The skies were clear and there was no wind on the day we left the Mountain Zebra Park. We headed for Beaufort West, stopping at Graaff-Reinet to refuel and replenish stocks. The Karoo National Park was fully booked but we found a spot at a camping site called Steenbokkie, just outside of town.
The next morning saw us going into the Karoo National Park for a day visit. The park is situated in the Nuweveldberge, just outside of Beaufort West. It is a vast and harsh countryside with a captivating beauty. The expanse is just mind-boggling and the distances are huge.
We had lunch at the Doornhoek picnic site; a very basic and quiet place where we watched sunbirds flitting around the trees and Karoo Scrub Robins hopping in and out of the undergrowth.
There are a few hyena traps indicated on the map, one of which was inside the enclosed area of the rest camp. These structures were used by farmers to trap Brown Hyena, Jackal and Leopard. Bait is pinned to the back of the structure and when the animal grabs it a pin releases the trap door to shut it inside. The animal is then killed by inserting a spear or rifle through a hole in the back of the structure. The Brown Hyena has been extinct in the area since 1900; sad, upsetting, but true…
On our way home we experienced the most amazing Karoo sunset, as I believe the rest of the province did as well, judging by all the sunset photos posted on FaceBook!
We went back into the Park the next day, en route to Prince Albert. We were constantly amazed at the many puddles in the veld. The Karoo had an exceptionally high rainfall for the season and although the last rain was at least 3-4 days ago the water had not yet drained away.
We left the Park after lunch at the Bulkraal picnic spot and headed for Prince Albert.
Funnily enough, it’s a “pride” of ostrich or alternatively, a “flock” of ostrich. Fancy that….. 🙂
Thanks for that Wendy. I have also subsequently checked and one can use a flock, pride or wobble. Quant! I will update the post.