If We Had Visited Addo Today...

[PJL]

In a world without lockdown, I'm certain we would have visited the park today. It would have been a fantastic drive with some incredible sightings.... the day might have gone something like this


After getting to the Matyholweni gate just before opening we were in the park a few minutes after 7. Our first sighting was a caracal patrolling on the southern access road just north of the Mbotyi turn



After walking towards us, he crossed the road and continued down one of the firebreaks. What a start to the day!



We had hooked onto Vukani loop and the familiar den site used by jackals and bat-eared foxes was now occupied by a yellow mongoose family.



With the sun finally starting to rise a Cape Longclaw was warming up nicely



From Vukani we had seen a couple of cars at odd angles at Peasland. Sure enough there were lion around, with Josie, Dawn & Duffy having a kill stashed in the bushes near the road. Dawn had been drinking but came back over the road to the others.



Duffy went for a quick wander before heading back to the other girls.



Josie gave us a knowing look.

[PJL]

From Peasland we had gone back on ourselves to travel along our favourite loop - Ngulube. A jackal came trotting towards us before disappearing off into the bush.



Ngulube waterhole had some zebra visiting including these youngsters.



Just past the waterhole we found a couple of Brimstone Canaries adding a splash of colour to the park.



The crossroads at the northern end of Ngulube was deserted but we spotted some movement behind some bushes. After waiting a few minutes we were rewarded with a bushpig popping out into a clearing.



Once up at the Addo Heights road we had travelled past Gorah & Arizona down to the Patterson gate. We asked the gate gaurd whether he had seen much but right at that moment out popped a hyena! The guard high-tailed it back into his cabin but the hyena seemed totally ignorant of the stir it was causing.



After sniffing around, the hyena casually strolled off up the hill in the Scotia direction.



On our way down the Addo Heights road we hadn't seen any sign of lion, but heading back just before the Gorah entrance one of Niklaas/Witwarm was being hurried away by a frustrated elephant!

[PJL]

Waynes Valley had been quiet, but near the Bus Stop this little Cape Dwarf Chameleon was trying its best to cross the road.



After a picnic at Jacks we stopped at Hapoor where a nice herd of elephant were arriving.



Whilst watching the elephants the kids spotted movement on the other side of the car - a Rock Monitor crossing the road!



We ventured north and around Domkrag loop these Bush Vlei Rats were sunning themselves by the side of the road.



Further round Nzipondo, Jill was also sunning herself.



On the way up to Carols Rest we stumbled across a bushbuck mother with a youngster. The mother had run across the road and we waited quietly until the youngster plucked up enough courage to follow.

[PJL]

Carols Rest had a good herd of buffalo grazing.



On the way down from Carols Rest this magnificent Kudu was strutting his stuff.



We took the Gwarrie/Rooidam route back down towards Hapoor. At Gwarrie there was a giant striding along.



Near Rooidam we caught sight of the bright colours of a Malachite Sunbird.



On the dirt road to Hapoor we encountered a road block. Some baby elephants were having a snooze in the road.



At Hapoor the elephants had disappeared, but instead there were meerkats nearby

[PJL]

We had already seen Angulate and Leopard Tortoise earlier in our drive, and now just past the entrance to Jacks we found a Parrot-Beaked Tortoise to complete all three types found in the park.



A real highlight on the hill before Waynes Valley was a Brown Hyena.



On reaching the open plains at the southern end of Harveys, a Secretary Bird was marching along.



With no sign of the lions from earlier in the day we took Mbotyi Loop where some Eland were grazing.



It was getting late and time to head home. A lone Hartebeest silhouette rounded off a marvelous day in the park!

[Lisbeth]

What a day You missed out on the Rhino though

[PJL]

What a day You missed out on the Rhino though

Ja... we saw him but figured his location was too obvious

[Klipspringer]

I love these rats

Great to have the sightings of ten years in one day

[Lisbeth]

I see!

[Flutterby]

Wow, amazing sightings!!

Caracal continue to elude us!