Addo Elephant Nat Park

We had a short drive today as we had a 1 PM reservation to be picked up by Paterson Safari for a guided safari in open air jeeps.  It was hot but fantastic. The guides found animals for us to take pictures and they explained a lot about each one we found.  We had scones and juice in a lapa{open sided hut} in midafternoon and that night we had venison dinner in a torch lit lapa which we all agreed must be right off the set of Survivor.

Friday, March 7, 2014  Addo Elephant Nat Park – self drive

Today we had the entire day open to self-drive thru the Addo Elephant Nat Park.  This park has 39 different species available for us to find.  We saw many types of antelope, lions, elephants, Zebra, Impala, Hartebeests, Warthogs, Water buffalo, Eland, Kudu, Secretary bird and the Leopard tortoise.  It was a wonderful experience where we could  go as slow as we wanted on many different roads and loops.  We sat with about 40 elephants around us for almost an hour.  The park even had a gated fenced off picnic area with tables and grills which we drove into.  We were safe from all but the monkeys and a bird that wanted my lunch.   One of our friends had

his sandwich swiped off the table by a monkey

Jeffers Bay

This morning while some hiked for 2 hrs. to a waterfall, Gail and I hiked around an enormous 1000 yr. old tree and then while some did a zip line we avoided that and a bungee jump and instead spent 3 hrs. at an upscale mall. Gail and I agreed we needed the much deserved break.  We are again camped on the Indian Ocean but this time on a surfing beach. We sat outside enjoying the ocean view and the joggers on the beach. Our entire group walked along the beach to a surfers shack restaurant for a great dinner.

Tsitskamma Nat Park

Today we drove thru hills and farm land to the Tsitskamma National Park. Drove on our first toll road today for $3.90. We were camped right on the waterfront with pounding surf.  The coast looks exactly like the Maine coast. 

 We ate at the park restaurant and I finally got my internet figured out.  Hoorah.  Next project will be how to get pictures etc. into my blog.  Hard work and very little time to spare.  I am writing this in my computer at 5 am so I can copy and paste later.

Cango Caves

 At 8 am this morning we headed out to Cango Caves. These impressive caves were discovered in the side of the mountain in the 1800’s

we stopped at lunchtime at a fruit stand in amongst the hops farm.  Hoped to get homemade pizza for lunch but it was closed for the day. Instead, we had a picnic lunch at a rest stop on the edge of Pine Lake.  We camped at Woodbourne Caravan Park in Knysna. We again were camped on the water so we had dinner on the wharf.