SANParks.org Forums

Herewith the Pictures.







Enjoy

NIce one KG, thanks for sharing.

We did the Nossob Trail about one month ago! It was really awesome! We absolutely can recommend to do that trip....we put the report and some pictures on our blog: http://thewildangle.com/?p=300

Forum report for Nossob 4x4 eco-trail 06-09 August 2012

Day 1

With the start of a new month we began this week’s adventure at Twee Revierin. So with 10 guests, 5 vehicles and a guide we set off from Twee Revierin for the week’s adventure on a cold windy winter’s morning. Stopping at the start of the trail to discuss some of the finer points of the trail, we left the Nossob River and entered the dunes with anticipation. We had a herd of Wildebeest as a farewell party as we entered the dunes. At the lunch stop the weather was between 15c – 20c depending on weather you were standing in the sun or the shade. With lunch some interpreting of the Sociable Weavers nest and Tree Rats nest and the sour grass were some of the topics for lunch. So with the wind still blowing we headed off for the afternoon stretch of the trail which sees the last part like a bit of a roller coaster with all the up and down on the dunes. With Gemsbok, Steenbok, Eland and wildebeest as our sighting tally for the day we arrived at Witgat camp site that showed no real signs of activity at the camp sight but lots of different spoor at the water hole. So rather wind blown we set up camp for the night. The wind did not play along and did not die down and persisted through out the night. So once we had made a plan to braai for the evening (with the use of a wind breaker) we drifted off to bed with the temperature sitting at 4.4 c.

Day 2

So rising at 07H00 to – 2.8c with a breeze that seemed to make it even colder we found that there had been no tracks to indicate night time visitor’s to the camp. We were treated to 3 Jackal and a solitary brown Hyena who came down to the water hole and hung around for disappearing over the dunes. One of the Jackals came to the camp to investigate and say good morning. So we set off for the day ahead passing through the Grass Savanna we made a stop at the irregular criss cross dunes to take in the sight’s, the wind had picked up again and stayed with us for the day. 2 honey badgers were sighted as the morning progressed. Shortly before lunch we stopped at the carcass of a female Eland who had been killed the previous week. Then off to the lunch stop. With the temperature between 11- 20c depending on where you were standing it was a windy but restful lunch stop. With the afternoons drive we headed off to see what lay ahead, stopping at an aardvark burrow and burrows that are frequently used by Ground Squirrels, Meerkat’s and mongoose, we had Gemsbok and Steenbok rounding off the sightings for the day, we stopped at the look out point that looks down over the plains where the next camp is situated. Pulling into the camp there was no signs of animal activity around the camp. That evening the wind died down and allowed us to enjoy an evening around the fire. We were in for another cold night as the temperature had dropped to – 0.2c as we climbed in to bed.

Day 3

So rising at 07H00 to find no sign’s of nightly activity and -3c as the temperature we set about preparing for the day ahead. We stopped to talk about the black thorn the lunar moth cocoon’s before arriving at the first look out point that gives us a wonderful 360’ view of the Kalahari dunes, here we discussed more of the vegetation and their uses, and we headed off for lunch stopping at the Silver cluster leaves and their look out point. At lunch at Eileen pan we were treated to herds of Gemsbok and Red Hartebeest resting in the pan below us. With the temperature at 30’ c and no wind to speak of we settled in for a very relaxing and warm lunch discussing briefly the role that the pans play in the park, in particular for the animals. Lunch completed we took a pleasant afternoon drive through to the Swartbas camp site. Where once the camp was set up an informal game of bole was enjoyed by some of the guests. So for the last night of the trail we gathered around the camp fire to enjoy another night under the African Night Skies. With the temperature getting down to 3.2’c we drifted of to bed.

Day 4

Rising again at 07H00 we discovered that there were tracks of Jackal around the camp and that a single Hyena
(Possibly Spotted Hyena) had skirted around the southern side of the camp but not come any closer. So with the temperature at – 3.2’c we set about taking down the camp and setting off for the last day of the trail. Traveling through the Savanna grasslands that dominate the last days drive we were lucky enough to have a sighting of 2 Kudu bulls a young male with 1 curl in his horns and the other a magnificent specimen whose horns were a magnificent sight. With this as our sighting for the day we arrived back at the Nossob River and her flood plains that provide for some wonderful views. Thus at the end of the trail people who greeted each other as strangers at the beginning of the trail said goodbye as friends.

