South Africa – Didima

Last Updated on December 10, 2021 by Kevin Agar

Our final destination was Didima Camp in the Didima valley where we hoped to do some walking.

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Didima Camp entrance

SM-A520F 1/800 s. f/1.9 iso40

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View of the accommodation

VTR-L09 1/710 s. f/2.2 iso50

The first walk was going to be Rainbow Gorge, but after setting out and getting to the top of the hill we realised that we had already drunk most of the water and with the oppressive heat it would be silly to continue.

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Start of the walk to Rainbow Gorge

VTR-L09 1/950 s. f/2.2 iso50

So we headed back and spent some time sat around the pool.

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Chilling by the pool. Please note, drinking water.

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Next day we walked to Doreen Falls which was a shorter walk and a little less strenuous. Here I managed to see and photograph some Wailing Cisticola

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Wailing Cisticola, Cisticola lais

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1600 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

A selection of shots from the walk to Doreen Falls

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Doreen Falls, Sandra will swim anywhere

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Doreen Falls

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/125 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm

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Doreen Falls

VTR-L09 1/100 s. f/2.2 iso80

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A cave next to Doreen Falls

VTR-L09 1/35 s. f/2.2 iso400

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The journey back from Doreen Falls

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/400 s. f/5 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm

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The journey back from Doreen Falls

VTR-L09 1/850 s. f/2.2 iso50

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The journey back from Doreen Falls

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/320 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm

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Baboons on the road back to Didima

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/250 s. f/5.6 iso125 4.5-90.0 mm

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A bit of grooming

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/200 s. f/5.6 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm

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A braai and yahtzee at the end of the day

SM-A520F 1/25 s. f/1.9 iso160

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The view at the end of the day from our accommodation

SM-A520F 1/25 s. f/1.9 iso160

The next day we decided to give Rainbow Gorge another try. This time we managed it even though some of the walk was a bit difficult. Again, here are some of the shots of the days walk.

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Top of the hill near the start

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/640 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm

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View down the valley

VTR-L09 1/530 s. f/2.2 iso50

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The woods on the way down into the gorge

VTR-L09 1/35 s. f/2.2 iso125

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More of the woods

VTR-L09 1/50 s. f/2.2 iso160

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Cape Primrose - Streptocarpus

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/50 s. f/3.5 iso800 4.5-90.0 mm

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Ndumeni River

VTR-L09 1/50 s. f/2.2 iso80

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Unknown flower

VTR-L09 1/50 s. f/2.2 iso100

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Cooling the feet

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/320 s. f/3.5 iso400 4.5-90.0 mm

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Ndumeni River

VTR-L09 1/150 s. f/2.2 iso50

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One of the many ladders to get over obstructions

VTR-L09 1/400 s. f/2.2 iso50

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This bit wasn't so easy

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Ndumeni River

SM-A520F 1/250 s. f/1.9 iso40

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Ndumeni River

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/1000 s. f/3.5 iso400 4.5-90.0 mm

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More obstacles

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/60 s. f/3.5 iso640 4.5-90.0 mm

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Another Ladder

VTR-L09 1/900 s. f/2.2 iso160

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Unknown flowers

VTR-L09 1/270 s. f/2.2 iso50

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Toad

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/200 s. f/4.5 iso100 4.5-90.0 mm

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Another stunning view

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The view along the gorge

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The walk back

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/1000 s. f/3.5 iso200 4.5-90.0 mm

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Eland

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/250 s. f/5.6 iso200 4.5-90.0 mm

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Eland

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/320 s. f/6.8 iso320 4.5-90.0 mm

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Rock Artwork

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/160 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm

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View from Didima Camp

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The ever changing view from our accommodation

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During the times that we weren’t walking I managed to get a few shots of the local birds and wildlife, so here are a few

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Speckled Pigeon, Columba guinea

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2500 s. f/4 iso1600 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1000 s. f/5.6 iso400 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Koppie Foam Grasshopper, Dictyophorus spumans

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2000 s. f/6.3 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Reed Cormorant, Microcarbo africanus

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1600 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Common Fiscal, Lanius collaris

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2000 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Hadada, Bostrychia hagedash

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/3200 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Scrub Hare, Lepus saxatilis

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/640 s. f/5.6 iso400 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Malachite Kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/3200 s. f/5 iso400 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Red-collared Widowbird, Euplectes ardens

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1600 s. f/5.6 iso1600 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

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Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/320 s. f/5.6 iso640 EF500mm f/4L IS USM

So that’s the end of our South Africa adventure, but we enjoyed it so much we’ve already booked to go there again next year.

© 2003-2024 Kevin B Agar

4 comments on “South Africa – Didima
  1. philip roberts says:

    A lovely diary of this fantastic trip, many thanks for sharing.

  2. David Hunter says:

    Fantastic collection of shots. Both the scenic and nature are outstanding.

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