Baby Elephant

Up early to make the most of the day, we were rewarded by a beautiful sunrise and lots of very tame feathered friends looking for titbits on the verandah of the lodge. We started off feeding them and then, when things started to feel a bit like a scene from Hitchcock's The Birds, we quickly packed-up and went off for our second round of Addo Elephant National Park.

The guide at the entrance to the park remembered us from the previous day and was very helpful, whilst looking for a tip, in directing us to the best parts to ensure good animal spotting.

We took his advice and were not disappointed in very quickly spotting Spotted Hyenas and more Elephants. Parked by the side of the road, we did not at first see this wee fellow 'hidden' behind two very large cows walking at very close quarters to our car. What a thrill when we spotted him following on behind his matriarchal protectors.

A great day spotting more Elephants, Common Dulkers, Warthogs, Zebras, Ostriches plus a Bat Eared Fox and Black Headed Herons.

We left the main park and drove to the Marine Section of the Park - a good hour's drive away - hoping to spot Dolphins and Whales but no luck. The scenery here was, however, spectaular with the Indian Ocean waves crashing on miles of glorious sandy beach.

To get onto the main road to our next destination, we opted for an R road shortcut that, at the time seemed like a good idea until, many desolate and rugged miles later, we were met by an armed guard road block. Hmm, thoughts that went through our heads are not for remembering however there was no reason to be concerned. This was the entrance to a private Game Reserve and the block was to monitor cars passing through to safeguard against poaching. A very short halt whilst our number plate was recorded and we assured the guard that we were just passing through, we set off again and almost immediately spotted a Giraffe at the side of the road - or rather, it spotted us and lolloped off. What a treat, as we also passed by the perimeter of Shamwari Game Reserve, a jet-setter desination , hosting the rich and famous, and saw many more animals, including Vervet Monkeys.

A long, dark drive, held up by many roadblocks, took us inland to the Northern Cape and our eventual overnight destination of Colesberg.