Category Archives: Mountain Zebra National Park

Our 2021 In Pictures

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Take a look back with us at the wonderfully wild South African places we visited in 2021.

Chalet 20 at Mountain Zebra National Park
Wide open spaces at Mountain Zebra National Park
Log Cabin #1 at Cape Vidal
Cape Vidal
Cottage 27 at Glen Reenen in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, March 2021
View from our cottage at Glen Reenen in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, Easter 2021
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, Easter 2021
White rhino calf at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, April 2021
Lion at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, April 2021
Tent #10 (Loerie) at Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele National Park, June 2021
Tlopi Tented Camp, Marakele National Park, June 2021, seen from Mbidi Loop
Unit #3 in Skukuza’s Nwaswitshaka Research Camp
Our little A-frame hut in the Sweni Wilderness Trails Camp
Lioness charging
Doornkop Chalet #12, October 2021
Doornkop Chalet #12, October 2021
Duck’s Den #3 at Nylsvley Nature Reserve, October 2021
One of the hides at Vogelfontein in Nylsvley Nature Reserve, with waterbuck in the foreground
Camping at Satara, Kruger National Park, December 2021
Satara Bungalow B50, December 2021 – January 2022
Waterbuck in a lush central Kruger Park, December 2021

 

Summertide Diary: Departing Mountain Zebra

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3 January 2021

Today we had to leave Mountain Zebra National Park early, for we had a long way to get back home to Pretoria and had to beat the government-imposed curfew at that. It may have been only 12km from the camp to the gate, but still there was loads to see!

Yellow Mongoose
Buffalo bull
African buffalo

Very near the gate there’s a nice waterhole where even this early in the morning a procession of game was already congregating. The serenity of the scene was shattered when a mountain zebra love triangle got out of hand, but calm soon settled again.

Mountain Zebras congregating at a waterhole
Two Mountain Zebra stallions chasing a mare
Two Mountain Zebra stallions chasing a mare
The winner takes it all!
Cape Mountain Zebra and Eland congregating at a waterhole
Cape Mountain Zebra and Eland congregating at a waterhole

During our time in Mountain Zebra National Park we were very lucky to come across a Black Rhinoceros cow and calf. For their protection I won’t be able to share where or when it was that we saw them, but being able to see more of these magnificent creatures was a privilege we were very grateful for.

Black Rhinos at Mountain Zebra National Park
Black Rhinos at Mountain Zebra National Park

And with that our summertide ramble came to a halt, if temporarily, as I had important start-of-the-year work to attend to back in Pretoria. As it would be some weeks still before the schools were due to reopen we did have another reservation in the offing, but with South Africa in the midst of a serious second wave of COVID-19 infections we weren’t at all certain that we would be able to take it up…

We posted a special feature about Mountain Zebra National Park following a previous visit, if you’d like to learn more about this special destination.

Map of Mountain Zebra National Park from the SANParks website (https://www.sanparks.org/images/parks/mountain_zebra/mznp-map.jpg)

 

Summertide Diary: Exploring Mountain Zebra (part two)

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2 January 2021

When dawn found the Mountain Zebra National Park under heavy skies this morning we were already underway along the Kranskop Loop.

Black-backed Jackal
The view westwards from the western leg of the Kranskop Loop
Grey Rhebok
The view eastwards (towards the camp) from the western leg of the Kranskop Loop

When we arrived at the start of Rooiplaat Loop we found a male lion lying there, flat on its right-side. We sat there as the minutes passed, studying it through cameras and binoculars and finally coming to the sad conclusion that this lion was dead – there wasn’t even a twitch of an ear or any movement of its stomach to indicate a breath being taken. Disheartened, I started the car to drive off.

King Roy, fast asleep

The sound of the Duster’s engine had a miraculous effect. The lion lifted his head, sleepily. He rested his head on his paws for a while, then gave a mighty yawn before getting up, stretching his legs and then lying down again to look at us in irritation. He is magnificent, known as Roy, and despite his advanced age one of the ruling coalition of lion males here at Mountain Zebra National Park, along with Nomad whom we saw at a distance the day before .

King Roy, awoken
King Roy, in repose
King Roy, yawning
Male lion at Mountain Zebra National Park
King Roy, contemplative
Male lion at Mountain Zebra National Park

When the next vehicle arrived at the lion sighting we moved of so that those visitors too could have a private audience with The King. The skies have cleared and it’s turning into a glorious day. On our way back to camp we passed Roy again, and he was fast asleep again.

