Author: wilma

Nevertheless, we spent three two mornings and three afternoons in the hide. The view over the dam was simply beautiful. The hide is perfectly designed to allow photography both in the morning and in the afternoon. One simply has to sit on opposite sides of the hide and shoot in the right direction for the current light conditions.

Sightings included Little Egrets –

Grey Herons –

African Jacana –

A Woodlands Kingfisher, perching so close to the hide that I eventually had to switch to a shorter lens!

Overall, this was one of the most successful photography trips we had ever taken. Many more photos taken from the hide and around the park can be found in the Trip Gallery.

At this stage, one unfortunate still has to leave the park to travel between the Eastern and Western sections. The upside for us, however, was that between the two sections, we were able to get out of the car and photograph the never-ending fields of duwweltjies!

The Western section offers less in terms of structured activities, but it does offer better game viewing and, the jewel of Mapungubwe when we were there – the Maloutswa dam hide (but more about the hide in the next post!)

Wildlife sightings included a few very easy-going Steenbok

Reptiles, like lizards and agama are also very common.

There are also two 4×4 routes to drive, but we found both routes to be underwhelming both in terms of a 4×4 adventure and in terms of wildlife and bird sightings. We did, however, manage to get a few wonderful bird sightings from the comfort of our bungalow’s patio, such as this Diederik Cuckoo, courting a mate with a worm!

For many more photos, please visit the Trip Gallery!

Besides the spectacular array of birds, the Eastern section of the park offers a lot to see and a lot to do for non-birders. There is the treetop walk, where you walk on a raised walkway inside the forest canopy, and have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some tree squirrels

The path to the four confluence viewpoints start from this picnic site. The view are absolutely spectacular. Well worth a visit!

Of course, the fact that both the Limpopo and Sashe rivers were in full flood when we were there, served to make the views even more spectacular. Normally, you can expect to see the confluence of two wide, sandy river beds with a few standing pools of water. We were privileged to see the confluence of two large, fast-flowing rivers!

While at the viewpoints, one should also keep a lookout for the colourful flat-lizards that inhabit the rocky outcrops!

Further East of the viewpoints, you find the river road, where you will drive through a forest of massive Ficus and Njala trees.

The road through the Eastern section of the camp, from the gate to Leokwe camp… Well. We were told the park was beautiful. We were expecting to enjoy the scenery. But nothing prepared us for what we were about to see!