Whether you wish to enjoy the park’s facilities within the comfort and safety of your own private vehicle, or if you prefer to rough it out in one of their open-top land rovers with an experienced guide, the chances are you will have close encounters with some of South Africa’s most beautiful wildlife species.

So why not get the kids and family out of the house for the weekend and take a trip down to the Eastern Cape? The Woodall Country House and Spa will ensure that you and your family are well taken care of, with plenty of services and amenities to choose from. Their comprehensive website can be located at the following link: http://www.woodall-addo.co.za/

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We have had a very encouraging response to our Introduction to Photography Course at River Bend Lodge. The intention of the Course is to move aspirant photographer’s from relying only on the Auto Mode of their camera’s….and to explore the other Modes available, and to experience for themselves, the creative capabilities of modern Digital cameras. […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

After a cool weekend hanging with my peeps and some much-needed stay in one place after a series of one night … go, one night … go adventures up the Garden route, it was time for the Going Homeless Project to slow things down and Addo was just down the road. The perfect place to get my chill on.

reverse engaged

I arrived fairly late in the day with the intention of striking out early for the Addo National Park, a mere 10kms down the road from the Aardvark Guesthouse Backpackers run by Daniel and Claude, my hosts for the next couple of days.

The next morning i set out as the sun was coming up and made my way to Addo National Park, where the always paying Wild Card got me in free and after a quick coffee stop i headed in to the park amped for some actual animals in the wild and not a cage.

Herds …

It didn’t take long to run in to my first elephant, which was to become a common theme throughout the day, nonetheless it was an epic encounter being chased down the road in reverse, this encounter was followed shortly by some ribs on legs otherwise known as warthogs and after heading up to one of the viewpoints, I started tracking a herd of elephants and eventually had a peaceful one on one session with the herd at Carols Rest waterhole before the rest of humanity arrived.

Singular

After that i headed back to the main gate for a caffeine infusion, before encounters with Kudu, a small fox, some other buck and lots of humans all trying desperately to see Lions. Addo National Park is well worth a visit.

Ribs …

You get amazing sightings of a variety of animals without having to venture to far into the park … but the further you venture the more you benefit. Aside from the wildlife the views from the various look-outs are tre impressive. Don’t rush your visit there is a lot to see.

Treescape

After a full day of driving I was ready to get out of the car and just chillax for a bit and there are few better places than the Aardvark Guesthouse and Backpackers.

Aardvark has its own wildlife

Situated down the road from the park and set on a beautiful piece of land teeming with well established trees, hammocks hanging everywhere, catching beautiful afternoon sunshine, it is the perfect place to grab a cup of joe and kick back.

Rondavels at Aardvark

Outside eating areas lead into the main house, accommodation comes in Dorms, Doubles, Rondavels, Safari tents that sleep five and family rooms. A super well equipped kitchen and the usual amenities round off an awesome place to stay.

More than just a bed …

The effort and detail that have gone into making the place a home from home is amazing, local artwork and sculpture, comfy couches and an in-house breakfast that you would be foolish not to indulge in make the Aaardvark the best place to stay if you are visiting Addo National Park.

details count

Just a side note to Claude and Daniel, who graciously took me in for a night, fed me a meal and pointed out a few dirt roads worth exploring, many kind thanks for an amazing stay and unbelievable hospitality, the Aardvark is truly a great place to stay.

Sundays River with Criss Cross Adventures

As per usual i had assumed that Addo and the surrounding areas were all about the national park, i assumed incorrectly, Daniel connected me with Chris and Terri of Crisscross Adventures, who kindly offered me a canoe trip down the Sundays River, i jumped at the opportunity.

Half-Collared King Fisher

The river came alive with Chris’s sharp eye and local knowledge which resulted in numerous fantastic bird sightings, most notably a half collared King Fisher , a Goliath Heron and a number of lizards which i never would have spotted.

Sundays …

I highly recommend this day trip, it’s a nice change from the usual and if you are into bird life you can’t really afford to miss it.

