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Cape Town and beyond in spring…

Somehow the words ‘Cape’ and ‘good weather’ don’t seem to mix – this might be true in the mind, but hardly the reality of what I experienced this year whilst guiding a number of trips across the length and breadth of the Cape.

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves – my guests and I got down low to capture the beautiful detail in the immense diversity of wildflowers. We zoomed out far to get shots of endemic antelope, cavorting whales and the majestic grassland birds like the Blue Crane and the bustards. We froze to snap the elusive elephant shrew going about his business. We sat patiently to be rewarded with some action at a seabird colony and even more patiently to freeze the perfect frame at a waterhole in the Kalahari.

Although photography has not been the driving force behind the trips over the past 3 months, it all our eyes to a myriad of details and allowed us to sit back and marvel at the richness of life right here at the Southern Tip of Africa (even when we do have a few rainy or snowy days!).

flower fusion - dazzling flowers around every turn in the Biedouw Valley

Flower fusion – dazzling flowers around every turn in the Biedouw Valley

a classic over-the-shoulder glance on a morning game drive at Bushmans Kloof

A classic over-the-shoulder glance on a morning game drive at Bushmans Kloof

one of the many poses to find in a field full of flowers

One of the many poses to find in a field full of flowers

intimidating White-breasted Cormorant on the Cape Town coast

Intimidating White-breasted Cormorant on the Cape Town coast

Elephant Shrew snapped near its shelter in the Little Karoo

Elephant Shrew snapped near its shelter in the Little Karoo

sandgrouse squadron coming at high speed to a waterhole in the Kalahari

Sandgrouse squadron coming at high speed to a waterhole in the Kalahari

guests enjoying the diversity and hidden treasures in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve

Guests enjoying the diversity and hidden treasures in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve

a stunning male Cape Rockjumper photographed in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve not far from Cape Town

A stunning male Cape Rockjumper photographed in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve not far from Cape Town

spurfowl and flowers - West Coast National Park

Spurfowl and flowers – West Coast National Park

Groot Winterhoek Mountains north of Cape Town

Groot Winterhoek Mountains north of Cape Town

 

 

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Congo-Kalahari: From Primates to Pangolins

We set out to create a unique safari, possibly the first of its kind, to experience the diversity of the African continent. For seasoned African travellers, the goal was to find the ultimate guided wildlife adventure combining iconic fauna and flora without compromising comfort and luxury.

Our first stop was the heart of the West African rainforest Odzala National Park in the Republic of Congo,  where Wilderness Safaris has bravely ventured to encourage tourism to the area which will help protect the endangered Western Lowland Gorillas and provide much needed employment for the local villagers.

During our stay at Lango Camp we walked ancient elephant pathways, viewed forest buffalo on foot, birded the Lekoli River by boat and spent hours wandering through  massive tracts of pristine rainforest.

At Ngaga camp we tracked  and spent time with the endangered gorillas. Gorilla researcher and expert Dr Magda Bermejo was on hand to interpret the interesting behavior which we witnessed whilst out in the field. Whist out walking we also heard the excited calls of wild chimpanzees as they engulfed the ripened fruits of  nearby tree unfortunately we didn’t get to see them.

Then we were off to Tswalu Kalahari, which couldn’t be more contrasting with wide open spaces, red sand, starry nights and a cool winter dryness.  Winter is a fantastic time to visit the Kalahari, spending time with aardvark on foot and with the habituated meerkat groups is a truly unforgettable experience. Thanks to the team at Tarkuni Villa who made our stay extra special we couldn’t have asked for more.

We spent a morning on a boat on the Lekoli River which is a great way to see birds and animals. This Forest Buffalo allowed us to get a few photos before moving off.

We spent a morning on a boat cruising the Lekoli River which is a great way to see birds and animals. This forest buffalo allowed us to get a few photos before moving off.

A small herd of the colourful forest buffalo on the edge of the Lango Bai. It is always a good idea to have some distance between yourself and the animals you are viewing.

A small herd of the colourful forest buffalo on the edge of the Lango Bai. It is always a good idea to have some distance between yourself and the animals you are viewing.

Walking the elephant boulevard, at Lango Camp with our guide Karl Diakite. This ancient trail is still followed by elephants today to get to the saline bai right in front of the camp.

Walking the elephant boulevard, at Lango Camp with our guide Karl Diakite. This ancient trail is still followed by elephants today to get to the saline bai right in front of the camp.

This Western Lowland Gorilla was just hanging a round on a small branch above our heads.

This Western Lowland Gorilla was just hanging a round on a small branch above our heads.

It is not always easy to get a good sighting of the lowland gorillas, after hours of tracking and some patience we got to see some incredible interaction between these two individuals.

It is not always easy to get a good sighting of the lowland gorillas, after hours of tracking and some patience we got to see some incredible interaction between these two individuals.

One of the most unique activities that is best done in the South African winter is to spend time on foot with an aardvark as he goes about his search for food in the early afternoons.

One of the most unique activities that is best done in the South African winter is to spend time on foot with an aardvark as he goes about his search for food in the early afternoons.

Its one of those creatures you hear about but most people never get to see. We were extremely fortunate and special thanks to the team work from the guides at Tswalu to make this dream a reality. What an amazing animal!!!

Its one of those creatures you hear about but most people never get to see. We were extremely fortunate and special thanks to the team work from the guides at Tswalu to make this dream a reality. What an amazing animal!!!

This incredible little gem was photographed outside of The Motse lodge on Tswalu Kalahari.

This incredible little gem, a Marico Sunbird was photographed outside The Motse lodge on Tswalu Kalahari.

We watched a small group of wildebeest come down to drink at a small waterhole. It was a windy day and a gust of wind spooked them and they ran right through the water.

We watched a small group of wildebeest come down to drink at a small waterhole. It was a windy day and a gust of wind spooked them and they ran right through the water.

One of my favourite things to do at Tswalu is spend time with these magnificent little creatures. The habituated groups of meerkats provide hours of entertainment and a brilliant photographic opportunity.

One of my favourite things to do at Tswalu is spend time with these magnificent little creatures. The habituated groups of meerkats provide hours of entertainment and a brilliant photographic opportunity.