Summary of last Tour

We didn't have internet connection over the weekend - what a calamity!! - but finally we are "connected" again, so I can post some photos today depicting an overview of the tour "covering" 4 southern African countries.

Our journey started on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. As you can see, the fall is rather "bare" of water at this time of the year (left) and the weather was - very hot!! (For a "better" view of what the Vic Falls can look like - during the rainy season - have a look at THE MIGHTY FALL, which I posted on 24 June).





This photo (right) depicts what the locals call Mosi oa Tunya: "the smoke that thunders" (the spray from the waterfall on the Zimbabwean side) - as seen from the garden at the Zambezi Sun and Royal Livingstone hotels.


Next on the itinerary was the Chobe National Park, Botswana - famous for its large herds of elephants. We weren't disappointed - elephants were our constant "companions" (left).


South Africa was the next destination. Although the weather (finally) cooled down whilst we travelled along the Panorama Route, we were able to view all the highlights: God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon with the Three Rondawels (above).


Along the Garden Route, we stopped at the viewpoint overlooking the handsome beach at Wilderness (left). We had great weather with constant sunshine - very different from the weather-pattern constantly "plaguing" this part of the country this year.

Even Cape Town "showed off" its best side - cloudless skies along the Cape Peninsula. The view (right) depicts Camps Bay and (part of) the 12 Apostles as background.



A view (left) over False Bay and Muizenberg as seen from the Silvermine viewpoint on Ou Kaapse Weg.






On to the 4th and last country on the tour itinerary - Namibia. Again, it was HOT (weather-wise AND high-light-wise). The photo (right) depicts the Namib Desert (after which this country was named) with the Brandberg in the background - made famous by the San painting of what is called the "White Lady" (which we now know depicts a man and not a female!!)

This photo (left) is an example of what I find so fascinating about Namibia (and also other southern African countries) - the scenery constantly changes! I took this photo near Twyfelfontein, which obtained UNESCO World Heritage status last year.

Last but not least (for today) - a scene from the Etosha National Park in the northern part of Namibia. Whilst springbok antelopes thirstily drink at one of many water-holes, the Etosha Pan "shimmers" white in the background.

Photos Galore

I'm back after a successful tour, which incorporated 4 southern African countries - Zambia, (Victoria Falls), Botswana (Chobe National Park), South Africa and the northern part of Namibia. As you've come to know me, my camera is always my "constant companion", so I've returned with an abundance of photos. During the following days/weeks, I'll post a collection of these photos - which I dedicate to the German guests, whom I accompanied as tourist guide during this trip.

For "starters", I "discovered" that already, Coca Cola is advertising our 2010 Soccer World Cup mascot - ZAKUMI - on its soft drinks tins.





Since we visited many game parks during this tour, I hoped for a reunion with "my" Impi the Impala (the main character of what I hope will be next published book - a "photo-story" (you can get a "taste" of this on my other blogspot: www.impi-impala.blogspot.com). Since I "created" Impi, he's grown from a newborn to a teenager, and I think this photo (left) is a good representation of what Impi looks like a year later.


At the end of my Impi-blogspot, I also mention my next project in a similar vein - Moni the Monkey. Since I discovered "my" little albino monkey during my last visit to the Victoria Falls (in March), I went looking for her during this trip, with the hope that still, Moni was around. I was busy photographing these 2 monkeys (above) during the early morning hours, when a movement nearby caught my attention.

I almost "jumped out of my skin" with excitement, because there she was, "my" unusual little monkey! Of course Moni has also grown up a bit since last I saw her, but there she was "in all her glory". Needless to say - I was "trigger-happy" and endlessly snapped another series of photos of Moni the Monkey (to feature in future photo-stories!!??).

Apart from a "large collection" of fauna (and a few flora) photos, we experienced some magnificent sunsets during this trip, which will be part of my next postings on this blog.

Warning Signs

Since I'm away on tour again from today until 7 Nov, I won't be "in contact" until then - BUT I should return with a great collection of photos, because this tour starts at the Victoria Falls (Zambian side), then 2 days in the Chobe National Park (Botswana), before we tour South Africa for 12 days and last but not least, 9 days in the northern part of Namibia. Although this tour is almost 4 weeks long, it is one of my favourite tours as tourist guide. I like to think of it as adventurous and hope the guests in my group will experience it in this spirit.