CrissCross Adventures also offer Safari Tours to the Addo National Park and the local knowledge that Chris and Terri offer, shed light on more than just the birds and wildlife but a truly beautiful area rich with history.

Ola

After deciding to spend another night at the Aardvark, its hard to leave the place, i spent the afternoon at the Daniell Cheetah breeding programme, it’s a guided tour with a difference – viewing Meerkats, Cheetahs, Lynx and Leopard, with a stop to visit Ola, a tame cheetah, being up close and personal with these cats is an amazing experience.

I never know if this is ethical or not … what do you think?

The tour ended with a little bonus … a chance to have a roll around with a couple of Lion Cubs that are super cute and come with five sharp ends that still mark my wrists.

after savaging me they turned on each other

I still cannot decide if this kind of facility is beneficial to the animals from a personal perspective, but the up close parts of the tour were truly incredible.

After a long day, a hot shower and a comfortable bed set me right for the next day, a drive over the Zuurburg pass, well worth doing if you have a vehicle with clearance, I made my way to my next destination, Hogsback and a few nights at Away with the Fairies.

Thanks again to Daniel and Claude of the Aardvark Guesthouse and Backpackers for a truly amazing stay, your hospitality was above and beyond, To Chris and Terri of Crisscross Adventures for an awesome canoe trip and to Hi Hostels.

Stylish, comfortable and affordable self-catering accommodation. Only a few minutes drive from the main gate of the Addo Elephant National Park. Relax in our stylish lounge or enjoy a refreshment on our deck outside. Make yourself at home with us.. Your friendly hosts: Daniel and Claude Boegli, proficient in German and French.

URL: www.theaardvarkguesthouse.co.za

The tour company’s mission is to encourage visitors to enjoy the many different activities available in the Addo area, and to have a holistic experience of the diversity Addo has to offer. Specifically within the Addo Elephant National Park, whilst educating them about the environment and nature conservation.

URL: www.crisscrossadventures.co.za

Tags: Accommodation, Addo, Addo National Park, Away with the Faries, Eastern Cape, Elephants, Garden Route, going homeless project, Hiking, Hogsback, Kudu, road trip, roadtrip, Waterfalls

After a cool weekend hanging with my peeps and some much-needed stay in one place after a series of one night … go, one night … go adventures up the Garden route, it was time for the Going Homeless Project to slow things down and Addo was just down the road. The perfect place to get my chill on.

reverse engaged

I arrived fairly late in the day with the intention of striking out early for the Addo National Park, a mere 10kms down the road from the Aardvark Guesthouse Backpackers run by Daniel and Claude, my hosts for the next couple of days.

The next morning i set out as the sun was coming up and made my way to Addo National Park, where the always paying Wild Card got me in free and after a quick coffee stop i headed in to the park amped for some actual animals in the wild and not a cage.

Herds …

It didn’t take long to run in to my first elephant, which was to become a common theme throughout the day, nonetheless it was an epic encounter being chased down the road in reverse, this encounter was followed shortly by some ribs on legs otherwise known as warthogs and after heading up to one of the viewpoints, I started tracking a herd of elephants and eventually had a peaceful one on one session with the herd at Carols Rest waterhole before the rest of humanity arrived.

Singular

After that i headed back to the main gate for a caffeine infusion, before encounters with Kudu, a small fox, some other buck and lots of humans all trying desperately to see Lions. Addo National Park is well worth a visit.

Ribs …

You get amazing sightings of a variety of animals without having to venture to far into the park … but the further you venture the more you benefit. Aside from the wildlife the views from the various look-outs are tre impressive. Don’t rush your visit there is a lot to see.

Treescape

After a full day of driving I was ready to get out of the car and just chillax for a bit and there are few better places than the Aardvark Guesthouse and Backpackers.

Aardvark has its own wildlife

Situated down the road from the park and set on a beautiful piece of land teeming with well established trees, hammocks hanging everywhere, catching beautiful afternoon sunshine, it is the perfect place to grab a cup of joe and kick back.

