March to Golden Gate

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The 21st of March is a public holiday in South Africa, and with it falling on a Friday this year made for a very welcome long weekend; just the excuse we needed to head for our beloved Golden Gate Highlands National Park again.

Into a copse of Ouhout Trees at the start of the trail

 

We stayed in a cottage at the little Glen Reenen Rest Camp, but the glorious weather and brilliant autumn colours ensured that we were outside for most of the short time  we had available in the Park.

 

Our regular readers will know this gem of a place quite well by now, seeing as we try to visit as often as possible and enjoy sharing our experiences there with everyone who cares to listen. For those new to de Wets Wild, or who would like to know more about the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, we think the special post we did in celebration of the Park’s 50th birthday would be an excellent introduction.

Monument

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The Centenary Centre, opened in 1995, commemorates a hundred years of conservation in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, and celebrates especially the inspiring success story of how the Natal Parks Board saved the southern white rhinoceros from the brink of extinction in the early twentieth century. Whenever we visit the Park, we’re sure to set aside an hour or two to appreciate the educational displays, have a snack from the little kiosk and stroll through the curio stalls where crafters from the surrounding community trade their arts.

Centenary Centre
Orphaned white rhino at the Centenary Centre game pens
Rhino skulls on display
Rhino skulls on display
Black rhino statue at Centenary Centre
Black rhino statue at Centenary Centre

“Monument” is the theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge

Threshold

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At the threshold into a prehistoric world; the entrance to the Sudwala Dinosaur Park which we visited in March 2013.

Threshold

“Threshold” is the theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge

Tembe’s Isilo is no more…

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From the Tembe Elephant Park comes the sad news of the death of Isilo, the magnificent and undeniable King of Tembe.

It is believed that the gentle giant succumbed to natural causes, a dignified end befitting his royal stature, in January 2014.

Isilo’s carcass was discovered about two weeks ago. Sadly it was also made known that his enormous tusks have been stolen, presumably by rhino poachers who happened upon the carcass, and investigations into the theft delayed the news being made public. As reported on Tembe’s facebook page, a R100,000 reward has been offered by the Tembe people, who have looked after Isilo and his realm, for the return of these invaluable pieces of ivory to them.

We were fortunate to spend some time in Isilo’s majestic presence during our visit to Tembe in May 2013. You’re welcome to have a look at our special blogpost recounting our audience with Isilo for some more photographs of the special animal.

Hamba kahle Isilo. Go well.

Isilo of Tembe, died in January 2014

 

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, February 2014

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The Blyde River Canyon in the Lowveld of South Africa s the world’s third biggest canyon, and one of our country’s most diverse and scenically spectacular conservation areas.

BlydeCanyon_Feb14 (24)

We had the pleasure of spending four nights at Forever’s Swadini Resort during our recent visit to this beautiful area. The resort has all the amenities you’d associate with a family destination of Swadini’s calibre, yet there’s no feeling of being removed from the natural splendour that completely surrounds it.

Swadini
Swadini Accommodation
Kudus roam freely through the resort
Swadini
Swadini
Swadini nightlife – Lunar Moth

Several easy-to-follow trails meander through the enchanting riverine forests around Swadini and it’s not difficult to forget all about time and the daily rat race while exploring these unique surroundings. Be sure to visit to the nearby Blyderivierspoort Dam, where you may join a cruise on the Dam’s deep waters and encounter hippos and crocodiles, or have a picnic at the viewpoint that overlooks the watery expanse.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Firefinch in Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Kudu in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Blyderivierspoort Dam
Blyderivierspoort Dam
Blyderivierspoort Dam
Blyderivierspoort Dam
Blyderivierspoort Dam
Blyderivierspoort Dam
Blyderivierspoort Dam
Blyderivierspoort Dam

We’ve dedicated several other posts to the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve – have a look here if you’d like to learn more about this fantastic destination. It’s one of our favourite South African wild places, and when you visit you’re sure to fall under its spell as well.

 

Street Life

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Not your everyday street life scene…

These photographs were taken near Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp, during our October 2012 visit to the Kruger National Park.

(You can click on the images for a bigger view)

Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park
Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park
Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park
Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park
Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park
Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park
Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park
Lion pride near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park

“Street Life” is the theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge

 

Golden Gate through the lens of a 4-year old

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We often show photographs like these of Joubert, taking photos of anything and everything we come across.

Joubert_GoldenGate_March2014 (1)

Our weekend in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park came to an end today and we thought we’d share a couple of our little boy’s photos from the trip 😉

View from Glen Reenen
Golden Gate scenery
Little Caledon River
View from Glen Reenen
Golden Gate scenery
Golden Gate scenery
Black wildebeest

World Water Day 2014

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The 22nd of March is World Water Day, and what better way to appreciate this precious resource than enjoying the crystal clear mountain streams right here in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park!

World Water Day 2014

Long Weekend at Golden Gate (21/03/2014)

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It’s a long weekend here in South Africa, and that’s just the excuse we need to spend a couple of days in beautiful Golden Gate Highlands National Park!

Golden Gate Long Weekend

 

Reflection

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During our latest visit to the Kruger National Park, we saw this crocodile lying in a pool near the Olifants Rest Camp, likely pondering just how and where its next meal would come from…

Reflection

“Reflections” is the theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge.