Month: Jul 2014

We set up camp at the Twee Rivieren and immediately set out on the Nossop road as far as Kij Kij, returning just before ‘gate close time’ to settle in for the night. We were chuffed to see our first Marico Flycatcher, just to realise that they are as numerous here as the Fiscal Flycatcher… Continue reading Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – Twee Rivieren & Mata-Mata

The Eiland Municipal campsite in Upington surprised us! After our first impression that it was run-down, it turned out to be rather acceptable. The sites had ample space and the ablutions were good. We arrived in the late afternoon and stayed for two nights. There is a resident troop of Vervet Monkeys that were most… Continue reading Upington to Kgalagadi

On Jacob’s advice we decided to skip Prieska and rather route to Upington via Campbell, Griquatown and Witsand Nature Reserve. After Sunday lunch at the Geel Huisie Restaurant it was rather late in the afternoon but we did not have far to travel. Campbell is only 27 km from Douglas where we planned to overnight… Continue reading Campbell to Witsand Nature Reserve

The road from Mokala National Park’s Lilydale Gate to the N12 was very corrugated, resulting in a rather hard drive out of the park. When we got to Kimberley’s Big Hole Caravan Park Roger found a sheared bolt on the trailer’s A-frame! Spare bolts now had to be added to the list of things to… Continue reading Kimberley and Douglas

The predecessor to the Mokala National Park was the Vaalbos National Park, also in the Kimberly district. We went there a number of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it! The Vaalbos has subsequently been ‘lost’ to a lands claim and in 2007 Mokala National Park, which lies about 50 km south-west of Kimberly, was officially… Continue reading Mokala National Park

After filling up with diesel and enjoying a Wimpy lunch at the Colesburg One Stop we set off for the Vanderkloof Dam (previously the P.K. Le Roux Dam). The route took us through the Bastersnek Pass and then along 60 km of dirt road. We were again lucky enough to spot Secretary Birds, Blue Cranes,… Continue reading Vanderkloof & Orania

It was good to be on the road again. To us the journey is as much a part of this experience as the destination. And in some cases more so! After leaving Grahamstown we soon got to the Ecca Pass; another one built by Thomas Bain’s father, Andrew Geddes Bain and completed in 1842. Bain… Continue reading Grahamstown to the Orange River

We had no accommodation booked in Grahamstown, as usual. Roger was of the opinion that we could just park in a parking lot if there was no other option. Surprise, surprise! Fortunately it did not come to that. We managed, thanks to a very helpful and friendly lady called Lolly at the Makana Municipal campsite… Continue reading Grahamstown

Access to Nature’s Valley and the De Vasselot campsite is along the Groot River Pass and is spectacular. The Great Fire of 1869 opened the way for the construction of the pass, built by Thomas Bain. It descends 220 m in 4 km, and construction reached the Groot River in 1881. We stayed at the… Continue reading Garden Route National Park – Tsitsikamma Section