Last Updated on December 9, 2021 by Kevin Agar

10th-13th February 2020

We drove from Mimi’s Retreat Ramsgate to Lake Eland Game Reserve in the Oribi Gorge, stopping on the way to do some shopping as we had to cook for ourselves here. Upon arrival we were told that the price for our reservation had changed but were pleasantly surprised when we were told they had a weekday special of half price. A great start which only got better when we drove to our accommodation.

After unpacking and getting our bearings we went for a game drive and went as far as the suspension bridge. Not being a lover of heights I wasn’t looking forward to crossing the bridge but did manage it.

We also passed the ziplines but it was very quiet and as Sandra wanted to try them we decided to return the next day and see if anyone was doing it and then make a decision. I had said before seeing them that as Sandra wanted to do it then I’d also take part. Should have looked before making the decision, but I’d give my word so off we went.

We did game drives in the mornings and evening and although there wasn’t the big five it was still a great place. Very peaceful and we managed to get some great shots of birds and animals.

Here’s a list of the birds we saw during our stay at Lake Eland Game Reserve

African Pipit, African Stonechat, Barn Swallow, Black Sparrowhawk, Blacksmith Lapwing, Black-tailed skimmer, Burchell’s Coucal, Cape Crow, Cape Grassbird, Cape Wagtail, Common Fiscal, Common Waxbill, Croaking Cisticola, Dark-capped Bulbul, Familiar Chat, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Fork-tailed Drongo, Grey Crowned-crane, Jackal Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Long-crested Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Moorhen, Red-backed Shrike, Red-collared Widowbird, Red-throated Wryneck, Rufous-naped Lark, Southern Boubou, Speckled Pigeon, Spur-winged Goose, Steppe Buzzard, White-faced Whistling Duck, White-throated Swallow, Yellow-Throated Longclaw, Zitting Cisticola

To see all bird photographs then please visit Birds of South Africa

This is a list of some of the other wildlife we saw

African Monarch, Blesbok, Blue Water Lily, Burchell’s Zebra, Cape Giraffe, Elegant Grasshopper, Frog, Impala, Millipede, Snake

To see all wildlife photographs then please visit Wildlife of South Africa

As we were in the Lake Eland Game Reserve we were at the top of the gorge looking down, so we decided to leave the reserve and find the road that led down to the river at the bottom. Was a great drive on a very small road but it did give us a different perspective of the gorge.

We were quite sad to leave Lake Eland Game Reserve but it was time to move on to our last accommodation at the The Cavern Drakensberg Resort and Spa which was to be our little bit of Luxury before flying home.