Trip to Addo National Elephant Park

We left on Friday morning and entered from the N2 at the Colchester Gate.    The park has just about doubled in size in the last couple of years and the fence between the main Addo and the Colchester side has been removed, so the animals have much more space to roam. We immediately saw what the unexpected June/July rains had done – Addo looked like pictures you see of the Cape Flowers.    Beautiful long green grass and flowers everywhere and the animals looking very contented.

We arrived at about 2 p.m. and drove around the Southern part for quite a while – lucky to see lots of Buck, including the Eland, Red Hartebees and Kudu.   We also saw a lot of zebras – the number in the park of all the animals seems to have increased a lot – not sure if this is because they used to hide away more.

The new drives in the Southern Area are quite beautiful and very different from the original Addo with some breathtaking views over the whole area. We saw a lot of Buffalo – quite amazing how expensive they have become, heard on the radio the other day that one was sold on an auction for R18,000,000.00.   

The main attraction of Addo is of course the elephants and the number of herds seem to have grown as you see small groups of them all over.   The weather was not very hot with a chilly wind, so they were not all over the waterholes, guess they are also getting a lot of moisture out of the leaves and grass.

About half way between the Colchester Gate and the main rest camp is a picnic spot – called Jack’s spot.   This is well placed as the ablution blocks are spotless and a great spot to stretch your legs, have something to eat and drink.   The one thing to remember is that the only shop/restaurant is in the main camp, so when you go to Addo you need to take your own refreshments.

We spent 3 nights at the Addo Rest Camp – main camp – in a small chalet.    The Chalets are always immaculately clean and they have all the mod cons you need, including quite a large fridge, stove and  microwave, plus fully stocked as far as crockery and cutlery are concerned.    They also have convenient braai areas. The chalets are cleaned daily and new towels provided, so even if you are self catering you don’t have to wash all your own dishes etc.

On our first morning we were up bright and early, thankful that we were in our car with a heater as it was rather cold and windy.    The gates open at 01.30 a.m. and we were there, ready to enter at 01.30.    We saw a lot of Kudu – they are really beautiful and I know that most people think the males are the best with their spectacular horns, but the females are just so sweet with their big eyes and ears that stand up straight.
We decided to drive back to the Southern parts as there seemed to be more animals there the day before, so were really lucky to see a family of lions sleeping near the road – very satisfied with their lives.

Zebras must be the most sociable animals, you always seem to find them with other animals – that day we came across them with a whole flock of ostriches. We have noticed over the years that the number of warthogs have diminished, evidently the lions are very fond of warthogs. The amazing thing this time was the variety and colour of all the flowers, absolutely awe inspiring.    Of course the advantage of these flowers is that you also see the different animals in amongst them. We were lucky to see a couple of jackals as well as a whole family of meerkats – they are just so funny, they way they run through the grass.

One of the good things about Addo (or any Game Reserve) is that you get up early, do your game watching thing and then go back and have a midday rest – you don’t feel lazy as you have already done what you are there to do.

We have found that when we go to Addo it is better to take our food with us – the restaurant never used to be the greatest and when you have your food in the chalet, you can eat what you want to, when you want to.   There is a shop at the main camp, but also a very good Spar at Colchester, so self catering is very easy.   It is also a good idea to make sure you take something to eat and drink on game drives – sometimes they last longer than your originally planned.   A great idea is to make a picnic and have it about half way though your morning drive – lets you stretch your legs and by that time the food really tastes great.



To learn more about what to do and see in South Africa visit our South Africa Accommodation and Travel website.

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North-West FIFA World Cup 2003 Group Stage Matches

Here is a schedule of all the Group Stage games for the FIFA World Cup 2003 matches which will be played in North-Wes Province. 

