Tag Archives: Guided Tours

More snaps from our summer days in the Karoo National Park

The Karoo National Park, a perennial favourite of ours, was the first major destination on our recent “summer trek” through the national parks and nature reserves of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces. The Karoo’s landscapes may be harsh, and its inhabitants equally tough, but there’s no denying that having so much open space around you has a very special allure.

During our visit I posted a few photographs on a daily basis to give those following along on our travels a glimpse of what we were experiencing. Let’s start this recap with those.

Camping at Karoo National Park, December 2024

Karoo Scenery

Gemsbok

Steenbok

Springbok

Amegilla Bee and Swartstorm bloom

Red Hartebeest

Sunset glow over the Rest Camp at Karoo National Park

Klipspringer Pass

Karoo Scenery

Pririt Batis

Klipspringer pair on Klipspringer Pass

Red Hartebeest Calf

Springbok youngsters

Fairy Flycatcher

Four-striped Grass Mouse

Karoo Prinia

The Karoo National Park has two major game-viewing loops accessible to visitors without a 4×4. The shortest of those is the route through the Lammertjiesleegte between the rest camp and the entrance gate. Along the way, the Bulkraal Picnic Site is a nice place to stretch your legs and look for habituated birds to photograph.

Bokmakierie (photo by Joubert)

Double-banded Courser

Karoo Long-billed Lark

Ludwig’s Bustard

Dusky Sunbird

Familiar Chat

Steenbok

Grey Rhebok

Karoo National Park’s Rest Camp is a delightful oasis in this thirstland, and besides being a safe and comfortable place for humans to spend the night it is also a magnet for a range of wildlife!

Small-spotted Genet visiting our campsite after dark

This kudu cow, obviously used to being fed by visitors, was a regular visitor to our tents

Rock Martin

Chestnut-vented Warbler

“Dikvoet” plant

Unidentified species of Robber Fly

Leopard Tortoise

Karoo Toad

Lesser Swamp Warbler

Marsh Terrapin at the waterhole next to the camp’s entrance

Platanna tadpole leaping like a fish from the water!

Western Rock Skink (female)

Southern Rock Agama

Karoo Num-num

Cape Skink

Leopard Tortoise seeking respite from the heat in the shade beneath our car

Cape Serotine Bat (photo by Joubert)

Southern Masked Weaver (photo by Joubert)

Four-striped Grass Mouse

Poison Bulb

The longer of the Karoo National Park’s all-access game-viewing loops is called Potlekkertjie, and incorporates the ingeniously constructed Klipspringer Pass. This beautiful drive has something to offer driven at any time of day, but is best enjoyed slowly early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sunlight catches the surrounding mountains and glades so beautifully. Halfway along visitors can have a picnic at secluded Doornhoek.

Klipspringer

Steenbok

Kudu calf

Bokmakierie

Red Hartebeest cow and calf

Karoo Korhaan

Spike-heeled Lark

Sickle-winged Chat

Ludwig’s Bustards

Grey Rhebok

Southern Rock Agama

Mountain Wheatear

Gemsbok

White-throated Canary

Rock Kestrel

Grey Rhebok

Mountain Zebra

Karoo Chat

Grey Rhebok

Western Rock Skink

Steenbok

Eland

Karoo Girdled Lizard

Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko

Baboons

Ground Agama in a tree

Klipspringer on the ledge! (photo by Joubert)

Klipspringer (photo by Joubert)

Gemsbok calves

Short-toed Rock Thrushes

Dassie family

Mountain Zebra

Red Hartebeest Calf

Karoo Long-billed Lark

Eland

Pale-winged Starling

Cape Clapper Lark

Leopard Tortoise

DeWetsWild is proud to be a contracted reservations agent for the Karoo National Park, so whether you’d like us to assist you with a reservation to visit on your own or would like us to include the Park in a guided tour arranged specifically for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

November ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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Summer has now firmly returned to our part of the world and our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve has turned into a green paradise boasting with a wide variety of colourful blooms. What a pleasure it was conducting guided drives through landscapes so vibrant with life this past month!

