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November 29, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Elephant country | Travel Blog

Published: November 26th 2013Africa » South Africa » Eastern Cape » Addo Elephant National ParkAugust 1st 2013 Thirsty elliesWe arrived at the gate to Addo Elephant Park in the afternoon and signed in. We had a room booked at the guest enclosure at the other end of the park and after registering with the main gate we were …

Published: November 26th 2013Africa » South Africa » Eastern Cape » Addo Elephant National Park
August 1st 2013


Thirsty elliesWe arrived at the gate to Addo Elephant Park in the afternoon and signed in. We had a room booked at the guest enclosure at the other end of the park and after registering with the main gate we were directed to drive through the park and be sure to get to the other side by 6 because that’s when they close the other gate. When we laughingly asked what would happen if we didn’t make it in time, the woman at the desk told us some elephants would probably destroy our car overnight.

Nice.

So we set off into the park. Our first safari experience unfolded on the sandy tracks of Addo surrounded on either side by scrub and bushes…where anything could be lurking.

Indeed, according to the website , there are.. ‘over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, and a variety of antelope and zebra species‘

Not to mention a special species of flightless dung beetle (everyone’s favourite African species, I know..)

Why no mention of warthogs??

No sooner had we driven slowly down the first stretch of road from the gate than we turned around some

Looking for animals


from our bungalow balconybushes and came face to bumper with a warthog rutting in the ground with it’s tusks. Is rutting what warthogs do? It seems to be the right word. Anyway, we were chuffed to get this close to a wild animal, applied the handbrake and sat snapping pictures of the beasty. Little did we know that we’d be sick of the sight of these things over the remainder of the holiday as they are everywhere and particularly numerous in Addo. If there are over 550 elephants in that park, there must be thousands of warthogs. Not only are they everywhere, but from a distance and in amongst the undergrowth, they tend to do great impressions of rhinos/lions/hunting dogs/unicorns or whatever else you want to see. It became common for one us to go…’Over there..! Behind those trees…there’s something…‘ and for us all to sit there focusing binoculars on the spot with bated breath for several minutes…before someone would mutter ‘….warthog‘ and we’d all groan and drive away. Still, it was our first truly wild large land mammal sighting. So we owe it that honour.

What about the elephants? I mean where do 550 elephants hide? they appeared soon enough. Plus

Warthogs.


Pretending to be….zebras. just wandering around our car. Driving through a wildlife reserve in South Africa seems pretty surreal at first. I mean you’re in a car, parked on a dusty road watching an elephant walk by. It feels like you’re in a zoo or safari park. But it’s a real live wild animal and you’re alone in your car and you know those bushes over there? A lion might be there. A lion! It was all very Jurassic Park. Anyway, luckily we made it to the accommodation compound before the gate was locked and were safely behind the high electric fences before darkness fell, just hoping they didn’t fail and let the velociraptors out…

A ‘zebra crossing’

It was while in Addo I became particularly obsessed with setting up the following joke – I wanted a zebra to cross the road in front of the car so I could declare – ‘Look! A zebra crossing!‘. Obviously the art of comedy is in the delivery, so I should have kept this quiet until the moment arose….but as it never did, I had to share the whole concept of the joke (which, incidentally, I’m sure no one before

Not crossingme has thought of..) with everyone. Thus, our collective anticipation of a zebra crossing the road was palpable. I think. Alas, it never happened while we were in Addo…*

The ‘Jurassic Park’ Park

We’d booked a couple of bungalows in the accommodation complex with views looking out over the park. Lucky for me and Kate our booking had been upgraded because the cheapest available rooms were being refurbished, so we checked into a bigger bungalow that was basically for the older or less mobile person. The taps were those special easy-to-use ones and there were handles everywhere to help you get off the toilet or stop you from slipping in the shower. It was kinda odd. But we didn’t mind.We cooked dinner in our kitchen that night and got ready for an early rise to explore the park and see more elephants. And warthogs.

From Addo we drove to Port Elizabeth and stayed the night. Then we left the car with the rental company at the airport and boarded a flight to Johannesburg to start the next epic leg of our journey – to Kruger National Park.

Johannesburg to Graskop and
Kris sharing his lunch with the wildlifethe art of overtaking

At Johannesburg we picked up another hire car (changing cars – much more fun than cleaning them) and set off out of the city and into the wilderness on quite a long roadtrip to the edge of Kruger in a town called Graskop. We planned to stay there overnight and then head into the park the next day. Which was wise, because it was quite a journey.

The road from the airport starts out as a massive multi-lane highway and then dwindles as you get further to the city. At first the views either side of the car flattened into sparse plains furnished at each junction with a crowd of hitchhikers. But pretty soon the scenery started to become much more 3D as hills and then mountains started popping up. Before long we started climbing hills on long windy roads. And then the trucks started appearing. Big, heavily loaded trucks that went very very slowly on the mountain roads. Like, I mean, we could have literally stopped the car, climbed out and walked past them. However….overtaking them was more difficult given the blind bends and the narrow roads. Cars frequently built up in

They were THAT close.the rearview mirror, but given the chances that another equally huge and heavy truck might be coming the other way, overtaking was a dicey prospect. So It was pretty scary to see people behind think ‘what the hell‘ and fling their cars into the other lane and accelerate blindly forward past 6 cars and the truck to get ahead. Still, better safe than sorry. And the Lloyd family would probably be really annoyed with me if I drove them into a truck on a remote highway in the mountains of South Africa. It’s just one of those things you try and avoid with the ‘in-laws’ on a par with treading mud into the house etc…

Trucks aside, the road scenery was spectacular. Amazing views as long as I didn’t take my eyes off the road for too long…

Graskop

Graskop’s a little rural town on the edge of Kruger national park. There’s not a whole lot in the town, but it is really well located to see some amazing scenery a short drive away. We stayed over for a night’s sleep and dinner before heading to Kruger early in the morning. While there we

Still not crossingwent to an Awesome Portuguese style restaurant with huge portions. Which was nice…

* I refined the joke later while in Port Elizabeth where I added a better setting. Picture the scene… the Great Migration…herds of wildebeest and zebra crowd the banks of a surging river edging ever closer to the water as crocodiles lurk in the froth…

Two wildebeest watch from the bank as other animals take to the water. One wildebeest says to the other…

‘Do you think it’s safe??‘ ….and his friend points to a zebra midway across the river…. ‘Well‘ he says ‘There IS a zebra crossing’

Ba-bum chsssshhh.

Tut

It’s a play on words.

Never mind…



Article source: http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Eastern-Cape/Addo-Elephant-National-Park/blog-815092.html

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 28, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Elephant country | Travel Blog

Published: November 26th 2013Africa » South Africa » Eastern Cape » Addo Elephant National ParkAugust 1st 2013 Thirsty elliesWe arrived at the gate to Addo Elephant Park in the afternoon and signed in. We had a room booked at the guest enclosure at the other end of the park and after registering with the main gate we were …

Published: November 26th 2013Africa » South Africa » Eastern Cape » Addo Elephant National Park
August 1st 2013


Thirsty elliesWe arrived at the gate to Addo Elephant Park in the afternoon and signed in. We had a room booked at the guest enclosure at the other end of the park and after registering with the main gate we were directed to drive through the park and be sure to get to the other side by 6 because that’s when they close the other gate. When we laughingly asked what would happen if we didn’t make it in time, the woman at the desk told us some elephants would probably destroy our car overnight.

Nice.

So we set off into the park. Our first safari experience unfolded on the sandy tracks of Addo surrounded on either side by scrub and bushes…where anything could be lurking.

Indeed, according to the website , there are.. ‘over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, and a variety of antelope and zebra species‘

Not to mention a special species of flightless dung beetle (everyone’s favourite African species, I know..)

Why no mention of warthogs??

No sooner had we driven slowly down the first stretch of road from the gate than we turned around some

Looking for animals


from our bungalow balconybushes and came face to bumper with a warthog rutting in the ground with it’s tusks. Is rutting what warthogs do? It seems to be the right word. Anyway, we were chuffed to get this close to a wild animal, applied the handbrake and sat snapping pictures of the beasty. Little did we know that we’d be sick of the sight of these things over the remainder of the holiday as they are everywhere and particularly numerous in Addo. If there are over 550 elephants in that park, there must be thousands of warthogs. Not only are they everywhere, but from a distance and in amongst the undergrowth, they tend to do great impressions of rhinos/lions/hunting dogs/unicorns or whatever else you want to see. It became common for one us to go…’Over there..! Behind those trees…there’s something…‘ and for us all to sit there focusing binoculars on the spot with bated breath for several minutes…before someone would mutter ‘….warthog‘ and we’d all groan and drive away. Still, it was our first truly wild large land mammal sighting. So we owe it that honour.

What about the elephants? I mean where do 550 elephants hide? they appeared soon enough. Plus

Warthogs.


Pretending to be….zebras. just wandering around our car. Driving through a wildlife reserve in South Africa seems pretty surreal at first. I mean you’re in a car, parked on a dusty road watching an elephant walk by. It feels like you’re in a zoo or safari park. But it’s a real live wild animal and you’re alone in your car and you know those bushes over there? A lion might be there. A lion! It was all very Jurassic Park. Anyway, luckily we made it to the accommodation compound before the gate was locked and were safely behind the high electric fences before darkness fell, just hoping they didn’t fail and let the velociraptors out…

A ‘zebra crossing’

It was while in Addo I became particularly obsessed with setting up the following joke – I wanted a zebra to cross the road in front of the car so I could declare – ‘Look! A zebra crossing!‘. Obviously the art of comedy is in the delivery, so I should have kept this quiet until the moment arose….but as it never did, I had to share the whole concept of the joke (which, incidentally, I’m sure no one before

Not crossingme has thought of..) with everyone. Thus, our collective anticipation of a zebra crossing the road was palpable. I think. Alas, it never happened while we were in Addo…*

The ‘Jurassic Park’ Park

We’d booked a couple of bungalows in the accommodation complex with views looking out over the park. Lucky for me and Kate our booking had been upgraded because the cheapest available rooms were being refurbished, so we checked into a bigger bungalow that was basically for the older or less mobile person. The taps were those special easy-to-use ones and there were handles everywhere to help you get off the toilet or stop you from slipping in the shower. It was kinda odd. But we didn’t mind.We cooked dinner in our kitchen that night and got ready for an early rise to explore the park and see more elephants. And warthogs.

From Addo we drove to Port Elizabeth and stayed the night. Then we left the car with the rental company at the airport and boarded a flight to Johannesburg to start the next epic leg of our journey – to Kruger National Park.

Johannesburg to Graskop and
Kris sharing his lunch with the wildlifethe art of overtaking

At Johannesburg we picked up another hire car (changing cars – much more fun than cleaning them) and set off out of the city and into the wilderness on quite a long roadtrip to the edge of Kruger in a town called Graskop. We planned to stay there overnight and then head into the park the next day. Which was wise, because it was quite a journey.

The road from the airport starts out as a massive multi-lane highway and then dwindles as you get further to the city. At first the views either side of the car flattened into sparse plains furnished at each junction with a crowd of hitchhikers. But pretty soon the scenery started to become much more 3D as hills and then mountains started popping up. Before long we started climbing hills on long windy roads. And then the trucks started appearing. Big, heavily loaded trucks that went very very slowly on the mountain roads. Like, I mean, we could have literally stopped the car, climbed out and walked past them. However….overtaking them was more difficult given the blind bends and the narrow roads. Cars frequently built up in

They were THAT close.the rearview mirror, but given the chances that another equally huge and heavy truck might be coming the other way, overtaking was a dicey prospect. So It was pretty scary to see people behind think ‘what the hell‘ and fling their cars into the other lane and accelerate blindly forward past 6 cars and the truck to get ahead. Still, better safe than sorry. And the Lloyd family would probably be really annoyed with me if I drove them into a truck on a remote highway in the mountains of South Africa. It’s just one of those things you try and avoid with the ‘in-laws’ on a par with treading mud into the house etc…

Trucks aside, the road scenery was spectacular. Amazing views as long as I didn’t take my eyes off the road for too long…

Graskop

Graskop’s a little rural town on the edge of Kruger national park. There’s not a whole lot in the town, but it is really well located to see some amazing scenery a short drive away. We stayed over for a night’s sleep and dinner before heading to Kruger early in the morning. While there we

Still not crossingwent to an Awesome Portuguese style restaurant with huge portions. Which was nice…

* I refined the joke later while in Port Elizabeth where I added a better setting. Picture the scene… the Great Migration…herds of wildebeest and zebra crowd the banks of a surging river edging ever closer to the water as crocodiles lurk in the froth…

Two wildebeest watch from the bank as other animals take to the water. One wildebeest says to the other…

‘Do you think it’s safe??‘ ….and his friend points to a zebra midway across the river…. ‘Well‘ he says ‘There IS a zebra crossing’

Ba-bum chsssshhh.

Tut

It’s a play on words.

Never mind…



Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 28, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Hand crafted cycle tour trails in Addo

Mountain bikers can look forward to riding eco-friendly, hand-cut trails in one of the world’s most biologically diverse areas when they sign up for The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo on February 1. The mountain biking segment of the cycle tour not only exposes riders to some of the area’s natural wonders but also …

Mountain bikers can look forward to riding eco-friendly, hand-cut trails in one of the world’s most biologically diverse areas when they sign up for The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo on February 1.

The mountain biking segment of the cycle tour not only exposes riders to some of the area’s natural wonders but also provides pathways to development by creating trail-building jobs for local labourers.