The North West Province of South Africa is situated in the western Magaliesberg and provides plenty to see and do in the popular holiday destinations such as Rustenburg. Just half an hour’s drive from here will find you at the glamorous Sun City complex and its enormous range of leisure options. The complex providing an excellent combination of golf, game and gambling, as well as world class hotels, is the perfect choice for any holiday in South Africa. Close by, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve provides travellers an excellent chance of spotting the "Big Five".

12th June 2003

England v USA @ Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg - Kick Off 20.30

15th June 2003

New Zealand v Slovakia @ Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg - Kick Off 13.30

20th June 2003

Slovakia v Paraguay @ Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg - Kick Off 12.30

19th June 2003

Ghana v Australia @ Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg - Kick Off 16.00

22nd June 2003

Mexico v Uruguay @ Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg - Kick Off 16.00

24th June 2003

Denmark v Japan @ Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg - Kick Off 20.30

Base Camps in North-West

• England at the Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg, North-West

• Korea Republic at the Hunters Rest Hotel in North-West

• Spain at the Potchefstroom University (North West Campus), Potchefstroom, North-West

Click here for accommodation ideas in Rustenburg

Click here for a list of accommodation ideas in the North-West

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Unforgettable Game Reserves in South Africa

For a long lasting impression, a South African game reserve is something not to miss whether you experience one of the game reserves via a safari or travelling on your own – it really is an unforgettable experience. South Africa has a huge collection of both private and public game reserves and nature parks situated all over the country. South Africa is home to the BIG 5 – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard and is of course Malaria free.There is a wide range of Game Reserves to suit all types of budgets from 5 star luxury to self-drive parks.

Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa and covers nearly 2 million hectares of land or an area greater than the size of Israel. Kruger is home to the Big Five, the Little Five (buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle), the birding Big Six (ground hornbill, kori bustard, lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, pel’s fishing owl and saddle-bill stork) and more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve. At Kruger Park it is possible to do your own self-drive although there are guided tour operators, with an excellent infrastructure that includes picnic sites, rest camps, waterholes and hides. The Kruger Park is a truly remarkable reserve offering everyone an incredible experience of Africa at its most wild.

Addo Elephant National Park - This finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants and attracts more visitors per year than the Serengeti National Park. Elephant viewing at Addo is considered to be the best in the world and you can either choose to drive yourself around the park or take advantage of the guided tours on offer.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve - A favourite amongst international celebrities including royalty, Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to the coveted Big Five. Situated close to Port Elizabeth, in the malaria-free Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Shamwari Game Reserve offers an unsurpassed nature experience. In an area blessed by the convergence of 5 eco-systems, it's a natural habitat for all types of wildlife makes it the ideal viewing reserve, for not only the Big Five flourish here, but so does a large variety of antelope and smaller wildlife, as well as about 300 species of birds. http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=037

Places to stay:

Buhala Game Lodge - Malelane, Mpumalanga - Buhala is an enchanting Game Lodge right on the banks of the Crocodile River, the border of the Kruger National Park. What a wonderful waterhole to have at the bottom of the garden! Elephant, buffalo, hippos and many antelope are just a few of the frequent visitors there. Guests sitting on the verandah sipping sundowners or lazing around the pool have wonderful sightings of these fascinating animals. http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=038

24 Riviere - Vaalwater, Limpopo -The Mountain Lodges are built in the mountains, out of the mountains. With rocks and thatch roofs these Rondavel designed lodges have cool day temperatures and nice warmth at night. The spacious lodges are finished and furnished in style to provide you with comfort and luxury http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=44

Plumbago Guest House - Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga - Superbly positioned on a ridge with a magnificent panoramic view of subtropical Hazyview & the Kruger National Park. Plumbago offers luxurious suites in the lush garden – Sauna, Pool & Tennis. http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=54

For more information on Game Reserves and places to stay, visit: http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/

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Our 5 star Shamwari Experience Part 2

We were told to meet our guide at 15h30 in the bar/lounge where tea would be served before going on our afternoon game drive. Just enough time to sort out some warm clothing for the drive and perhaps relax a bit after a good lunch.