Serene scenic spot in Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Large herd of Eland

Hypoxis flowers

Hypoxis flowers dotting a recently burned grassland

Wild Penstemom (Graderia-sp)

Chocolate Bells

Sweet Thorn blossoms

Sweet Thorn tree in bloom

Helichrysum species

Rorippa species

Red-hot Poker (Kniphofia) species

Gnidia species

Ipomoea species

Bloubietou

Poison Bulb (Boophane)

Solanum species

Doll’s Powderpuff

Fine-leaved Verbena (naturalised weed from South America)

Clerodendrum species

Berkheya species

Dog Rose (must be a garden escapee)

Unidentified bloom

Bloumelkbos

All around birds are nesting and many males are sporting their splendid breeding plumage, showing off their finery, doing display flights and singing loudly to attract their mate’s attention.

Rufous-naped Lark

Cattle Egret

Northern Black Korhaan male displaying

Long-tailed Widowbird

Southern Red Bishop male in breeding plumage

Southern Masked Weaver

Pin-tailed Whydah male

Red-collared Widowbird

Whiskered Tern

These Glossy Starling males were caught in the midst of a bloody fight, which could only be about a female or a prime nesting site – or both!

Cape Glossy Starlings in a vicious fight

The spring season has brought a baby boom to Rietvlei! From tiny lapwing chicks and newly hatched leopard tortoises to the newest addition to Rietvlei’s rhino population; these cute little creatures are sure to make your heart melt!

White Rhino calf

Crowned Lapwing chicks

Crowned Lapwing chick

Ostrich family with newly hatched chicks

Baby Ostrich

Red Hartebeest with newborn calf

Black-backed Jackal pup

Newborn buffalo

Eland calves with the herd

Newly hatched Leopard Tortoise

Zebra foal

Curious baby Yellow Mongoose

White Rhino calf

The resident pair of Black-chested Snake Eagles are also nesting again and providing a steady stream of serpentine sustenance to their new chick.

Black-chested Snake Eagles at their nest

After the first heavy rain shower at the end of October, Sharp-tooth Catfish started congregating at Otter Bridge, ready to move into their spawning grounds in the marshy area upstream.

Sharptooth Catfish at Otter Bridge

We’re also now seeing lots of insects and reptiles out and about on the reserve thanks to the warm weather.

Speckled Rock Skink

Leopard Tortoise

Nile Monitor

Green Milkweed Locust

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei in October & November 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
Antidorcas marsupialis	Springbok	Springbuck
Canis mesomelas	Rooijakkals	Black-backed Jackal
Ceratotherium simum	Witrenoster	White Rhinoceros
Connochaetes gnou	Swartwildebees	Black Wildebeest
Cynictis penicillata	Witkwasmuishond	Yellow Mongoose
Damaliscus pygargus	Blesbok	Blesbuck
Equus quagga	Bontsebra	Plains Zebra
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Suricata suricatta	Meerkat	Suricate
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

Plains Zebras

Black-backed Jackal

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Black Wildebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Yellow Mongoose

Black-backed Jackal and Blesbok

Meerkat

Waterbuck

Eland

Blesbok

Eland on the run

List of birds seen at Rietvlei in October & November 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan
Alopochen aegyptiaca	Kolgans	Egyptian Goose
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Anthus vaalensis	Vaalkoester	Buffy Pipit
Apus barbatus	Swartwindswael	African Black Swift
Apus caffer	Witkruiswindswael	White-rumped Swift
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Ardeola ralloides	Ralreier	Squacco Heron
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Buteo buteo	Bruinjakkalsvoel	Common Buzzard
Camaroptera brevicaudata	Grysrugkwekwevoel	Grey-backed Camaroptera
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chlidonias hybrida	Witbaardsterretjie	Whiskered Tern
Chrysococcyx caprius	Diederikkie	Diederik Cuckoo
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra gularis	Streepkopkanarie	Streaky-headed Seedeater
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Cypsiurus parvus	Palmwindswael	African Palm Swift
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Euplectes albonotatus	Witvlerkflap	White-winged Widowbird
Euplectes ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Hirundo rustica	Europese Swael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Indicator indicator	Groot Heuningwyser	Greater Honeyguide
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Merops apiaster	Europese Byvreter	European Bee-eater
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Neophedina cincta	Gebande Oewerswael	Banded Martin
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Oenanthe pileata	Hoeveldskaapwagter	Capped Wheatear
Onychognathus morio	Rooivlerkspreeu	Red-winged Starling
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer domesticus	Huismossie	House Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Phylloscopus trochilus	Hofsanger	Willow Warbler
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Quelea quelea	Rooibekkwelea	Red-billed Quelea
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Streptopelia capicola	Gewone Tortelduif	Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia semitorquata	Grootringduif	Red-eyed Dove
Struthio camelus	Volstruis	Common Ostrich
Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kleindobbertjie	Little Grebe
Tchagra senegalus	Swartkroontjagra	Black-crowned Tchagra
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Terpsiphone viridis	Paradysvlieevanger	African Paradise Flycatcher
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Vidua macroura	Koningrooibekkie	Pin-tailed Whydah
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

