Autumn road trip to four Nat Parks - in rain or shine

[FinMari]

Monday March 31st, 2025
Addo Main camp - Nyathi rest camp

We both woke up at 0335. Something was searching our outdoors trash bin - no food, but wine bottles make a hell of sound at night
We tried to search it with torches - of course always at the side table - without luck
Actual wake up at 0515. Inside nice 24c. We left at 0545. Outside 18c. Just after 30 meters we saw (not so) common duiker mom & youngster

Bit further we saw AWC

I was drizzling and quite dark. Some zebras on the road just after the gate. About 2km firther we noticed a stopped vehicle and BEF It disappeared surprise super fast

This morning we decided to do Gorah loop anti-clock wise. More zebras

Buffalos

Warthog

Ellies on the road

They were so calm

When we saw one we just waited it to cross road and continued

Also Kudus

While taking photos at Domkrang outside of the car we heared some lion roaring

Back to car and some extra driving super slowly windows open, but not luck. Later I have seen from SANParks Addo Facebook Lions visiting Domkrang
Back to the unit at 0745. Same breakfast as day before - fruit salad made of granadillas and apples enjoyed with yogurt. Bags into rental car. Sun arrived out behind the clouds 0820. We left to the reception at 0905. If staying at Nyathi section one had to approve rules. One have to stay on the only direct road to the camp. Other roads are for private concession.
But it was too early to go there. So back to meet locals at the main area

PCG

Black-Headed Heron

Ludwig's Bustard

Blue Crane

Local

Some Hadeda Ibis at Carols Rest

Kudu

Mongoose

Buffalo

Happy elephants, Happy me

Immature PCG - Thank you for correct ID Karin

Continues on next post
Thank you for corrections arks

[FinMari]

Monday March 31st, 2025
Addo Main camp - Nyathi rest camp part2

At Domkrang a tree with African Spoonbill, Hadeda Ibis and Grey Heron

We ate lunch at Cattle Baron. I had Chicken Avo salad without avo - no season

SO had Springbok Carpaccio

There was no water at the bird hide

We checked also the waterhole, but no visitors this time. Time to move. The last Internet check until next morning at Domkrang. I wanted to response to birthday wishes before leaving to offline life. We crossed R342 to Nyathi section at 1319. First animal on that side was Eland. The first Eland at Addo during this visit

It was so green

While I was chatting with so amazing King at Nyathi gate (he said he remembers us ), a cricket found not so perfect resting place

We stayed at Nyathi in January 2024 and felt in love. While planning this trip, I got an idea for perfect Birthday location Some people might think it's super expensive (pics below) but we paid for the cottage at the main camp R2209,70/night and R2598,25/night for this

This was the last night before six months of renovations. The whole camp will be closed. Interesting to see someday how the camp and units will look afterwards. But the view will stay amazing.
Locals arrived

We enjoyed the splash pool while watching animals down there.

But soon it was time to braai and enjoy cold ones while enjoying the views

Sunset colours

Braai Master - phone is just to take photos No connection

Dinner was chicken sosaties with braai tomatoes

Tiny moon

It was lovely evening

Thunder was in horizon. We felt in sleep happily at 2030

T.B.C. time to move to fourt and final national park, Mountain Zebra

[umtali1]

A couple of lovely episodes

[colbol]

Birdie sightings Ludwig’s

Like the pic of the “local”

You do explore very nook and cranny don’t you - even at 3.35 in the morning

Thanks FinMari

[arks]

Enjoying your adventures as always and pleased that you're becoming quite an accomplished birder However, your 'nyalas' look to me to in fact be kudu bulls

Looking forward to your MZNP adventures, as it's one of my most favourite parks

[Karin Mitton]

Fabulous pisode!
Baby duiker!
BEF and AWC - how lucky!
That photo of the local
Your Steppe buzzard is an immature PcG.
Nyathi looks fantastic.

[Pumbaa]

WoW FinMari,

Nyathi camp is looking incredible

Also love the masses of ellies as well as birds you saw during that day and even an eland

Food is looking as always yummy

[Carla + Tony]

BEF and AWC first thing...great start to the day
Lots of ellies around and lots of different birds too. Great photos.
And you saw your first eland They are such magnificent looking antelope.

The camp and the bungalow look amazing. Most definitely the perfect place to be celebrating your birthday

[Crested Val]

As usual I am playing catch up.

Addo was definitely very kind to you, with some wonderful sightings.

Amazing male lion sighting.

Baby Duiker so cute.

BEF and AWC well done!!!

Some delicious food, and again some useful photos of the accommodation.

