Gecko Goes to Addo – Day 2

Friday 19 November 2021

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

These sweet yellow mongooses were catching the early morning rays

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

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

A Karoo Scrub-robin posed beautifully

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

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

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

Ellie feeding on the Spekboom

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

Cape Batis (Male)

Southern Boubou

Greater Double-collared Sunbird

A terapin at one of the waterholes

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

Our Campsite Number C25

Our Chef preparing breakfast

Lesser-striped Swallow

Blacksmith Lapwing on her nest

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

Fun in the water

Heading straight for the vehicles!

Uh oh – Right next to my window!

The cutest baby ever

Safe under Mommy’s tummy

Trunks in a twist

We had a chinwag through the window

Zebra affection

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

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

The men taking care of the braai

It was rather good!