Ostrich

Red-billed Teals

Common Sandpiper

Northern Black Korhaan male

Capped Wheatear

Banded Martin

Cape White-eye

Fiscal Flycatcher

White-throated Swallow

Spotted Dikkop

Capped Wheatear

Black-crowned Tchagra

Pied Crow

Ostrich

African Black Duck

Cape Grassbird

Capped Wheatear

Willow Warbler

Ostrich

Bokmakierie

Cattle Egret

Northern Black Korhaan

Cape Grassbird

Ostrich Male

European Bee-eater

Rufous-naped Lark

Female Pin-tailed Whydah

Levaillant’s Cisticola

African Darter

Black-headed Heron

Malachite Kingfisher

Banded Martin

Yellow-billed Duck

If you’d like to join me on a guided tour of Rietvlei – on a hike or on an open vehicle drive – you can book through melanie@rietvleicoffee.co.za / +27(0)74-820-9926.

DeWetsWild adds many more destinations in Namibia!

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Following overwhelming requests from our loyal clientele, DeWetsWild is proud to announce that we’ve expanded our portfolio in Namibia considerably, and we now provide a reservation service for 26 destinations in, around and on the way to Namibia’s fabulous national parks and nature reserves!

In the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park:
/Ai-/Ais Hotsprings and Spa
Boplaas Campsite
Hobas Lodge
(We can also assist with reservations at camps on the South African side of the Park)

In the Dorob National Park:
Jakkalsputz Campsite
Mile 72
Mile 108

In the Etosha National Park:
Dolomite Resort
Halali Resort
Namutoni Resort
Okaukuejo Resort
Olifantsrus Campsite
Onkoshi Resort

Hardap National Park

In the picturesque town of Luderitz:
Shark Island

In the Namib-Naukluft National Park:
Naukluft Camp
Sesriem Campsite
Sossus Dune Lodge

Popa Falls Game Park

In the Skeleton Coast National Park:
Terrace Bay Resort
Torra Bay Campsite

In historic Swakopmund:
Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre

Waterberg Plateau Park

In the capital city Windhoek:
Windhoek Country Club Resort

Off the beaten track in Namibia:
Duwisib Castle
Gross Barmen Resort
Khorixas Rest Camp

You are welcome to email us on dries@dewetswild.com with your request or alternatively complete the following form if you would like DeWetsWild to take care of your next holiday reservation at any of these properties in Namibia (the more detail you provide us, the better service we can provide to you):

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Name & Surname

Please give us the email address we should use for correspondence related to this reservation only.

Please tell us which destinations you'd want to stay at?

Please tell us which kinds of accommodation you prefer (camping, budget units with communal facilities, fully self-contained units, multi-room family units, etc)

Please tell us how many adults and children the required reservation is for (and please provide the ages of the children at the time of the visit)

Please tell us the dates of your intended visit, and please be as specific as possible about your first night, last night and number of nights you're hoping for at the destination, etc.

Any other information you'd want us to be aware of? Give us as much information as possible so that we can provide you with the best possible service.

Snaps on Tour: Cheetahs that weren’t all that hungry…

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It was mid-morning as we were driving back towards Shingwedzi along the S50 road that skirts the mostly dry course of the Shingwedzi River when we came across three youngish cheetahs on their way towards one of the few waterholes remaining this deep into the dry season. By then we had already seen Africa’s two other species of big cat, lion and leopard (more about them in posts to follow), on that same stretch of road that same morning, so we were thrilled to add the third to our tally even before 09h00!