According to race director Brad Jackson of Mountain Events, participants should expect “something new and exciting” from the newly skilled route builders.

“We believe that a good mountain bike race is all about good quality trails,” said Jackson.

“Every year we endeavour to add something different instead of just serving up the same old race routes year after year.”

This approach, he said, had led to various job creation and skills development opportunities.

“In collaboration with local landowners, we have worked on building some of the best dedicated mountain bike single track in the country.

“However as much as we love spending time outdoors building trails, we just don’t have the luxury of doing this on a full-time basis.”

Instead they decided to train and equip a team of local labourers to build and maintain mountain bike trails throughout the year.

At Hayterdale Trails, four labourers are employed on a permanent basis, while the development team expands to as many as eight workers from time to time, as needed.

“Aside from the fact that sustainable jobs have been created, these guys have truly become masters at trail building and have developed the skills to build proper single track while adhering to sound environmental principles.”

Due to the mostly inaccessible nature of the terrain, the majority of the work is done manually without the use of heavy machinery.

Jackson said the head of the trail-building crew, Zolile Pikoli, would showcase his signature trail section – the aptly named Zorr’s Rollercoaster – for the first time in next year’s race.

He said conserving the environment and ensuring it remained unharmed during events such as the cycle tour was extremely important as Addo encompassed five of the country’s seven biomes.

Jackson said riders would have the opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of the region first-hand.

“The cycle tour mountain bike routes start among citrus orchards in the Sundays River Valley and extend to the Zuurberg mountain range and back, traversing a diverse range of vegetation along the way.

“If riders are lucky, they may even spot a herd of Addo elephant where sections of the feature route hugs the Addo Elephant National Park.”

If a brief glimpse from the bike left them wanting more, he said participants were encouraged to stay on and explore the region with families and friends after crossing the finish line.

Leading the host of accommodation options in the area is Zuurberg Mountain Village, which is the official cycle tour accommodation sponsor for the mountain biking events.

General manager Clinton Wild said the tranquil mountain top retreat would host 24 of the cycle tour’s VIPs.

In addition, it will provide special rates to participants who wish to enjoy the establishment’s four-star accommodation and breathtaking views over the Addo Elephant National Park.

About 145 000ha of the park surrounds the Zuurberg Mountain Village, where a wide range of activities from horse riding to hiking trails can be enjoyed amid magnificent wildlife, birdlife and vegetation.

For those riders looking for a budget-friendly option, organisers will turn the fields of the Addo Polo Club, which is next to the start and finish line, into a campground. Campers will have access to a pub, braai facilities, bathrooms, food stalls and a bike lock-up.

The mountain bike events comprise the 80km Extreme, 60km Adventure and 30km Powerade Leisure Challenge. The 5km Kiddies’ Challenge and 500m Toddler’s Dash, also sponsored by Powerade, complete the line-up.

Registration takes place on Friday, January 31, at The Boardwalk, with late registration for the mountain bike events continuing on the Saturday at the Addo Polo Club.

Addo Zuurberg Mountain Village

Trail-building crew (from left) Zolile Pikoli, Happyboy Hina and Bulelo Pikoli look forward to welcoming mountain bikers to The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo on February 1. In the background is official accommodation sponsor Zuurberg Mountain Village, which is offering discounted rates to participants. Photo: Brad Jackson

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Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 28, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

the maX files: Baby elephant pile on

Living near to the Addo Elephant National Park has its advantages, because when I need my bush fix it is a mere 40 kms from my front door. This year has been really special, with the arrival of a big crop of baby elephants and like all children they are playful,  mischievous and a joy to watch. …

Living near to the Addo Elephant National Park has its advantages, because when I need my bush fix it is a mere 40 kms from my front door.

This year has been really special, with the arrival of a big crop of baby elephants and like all children they are playful,  mischievous and a joy to watch.

On this trip I spent a long time sitting in the middle of a small family group watching the antics of these two .

The game ultimately culminated in a pile on and you can see that they are really enjoying themselves.

Article source: http://themaxefiles.blogspot.com/2013/11/baby-elephant-pile-on.html

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 26, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

the maX files: Baby elephant pile on

Living near to the Addo Elephant National Park has its advantages, because when I need my bush fix it is a mere 40 kms from my front door. This year has been really special, with the arrival of a big crop of baby elephants and like all children they are playful,  mischievous and a joy to watch. …

Living near to the Addo Elephant National Park has its advantages, because when I need my bush fix it is a mere 40 kms from my front door.

This year has been really special, with the arrival of a big crop of baby elephants and like all children they are playful,  mischievous and a joy to watch.

On this trip I spent a long time sitting in the middle of a small family group watching the antics of these two .



The game ultimately culminated in a pile on and you can see that they are really enjoying themselves.


Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 25, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Life without wings – Addo's extraordinary dung beetles | Bush …

If humans had the same determination and sense of purpose as dung beetles, perhaps the world would be a better place… These mini 4x4s, of which there are 800 species living in South Africa, are fascinating creatures. If you have ever paused to watch one trying to push a ball of dung over a little …

If humans had the same determination and sense of purpose as dung beetles, perhaps the world would be a better place…

These mini 4x4s, of which there are 800 species living in South Africa, are fascinating creatures. If you have ever paused to watch one trying to push a ball of dung over a little rise – head down and back legs up – you will know exactly what I mean. Giving up is rarely an option, even when its precious cargo keeps rolling back down the incline and he is forced to start his ascent all over again.

The dung beetle’s expertly made poo parcels have many uses. They are a source of nourishment, an ideal den for laying eggs, and for some male species, a nuptial gift to lure in a lucky lady, the bigger the ball of dung, the more impressive… how’s that for a romantic wedding gift!?

But the dung beetles in South Africa’s Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape are even more unique because they don’t have wings.They are a sub-species named Circellium bacchu or simply called the Addo Elephant Park’s flightless dung beetles, one of the rarest species of dung beetle. They once had a much wider range but due to the disappearance of elephants, rhinos and buffalo (the producers of their favourite dung) in many areas, they are now almost exclusively endemic to Addo. It’s no wonder with the reserve having more than 500 ellies!

DSC_0091 copy

Addo’s dung beetles can get very big! From about 22 to 47 mm long. They can also role up to 50 times their weight! Amazing! Photo by Jonker Fourie

But the question I have been trying to answer is why. Why did these particular dung beetles evolve to having no wings?

419256_344680118888994_1900701658_n

Photo by Scott Ramsay

One theory (which I read in the Journal of Experieamental Biology.) is based on research done by Marcus Bryne and Francis Duncan of the University of Witwatersrand. It suggests that by not having wings, these dung beetles have been able to evolve a ‘nifty’ way of breathing which helps them to survive Addo’s arid conditions.

