Our final destination was Didima Camp in the Didima valley where we hoped to do some walking.
Didima Camp entrance
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View of the accommodation
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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.
Start of the walk to Rainbow Gorge
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So we headed back and spent some time sat around the pool.
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
Wailing Cisticola, Cisticola lais
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A selection of shots from the walk to Doreen Falls
Doreen Falls, Sandra will swim anywhere
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Doreen Falls
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Doreen Falls
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A cave next to Doreen Falls
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The journey back from Doreen Falls
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The journey back from Doreen Falls
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The journey back from Doreen Falls
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Baboons on the road back to Didima
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A bit of grooming
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A braai and yahtzee at the end of the day
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The view at the end of the day from our accommodation
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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.
Top of the hill near the start
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View down the valley
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The woods on the way down into the gorge
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More of the woods
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Cape Primrose - Streptocarpus
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Ndumeni River
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Unknown flower
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Cooling the feet
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Ndumeni River
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One of the many ladders to get over obstructions
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This bit wasn't so easy
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Ndumeni River
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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
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Another Ladder
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Unknown flowers
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Toad
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Another stunning view
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The view along the gorge
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The walk back
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Eland
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Eland
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Rock Artwork
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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
Speckled Pigeon, Columba guinea
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Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio
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Koppie Foam Grasshopper, Dictyophorus spumans
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Reed Cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
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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
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Scrub Hare, Lepus saxatilis
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Malachite Kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
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Red-collared Widowbird, Euplectes ardens
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Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
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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.
A lovely diary of this fantastic trip, many thanks for sharing.
Thank you Philip, I’m glad you enjoyed it
Fantastic collection of shots. Both the scenic and nature are outstanding.
Thank you Dave, glad you like them.