Here are so pictures of the past 4x4 trail.

Eco-trail 13-16 August 2012

Day 1

So on a warm winter’s morning (12.6 c) when we left Twee Revierin. 6 guests and a guide set out for this week’s Eco-Trail adventure. Our sighting tally started early as we got a small herd of young Eland and 2 male Lions in plain sight of the main Nossob road before we got on to the trail. Arriving at the start of the trail we discussed how we were going to go about tackling the trail we set off. We arrived at the shepherd’s tree our first stop where we looked down onto the Nossob River and the road that leads up to Nossob rest camp. Shortly after this we got our second sighting of Eland our first of the trail. At our lunch stop we made general chatter of the day we enjoyed a chance to stretch and take in the sights before heading off for the afternoon section and Witgat the camp site for the night. Arriving at the camp we had a herd of around 22 Gemsbok hovering around the water hole to add to our sightings. The wind eventually died down allowing us to get the fire under way and enjoy the evening. Which was rounded off with a brown Hyena and Jackal sighting at the water hole before we headed off to bed?

Day 2

After a rather windy night we rose to a rather warm morning 6.8c. As we were departing the camp we found Hyena and Jackal tracks in the road. At our first stop for the morning at the irregular dunes we were able to see a small herd of Eland off in the distance. We again stopped off at the old Eland kill as well as a sociable weaver’s nest and candle pod acacia. With Gemsbok and Steenbok rounding off the morning sightings we arrived for lunch that was rather a windy affair. So we set off for the afternoon drive with only Gemsbok sighting to add to our sightings for the day. Settling down around the fire at Rosyntjiebos we were treated to a Cheetah chasing a Steenbok not more than 40 meters from the camp, which was a very rare turn of events for this camp. Unsuccessful with the chase both the Cheetah and the Steenbok disappeared out of sight so our night had an interesting topic of conversation. After all this excitement we settled down again for an amazing evening around the fire under the African night skies, before wariness took us off to bed with the temperature at a warm 12. 6c.

Day 3

So rising on the 3rd morning to a chilly 3.6c we packed up and set off for the day’s adventure. We had sightings of Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok and a herd of Wildebeest before our first stop. Arriving at our first stop the view point at the top of Bertha we were able to enjoy a 360’ view of the Kalahari from the top before setting off for the second stop of the day and lunch. We arrived at the Silver Cluster leaves and their look out point to enjoy their view and discuses the role they play in the lives of the San. Thus off to lunch which was a shortened affair as again as the wind had picked up again making the temperature seem colder than it was. On the afternoon drive through to Swartbas we were treated to seeing 2 Honey Badgers make 2 appearances in the road and just off the road. Thus we arrived at Swartbas our last camp for the trail. That night around the fire we were treated to the sounds of Jackal calling adding ambience to the African night. Thus at the end of a chilly evening 2.6c we drifted off to bed.

Day 4

So on the last day of the trail we rose again at 07H00 to a freezing – 7c we packed up the camp, with coffee to keep us warm. We headed off for the last days drive. With our sightings for the day 4 Eland, we enjoyed an undulating drive through the Savanna grasslands that dominate this section of the trail stopping to learn more about the 3 thorns and black thorn that grow in large patches on this section of the trail. Eventually we arrived back at the Nossob River and her flood plains, here at the end of the trail we bade farewell to each other and headed off at our own paces.

Trail 21- 23 August 2012

Day 1

On a warm day (24.6’c) at Twee Revierin, 7 guests and a guide met too tackle the adventure of this week’s Eco-Trail. With everything organized we set off for the start of the trail, before we got to the start of the trail we sighted 3 lion up on the ridge. Once on the trail and after the trail briefing we came across a broken Ostrich egg under the shade of a tree. At the large Shepard’s tree we could enjoy the shade underneath the tree as well as the view from the dune. At the lunch stop (26.5’c) shade was greatly appreciated. Traveling through some undulating dunes for the afternoon with Gemsbok, Red hartebeest and Eland rounded off the sightings for the day. Arriving at Witgat there was no signs of fresh animal activity at the camp. We settled in to the camp to enjoy the first night under the African night which was rounded off with the sounds of the Jackal’s in the distance.