As the cheetahs approached the waterhole a herd of impala noticed them and started running away, prompting one of the three cheetahs to follow in hot, if unsuccessful, pursuit. The remaining two cheetahs, less energetically, sauntered to the water and then took up a position in the open to wait for the return of their companion. While lying there a family of warthogs almost stepped right on top of them but our excitement at the prospect of an easy hunt for the cheetahs were quickly dashed when they just turned their backs on what looked like easy pickings.

Cheetah

Cheetahs

Cheetah

Cheetahs

Cheetah

Cheetah and Warthogs. Will he or won’t he?

Cheetah and Warthogs. No, he won’t.

I am a fully accredited and legally registered tour guide (with all the necessary insurance, professional drivers license and first aid certification) – don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like me to arrange a guided tour of beautiful South Africa and all her natural wonders, like the Kruger National Park, for you as well, or even just to assist with your holiday reservations for our national parks and nature reserves throughout the country.

Snaps on Tour: Lowveld Scenery in the Kruger National Park

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In October 2024 I had the immense pleasure of hosting long-time blogging friend John Steiner (of Journeys with Johnbo), his wife Lynn, John’s niece Patricia Broesder and her husband Gary on a tour of Cape Town and the Kruger National Park. In Kruger we were joined by colleagues Hannes Rossouw and Irving Knight, both experts in their respective fields.

The Kruger National Park is an enormous tract of land, for the most part entirely untouched by human interference, where the heart of Africa still beats to its own rhythm, and whether there are any people around to witness it or not makes no difference to her beauty. Scenes like these make my soul soar. I’m sure it had the same effect on our guests.

Sunset over the plains south of Satara

The Sweni Spruit

A pool of water near Satara

Olifants River

Olifants River at the end of the dry season

Looking up into Von Willich’s baobab

Sabie River sunrise

Sabie River in golden light

Sunset scenery around Skukuza

Olifants River at the end of the dry season

Pioneer Dam at Mopani

The bone dry confluence of the Shingwedzi and Mphongolo Rivers

Waterhole north of Babalala

Snaps on Tour: Skukuza Veldfires

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We were heading south from Satara to Skukuza and already noticed the enormous column of smoke from near Tshokwane Picnic Spot, about 35km as the crow flies from our destination. Fire (especially naturally occurring fires caused mainly by lightning) is an integral part of savanna ecosystems like the Kruger National Park and a rather common occurrence at the start of spring, when the end of the dry season results in the vegetation being terribly desiccated. Still, having to pass straight through the fires, feeling the heat of the flames on the side of the road and breathing the acrid smoke, is an exciting affair and leaves one with a great appreciation for the teams of firefighters battling the flames (as they do with unplanned human-caused runaway fires like this one, at the time thought to have been caused by a spark from an electrical pylon). This particular blaze almost took out the airport building at Skukuza, though in the end ironically the building suffered enough water damage from the efforts to prevent it going up in flames to require temporary plans to be put in place for passengers using the facility to bypass the arrivals hall, check-in counters and car-hire offices. Thankfully we didn’t notice any large animals hurt or killed in the fire and no people suffered any injuries worth reporting on, but doubtless many smaller animals succumbed, providing a boon for especially insectivorous birds.

Plumes of smoke rising above the forest lining the Sabie River

Smoke rising from a stretch where the fire already passed through

Fire raging around Skukuza

Thick smoke filling the area burning near Skukuza’s airport

Smouldering veld after the previous day’s fires

Snaps on Tour: Waiting and Watching at Transport Dam

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One morning we headed out from Skukuza in Irving’s open safari vehicle towards the areas west of the Kruger Park‘s biggest tourist node, and after a few hours arrived at the Transport Dam, an expansive man-made waterhole well frequented by a myriad of birds and animals. At first, all appeared calm in and around the dam with heavy clouds in the sky. A few hippos and nile crocodiles were bobbing in the water, some antelope and warthog were milling around on the banks, a fish eagle was flying overhead, a grey heron stood near us on a rock and in the distance a spotted hyena looked lazily out over the lake.