We met our ranger over coffee, (beautiful cake and savoury tarts as well, if you wanted them) and after a while of getting to know you, he outlined the “rules” of the game drive. Shamwari is very conscious of conservation and preserving nature, plus giving every guest the ultimate experience. The game vehicles carry a maximum of seven passengers, but normally 6 would be the maximum. This is great as everyone is on a side of the vehicle – no middle seat. Instead of a middle seat is a box where blankets are kept and you can put any belongings you don’t want straight away.

The first afternoon was very special as we saw giraffes – about 8 of them all together. They are so graceful with their long necks and they seem to love “posing” for you. There were lots of Zebras around and of course buck (or fast food for lions?). The first of the “Big Five” we saw were a family of elephants. It is fascinating to watch elephants especially the “children” who can play so beautifully. We drove around for a while and came across a family of lions – mother, father and five cubs (about 14 months old). This was really something to see. They were all lying next to the road and sitting watching them you just want to stroke them, but definitely not allowed.

Seeing 2 of the Big 5 in less than an hour is amazing but we were extremely lucky to see 2 black Rhino. Unfortunately these are bush dwellers and it is quite amazing to see how quickly they disappear into the thick bush – now you see them, now you don’t!

As the sun was setting we stopped for “sundowners”, a chance to stretch your legs and chat about all the animals we had seen.

We had a young Irish couple with us who were on their honeymoon – so decided that this must be why we were so lucky – the luck of the Irish!

We drove back to Long Lee in the dark and were welcomed back with a glass of sherry or hot chocolate to warm you up. It is pretty cold on the vehicles at this time of the year.

The dinner that night was in the Barn. The weather at this time of the year is not really good enough to sit outside around a “boma” so Long Lee uses their barn to set up for dinner, with all the food outside. Dinner was an amazing array of food with a lot of typical South African dishes such as “pap” and boerewors, koeksusters, brandy pudding as well as all the other dishes you could possibly want such as Kudu, fillet steak and lots of salads.

http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=037

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North West Province - World Cup 2003, Big 5, Sun City

The North West Province of South Africa is situated in the western Magaliesberg and provides plenty to see and do in the popular holiday destinations such as Rustenburg. Rustenburg, which translated literally means "town of rest", is the third oldest town of the former Transvaal Province. The city has been chosen as one of the host cities for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2003 and will be staging games at the 40,000 Royal Bafekong Stadium previously used for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Just half an hour’s drive from here will find you at the glamorous Sun City complex and its enormous range of leisure options. The complex providing an excellent combination of golf, game and gambling, as well as world class hotels, is the perfect choice for any holiday in South Africa. Close by the Pilanesberg Game Reserve provides travellers an excellent chance of spotting the "Big Five".

To appreciate the history of this area then you should visit Mafikeng and in particular its museum, which has exhibits relating to the Siege of Mafeking, the Barolong people and San (Bushmen) which are interesting. In addition, the pretty towns of Lichtenburg, Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom are of particular interest.

At the Pilanesberg National Park, you will discover the crater of a long extinct volcano with an amazing alkaline complex created from activity over 1290 million years ago. This is one of the largest volcanic complexes in the world and its rare rock structure and type make it a unique geological feature. This area has survived ages of erosion and can be seen high above the surrounding bushveld plains. It is possible to see the early existence of man in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites throughout the park.

On the park’s undulating hills and stretching open plains, you can get a glimpse of the 'Big Five', an abundance of animals and over 360 bird species. As well as the 'Big Five' you may also spot the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable.

Recommended accommodation in the North West:

Penderry Guesthouse – Rustenburg http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=143

4* Crystal Sands Guest House – Rustenburg http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=57

Stonehouse Mountain Lodge – Hartbeespoort http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/info.php?lid=128





For more information on the North West and recommendation on accommodation, things to do and area information, please visit: http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com

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