Day 2

After a warm night (9’c) when we rose in the morning, to find that there had been to visit the camp. We set about packing up, stopping at the water hole we saw track’s of a brown hyena that had come down to drink during the night. We stopped off at the irregular dunes and nests as well as stopping at a candle pod Acacia we arrive at the lunch stop with the temperature now at 30’c the day was warming up. After a relaxing lunch we set off for the afternoon drive the days sighting were Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest and Steenbok. Before we arrived at the camp for the second night we stopped at the look out point were we took in the view of the plain were that night’s camp is situated as well as a view of where we had traveled from. Thus we came to Rosyntjiebos the camp for that night. Again we were able to enjoy a warmish night under the African skies with moon starting to shed its light on the veld below.

Day 3

After a chilly night (1.2’c) when we rose in the morning, again to find that there had been no nocturnal visitors to the camp. We broke up camp and set off for the day’s adventure. Sighting a herd of Wildebeest before our first look out point we stopped to discuss the thunderbolt flower we arrived at our first view point to take in the 360’ view that it provides us of the Kalahari. With this taken in we set off to Eileen pan for lunch. At lunch we found the shade most welcoming as the lunch time temperature had reached 35’c. With lunch finished we headed off for the afternoon drive and Swartbas the last camp for the trail. At the camp a number of tracks could be seen but nothing that was fresh, so we set up camp and relaxed in the shade of the Swartbas trees that dominate the camp. With the moon shedding more light on the surrounding area we enjoyed the last night of the trail with each others company.

Day 4

We were woken on the last morning to the distant sound of a roaring lion. So with the temperature a pleasant 6.8’c we packed up to set off for the last day of the trail. We enjoyed a pleasant drive through rolling savanna grassland and patches of 3 thorn and black thorn, stopping to look at loner moth cocoons and discuss the 3 thorn. Before arriving at the end of the trail to another day of 35’c. So after our farewells we set off on our own ways to the rest of the day.

Here are some pics of the trail;

Thank you KG, who is the guide on the trail?

The guide is Robert

Report for Nossob 4x4 eco-trail 27-30 August

Day 1

On a warm Monday morning 18’c when we left Twee Revierin, 8 guests and a guide left for this weeks 4x4 Eco trail adventure. We headed off for the start of the trail on arriving at the start of the trail a run down of some rules and how to tackle the trail was give before heading off into the dunes to see what secrets they held for us. Stopping at lunch time to 35’c some general conversation was enjoyed before setting off for the afternoon of undulating dunes and the camp. Arriving at the camp with an Eland running ahead of us to round of a days sighting that included Gemsbok, Eland, Red Hartebeest and 2 Honey badgers who were making their way over the dune. Once camp was up we were able to have an enjoyable evening with a nice chicken dish around a small fire listening to the sounds of the Jackal and owls calling adding ambiance to a cloudy night in the African bush.

Day 2

Waking up to 13’6 c with a few clouds in the sky and a slight breeze, to find no nocturnal animals had visited during the night. We were treated to a lone Brown Hyena coming to drink at the water hole. Once on the road after coffee and rusk’s and packing up we stopped to look at some nests a Candle pod Acacia and an Eland carcass. We stopped off for a windy yet hot lunch (38.4’c) the shade was appreciated. We set off for hot and interesting afternoon drive trying to get over some of the dunes. Stopping a few kilometers from the camp to take in the view of the plains where the camp is situated and too look over the land which we had traveled. Arriving at the camp to find no fresh tracks we set about getting the camp up. Gemsbok, Eland and Steenbok rounded off the days sightings. After another Rosyntjiebos sunset the moon cast a magical light over the veld for another great night in the Kalahari.

Day 3

After another warm night with the jackal calling during the night. The clouds provided for a great sunrise (13.2’c) in the morning. We departed the camp for the days adventure, stopping to take in some 360’ view points and discuss the roles some of the trees and plants play in the lives of the San we arrived at Eileen pan for lunch with the temperature at 25’c and a wind blowing. We enjoyed some shade and the view over the pan during lunch. We set off for the afternoon drive. Sighting Red Hartebeest, A Gemsbok and a Steenbok rounded of the afternoon sightings. We arrived at camp and soon had it set up and thus had some time to relax as the sun eventually started to geo under for another great sun set. Again the moon cast a magical and mystical light on the veld of the Kalahari and around a fire we enjoyed the last night of the trail.