Instead of wings, flightless dung beetles have a tightly sealed elytra (wing case), which supports a convective cooling system where heat is drawn away from the insect’s body. Read more about this research here 

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If you have held a dung beetle you will also know they have a strong grip! Photo by Dianne-Tipping-Woods of Afribird

Personally I would have thought that having wings would be like having two built in fans, l obviously wouldn’t make a very good scientist!

BZG-0C5IEAADCoM.jpg-large

Pleased to meet you little dung beetle… photo by Theresa Lozier

Photo by Brian J.McMorrow

 So next time you’re in Addo Elephant Park (just an hours drive from PE), don’t forget to stop and give some attention to these special dung beetles.  The work they do may not seem very important, but it is – their tunnelling movements (used to bury the ball of dung in the ground once eggs have been laid in it), air-rate the soil and spread organic matter over the ground like compost.

Recently scientists discovered that dung beetles also use the milky way to navigate their movements at night, but that’s another story… watch this space!

* This blog post was inspired by a trip to Port Elizabeth and to Addo Elephant Park hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. Thank you to Jonker Fourie and friendly PE for a wonderful trip. More blog posts inspired by the trip to come

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 22, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant National Park – Most effective Elephant Photograph …

Your Addo Elephant National Park appeared to be suggested within 1931, the actual park ended up being established to defend the rest of the elephants inside the Addo location, there was clearly below 15. Previously the Addo pack seemed to be among the most significant inside Eastern Cape by 140 elephants, nevertheless looking ruined most …

Your Addo Elephant National Park appeared to be suggested within 1931, the actual park ended up being established to defend the rest of the elephants inside the Addo location, there was clearly below 15. Previously the Addo pack seemed to be among the most significant inside Eastern Cape by 140 elephants, nevertheless looking ruined most of these numbers on the place close to Two hundred years. 

Elephants would have to be pursued towards spot that’s schedule for the Addo Elephant National Park, though the kennel area hasn’t been strong enough to incorporate elephants, they usually been freed and stayed murdered simply by producers and through educates which will travelled down the close by collection. Within 1933 the particular boss with the park started to feast the particular elephants to try to contain these individuals.

Inside 1954 the elephant substantiation wall was created by simply Graham Armstrong, tram track along with lift up cable have been with an area of 2270 hectares seemed to be fenced in out of. The fence turned out to be successful and can certainly be found in the park nowadays. Deluge lumination had been erected round the feeding areas as well as site visitors stomach to determine a elephants, however nourishing prompted additional problems for the reason that elephants located be expecting the foodstuff along with would relax in a serving area. The plant lifestyle in your neighborhood has been messed up and also the elephants grew to become aggressive on the nourishing pickup and the other person, quite a few elephants were being hurt, which means this eating seemed to be discontinued within 1979.

A park was initially opened to help vacationers within 1981, when they inserted this park they can see the elephants simply as the numbers received cultivated substantially. Illness cost-free Cape Buffalos were being likewise safeguarded british telecom the particular Addo Elephant National Park since were the flightless Dung Beetle. Eland, zebras, warthogs, dark-colored rhino in addition to hippos were all introduced to your park this years.

Lions have been reintroduced on the spot around 2003 in addition to seen hyenas with 2003/2004. These are generally just one or two on the pets that is seen jackals, kudu, crimson hartebeest plus duikers will also be found in the Addo Elephant National Park .

The actual Addo Elephant National Park alone doesn’t have any all-natural waterholes; the stream comes from boreholes. These types of man made waterholes hold the benefits they are by the streets and may deliver a number of outstanding photography options, for lots of wildlife exploring waterholes on anyone time.

Your Spekboom waterhole and conceal is great for photography lovers. Hapoor waterhole known as right after a half truths elephant that was the actual prominent fluff on the Addo pack for many Per day several years, immediately after being ousted by their herd simply by Lanky – a forthcoming fluff – Hapoor steered clear of with the containment system produced by Graham Armstrong, he / she appeared to be really the only elephant actually for this. He / she was found grazing by way of Coerney Sta along to be photo as he was a hostile pet – your toss with this massive elephants head are visible center within the main relax camping throughout Addo Elephant Park .

The principle camp gives high-quality accommodation by chalets to be able to camping areas, there are chrome camp tents which in turn look instantly across the park and it’s also commonplace to get an elephant or a herd regarding buffalo grass going too quickly! Riding safaris are offered, these excursions check out online game spot and can be pretty lack of feeling bringing, a little bit of practical experience is required.

Morning, sundown as well as nighttime pushes may also be supplied with the most important camp and therefore are value for money for money in addition to extremely helpful. Before reserving is essential, specifically while in the holidays. A park is fairly smaller than average is often driven about comfortably daily.

Article source: http://lucastill59.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/addo-elephant-national-park-most-effective-elephant-photograph-possibly-south-africa/

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 21, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant National Park – Most effective Elephant Photograph …

Your Addo Elephant National Park appeared to be suggested within 1931, the actual park ended up being established to defend the rest of the elephants inside the Addo location, there was clearly below 15. Previously the Addo pack seemed to be among the most significant inside Eastern Cape by 140 elephants, nevertheless looking ruined most …

Your Addo Elephant National Park appeared to be suggested within 1931, the actual park ended up being established to defend the rest of the elephants inside the Addo location, there was clearly below 15. Previously the Addo pack seemed to be among the most significant inside Eastern Cape by 140 elephants, nevertheless looking ruined most of these numbers on the place close to Two hundred years. 

Elephants would have to be pursued towards spot that’s schedule for the Addo Elephant National Park, though the kennel area hasn’t been strong enough to incorporate elephants, they usually been freed and stayed murdered simply by producers and through educates which will travelled down the close by collection. Within 1933 the particular boss with the park started to feast the particular elephants to try to contain these individuals.

Inside 1954 the elephant substantiation wall was created by simply Graham Armstrong, tram track along with lift up cable have been with an area of 2270 hectares seemed to be fenced in out of. The fence turned out to be successful and can certainly be found in the park nowadays. Deluge lumination had been erected round the feeding areas as well as site visitors stomach to determine a elephants, however nourishing prompted additional problems for the reason that elephants located be expecting the foodstuff along with would relax in a serving area. The plant lifestyle in your neighborhood has been messed up and also the elephants grew to become aggressive on the nourishing pickup and the other person, quite a few elephants were being hurt, which means this eating seemed to be discontinued within 1979.

A park was initially opened to help vacationers within 1981, when they inserted this park they can see the elephants simply as the numbers received cultivated substantially. Illness cost-free Cape Buffalos were being likewise safeguarded british telecom the particular Addo Elephant National Park since were the flightless Dung Beetle. Eland, zebras, warthogs, dark-colored rhino in addition to hippos were all introduced to your park this years.

Lions have been reintroduced on the spot around 2003 in addition to seen hyenas with 2003/2004. These are generally just one or two on the pets that is seen jackals, kudu, crimson hartebeest plus duikers will also be found in the Addo Elephant National Park .