[kids@camping]

some amazing sightings all around

Nyathi camp looks amazing
Cooling off in spash pool with a view...

[Tessa G]

What beautiful early morning Addo scenes Mari and I especially love the little Swallows sitting on the fence, waiting before they fly North to your summer.

I too get irritated with doef doef, even when not in a park and surrounded by beautiful nature.

Beautiful photo of the Southern Fiscal

I always love your photos of the meals. That apple and granadilla fruit salad is especially

Great sighting of the lion. He's a beauty.
Poor piggy!

I miss ellies and those are such beautiful scenes of them standing in the green vegetation

Thanks Mari.

[Ollie]

The camp looks lovely it will be interesting to see what changes they make during the renovations. Thanks for sharing the great

[Jan van Wyk]

Wow.....so many great sightings and images telling a story ........

Thank you for sharing Mari....love them all .......

[FinMari]

Thank you all so much for leaving comments

A couple of lovely episodes

umtali, Thank you

Birdie sightings Ludwig’s

colbol, I don't remember if I have ever seen Ludwig's anywhere else than Addo. But there several times

However, your 'nyalas' look to me to in fact be kudu bulls
Looking forward to your MZNP adventures, as it's one of my most favourite parks

arks, nyalas vs kudus
I love MZNP

Baby duiker!
That photo of the local

Karin, I was so thrilled to see baby duiker
Ellies are so photogenic

Nyathi camp is looking incredible
Also love the masses of ellies as well as birds you saw during that day and even an eland

Pumbaa, I can recommend Nyathi easily
Addo is Ellie heaven

BEF and AWC first thing...great start to the day
The camp and the bungalow look amazing. Most definitely the perfect place to be celebrating your birthday

Carla + Tony, BEF & AWC are always a jackpot
I'm waiting to return to Nyathi one day

Addo was definitely very kind to you, with some wonderful sightings.
Baby Duiker so cute.

Val, Addo was indeed super kind to us. I think baby duiker was the high light

Cooling off in spash pool with a view...

kids@camping, Something like heaven staying in splash pool and watch animals

What beautiful early morning Addo scenes Mari and I especially love the little Swallows sitting on the fence, waiting before they fly North to your summer.
Great sighting of the lion. He's a beauty.

Tessa, More swallows next morning
I didn't expect to see lion at Addo, even there is nowadays more lions

The camp looks lovely it will be interesting to see what changes they make during the renovations.

Ollie, I think they do basic maintenance. Let's see. Some happy people will enjoy their Christmas there

Wow.....so many great sightings and images telling a story ........

Jan, Welcome back onboard. I hope you had amazing time in Kruger

[FinMari]

Tuesday April 1st, 2025
Nyathi rest camp, Addo - Mountain Zebra NP

Wake up slowly at 6. Grey morning with light drizzling. The plan was enjoy the view from the deck and have slow morning. Some warthogs and red hartebeest were visible. Lesser Striped Swallows visited us

Also Black-Headed Oriole

Breakfast we ate inside

In one tree was some Lesser Striped Swallows and possible Black Saw-wing (?)

Some chatting with King at the gate while we checked out. I hope they had a job for him while Nyathi is closed. We left 0915, it was 20c. Our Navi told - Drive 4,8km to the road

Some kudus

Grey Heron on one river crossing

Elands have been on the road and were not happy about we disturbing them - we didn't notice them behind the corner

Vervet monkeys acted more relaxed

From the Nyathi gate we didn't continue anymore to main Addo area. Instead turned towards east with R342 until getting N10 northwards. It was raining. Drizzling. Raining. From Olifantskop pass no views, 17c. We made shopping at Cradock. For those who have not visited Mountain Zebra NP (later Mountain Zebra), shop in the park has very limited food options. At 1304 we drove into Mountain Zebra happily. The first animal game - me zebra, SO springbok and correct answer was Kudu. We were bit too early to check in so took Ubejane loop. Some springboks

There is a place were ground squirrels are always begging

At Ubejane was a lot more water than in Jan 2024

About 20 buffalos were drinking

Local

Springboks

At the reception lovely Ayanda Nhleko checked us in to unit #21 CO2 which cost R1803,10/night. I checked next January, the price will be with online discount R1988,08 including breakfast which will be included from Dec 11, 2025.

Luckily the sky opened. The view from our unit

Stoep

Living area

Inside fireplace and telly

Bedroom with a view Fireplace is open also to bedroom. And as you can see, car is parked very close to unit

Bathroom

We were bit hungry - let's have burgers (a R75) at the restaurant. Staff at Mountain Zebra restaurant are so lovely and food is good

Rest of the day in the next post