Day 4

We woke on the last morning to some clouds in the sky and to find tracks around the outside of the camp that told us that Jackal and Spotted hyena had been to have a look around, we were to enjoy another great sunrise with coffee and rusk’s. We packed up and got on the road to head off to the Nossob River and the end of the trail we traveled through the rolling dunes and savanna grassland with clusters of trees and three thorns. Stopping for a break we were able to take in some of the sights before we arrived back at the Nossob and her flood plains. Here we said our good byes and headed off on our separate ways.

Some pics of the last trail:








Doing what a guide should do

even twin they are cute
maybe strange for Stefan

Nossob 4x4 eco-trail 03-06 September 2012

Day 1

On a chilly spring morning 8 guests and a guide set out from Nossob for this week’s adventure. Traveling north in the river bed to the start of the trail we sighted 2 Cheetah looking interested in some springbok, yet the Springbok moved off before any action happened. We also had sightings of some White backed Vultures along the way. Arriving at the start of the trail some advice on tackling the trail as well as a few trail rules were given. Thus we left the Nossob River and her flood plains behind as we headed into the dunes and the Savanna grasslands that dominate the rolling dunes in the area. Stopping for lunch the group became acquainted with each other. Once on the road again we stopped to examine some rat and mice burrows as well as discussing the Black thorn, 3 Thorn and some cocoons. Coming into the camp some old Hyena tracks were seen leading into the camp. An inspection of the camp showed no fresh animal activity. Once set up the group settled in for what was good night under the African night sky with a fantastic sunset. That night after a good supper we enjoyed some hot chocolate that had been mixed with a stick from the 3 thorn. With full tummies and satisfied we drifted off to bed.

Day 2

Waking up the next morning and checking the camp we discovered that we had been visited during the night by 2 lions who had walked around the outside of the camp stopping to investigate the 2 toilets, before moving off down the road. Thus there was much to talk about before setting off for the days drive. Stopping at Eileen pan we sighted some Red Hartebeest, and enjoyed some coffee and the view over the pan. We took some breaks along the road to discuss the Rosyntjiebos and the Silver Cluster Leaves and the some of the roles they play in the lives of the San. Thus we came to Bertha after letting tyres down and some advice tackled Bertha and enjoyed the view from the top before stopping on the other side for a pleasant lunch and to re-inflate our tyre’s. The afternoon drive was a pleasant one with a nice sighting of a lone Cheetah resting in the shade of a shepherd’s tree. We arrived at the camp site to discover that it had been visited recently by Jackal, Hyena and Ostrich. After another amazing Rosyntjiebos sunset we had another enjoyable African night under the stars with little Whistling Rats and field mice coming to say hallo. Much of the nights discussion was of the stars and many of the constellations that are in the sky with everyone able to contribute to the conversation.

Day 3

After a chilly night we found that there had been no nocturnal visitors to the camp. The sunrise did not let us down. We enjoyed some coffee and rusk’s before packing up and heading off to see what the day would hold for us. We arrived at a rather windy look out point to view the plain where we had spent the night and to see what lay ahead for us. We moved on stopping to discuss Aardvark and Meerkat’s burrows as well as the Devils claw. At last arriving at the lunch stop were we found some old lion tracks that were passing through, we were able to enjoy lunch. Shortly after leaving the lunch site we sighted 1 male and 2 female Lions on the crest of one of the dunes who posed nicely for us before moving down into the dune street and off into the distance. We proceeded off now with much excitement. Stopping to look at one of the lions old kills some nests and irregular dunes before arriving at the last camp site for the trail. Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest and Meerkat’s rounded off a days sightings. Once settled into camp we settled down for a last enjoyable night on the trail and the night was a pleasant one.

Day 4

With the wind having picked up during the night we woke up to a fresh morning, with no signs of any nocturnal visitors to the camp. Setting off we discovered that there had been no new visitors to the waterhole either. So we set off again to find that there were lion tracks on the road over our tyre tracks between the junctions. So the lions had been on the move. We stopped to examine another carcass and a large Shepard’s tree, while enjoying the rolling dunes of the area. Finally arriving back at the Nossob River and the end of the trail were people who had started the trail as strangers said good bye as friends.