17 December 2020
As the sun rise over the Great Karoo on the 17th of December we’re joined at the breakfast table by a very tame Cape Bunting hoping for a few crumbs.
Now that we are all wide awake and with full tummies thanks to our coffee and rusks, we set off on our morning drive, again taking the Klipspringer Pass and Potlekketjie Loop, but this time the other way around.
By the time we reach the Doornhoek Picnic Site all three of us are in need of a leg stretch.
The second leg of our morning drive delivers even more encounters with the wild inhabitants of the Karoo.
Back in camp by midday we explore as much of it as we can – from the interpretive centre and camping site at the one end to the swimming pool and bird hide at the other.
For our final afternoon drive of this visit to the Karoo National Park we opt for a leisurely amble through the Lammertjiesleegte; the open plains between the rest camp and the park’s eastern border which, despite its foreboding name (translated directly from Afrikaans it means “empty place of the lambs”, which sounds like a sequel to a horror movie), is actually a section of the park very rich in wildlife.
If you’d like to learn more about the Karoo National Park, have a read through this earlier post of ours detailing the natural and man-made features of the Park.
Map of the Karoo National Park showing Potlekkertjie Loop, Klipspringer Pass and Lammertjiesleegte, from the official guide book published by SANParks
de Wets Wild 
So ‘n ongelooflike verskeidenheid van diere en voels!
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Ek belowe jou dis maar nog net die begin, Aletta!
Daar’s nie nog n land soos hierdie nie.
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Wow, dis ongelooflik! Sien daarna uit!
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I do always enjoy looking through your galleries.
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Thanks very much, PJB. I bet it makes you miss Africa just a little bit?
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Yes, it does.
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Wow, what an amazing assortment of animals in one fell swoop! And as someone else noted, the signs are great, too. Gives one context. 😉
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Thanks, Lori. Despite being one of the most arid parts of our country the Karoo has so much life and beauty! And do I even need to mention clean air!?
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If it is to reveal its treasures to one, the Karoo requires patience and sharp observation skills. Between the three of you there is obviously a lot of both – and we can enjoy the results.
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Agreed, Anne – I think most people’s wrong impression of the Karoo as being a desolate, empty place is down to them rushing through there to get to the coast and not allowing it to slowly percolate under their skin and into their souls…
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I love that apt description of percolating under one’s skin!
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I forgot to mention that those signs are great. True, I know, but still great. 🙂
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The one indicating that lions and rhinos are potentially dangerous had me chuckling!
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The bok are all so gorgeous. Mr. Ostrich certainly looks very pleased with his conquest. Thanks for sharing all your photos, Dries.
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That was one very satisfied ostrich! He must have been looking for a cigarette…
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🤣😂
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Wow, too much for one post! I’m overwhelmed with all the amazing sights. Can’t remember what to comment on because I’m on my iPad and can’t see the photos again while commenting. Loved them all.
janet
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Thanks very much, Janet. Isn’t it amazing that such a dry landscape has so much to offer in one day!?
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Wow! Your crew was busy with so many animals! It’s fantastic! ~ Jy het ‘n wonderlike dag gehad! ~ Tell me if this is correct. Dankie, D. 🙂
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Baie dankie, H.J! En jou Afrikaans is perfek!
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