Report and photos: Andrew Loots

A wonderful day out strolling through the rolling hill and valleys of the reserve.

We started of with a gentle descent ambling alongside a clear, cool stream. Blue Wildebeest and zebra where the first animals we came across. Our first river crossing was a simple one to enjoy a pit stop at the cave with a beautiful long table sawn out of a tree log and mounted on a timber frame with benches for us to rest, briefly. The orange in flower Clivia, a large assortment of aloes and succulents on the rock face above our heads. We continued to push further.

A fair assortment of fungi after the recent rains showed their caps here and there, most were the false Parasol mushrooms, for us bird lovers a bee eater, a mocking Cliff chat crossed our paths as we continued on.

Passing the newly established campsite, admiring the facilities, and the agreement that a night or 2 will be on the cards at some point, imagining the sights and sounds of the early mornings and late afternoons. Second river crossing went smoothly as did the third, but in the of the 3rd the newly placed rocks claimed it’s first victim. In true form Libby crossed ended with a graze on her elbow. Band aid on we pushed on to the lunch spot.
A knysa Turaco/ Knyse Lourie graced us with a sighting and a view of its beautiful scarlet windows on its wings as it flew from its perch. Passing the ruins of the old camp Site ablutions,  admiring the sleeping quarters up on stilts which survived to flood. We pressed on the the crossover to the campsite whith a waterfall, a Lapa with table and chairs and ablutions. Lunch time was enjoyed by all, exploring the area came across a hammerkops nest, Paradise flycatcher chasing each other in the canopy and the carcass of a male Nyala.
The stench drifted on the wind all the way up past the second bend on the climb out.
The climb up amd back to reception was endless, gaining altitude with every step and stopping at regular intervals to look back and admire the vastness of the valley we’d just exited. 
 
Finally at the top,. Much relief we parted ways, some remained and enjoyed a coffee or a beer at the restaurant.