Whistle-Stop Tour

South Africa in 12 days - that encompassed the tour I've just returned from, guiding a fantastic group of 14 German tourists & "first-time" visitors to our country, which must be said, presented itself "gloriously" (weather-, people- & sight-wise!).

Wherever we went the weather "played along" - even God's Window on the PANORAMA ROUTE had no curtain drawn close (= covered in clouds/mist = as is often the case). Also: everywhere we went, various aloes "added colour" to an otherwise 'drab' winter-environment.



Aloes in bloom = sunbirds in "attendance" - as this Double-Collared Sunbird signifies.






As is to be expected when entering the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, the first animals we encountered were impalas.





But we also were privileged to see 4 of the BIG 5 - of which this elephant cow & cute youngster are an example.






And when we stopped for breakfast at the Skukuza Camp, there was even a "customised" waiter 'on hand' (= Vervet monkey).


Carrying on in our open safari vehicles, we encountered a troop of Chacma baboons. On closer inspection, a newborn baboon 'appeared', highly interested in what was going on (& becoming a much photographed "paparazzi object").



As those who've come to know me (personally or through this blog) are aware, I tend to "target" birds - of which this Brown Snake Eagle is a 'fine' example.










As impalas are 'synonymous' with the Kruger National Park, so are rhinos "on display" in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve (in KwaZulu-Natal). On top of that we had the luck to 'find' a White rhino crossing the road ahead of us.

Although it was somewhat cloudy & a strong wind was blowing when we visited the Tsitsikamma National Park at the Storms River mouth (in the Eastern Cape Province), we had no rain & an excellent opportunity to enjoy this 'jewel' of nature!