Springbok dot the Rooiplaat Plateau
Young Springbok
Black Harrier
Black-winged Kite
Mountain Wheatear
Red Hartebeest trio
Eland cow
Red-billed Quelea
Blue Cranes in flight
Meerkat
River crossing in Mountain Zebra National Park
South African Shelduck
Southern Rock Agama
Steppe Buzzard
King Roy, asleep again…

With it being our last afternoon at Mountain Zebra we opted to visit all our favourite spots along the Ubejane and Rooiplaat Loops and the Link road between them again. There’s just something so indescribably peaceful about driving around wild Africa as dusk approaches.

Young Springbok rams testing their strength (photo by Joubert)
Blue Crane
Cape Mountain Zebra
Thirsty Secretarybird
Mountain Zebras
Cape Longclaw
Kopieva
Springbok on the wide open plains of the Mountain Zebra National Park

We posted a special feature about Mountain Zebra National Park following a previous visit, if you’d like to learn more about this special destination.

Map of Mountain Zebra National Park from the SANParks website (https://www.sanparks.org/images/parks/mountain_zebra/mznp-map.jpg)

Summertide Diary: Bat-eared Fox puppies

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Our new year got off to a great start when we encountered this lovely family of Bat-eared Foxes along the Link Road in the Mountain Zebra National Park on the 1st of January. At the den there were three very lively puppies and four adults who did everything they could to get the pups to hide away from the enamoured humans, without much success!

Bat-eared Fox pups (photo by Joubert)
Bat-eared Fox family (photo by Joubert)
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups (photo by Joubert)
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox family (photo by Joubert)
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups (photo by Joubert)
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups (photo by Joubert)
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox family
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups
Bat-eared Fox pups

Summertide Diary: Exploring Mountain Zebra (part one)

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1 January 2021

As soon as the gates opened on New Year’s Day we headed for the Rooiplaat Loop, the sightings board at reception having indicated that Lions and Cheetahs were seen there the previous day. And we did not wait long – right where the road skirts the Park’s boundary fence we came across a big male lion, known as Nomad, patrolling his territory.

We supposed that it was the proximity of the big predator that made these Black Wildebeest so jittery!

Black Wildebeest (photo by Joubert)
Black Wildebeest
Black Wildebeest
Black Wildebeest (photo by Joubert)
Black Wildebeest
Black Wildebeest
Black Wildebeest (photo by Joubert)
Black Wildebeest (photo by Joubert)
Black Wildebeest (photo by Joubert)

It’s early morning in the Mountain Zebra National Park and there’s so much to be seen!

Kopieva bloom
Blesbok ewes and lambs
Blesbok lamb
Blesbok ewe and lamb
Grey-winged Francolin
Windpump along a stream in the Mountain Zebra National Park
Red-billed Teal
Wide open spaces in the Mountain Zebra National Park
Cape Sparrow (male)
Jackal Buzzard
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Scaly-feathered Finch
African Pipit

It was on the link road between Rooiplaat and Ubejane Loops that we happened upon these cute little Bat-eared Fox pups and their elders. More photos of them tomorrow!

Bat-eared Fox pups

Along the main road, between the two junctions with the Ubejane Loop, we saw this pair of unusually tolerant Secretarybirds – they’re normally quite nervous and move away from the road the moment a vehicle approaches, so this was a great opportunity to watch them in action.

Secretarybird (photo by Joubert)
Secretarybird
Secretarybird
Secretarybird
Wind-blown Secretarybird
Secretarybird
Secretarybirds

At the southern junction of Ubejane Loop with the main road there’s a small earth dam filled with rainwater. By the time we arrived there at mid-morning Cape Mountain Zebra families were arriving from all corners, along with some other wildlife, to slake their thirst and it was wonderful to watch their social interactions before heading back to camp.

Cape Mountain Zebras
Cape Mountain Zebra
Cape Mountain Zebras
Red Hartebeest
Cape Mountain Zebras
Cape Mountain Zebras
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Cape Mountain Zebras

Back at camp there was time to kill either side of lunchtime, and thankfully there’s very much of interest around the accommodation and camping area.

Vervet Monkey
Cross-berry
White-browed Sparrow Weaver
Red-eyed Bulbul
Four-striped Grass Mouse
Western Rock Skink
Cardinal Woodpecker
Laughing Dove
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Neddicky
Familiar Chat
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Red-headed Finches
Imposing Sweet Thorn thorns
Seeroogblom
Chestnut-vented Warbler
Black-throated Canary
Snake Aloe
Southern Rock Agama
Vygie
African Grass Blue butterfly
Gazania
Pied Starling
Bar-throated Apalis
Neddicky
Sweet Thorn tree
Southern Rock Agama
White-necked Ravens that caught a Red-winged Starling chick
White-necked Raven that caught a Red-winged Starling chick
Grey-headed Sparrow
Familiar Chat
Red-eyed Bulbul
Neddicky
Southern Masked Weaver
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Cape White-eye
Karoo Scrub Robin

Our route for the afternoon would first take us into the mountains along the Kranskop Loop before taking another jaunt around the Rooiplaat Loop.

