Friday, 22 February 2013

De Hoop Nature Reserve


We had originally planned to spend three nights here on an organised walking tour but the reservations staff were so unhelpful that we were unable to get a booking that suited our dates.
However since we are now only 80km away, we decided it was worth a day trip and headed off early this morning. I hadn't realised that about 50km each way was on a gravel road but if I wash all the dust off the car tomorrow I'm sure the rental company will never notice!

The reserve itself was well worth the effort. As soon as we arrived we saw a family of ostrich, Ma, Pa & 8 chicks – which we had not encountered anywhere else – and Eland and Bontebok. 
We followed one of their walking trails alongside the lake and spent at least three hours trying to identify the hordes of herons, waders, ducks and other species along the shore and out on the water too.
Had a great day and left feeling sorry that our original plan had been unsuccessful. Then just as icing on the cake, we came across a pair of Blue Crane - SA's national bird – for the first time as well.

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