Hippos in Transport Dam

Crocodile in Transport Dam

Waterbuck, impala and warthog mingling on the banks of Transport Dam

A Fish Eagle flying over Transport Dam

Grey Heron on the bank of Transport Dam

Spotted Hyena lying down at Transport Dam

But as so often happens, patience is wonderfully rewarded in nature. The peace was suddenly shattered by thrashing in the water, coming from both sides of where we were parked! To our right, a massive crocodile was ripping a blue wildebeest carcass to shreds and on the other side a smaller crocodile was doing the same to an impala carcass! They were soon joined by other crocodiles trying to muscle in on the action.

Crocodile feasting on a wildebeest carcass in Transport Dam

Crocodile feast

Crocodile feasting on a wildebeest carcass in Transport Dam

Crocodile feasting on a wildebeest carcass in Transport Dam – Hadedas take flight!

Crocodile feasting on an impala carcass in Transport Dam

Crocodiles feasting on a wildebeest carcass in Transport Dam

Waterbuck bull looking into the water with some suspicion!

Immediately, the hyena was up and running from side to side trying to see if it could get a cut if the meat, pieces of which were now flying all over the show, while the fish eagle dropped from the sky with the same aim.

Hyena frantically trying to get a bite of the action

Hyena frantically trying to get a bite of the action – zebras fleeing!

Hyena frantically trying to get a bite of the action

Fish Eagle dropping in for a bite

The grey heron had a different reaction, regurgitating its latest meal before flying off, only to circle around, land in the same spot and then pecking at its discarded fish meal but opting rather to wash out its mouth with a drink from the dam…

Grey Heron regurgitating its latest meal

Grey Heron trying a piece of the regurgitated fish

…but not liking it at all

Going down to the water to wash out its mouth

Soon after the last scraps of the carcasses disappeared down the throats of the crocodiles, however, relative calm returned to the dam. A baby hippo ventured onto dry land for a walk about and a herd of blue wildebeest risked moving in for a drink. Anyone arriving then would’ve no clue about the dramas we’d just witnessed!

Baby Hippo

Blue Wildebeest herd drinking from the Transport Dam

Snaps on Tour: The most beautiful Cape in the world

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Earlier in October I had the immense pleasure of hosting long-time blogging friend John Steiner (of Journeys with Johnbo), his wife Lynn, John’s niece Patricia and her husband Gary on a tour of Cape Town and the Kruger National Park.

On our first day together I spent quite a bit of time with the Steiners and Broesders exploring every corner of the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park. We took the funicular up to the lighthouse at Cape Point, had lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant, and took in all the scenic sights and interesting wildlife from the excellent road network.

Scenery at the Cape of Good Hope

The lighthouse at Cape Point

Four-striped Grass Mouse

Bladder Grasshopper

Ostrich on the beach at the Cape of Good Hope

Cape Fur Seals

Scenery at the Cape of Good Hope

Ostriches on the beach at the Cape of Good Hope

Hadedas

African Oystercatcher

Scenery at the Cape of Good Hope

Kelp Gull

Scenery at the Cape of Good Hope

Da Gama cross

Bontebok ewe and lamb

Bontebok at the Cape of Good Hope

Scenery at the Cape of Good Hope

Snaps on Tour: Penguins galore, and much more, at Boulders

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The very first destination I took the Steiners and Broesders to was the Boulders Penguin colony just a few blocks down the road from the Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel where we stayed. While the Penguins are of course the main attraction there’s many other animals and birds and spectacular scenery as well that makes Boulders a must-see on any visit to the Mother City.

Dassie, aka Rock Hyrax

Brimstone Canary

Cape Grey Mongoose

African Penguins

African Penguin youngster

African Penguin

African Penguins at Boulders Beach

African Penguins

Cape Wagtail

African Penguin

Snaps on Tour: The Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel

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My American friends flew to Cape Town directly from Newark and after meeting them at the airport we headed for the Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel. Thanks to their amazing staff, comfortable rooms, fantastic views and excellent meals at Bertha’s Restaurant the Quayside is a firm favourite of mine whenever I am in this part of the country and especially so when guiding guests on tour. With Simon’s Town being the largest base of the South African Navy it is probably no surprise that the decor in the hotel and restaurant has a very maritime theme, with the old photographs of Able Seaman Just Nuisance – a Great Dane that has the honour of being the Royal Navy’s only ever enlisted canine and probably Simon’s Town most famous resident – being especially interesting and pleasing.