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.
Didima Camp entrance
SM-A520F 1/800 s. f/1.9 iso40
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.
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.
Chilling by the pool. Please note, drinking water.
1/1400 s. f/1.9 iso40
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
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
Doreen Falls, Sandra will swim anywhere
SM-A520F 1/100 s. f/1.9 iso64
Doreen Falls
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/125 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm
Doreen Falls
VTR-L09 1/100 s. f/2.2 iso80
A cave next to Doreen Falls
VTR-L09 1/35 s. f/2.2 iso400
The journey back from Doreen Falls
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/400 s. f/5 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm
The journey back from Doreen Falls
VTR-L09 1/850 s. f/2.2 iso50
The journey back from Doreen Falls
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/320 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm
Baboons on the road back to Didima
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/250 s. f/5.6 iso125 4.5-90.0 mm
A bit of grooming
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/200 s. f/5.6 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm
A braai and yahtzee at the end of the day
SM-A520F 1/25 s. f/1.9 iso160
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.
Top of the hill near the start
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/640 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm
View down the valley
VTR-L09 1/530 s. f/2.2 iso50
The woods on the way down into the gorge
VTR-L09 1/35 s. f/2.2 iso125
More of the woods
VTR-L09 1/50 s. f/2.2 iso160
Cape Primrose - Streptocarpus
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/50 s. f/3.5 iso800 4.5-90.0 mm
Ndumeni River
VTR-L09 1/50 s. f/2.2 iso80
Unknown flower
VTR-L09 1/50 s. f/2.2 iso100
Cooling the feet
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/320 s. f/3.5 iso400 4.5-90.0 mm
Ndumeni River
VTR-L09 1/150 s. f/2.2 iso50
One of the many ladders to get over obstructions
VTR-L09 1/400 s. f/2.2 iso50
This bit wasn't so easy
SM-A520F 1/260 s. f/1.9 iso40
Ndumeni River
SM-A520F 1/250 s. f/1.9 iso40
Ndumeni River
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/1000 s. f/3.5 iso400 4.5-90.0 mm
More obstacles
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/60 s. f/3.5 iso640 4.5-90.0 mm
Another Ladder
VTR-L09 1/900 s. f/2.2 iso160
Unknown flowers
VTR-L09 1/270 s. f/2.2 iso50
Toad
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/200 s. f/4.5 iso100 4.5-90.0 mm
Another stunning view
VTR-L09 1/1050 s. f/2.2 iso50
The view along the gorge
VTR-L09 1/750 s. f/2.2 iso50
The walk back
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/1000 s. f/3.5 iso200 4.5-90.0 mm
Eland
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/250 s. f/5.6 iso200 4.5-90.0 mm
Eland
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/320 s. f/6.8 iso320 4.5-90.0 mm
Rock Artwork
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 1/160 s. f/4 iso160 4.5-90.0 mm
View from Didima Camp
SM-A520F 1/120 s. f/1.9 iso40
The ever changing view from our accommodation
VTR-L09 1/750 s. f/2.2 iso50
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
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2500 s. f/4 iso1600 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1000 s. f/5.6 iso400 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Koppie Foam Grasshopper, Dictyophorus spumans
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2000 s. f/6.3 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Reed Cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1600 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Common Fiscal, Lanius collaris
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/2000 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Hadada, Bostrychia hagedash
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/3200 s. f/5.6 iso800 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Scrub Hare, Lepus saxatilis
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/640 s. f/5.6 iso400 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Malachite Kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/3200 s. f/5 iso400 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Red-collared Widowbird, Euplectes ardens
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/1600 s. f/5.6 iso1600 EF500mm f/4L IS USM
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.
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.