The actual Addo Elephant National Park alone doesn’t have any all-natural waterholes; the stream comes from boreholes. These types of man made waterholes hold the benefits they are by the streets and may deliver a number of outstanding photography options, for lots of wildlife exploring waterholes on anyone time.

Your Spekboom waterhole and conceal is great for photography lovers. Hapoor waterhole known as right after a half truths elephant that was the actual prominent fluff on the Addo pack for many Per day several years, immediately after being ousted by their herd simply by Lanky – a forthcoming fluff – Hapoor steered clear of with the containment system produced by Graham Armstrong, he / she appeared to be really the only elephant actually for this. He / she was found grazing by way of Coerney Sta along to be photo as he was a hostile pet – your toss with this massive elephants head are visible center within the main relax camping throughout Addo Elephant Park .

The principle camp gives high-quality accommodation by chalets to be able to camping areas, there are chrome camp tents which in turn look instantly across the park and it’s also commonplace to get an elephant or a herd regarding buffalo grass going too quickly! Riding safaris are offered, these excursions check out online game spot and can be pretty lack of feeling bringing, a little bit of practical experience is required.

Morning, sundown as well as nighttime pushes may also be supplied with the most important camp and therefore are value for money for money in addition to extremely helpful. Before reserving is essential, specifically while in the holidays. A park is fairly smaller than average is often driven about comfortably daily.

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November 19, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Jerry and Anne's travels: Addo Elephant National Park

We are a retired couple, enjoying life and traveling! Article source: http://jerryandannestravels.blogspot.com/2013/11/addo-elephant-national-park.html

We are a retired couple, enjoying life and traveling!

Article source: http://jerryandannestravels.blogspot.com/2013/11/addo-elephant-national-park.html

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 18, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Jerry and Anne's travels: Addo Elephant National Park

We are a retired couple, enjoying life and traveling!

We are a retired couple, enjoying life and traveling!

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 16, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Move it – Addo Elephant Park

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November 15, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant National Park | 133 Days Around The World

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November 15, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant National Park Hotels Accommodation

Addo Elephant National Park Hotels Accommodation. Find and book affordable accommodation in Addo Elephant National Park including hotels, resorts, BBs, game lodges and guest houses for less, whether for hotels, resorts, game lodges, guest houses, holiday homes, self-catering, bed breakfast, suites family cottages, spas, golf lodging, hostels, apartments, inns or backpackers online now and save …

Addo Elephant National Park Hotels Accommodation. Find and book affordable accommodation in Addo Elephant National Park including hotels, resorts, BBs, game lodges and guest houses for less, whether for hotels, resorts, game lodges, guest houses, holiday homes, self-catering, bed breakfast, suites family cottages, spas, golf lodging, hostels, apartments, inns or backpackers online now and save up to 70% on a wide choice of accommodation. No booking fees. We offer free cheap accommodation booking services for students, individuals, couples, small and large groups featuring hotels, resorts, guest houses, hostels, luxury villas and apartments, holiday homes, inns, bed breakfasts, spas, golf lodging, self catering accommodation, game lodges, suites family cottages, camping, tents and all of your accommodation needs. Choose from budget choices to 5 star Hotels, we have the hotel accommodation for you.

We offer budget hotels, cheap rooms and luxury boutique hotels at discounted prices including guest houses, bed and breakfasts, luxury villas, holiday homes, cottages, apartments, tents, self-catering, backpackers, chalets, golf lodging, health resorts, spas, safari lodges, honeymoon retreats for single and group travellers. Find best honeymoon retreats now. We are devoted in offering hotels and health resorts accommodation in Addo Elephant National Park and providing all-inclusive information and booking for individuals, couples, students and groups at a discounted rates.

We are dedicated in finding the cheapest room rates for budget and luxury accommodation such as hotels, guest houses, bed breakfast, self-catering, holiday apartments suites holiday cottages chalets, bush camps, tents, holiday homes, hostels, backpackers, honeymoon stay and villas, and making it easy for you to compare prices and to check the availability for the dates of your holiday for free.

We provide flexibility for you to make your own super cheap family holiday, discount students and group booking at a price that meet your budget and requirements for affordable, exclusive and luxury 3, 4 and 5 star overnight holiday destinations, best boutique hotels, chalets, holiday resorts spas, safari lodges, game lodges, bush camps, bed breakfast, guest houses, villas, suites holiday cottages, hostels, backpackers, apartments and self-catering and students accommodation. We offer free reservations for resorts and hotels from 3, 4 or 5 star luxury to boutique hotels and smaller, less expensive stay to suit your budget and meet your every need. Enjoy hassle-free online booking with us for your next business or leisure trip. We are dedicated in providing accommodation for every budget and category to students, individuals or single and group travellers. Choose your hotel accommodation according to your taste and budget and enjoy special discount offers on your hotel reservation.

With special discounts up to 70% and special bargain deals, we can offer you a range of boutique hotels which will suit your budget for your business or leisure trip. All of our partner Addo Elephant National Park hotels, from luxury 5 star, 4 star or budget 2 or 3 star hotels are personally inspected by our team and present outstanding quality, comfort and value for money. We bring you the latest wide variety of 2 star, 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotel deals, catering for every budget. Whether it is a budget break or a 5 star treat, we have a deal to suit you.

Whether you like contemporary or traditional, large or small, boutique or chain we have accommodation for you. Explore the available wide range of hotels and apartments from luxurious 5 star or 4 star hotels to budget 2 and 3 star hotels. If you are looking for a last minute deals or you are planning a special break and want to book a luxury hotel, we are here to be of assistance to you and meet your every need. Whatever your requirements, whether for business or leisure, we are here to save you time and money. Once you have found the best cheap hotel deal for you, you can safely and securely book direct with the accommodation booking agent. You will have no trouble in finding a Addo Elephant National Park hotel accommodation to suit you and your travel needs.

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November 14, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant Park | kenmyhre

Nov 3, 4 Addo Elephant Park We stopped on the way out of JeffreyBay for some birding and then meandered slowly north and east, by-passing Port Elizabeth.  Addo was not far and so we could take it easy and still get into the park by noon.  Addo was set up about 60 years ago to …

Nov 3, 4 Addo Elephant Park

We stopped on the way out of JeffreyBay for some birding and then meandered slowly north and east, by-passing Port Elizabeth.  Addo was not far and so we could take it easy and still get into the park by noon.  Addo was set up about 60 years ago to protect a handful of elephants that still roamed wild in the south part  of SA.  Now there are about 450 and they are trying to expand to handle the growth.  It is about 100 km long and maybe 40 wide.

Right in the car park I saw two new birds and countless old friends.  Our reservation gave us two nights camping and three days entry permit.  The full sized camp spots are booked months in advance, but there are ten tent sights, still with electricity.  Most were taken, but we found a good one right beside a cook shelter, that had electric stoves, a freezer and boiling water on demand.