Rondavels at Aardvark

Outside eating areas lead into the main house, accommodation comes in Dorms, Doubles, Rondavels, Safari tents that sleep five and family rooms. A super well equipped kitchen and the usual amenities round off an awesome place to stay.

More than just a bed …

The effort and detail that have gone into making the place a home from home is amazing, local artwork and sculpture, comfy couches and an in-house breakfast that you would be foolish not to indulge in make the Aaardvark the best place to stay if you are visiting Addo National Park.

details count

Just a side note to Claude and Daniel, who graciously took me in for a night, fed me a meal and pointed out a few dirt roads worth exploring, many kind thanks for an amazing stay and unbelievable hospitality, the Aardvark is truly a great place to stay.

Sundays River with Criss Cross Adventures

As per usual i had assumed that Addo and the surrounding areas were all about the national park, i assumed incorrectly, Daniel connected me with Chris and Terri of Crisscross Adventures, who kindly offered me a canoe trip down the Sundays River, i jumped at the opportunity.

Half-Collared King Fisher

The river came alive with Chris’s sharp eye and local knowledge which resulted in numerous fantastic bird sightings, most notably a half collared King Fisher , a Goliath Heron and a number of lizards which i never would have spotted.

Sundays …

I highly recommend this day trip, it’s a nice change from the usual and if you are into bird life you can’t really afford to miss it.

CrissCross Adventures also offer Safari Tours to the Addo National Park and the local knowledge that Chris and Terri offer, shed light on more than just the birds and wildlife but a truly beautiful area rich with history.

Ola

After deciding to spend another night at the Aardvark, its hard to leave the place, i spent the afternoon at the Daniell Cheetah breeding programme, it’s a guided tour with a difference – viewing Meerkats, Cheetahs, Lynx and Leopard, with a stop to visit Ola, a tame cheetah, being up close and personal with these cats is an amazing experience.

I never know if this is ethical or not … what do you think?

The tour ended with a little bonus … a chance to have a roll around with a couple of Lion Cubs that are super cute and come with five sharp ends that still mark my wrists.

after savaging me they turned on each other

I still cannot decide if this kind of facility is beneficial to the animals from a personal perspective, but the up close parts of the tour were truly incredible.

After a long day, a hot shower and a comfortable bed set me right for the next day, a drive over the Zuurburg pass, well worth doing if you have a vehicle with clearance, I made my way to my next destination, Hogsback and a few nights at Away with the Fairies.

Thanks again to Daniel and Claude of the Aardvark Guesthouse and Backpackers for a truly amazing stay, your hospitality was above and beyond, To Chris and Terri of Crisscross Adventures for an awesome canoe trip and to Hi Hostels.

Stylish, comfortable and affordable self-catering accommodation. Only a few minutes drive from the main gate of the Addo Elephant National Park. Relax in our stylish lounge or enjoy a refreshment on our deck outside. Make yourself at home with us.. Your friendly hosts: Daniel and Claude Boegli, proficient in German and French.

URL: www.theaardvarkguesthouse.co.za

The tour company’s mission is to encourage visitors to enjoy the many different activities available in the Addo area, and to have a holistic experience of the diversity Addo has to offer. Specifically within the Addo Elephant National Park, whilst educating them about the environment and nature conservation.

URL: www.crisscrossadventures.co.za

Tags: Accommodation, Addo, Addo National Park, Away with the Faries, Eastern Cape, Elephants, Garden Route, going homeless project, Hiking, Hogsback, Kudu, road trip, roadtrip, Waterfalls

I have been traveling through South Africa now for just about three weeks now and have made observations and am starting to draw some conclusions. Here a few:

-Wine is oftentimes cheaper than water$$$

-The education system seems to be messy from all accounts. It is half way through their academic year and some classroom teachers, albeit temporary teachers, have not been paid their salary by the government.

-Braais are the country’s favorite pastime.

