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Thanks for the kind messages ☺️

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Bit concerned that this might not be of much interest on here as, so far, this trip is not the true safari of the type that is reported on this forum.

I'm happy to see "non-safari" destinations as well, especially when they are as beautiful as the ones you visited. It looks like you had fantastic weather.

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Those dunes and bonteboks are special. DeHoop is an absolute gem.

 

Of course, DeHoop should not be confused with places like Kruger or Kgalagadi. But it is an awesome place to just relax and enjoy the Cape fynbos environment.

 

@@penolva

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Bit concerned that this might not be of much interest on here as, so far, this trip is not the true safari of the type that is reported on this forum.

I'm happy to see "non-safari" destinations as well, especially when they are as beautiful as the ones you visited. It looks like you had fantastic weather.
Well as you will see it was a different kind of fantastic weather later on @@Marks ?
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Loving your report up until now @@penolva! Some great sightings (caracal :)) and beautiful scenery!! The Garden Route is also on our buckit list, I would love to do this route sometime but I'm not ready yet to give up the true safari opportunities of Southern Africa if you know what I mean... So in about a month time Kwa-zulu Natal & Kruger are waiting for us!

 

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

 

Cheers,

 

Michel

Edited by MR1980
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We drove to Franschhoek over the pass. Our aim here was to try as many of the excellent South African red wines they produce in this area as we could. They did not dissapoint :wub: We stayed on a vineyard called Bo La Motte, they have several cottages to rent. Each evening the clouds spill over the mountains like the tablecloth at Table Mountain. Its a lovely town with a great market on a Saturday morning. A ride on the wine train takes you to several of the big wine estates and each has a lovely restaurant and wine tasting. post-17162-0-27063900-1430306205_thumb.jpgpost-17162-0-76321200-1430306252_thumb.jpgpost-17162-0-14253200-1430306284_thumb.jpgpost-17162-0-94281000-1430306314_thumb.jpgpost-17162-0-95118200-1430306373_thumb.jpgpost-17162-0-48329900-1430306413_thumb.jpgpost-17162-0-58785200-1430306430_thumb.jpgpost-17162-0-09993600-1430306456_thumb.jpg

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Alexander33

We did the wine tram, too! Great idea. When we were there (late September), a front had blown through and it was blustery and cold. The tram operators passed out blankets and we sat in front of the fireplaces at the wineries warming our chilled bones. Looks like you had a bit better weather!

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Next stop Karoo National Park. It was an easy drive from Franschhoek although it took all day. The Karoo NP is huge with huge scenery to go with it. The bungalow we stayed in looked out onto the mountains and you could see animals walking along the valley below. There is a fence but it didn't keep small animals like the porcupine out. He visited us both evenings and was very relaxed if we kept quiet.

 

There are several game drives, some 4x4 only. You drive high up and can see for miles. Mountain Zebra, Kudu and other animals are around but not that easy to see. Its the dramatic scenery you go there for. The weather was mixed and we experienced the first of the really big storms here. The sky changed colour during the evening and ended up with lightening over the mountains. It's the sort of place you can just sit and listen to the silence. Wonderful.

 

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graceland

@@penolva

 

You pics are totally stunning. I had no idea the area was so beautiful. I love your sky snaps as well. Fell like I need to go!

 

Parts of it look like our drive through Argentina, LOL. Funny how something can spark a thought of another place. And a wine tram, what a great idea. I cannot believe I've never been.

 

Really love this trip of yours.

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@@graceland thank you! It was a very interesting and varied trip, we really enjoy exploring these places. Argentina must be amazing not been there, yet :)

Edited by penolva
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It's the sort of place you can just sit and listen to the silence. Wonderful.

 

 

@@penolva Your statement about Karoo nails it. I know that feeling so well. Some excellent images, the skies look amazing.

Edited by Geoff
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That is one seriously fantastic scenery at Karoo NP. And your photos are as fantastic also, @@penolva.

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michael-ibk

Amazingly beautiful place, great to see it!

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@@penolva I'm so enjoying your TR which brings back happy memories of my first trip to Africa.

 

Addo is such a laid back park and you got lucky with caracal, a sight which eludes me still. De Hoop is such a beautiful reserve, those white dunes against the blue sea are amazing. The mountain scenery of Karoo NP looks very dramatic, and the skies are spectacular. Great sighting and photo of the porcupine.

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Leaving the Karoo NP we vowed to return, we loved it.

 

Next stop the Kgalagadi TP, our favourite place. Just a couple of photographs to show the journey, sociable weaver nests made the roadside poles look like lollipops! and also the small place we stay in Upington. River Place on the Orange river. Perfect for the night before entering the KTP.

 

We stock up at the Pick and Pay in Upington as you need to take everything into the KTP. The shops in the park do not stock much in the way of meat or vegetables. The manager at the P&P, Jeremie, takes my order before we leave UK and it's ready for us at 8am the following morning when we leave for the park. Meat pre frozen, fresh vegetables carefully packed, all our water, wine, braai makings, excellent quality and the price compared to UK is very inexpensive.

 

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@@penolva

That really is stunning scenery in Karoo - and great views from your cottage.

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@penolva: Karoo to Upington, how much driving?

Edited by xelas
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Left after breakfast, 8.30 or so. Got there by 16.00. Nice easy drive on good road. Pen

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Splendid views. Love that night sky photo!

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This is our second visit to Kgalagadi TP and we have already booked a third. We stay in the wilderness camps as they are unfenced, only have a maximum of 8 guests and are absolutly fantastic. Very rustic and simple but with decent beds, clean linen, hot shower, basic kitchen hot plates, fridge, freezer and all the pots and pans and cutlery etc you need. There is a camp assistant on duty and they all work hard to keep their camp spotless. They are also extreemly friendly and helpful and will wake you up if there is a leopard at the waterhole etc (if you ask!). They were delighted to see us again as they are so proud of their park. We could spend weeks on end there.

 

The following photographs were taken during the two days we spent at our first camp Kieliekrankie. It is set high up on the dunes and you can see for miles. The waterhole is quite far away but this makes for great sightings when animals come to drink. The sky is huge and we have had thunderstorms, boiling hot sunshine 40+ this last trip and nights with millions of stars. We tend to follow the same pattern at each camp. Up at dawn and take breakfast out. Back around noon and have a shower, siesta etc. Out again in the evening and return to braai on the deck just before sunset. There are set times you can drive out and the camp assistant's keep a record of your movements in case you break down or get stuck.

 

First the scenery.

 

 

 

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Safaridude

@@penolva

 

Your night time shots are special!

 

KTP is one of my very favorites. Waiting anxiously for more...

Edited by Safaridude
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Animals etc we saw driving out from and in Kieliekrankie wilderness camp. The leopard, the first we have seen in the park, was only there for a moment so no chance of good photographs. But at least we saw it! Hoping for better luck next trip.

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Yeah, that is why people are coming back to this special place! It got us hooked also. Luckily we will have 9 months to learn how to properly operate the braai :P. That lion was seriously close to your lens?!

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@@xelas the lion flopped down right beside us, could have stroked him ☺️ Braai takes a time to master we buy our own braai grill each time.

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@@penolva I am so taken with the Karoo NP - maybe next time.

 

What a great idea to have your groceries pre-packed by P&P, I'm filing that idea away as well. Fabulous photos from KTP, one of my alltime favourite parks. You saw baby meerkats, too cute for words and I don't think I have ever seen so many secretary birds congregating at a single site.

 

Excellent TR!

Edited by Treepol
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