We had lunch in the restaurant and hung around, until about 3:30 looking at birds in the camp vicinity and then went for the first of four game drives, each about 2-3 hours.  Zebra, Kudo, Red Hartebeest, Ostrich, Warthogs, were everywhere.  But the main attraction is the Elephants which we saw in large numbers each time we went out.  And of course birds were everywhere.  We got a number of new ones, and I got some of  my best photos.  We had a cursory lion siting.

Perhaps my best birding experience here was on the first morning.  I was up early, in part to answer natures call and in part because of the raucous bird calls.  I pressed coffee with the always ready boiling water and then sat watching and listening to the birds.  Probably a dozen varieties came in waves.  It had been raining for a few days before we came, and there was a cold night followed by a bright still morning.  Possibly this was what was so special this day.  It was no where near as good the second morning.

We had saw at least three kinds of raptors, various little black and white birds that we mostly sorted out, but that will be hard to remember, and we talked with more knowledgeable SA birders.

Nov 5,  Chintsa 

We left our campsite at about 7:30 and drove about 50 km south through a part of Addo that we had not seen before.  This was very quiet compared to the traffic around main camp.  We saw a few more elephant a and other animals, but importantly we had a distant view of a hillside full of eland, the largest of the African ungulates.  We had not seen them before on this trip.

Once out of the park we were back on the N2, the main highway that goes along the coast, although not very close to it.  For the past week and some we have been taking side roads but now, to gain some distance, we stuck to it for a bit over 300 km, past East London before heading off down to the sea,  at Chintsa to The Buccaneers backpacker used by surfers, where we will relax overnight before heading off on out last week of the trip.  We ate the communal meal, Indian with about 30 other residents, walked the beach a bit and wondered at the complexity of the backpacker world here.

Nov 6 Warren Beach

This is primarily a driving day, as we finish driving through the Eastern Cape and into KwaZulu/Natal Province.  We were on N2 all day, but it was pretty slow with construction tie ups off and on, something like yesterday.  There were also a few bigger towns with markets overflowing onto the road.  We saw a lot of township type living and many people waiting or walking on the road.  This is a SA that we don’t experience very much.  The people we deal with in the service stations, game reserves and back packers are all very outgoing and friendly.  Not to say those in the communities we see along the road are not friendly.  We just don’t have the opportunity to interact in any way.  To us SA is like any other European or North American place.  It is possibly a little cheaper in some ways, but we never have any communication problems and everything is available.  Our whole trip has been a trip for us.  We have both, particularly Rich, have experienced a very different Africa;  where getting things and dealing with people can very confusing.  In all three countries here there have never been any of the issues that we would sometimes refer to under the explanation…”Well it is Africa”.  We have been driving on good roads for the last days, and there is significant road work underway that will turn good roads into excellent roads.  There is obviously money and infrastructure here to get this done.

We stopped today at Warren Beach, 30 km short of Durban, at a backpackers called the Blue Sky Mining Backpackers and Lodge.  This is another eclectic place with great people.  We took advantage of their Indian night, wandered in the gardens and looked out over the Indian Ocean.  Incredible these backpackers; so much value for the cost.  We are paying about $25-40 for a twin room with bath for the two of us.

Tomorrow we head into the mountains for some exercise.

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November 13, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant Park | kenmyhre

Nov 3, 4 Addo Elephant Park We stopped on the way out of JeffreyBay for some birding and then meandered slowly north and east, by-passing Port Elizabeth.  Addo was not far and so we could take it easy and still get into the park by noon.  Addo was set up about 60 years ago to …

Nov 3, 4 Addo Elephant Park

We stopped on the way out of JeffreyBay for some birding and then meandered slowly north and east, by-passing Port Elizabeth.  Addo was not far and so we could take it easy and still get into the park by noon.  Addo was set up about 60 years ago to protect a handful of elephants that still roamed wild in the south part  of SA.  Now there are about 450 and they are trying to expand to handle the growth.  It is about 100 km long and maybe 40 wide.

Right in the car park I saw two new birds and countless old friends.  Our reservation gave us two nights camping and three days entry permit.  The full sized camp spots are booked months in advance, but there are ten tent sights, still with electricity.  Most were taken, but we found a good one right beside a cook shelter, that had electric stoves, a freezer and boiling water on demand.

We had lunch in the restaurant and hung around, until about 3:30 looking at birds in the camp vicinity and then went for the first of four game drives, each about 2-3 hours.  Zebra, Kudo, Red Hartebeest, Ostrich, Warthogs, were everywhere.  But the main attraction is the Elephants which we saw in large numbers each time we went out.  And of course birds were everywhere.  We got a number of new ones, and I got some of  my best photos.  We had a cursory lion siting.

Perhaps my best birding experience here was on the first morning.  I was up early, in part to answer natures call and in part because of the raucous bird calls.  I pressed coffee with the always ready boiling water and then sat watching and listening to the birds.  Probably a dozen varieties came in waves.  It had been raining for a few days before we came, and there was a cold night followed by a bright still morning.  Possibly this was what was so special this day.  It was no where near as good the second morning.

We had saw at least three kinds of raptors, various little black and white birds that we mostly sorted out, but that will be hard to remember, and we talked with more knowledgeable SA birders.

Nov 5,  Chintsa 

We left our campsite at about 7:30 and drove about 50 km south through a part of Addo that we had not seen before.  This was very quiet compared to the traffic around main camp.  We saw a few more elephant a and other animals, but importantly we had a distant view of a hillside full of eland, the largest of the African ungulates.  We had not seen them before on this trip.

Once out of the park we were back on the N2, the main highway that goes along the coast, although not very close to it.  For the past week and some we have been taking side roads but now, to gain some distance, we stuck to it for a bit over 300 km, past East London before heading off down to the sea,  at Chintsa to The Buccaneers backpacker used by surfers, where we will relax overnight before heading off on out last week of the trip.  We ate the communal meal, Indian with about 30 other residents, walked the beach a bit and wondered at the complexity of the backpacker world here.

Nov 6 Warren Beach

This is primarily a driving day, as we finish driving through the Eastern Cape and into KwaZulu/Natal Province.  We were on N2 all day, but it was pretty slow with construction tie ups off and on, something like yesterday.  There were also a few bigger towns with markets overflowing onto the road.  We saw a lot of township type living and many people waiting or walking on the road.  This is a SA that we don’t experience very much.  The people we deal with in the service stations, game reserves and back packers are all very outgoing and friendly.  Not to say those in the communities we see along the road are not friendly.  We just don’t have the opportunity to interact in any way.  To us SA is like any other European or North American place.  It is possibly a little cheaper in some ways, but we never have any communication problems and everything is available.  Our whole trip has been a trip for us.  We have both, particularly Rich, have experienced a very different Africa;  where getting things and dealing with people can very confusing.  In all three countries here there have never been any of the issues that we would sometimes refer to under the explanation…”Well it is Africa”.  We have been driving on good roads for the last days, and there is significant road work underway that will turn good roads into excellent roads.  There is obviously money and infrastructure here to get this done.

