Summertide Rambles 23 January 2021

With heavy hearts, after a week in absolute paradise, we had to come back home today. But iSimangaliso – “the place of miracles and wonders” – had one more treasure to share with us on the 30km drive between Cape Vidal and the gate – this beautiful black rhinoceros!

Soon we’ll start posting the recollections of our summertide rambles through the Karoo National Park, Bontebok National Park, Garden Route National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Mountain Zebra National Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. We hope you’ll join us for the daily series and won’t get bored too soon, as there’s lots to cover!

Summertide Rambles 22 January 2021

This was the view at sunrise this morning while we were driving on the Grassland Loop along Lake Bhangazi here in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Summertide Rambles 21 January 2021

This morning we spent a while taking in the most serene views from atop the Kwasheleni Tower here in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, from where you can see the Indian Ocean to the east, Lake Saint Lucia in the west, and the wild forests and grasslands teaming with wildlife in between.

Summertide Rambles 20 January 2021

The trail to the kuMfazana Hide here on the eastern shores of Lake St. Lucia, in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, passes through a stretch of swamp forest that is positively bursting with butterflies, like this Novice (Amauris ochlea).

 

Summertide Rambles 19 January 2021

Today we wanted to visit a few sights in the nearby town of St. Lucia. On the way we encountered this family of Crested Guineafowl. The photo of the youngster taking to the wing was taken by Joubert!

 

Summertide Rambles 18 January 2021

A beautiful day to spend on a deserted beach here at Cape Vidal!

And the post delayed by a day due to a tardy national electricity provider…

 

Summertide Rambles 17 January 2021

Today we had to play chicken with an old buffalo bull on our way to a view point here on the Eastern Shores of Lake Saint Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Don’t worry; he won the staring contest and we gave him all the time and space he needed…

Summertide Rambles, Act 2 – 16 January 2021

After 2 weeks hiatus in Pretoria we’re off on the next adventure of our Summertide Rambles. This is the beach at beautifully wild Cape Vidal, in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the north coast of Kwazulu-Natal Province. Not exactly swimming weather, but great to be able to have feet on the beach for a change and not only have to stare at it longingly from a distance…

Heavy skies above the beach at Cape Vidal

Summertide Rambles 3 January 2021

Sadly that horrible day arrived when we had to depart for home. Thankfully, as we were on our way to the Park’s gate this morning, Mountain Zebra National Park sent a delegation of buffalo to wish us well on our journey .

Summertide Rambles 2 January 2021

This morning we were treated to a very special audience with the King of the Mountain Zebra National Park at his residence on the Rooiplaat loop road.