For today - some "warning" signs found across our country, some amusing and some to be taken "literally".

This one (left) is from the Addo National Park (Eastern Cape Province).


Another sign (right) from Addo, where the BIG 5 (see a previous posting on this) can be found - some guests will think twice before alighting at this spot from their cars or buses.



Everybody who has been to the Mpumalanga Province in our country, is aware of this sign (left) in the Hazyview area. Although the hippo isn't one of the BIG 5, it still is viewed as the most dangerous animal in the whole of Africa!!

Did you know that the hippo is responsible for more (human) deaths in Africa than the crocodile or any one of the BIG 5?

Another warning sign (right) found in the Augrabies Falls National Park (Northern Cape Province).







This one (left) can be found at Langebaan (Western Cape Province) !!??










I guess Dassies (Rock hyrax) can't read??!! Or it wouldn't have "parked" right here.

Large Water Birds

Although I've posted a similar photo of this Goliath Heron with its "catch" before, I believe its so special that I'm adding it again today. Larger than all the other herons (about 1.4m), it also tends to hunt in deeper waters than most of the other herons. The Goliath heron tends to stand motionless for long periods of time - waiting patiently for prey to appear - or otherwise is seen walking about slowly.

Even if the Blackheaded Heron isn't as large as the Goliath heron (just under 1m), I still think of it as an imposing water bird. It is known as a more commonly found resident than the Goliath heron, yet I've seen the former more often than the Blackheaded heron. The Blackheaded heron isn't only found near water, but also frequents grassland/pastures/farmlands.



The Grey Heron is similar to the Blackheaded heron (size-wise & profile), but differs in that it has a white (instead of black) crown and a yellowish bill. The Grey heron also tends to stand motionless for long periods or creeps stealthily forward in a crouched way whilst skimming the water for prey.



Another large water bird that tends to crouch stealthily whilst hunting, is the Great White Egret (similar in size to the above-mentioned herons), otherwise its also found standing motionless in shallow water. The Great White egret's habitat is rivers, dams, estuaries and flood-plains, and it's distinguished by its entirely black legs and feet. This egret's normally orange-yellow bill turns black during the breeding season.

Did you know that egrets are herons? The "secret" is in the colour - the white ones are know as egrets.

At approx. 64cm, the Little Egret is much smaller than the birds mentioned above. This egret is a slender and fairly common resident with a black bill and legs - but yellow feet. The Little egret is always found near water and is known as an "active" hunter - darting, twisting and turning to catch its prey. When food is aplenty, Little egrets sometimes gather in hundreds, although otherwise known as solitary feeders.

I tend to think of the most commonly found Cattle Egret as a "chameleon" heron/egret because of its variable form - it's "buffed" during the breeding season whilst more slim and appearing taller at other times. The iris is yellow (> red during breeding season) and the bill is yellow (> red-orange when breeding). Immature Cattle egrets can be similarly classified as "variable" in that they have black legs and feet - in contrast to the adults with yellow or coral-coloured legs. Although the Cattle egret tends to feed on insects disturbed by grazing animals, they are also often seen perched on the backs of large animals (mammals) - yet it's also a water bird and and sometimes fishes in shallow water. Large flocks of Cattle egrets are known to gather during evenings around dams and pans, where they drink before roosting.

Did you know that although the Cattle Egret is often thought of as a "tick-bird", ticks are seldom part of its diet? Instead the Cattle egret feeds mainly on other insects like grasshoppers, earthworms and caterpillars, other than spiders, scorpions, lizards, frogs and even nestling-birds.

Other, larger birds found near water include cormorants - known as mainly fish- and frog-eating waterbirds. The Cape Cormorant is an abundantly found resident along our coastal regions which, like all cormorants, habitually stands perched out of the water with its wings outspread to dry. Cape Cormorants habitually fly in long lines over the sea and tend to fish in flocks.

Did you know that cormorants hunt their prey under water and then surface to swallow it?

When seen from afar, I've often overheard people (to my silent amusement) identifying the Whitebreasted Cormorant as a penguin. This confusion doesn't occur though when this cormorant is standing perched statue-like, spreading its wings to dry (now don't confuse this cormorant - on the right - with an eagle = "Reichs-Adler" in German!! ha-ha). At approx. 90cm, the Whitebreasted cormorant is the largest of the southern African cormorants, frequenting coastal areas or large inland waters.

Last (but not least) today is one of my photos of a Darter, which can be distinguished from cormorants by its longer and thinner neck with its characteristic "kink". A Darter's bill is also straight (> hooked) and it has a more slender appearance than cormorants. Darters swim with only their heads and necks visible above water (> parts of their back) but like cormorants, also perch with outspread wings to dry after swimming.

A Gem in the Karoo

The picturesque town of Graaff-Reinet is often referred to as the "Gem of the Karoo" - and I certainly think this term is spot-on.

Graaff-Reinet is situated amongst the foothills of the Sneeuberg mountain range in the Eastern Cape Province and is "tucked" into a horse-shoe bend of the Sundays River. It is said that this town contains more proclaimed national monuments than any other town in South Africa. It was established in 1786 as the most important trading centre in an otherwise barren and by then, still untamed country. To this day, Graaff-Reinet has retained much of the character of a a typical, 19th century, rural town.

The imposing Dutch Reformed Church is situated at the centre of the old town and was built in 1886 along similar lines to the Salisbury Cathedral (UK). I think it is the most attractive church building in our country.

The cottages in Stretch's Court were once occupied by emancipated slaves (after 1834). Once renovated, they now form part of the Drostdy Hotel complex.




A true gem and interesting example of Cape-Dutch architecture is Urquhart House with its unusual gable. It now forms part of the Reinet House period-museum- complex. It houses a collection of Victorian furniture and the peach-pip floor in the kitchen is rather unusual.

This old and enormous grapevine in the garden of the Reinet House museum complex was apparently planted in 1870 - and is still growing!






Also in this garden is an old water-wheel/mill next to the wagon house, still in a working condition.




Standing sentinel over the charming town is Spandau Kop - part of the Karoo Nature Reserve, which surrounds Graaff-Reinet.





Also in the Karoo Nature Reserve is one of Nature's wonders - the unique Valley of Desolation. The precariously balanced columns of rocks/formations originated during geological events occurring many millions of years ago.

Did you know that Karoo means "land of thirst"?

Many visitors specifically come to The Valley of Desolation with the specific goal to experience what the region (the Karoo in general) is also famous for - its magnificent sunsets. This photo of such a sunset is definitely one of my most "prized" photos.

Flower Power

Usually, when I return from a tour, I tend to share photos I took of wild animals or birds along the way. Today I'm "diverting" in the sense that I'm publishing some photos of flowers.


Right now, coral trees all over our country are in bloom.









I've posted photos of our national flower, the King Protea, before but since it represents such an attractive "model", here's yet another one.





Clivia, illuminated by the afternoon sun.











I have no idea what these flowers are called, but I snapped them in the Drakensberg region of our country during a hike, with a local guide, to view some of the fascinating San paintings for which this region is famous (other than it's magnificent nature).



I believe that this flower belongs to the daisy family, and I was attracted by the delicately pink hue of this particular flower.










More daisies - this time from our garden at home.










Another flower from our garden, which again, I must confess, I haven't a clue what it's called.

In the Mood

I'll be "on the road again" with a group of German-speaking visitors until 27 September.

Will post more photos as soon as I return.


I'm in the mood today to share photos I "store" under the caption........ "mood" (surprise, surprise). The photo (left) was taken just after sunset across Table Bay (Cape Town).



I think that mist or clouds often add a mysterious kind of note to certain settings - as I believe is the case on the next photo, taken at the small fishing harbour of Houtbay (Cape Peninsula).


The same applies (left) - mist and clouds moving in from the Indian Ocean across "The Heads" at the Knysna lagoon (Western Cape).





Early morning mist (right) covering the valleys at Hluhluwe Game Reserve (KwaZulu-Natal).






Clouds adding a "special" mood (left) to this setting - taken in Swellendam (Western Cape).






The famous table-cloth (right) "spreading" over Table Mountain in Cape Town - as seen from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.



After the rain - a rainbow, which luckily for us at the time, heralded the end of rain so that we could enjoy the visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden (Cape Town).



Magnificent lightning - a common occurrence on the Highveld during summer, although not always as spectacular as my last 2 photos today represent (taken from our home here in Johannesburg).