Summertide Diary: Exploring iSimangaliso (part two)

29 Replies

18 January 2021

Our morning drive may just have been a relatively short circuit around the Grassland Loop, passing the shores of Lake Bhangazi, and then back to Cape Vidal, but we saw so much that it actually took quite a few hours to complete.

African Pygmy Kingfisher
Saddle-billed Stork
Spotted Hyena
Bushpig sounder
Red-breasted Swallow
Denham’s Bustard
Burchell’s Coucal
Secretarybird
Waterbuck
Plains Zebra
Red-backed Shrike
Crested Guineafowl
Vervet Monkey (sitting on a thorn, perhaps!?)
Baby Vervet Monkey

Cape Vidal really is the most wonderful combination of a beach holiday and a bush safari. I need to be honest here: I get bored on the beach reeeaaally quickly when it is high-tide. Therefore it is marvelous to be able to just walk over the first dune and start looking for forest birds and animals without having to distract Marilize and Joubert from whichever wet or sandy pursuit they’re enjoying at that point in time, and then quickly pop back over the dune every now-and-then to check that the sea hasn’t disappeared yet! 😀

The beach at Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal
Samango Monkey
Samango Monkey
Cape Vidal
Wild Plum
Bushbuck
Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal
Flower on the beach at Cape Vidal
Black-backed Puffback
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Livingstone’s Turaco
Bushbuck ram
Black-bellied Starling

Our very leisurely afternoon outing took us south to Catalina Bay and then slowly back to camp. A strong wind and ever darkening skies accompanied us all the way.

Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters
Woolly-necked Stork
White-eared Barbet
Hamerkop nest
African Pipit
Steppe Buzzard
Southern Reedbuck
Fish Eagle
Rays of sunshine through the clouds over Catalina Bay, Lake St. Lucia
Wild Date Palm blowing in the wind

 

Map of the eastern shores section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (from https://isimangaliso.com/)

 

29 thoughts on “Summertide Diary: Exploring iSimangaliso (part two)”

    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      I don’t think any South African reserve or national park could compete with iSimangaliso in terms of a diversity of systems and habitats, and that in a relatively small pocket of the country. Truly a place of “miracles and wonders”!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. naturebackin

        It is a fabulous place.
        Not sure whether to ask, but I know there have been problems with keeping the accommodation maintained at Cape Vidal, and am wondering how you found things during your stay?

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. de Wets Wild Post author

          It’s a question often posed to us, Carol, and I must say that either our standards are very low or we’ve been very lucky, but in all our visits to Cape Vidal, and there’s been more than a few, we’ve never been disappointed with our units. On this latest trip, again, everything was clean and in working order in our cottage, except for a dripping outside tap which we quickly turned into a waterhole using a pie dish. By the way, the campsite too looked really inviting!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓
          1. naturebackin

            I am very glad to hear that, thanks. We were last at Cape Vidal in Feb 2019 and we also found our chalet to be absolutely fine. The campsite at that time though was chockablock full, cheek-by-jowl. Times have changed!

            Liked by 1 person

  2. treesshrubs

    And now the birds and the beasts…im impressed looks like there might be some surf too. Really its not often i come across a place that has a good many bird species as here (south oz).i remember visiting Masai marain the mid 80’s andbeing entranced and delighted… may they continue to thrive despite humanity’s desire for progress…thankyou for sharing Trees

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      With 526 recorded species iSimangaliso is a bird-watcher’s dream, and that diversity is thanks to the richness of habitats that’s protected here. We certainly share your hope that places like iSimangaliso will continue to be protected against human greed.

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  3. photobyjohnbo

    I am impressed with your knowledge of bird species. Unless it’s a robin, my photos of birds are likely labeled “bird.”

    I don’t get to the beach often, so I can enjoy a visit, but I am not much for staying long. It’s fun to walk barefoot in the surf for a bit, but then I am ready to see what else is going on as well.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Anne

    After another eye operation yesterday, I cannot see well and will return to look at your photographs properly. Even my blurred vision shows this was a well worthwhile trip, which is great to share with the rest of us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      That’s how I do it, Montucky, and you should see the looks I get from some people when I’m walking around with two cameras and a pair of binoculars around my neck (especially on the beach where they’re baring all that flesh!) 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Thanks very much, Anne! That’s another thing about iSimangaliso – even in winter the weather is usually pleasantly warm and sunny; ideal for South Africans weary of the winter cold in other parts of the country.

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      Reply ↓
  9. sustainabilitea

    I really enjoyed the photos of the wide empty beach, but I agree that just that would get old quickly. How fortunate that you have such a variety so close at hand to make it the perfect combination for all of you. I love that vibrantly-colored kingfisher and of course the zebra. 🙂

    janet

    Liked by 1 person

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