Last Treat of the Summer Holidays

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

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

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

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

Isn’t he the cutest!

Common Fiscal

Ant eating chat

Shan spotted a scrub hare in the distance

Amur Falcon

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

View from Zuurkop

White-throated canary

Female Kudu

Impressive antlers on these male kudu

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

Our Camp

Simon

The fire is on! Great shot- Shannon

Gran has the salad ready

Grandpa about to braai the meat

Sunset by Shannon

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

First sighting of the day – the cutest yellow mongoose

Common Buzzard catching the early morning rays

A lovely kudu sighting

Entwined antlers!

A great buffalo sighting

Lovely to see a red-necked spurfowl

There were plenty of hoopoes

Baby warthogs were amusing

Typical Warthog pose

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

We also enjoyed watching red hartebeest at a waterhole

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

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

A very close encounter

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

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

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

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

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

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

An affectionate warthog

Secretary BIrd

White Stork

Peek a boo

Education about the birds and the bees for our teens!

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

We also had an awesome time watching elephants at Haphoor Waterhole

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

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