-There are seemingly two directions in which South Africa is moving: One that is attempting to move forward from apartheid using a more black nationalist theory of self-determination. The other is one that is still stuck in the daily conventions of the system of apartheid of living in and working in “one’s place”, or a de facto segregation.

-Meat pies are tasty, especially those of the curry variety.

-The country seems to be nearing a turning point with the government and subsequent future of the country.

-There has not been a day that I have entered a public space and not heard a Whitney Houston song playing.

-Animals are real here. Monkeys and tarantulas have joined my colleagues at different points in this trip in their accommodations.

-President Jacob Zuma is a favorite focal point of the media, which in turn, makes the court system a favorite of Zuma’s to take them to court for slander and defamation of character.

-Nandos is delicious.

-Free condoms are everywhere…even the stuffy Stellenbosch museum had a supply. However, the education component seems to still be lacking as evidenced through President Zuma’s actions and words. He apparently testified in court after having unprotected sex with a HIV positive prostitute that he took a shower to cleanse himself of the disease.

-The scenery and landscape is beautiful.

That is all for now.

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The entrance to Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

An elephant at a watering hole in Addo Elephant National Park

Zebras at Addo Elephant National Park

Elephant at Addo Elephant National Park

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“Chester” and I after our ride through the park

Kudu in Addo Elephant National Park. South Africa

Zebras in Addo Elephant National Park. South Africa

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We have had a very encouraging response to our Introduction to Photography Course at River Bend Lodge.

The intention of the Course is to move aspirant photographer’s from relying only on the Auto Mode of their camera’s….and to explore the other Modes available, and to experience for themselves, the creative capabilities of modern Digital cameras.

We begin with an Introduction to the Exposure Triangle and move on to practical investigation of the various applications of Exposure (ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed) and how these are used in different combinations and in different lighting circumstances to achieve the desired results in various techniques.

We await some images taken by our students to illustrate what can be achieved in a very short space of time….when changing from that prescriptive Auto Mode!!!! In the meantime these images were taken on our last Course…illustrating some of the techniques we explored. All Images taken at River Bend Lodge and Nyathi Concession.

Article source: http://riverbendaddo.blogspot.com/2012/07/introduction-to-photography-course-at.html

Join 69 other followers

We have had a very encouraging response to our Introduction to Photography Course at River Bend Lodge.

The intention of the Course is to move aspirant photographer’s from relying only on the Auto Mode of their camera’s….and to explore the other Modes available, and to experience for themselves, the creative capabilities of modern Digital cameras.

We begin with an Introduction to the Exposure Triangle and move on to practical investigation of the various applications of Exposure (ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed) and how these are used in different combinations and in different lighting circumstances to achieve the desired results in various techniques.

We await some images taken by our students to illustrate what can be achieved in a very short space of time….when changing from that prescriptive Auto Mode!!!! In the meantime these images were taken on our last Course…illustrating some of the techniques we explored. All Images taken at River Bend Lodge and Nyathi Concession.

We can get a holiday package to South Africa. There are many options available such as Cape Town holiday package, Johannesburg holiday package, Addo Elephant holiday package, Panorama routh holiday package, Madikwe Game research holiday package, Durban holiday package, and many others. In addition, you can choose the type of our holiday. There are family vacation, honeymoon vacation, luxury safaris, adventure, luxury holidays, and else. In other words, we can a type of holiday based on the type of holiday and accommodation. Many airlines already offer a flight to South Africa as well. As the result, we will not be bothered with the difficulties of spending our holiday at South Africa.

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Here is the tranquil, natural beauty within the Addo Elephant National Park. The Greater Addo is not very far from the city of Port Elizabeth. The game reserve found here consists of hundreds of different birds.

There are game drives which in witnessing will ensure that you have a memorable touring experience after engaging yourself in one of them. Also  Long Hope Villa nearby, from the early 1900s, is an exclusive use three-bedroomed Safari Villa and guests are treated to a memorable stay by their own private cooks.

The Greater Addo is not very far from the city of Port Elizabeth. The game reserve found here consists of hundreds of different birds.