We stopped today at Warren Beach, 30 km short of Durban, at a backpackers called the Blue Sky Mining Backpackers and Lodge.  This is another eclectic place with great people.  We took advantage of their Indian night, wandered in the gardens and looked out over the Indian Ocean.  Incredible these backpackers; so much value for the cost.  We are paying about $25-40 for a twin room with bath for the two of us.

Tomorrow we head into the mountains for some exercise.

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November 12, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Wild Coast, Addo & Garden Route to Cape Town Tour …

Summary of this Budget Safari An action-packed budget lodge safari along the scenic coast of South Africa, starting in Durban on the east coast and ending in Cape Town in the Western Cape. First we explore the remote Wild Coast area with its unspoiled sandy beaches, visiting the rustic seaside town of Coffee Bay and …

Summary of this Budget Safari

An action-packed budget lodge safari along the scenic coast of South Africa, starting in Durban on the east coast and ending in Cape Town in the Western Cape.

First we explore the remote Wild Coast area with its unspoiled sandy beaches, visiting the rustic seaside town of Coffee Bay and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the rugged Eastern Cape Province. After relaxing and participating in some optional activities, such as surfing and horse-riding, we leave the Wild Coast and head for Addo Elephant Park, where we embark an exciting game drive in search of the abundant elephants and other wildlife found in the park.

Next stop is the Tsitsikamma National Park where there is the option of taking a walk in the indigenous forest along the dramatic coastline, before making our way to the popular town of Knysna. Continuing along the Garden Route we travel to Hermanus, famous for its seasonal whale watching. Lastly it’s to the Cape Wine Route for some wine tasting and on to our final stop, the beautiful city of Cape Town.

An amazing 8 day long trip through some of South Africa’s most picturesque landscapes from the rugged East coast to the austere West coast!

Itinerary for this Tour

Tour Highlights:

  • Remote Wild Coast Beaches, Coffee Bay Hole in The Wall
  • Nelson Mandela Museum  Wild Coast Village Walk
  • See herds of elephants and other wildlife in Addo Elephant Park
  • Tsitsikamma National Park forest Knysna on the Garden Route
  • Oudtshoorn, ostrich farm Cango Caves in the Klein Karoo
  • Cape Agulhas, Hermanus, Cape Wine Tour  Cape Town

DAY 1: Durban to Coffee Bay Hole in The Wall (Breakfast Dinner)

Leaving Durban early in the morning we travel into the remote Wild Coast area, a sparsely populated region of wild and rugged beauty.

We spend most of the day on the scenic road to Coffee Bay, driving over the incredibly stunning mountain passes of the Drakensberg foothills as we meander to the rugged east coast of South Africa.

Formerly called the Transkei, the Wild Coast area is home mainly to Xhosa people, one of the major ethnic groups of South Africa. Many of the Xhosa we encounter here, still practise tribal traditions and remain deeply rooted in old Xhosa customs and beliefs, making for an interesting cultural experience. Along the way we pass farms and a scattering of rural villages, as well as Mthatha (formerly Umtata) where Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela was born.

We reach Coffee Bay in the early afternoon and set off for the unspoilt beach on foot. We walk to the well-known rock formation called Hole in the Wall, located just off the shore near Coffee Bay. This unusual geographical feature is a large rock stack with a hole eroded through it, the tale of which has been woven into local Xhosa mythology.

Overnight: Holiday resort or similar – Twin share rooms with en-suite facilities

Day 2: Coffee Bay – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)

This morning we embark on a guided walk in one of the Xhosa villages of huts, dotting the hills around Coffee Bay. We meet the friendly local people and even a Sangoma (healer), learning a bit about their traditions and way of life.

The small seaside village of Coffee Bay offers an idyllic slice of rustic living in rural Africa, with its vibrant, yet laid-back and peaceful vibe. One of the most picturesque spots on the Wild Coast, this is a fantastic place to enjoy uncrowded beaches and walks in the hills and coastal forests. The name Coffee Bay originates from coffee trees that were said to grow here after a shipwrecked Cargo vessel spilled its beans here.

Then the day is yours to do as you please, with plenty of activities to choose from. Relax on one of the stunning sandy beaches and take a swim in the ocean, or go walking on one of the lovely trails through nature. Other optional activities include surfing, horseback riding on the beach, fishing, mountain biking and canoeing on the river. 

Overnight: Holiday resort or similar – Twin share rooms with en-suite facilities

DAY 3: Addo Elephant Park – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)

Start your day in a lush valley on this remote coastline, enjoying a light breakfast in the tranquil environment. Then we hit the road for our next game viewing destination, visiting the Nelson Mandela Museum en route. At the museum we gain insight into the life of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. The museum lies in a rural Eastern Cape town called Mthatha, near the small village where this Nobel Prize winner was born and raised.

We also drive through the historic university town of Grahamstown, where the National Arts Festival is held each year. 

Our overnight lodge is located just outside of Addo Elephant National Park, home to some 500 elephants. Having expanded considerably over recent years, Addo Park is also sanctuary to around 280 Cape Buffalo, lion, leopard, black rhino, zebra, hyena and a variety of antelope species. The unique flightless dung beetle is found almost exclusively in the Addo region, which covers five of the major vegetation biomes found in South Africa. Tomorrow we embark on a game drive in Addo, where wildlife sightings are generally very good, due to well-located waterholes and the flat landscape.

This evening we put our feet up at the scenic lodge and enjoy some sundowners beside the quiet river.

Overnight: River cabins or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities

DAY 4: Tsitsikamma National Park Knysna – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)

Wake up to the sound of birdsong in the lovely natural setting of Sundays River Valley, before venturing into Addo Elephant Park on an exciting game drive. Leaving Addo we continue into the well-loved coastal region of the Garden Route to explore the Tsitsikamma Park section of the larger Garden Route National Park.

In the Tsitsikamma Forest indigenous hardwood trees stretch from the mountains to the dramatic cliffs of the wild coastline. Tsitsikamma is a top hiking destination with scenic mountain and coastal walking trails, as well as offering excellent bird watching and many exhilarating adventure activities.

Go hiking in the lush forests, looking out for small animals and exotic-looking birds or walk along the dramatic rocky coast where you may spot dolphins and otters among others. Walk in the Fynbos covered hills, snorkel over the unspoilt reefs, take a boat trip or canoe on the Storms River. 

In the late afternoon we depart from the rich and diverse Tsitsikamma National Park making our way further along the Garden Route to the picturesque town of Knysna. We travel via the Bloukrans Bridge, renowned as the site of the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Take the 216 metre plunge into the gorge for a real adrenalin rush, if you dare.