Doornhoek Guest House overlooks the Doornhoek Dam and is a national monument
Highveld Cabbage Tree
Rocky outcrop
South African Shelduck
Hyrax
Southern Rock Agama
Amazing scenery along the Kranskop Loop
Amazing scenery along the Kranskop Loop
Black Harrier
Scale-feathered Finch
Namaqua Dove
Red-billed Quelea
Rock Monitor
Black-backed Jackal
Eland
Gemsbok
Wide open spaces at Mountain Zebra National Park
Steppe Buzzard
The Rest Camp at Mountain Zebra National Park blends in beautifully with the surroundings

A real highlight of our afternoon drive was an encounter with a group of three Cheetahs – one adult and two youngsters – on the Rooiplaat Plateau, just half-an-hour before we had to be back in camp.

Cheetah
Cheetah
Cheetah
Cheetah (photo by Joubert)
Cheetah

 

We posted a special feature about Mountain Zebra National Park following a previous visit, if you’d like to learn more about this special destination.

Map of Mountain Zebra National Park from the SANParks website (https://www.sanparks.org/images/parks/mountain_zebra/mznp-map.jpg)

Summertide Diary: Arriving at Mountain Zebra

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31 December 2020

It’s a 210km drive from Addo‘s Main Rest Camp to the gates of the Mountain Zebra National park, and we arrive just after 13:00. The rest camp lies about 12km into the Park, but it’s hot and most animals are hiding from the midday summer sun and we don’t see much of them before reaching the camp.

Entrance to Mountain Zebra National Park
Salpeterkop
Sickle-winged Chat
Very hot Pied Crow

After checking in we make our way to our allotted unit, cottage 20, and while Marilize and I unpack the car and settle into our accommodation Joubert is already out exploring and enjoying the birdlife in camp.

Chalet 20 at Mountain Zebra National Park
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (photo by Joubert)
Karoo Prinia (photo by Joubert)

Time to go exploring as a family, and off we go to the Rooiplaat and Ubejane Loops before returning to camp three hours later.

Doornhoek Dam nestles among the foothills of the Bankberg
Mountain Zebra National Park’s wide open spaces
Blesbok
Blesbok
Blesbok eyeing a Black-backed Jackal with some suspicion
Southern African Ground Squirrel
Mountain Zebra National Park’s wide open spaces
Marsh Terrapin
Common Fiscal
Sweet Thorn tree with Sparrow-Weaver nests
Red-billed Quelea
Southern African Ground Squirrel
Meerkat (photo by Joubert)
Meerkats
Meerkat (photo by Joubert)
African Spoonbill
Mountain Zebras
Red Hartebeest
Spike-heeled Lark
Wind-blown Secretary Bird
Pale Chanting Goshawk
Clouds hanging over the hills of Mountain Zebra National Park
We’ve not often seen Warthogs at Mountain Zebra National Park on previous visits
Arriving back at camp

2020 draws to a close with a beautiful sunset over the hills of the Mountain Zebra National Park

The last sighting of the year: a Raucous Toad next to the swimming pool in camp.

We posted a special feature about Mountain Zebra National Park following a previous visit, if you’d like to learn more about this special destination.

Map of Mountain Zebra National Park from the SANParks website (https://www.sanparks.org/images/parks/mountain_zebra/mznp-map.jpg)

Summertide Rambles 3 January 2021

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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

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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.

Male lion at Mountain Zebra National Park
Male lion at Mountain Zebra National Park

Summertide Rambles 1 January 2021

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Happy New Year, everyone!

We kicked off 2021 by spending time with the most adorable family of Bat-eared Foxes here at Mountain Zebra National Park. We have lots more photos of the 3 cute pups and the 4 adults watching over them to share when we’re back home.

Summertide Rambles 31 December 2020

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This morning it was a sad farewell to Marilize’s parents who joined us for the 4 nights we spent at Addo Elephant National Park. They headed home to Jeffreys Bay while we travelled in the opposite direction to the final stop of our 2020 summertide ramble – the beautiful Mountain Zebra National Park (please click on the image for a clearer view).