Then we arrive in the attractive seaside town of Knysna, famous for its annual Oyster Festival. This popular holiday destination is located beside a large estuary, nestled between the south coast and the lofty Outeniqua mountains. We spend the next two nights in Knysna, allowing enough time to appreciate this special place and its stunning surroundings. 

Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities

Day 5: Knysna – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)

Day five starts with breakfast at the lodge before going to the famous landmark of Knysna Heads. Stand on one of these rocky cliffs and marvel at the spectacular views out over the Knysna lagoon, town and open ocean.

The remainder of today is unstructured, leaving you time to stroll around the leafy town of Knysna, visiting lively cafes and browsing its delightful little boutiques and craft shops. Knysna is far from short on things to do, with a wide array of activities for you to choose from, including hiking, fishing, mountain biking, boat cruises, canoeing and ferry rides on the lagoon, or visiting the Knysna Elephant Park and catching a tan on the beach. This stretch of the scenic Garden Route is a real highlight, not only for its natural beauty but for its abundance of fun activities.

We have an early dinner together and then you’re free to head out into the characterful town and enjoy the nightlife or amble around the bustling waterfront.

Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities

Day 6: Knysna to Oudtshoorn – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)

From the charming coastal town of Knysna we drive inland towards the arid Klein Karoo region, passing over breathtaking mountain passes en route.

Our next stop is the historic Little Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, set between the majestic Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges. Oudtshoorn lies in a unique ecological hotspot zone, where three types of vegetation meet, namely the fynbos, cape thicket and succuent Karoo. 

Oudtshoorn claims to be the ostrich capital of the world, which seems likely considering the abundance of these big flightless birds here. Ostriches have been bred in the area since the 1860’s and a huge industry now exists around these birds, selling their eggs, feathers, meat and leather. We head to an ostrich farm to get a closer look and even take a ride on an ostrich!

Then we explore the Cango Caves, a massive network of underground tunnels and large chambers with impressive limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites. 

After our unusual day spent with long-legged ostriches and in underground caverns we overnight in quaint Oudtshoorn, known for its warm hospitality.

Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities

Day 7: Oudtshoorn to Hermanus – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)

Returning to the coast today we travel through some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa, crossing verdant mountains and flowing streams. Our journey takes us via the southernmost tip of Africa, where the cool Atlantic and warm Indian Oceans meet. The rugged Cape Agulhas point is called the ‘Cape of Storms’, notorious for the shipwrecks scattered along this stretch of coast. It is said that waves reach up to 30 metres along this Cape during the savage winter storms. At Cape Agulhas we pause for lunch in the towering lighthouse with its little museum.

The seaside town of Hermanus is our final destination for today. Hermanus is world-famous for its exceptional whale watching and dolphin spotting record. Our afternoon is free for you to walk around the laid-back town or participate in some outdoor activities. Outdoor activities include canoeing trips, diving, surfing, sailing on a yacht and whale watching boat trips (in season).

This evening you can hit the town for some fun in the local hang-outs or sit back and let the ocean breeze blow through your hair.

Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities

Day 8: Hermanus to Cape Town – South Africa (Breakfast)

Our final morning is set aside for you to explore seaside Hermanus on foot, browsing its charming shops and cafes. You can take a walk on the boardwalk along the ocean looking out for whales or stop in at the outdoor Old Harbour Museum, a Western Cape heritage site tracing the history of this famous fishing village. Hermanus is famous for its exceptional whale sightings (in season) and is considered one of the best places for land-based whale watching in the world. Choose from whale watching tours by boat or from the shores, a not-to-be-missed activity in Hermanus.

Departing before lunchtime we travel via rugged fishing villages set along the spectacular Atlantic coastline towards Cape Town. As we near our final destination we stop to visit a wine farm in this famous wine growing region. Taste some of the fine local wines and tour the winery before we continue to one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Cape Town.

Arriving in Cape Town late afternoon, our Durban to Cape Town Lodge Safari comes to an end at the foot of world-famous Table Mountain.

Tour Accommodation:

On this small group tour accommodation is mostly in shared rooms with twin beds in chalets, bungalows or cabins with shared facilities. Some nights are spent in twin rooms with en suite bathrooms. Many of the places that we stay at are located in picturesque settings with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. Some of the accommodation is a little more basic but still comfortable, clean and secure.

Tour Transport:

Transport on this tour will be in a comfortable mini-bus or microbus. Maximum group size: 12 passengers.

Participation on this Tour:

This is an active participation tour; which means everybody helps out with the daily chores. The chores are usually shared on a roster basis and include tasks like shopping and cooking. 

The active participation on this tour provides good opportunities to meet local people and get to know your fellow travellers. Your contribution helps to make sure that your trip is successful and enjoyable for everyone. Sharing the responsibilities means that nobody has to work too hard! On past tours most people have found that the more they get involved, the more they enjoy themselves. With a sense of adventure and a flexible attitude you will be sure to have a wonderful trip.

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Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 9, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant National Park – well worth the drive | The Sunbird …

00 <!– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092”; google_ad_slot = “2158176860”; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //–> Getting to Addo Elephant National Park from Sunbird Hideaway isn’t that easy. We know, because we have been there this year – twice! But in our books, it is well worth the drive and that is why we went there …

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Getting to Addo Elephant National Park from Sunbird Hideaway isn’t that easy. We know, because we have been there this year – twice! But in our books, it is well worth the drive and that is why we went there twice this year. Allow about 10 hours to cover the 800 odd kilometres (500 miles) […]

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Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
November 6, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Addo Elephant National Park – well worth the drive | The Sunbird …

Getting to Addo Elephant National Park from Sunbird Hideaway isn’t that easy. We know, because we have been there this year – twice! But in our books, it is well worth the drive and that is why we went there twice this year. Allow about 10 hours to cover the 800 odd kilometres (500 miles) …

Getting to Addo Elephant National Park from Sunbird Hideaway isn’t that easy. We know, because we have been there this year – twice! But in our books, it is well worth the drive and that is why we went there twice this year. Allow about 10 hours to cover the 800 odd kilometres (500 miles) to get there.

An Addo Elephant eating. They seem to eat all day!

An Addo Elephant eating. They seem to eat all day!

The biggest attraction by far and in more ways than one, is of course African Elephant.

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Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
October 31, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Cath and Fles from Birmingham stay cool as things heat up at Addo …

Posted on October 20, 2013, in Peter’s Journal. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a Comment.

Posted on October 20, 2013, in Peter’s Journal. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a Comment.

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
October 25, 2013 by Addo and Kirkwood Blogger

Sally and Sam: Elephant family reunion

A potpourri of urls and tunes.

A potpourri of urls and tunes.

Category: NewsTag: addo, blog, blogger, kirkwood, news
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WE LOVE ELEPHANTS.

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