On our 15th Independence Day anniversary, Sally treated us to a few days in the Drakensberg at Cathedral Peak Hotel. Neither of us had been there before so it was a special treat for both of us.
Cathedral Peak Hotel LocationCathredral Peak Hotel
Some of the scenery as we approached the hotel, showing the Drakensberg mountains.
DrakensbergDidima Hotel next to Cathedral Peaks.Interesting accommodation at Didima
And views from Cathedral Peaks hotel.
View of the valley below our room. Golf Course seen below.Pathway next to our room. Peaks behind.
As you can see from the photos, the weather was gloriously sunny. However, when we set out on our morning walk the wind was blowing strongly and being well cocooned was imperative. As on all walks in the Berg, it is stupid if you don’t take a backpack of provisions like water, chocolate for energy and more warm clothes. It was also useful later in the day when it warmed up – somewhere to put all those warm clothes you started out with.
We set out at 09h00 heading to Blue Pools – top right of map above. And eventually got back at about 14h00. Here are some photos of the scenery on our walk.
Our destination – Blue Pools.Quite a climb to get here.
Birds and animals were few and far between. Not surprising at this altitude and the habitat dry and in many parts burnt.
The following photos show pictures of the birds and animals lower down – around the hotel and on the way to and from the hotel.
Cathedral Peaks Hotel is an all-inclusive resort. The hotel rooms were well sized and decorated. The dining area large with help-yourself food everywhere – smorgasbord style. An island for breakfast staples like cereals etc, deserts at lunch and dinner, breads etc. Another location for coffees and teas. Yet another for cooked dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Another cooking location for trout and yet another for Stir Fry of your choice.
Then between main meals there was a between meals tea, coffee and cakes station outside the dining area.
The bar area was cosy with a fire and comfortable seating.
The range of activities was extensive. Catering not only for walkers with trail guides but also activities for children of all ages.
We enjoyed the location and social interaction.
Would we go back? Yes, but as pensioners, only on a special occasion.
Birding was best on our journey to the hotel and around the grounds. In all we recorded 45 different bird species in 2 locations: Cathedral Peaks and a Wetland near Winterton.. You can see our list by downloading the following link.
We only had one night here – all booked out. So, we got here early from Shingwedzi to give us time in the afternoon to have a look around. We set up quickly without putting up our awning.
AblutionsWash-up areaCooking areaEntrance
On the way down to Tsendze, we notice many Openbills together in the river.
Openbills
On our first sortie into the area, we headed to the Mooiplaas Waterhole and saw a few interesting bird species on the open ground nearby.
Red-capped LarkRed-capped LarkLarkGabar GoshawkGabar GoshawkGabar GoshawkA pair of Secretarybirds
However, as we continued towards the wetland area, the road was taped off. Why? No rain so it must be passable. Perhaps they were grading the road, we thought. Annoyed, we returned to camp.
Back at camp we heard talk of an elephant seen just after the Mooiplaas Waterhole on the S49. The story intrigued us and as a result and our time in Tsendze focused there. Time well spent.
We went back and the taped off road was now open. We continued. Our first indication that we were getting close:
Hundreds of Vultures
Then there were the animals and Marabu Storks blocking the road.:
Black-backed JackalBlack-backed JackalStuffed HyenaMore stuffed HyenasA few of the hundreds of Marabu Storks
Eventually we arrived and realised what all the fuss was about and the stories were sadly confirmed.
The reason why the road was closed was obvious.
The next morning we returned and all the vultures and storks were in the bushes and none around the carcass. We understood why as we got close. His majesty was waiting to fill his fill further.
And that amounted to our time spent in Tsendze.
Next Satara and our explosive time there for 3 nights.
Satara
11th to 14th April 2024
Satara
Having set up camp, we took a run along the S100 to Gudzani Dam. This was the third time we were disappointed with little to see – both game and birds.
We did visit the Sweni Hide briefly. It was not very active until the elephants showed up and entertained us with their water antics – especially the young ones trying to show who was boss among each other.
Black CrakeBlack CrakePipit .African or Plain-backed?OpenbillTroop of ElephantsView from Sweni HideView from Sweni Hide
The next day we headed north along the H1-4 to the turnoff towards Balule camp on the S147. One of our newly favourite roads.
Burchell’s CoucalBlack-winged KiteGrey Penduline-TitGrey Penduline-TitWhite-headed VulturesWhite-headed VulturesWhite-headed Vultures3 White-headed VulturesYellow-billed OxpeckerHooded VultureKnob-billed Duck on a puddle of water on the roadMagpie ShrikeMagpie Shrike
And then turned west and backtracked along the Timbavati loop – S39. We stopped at Ratel Dam Hide. The area in front of the hide had very little water. We had a few sightings with the standout being a juvenile Black Stork.
There was also a large black crocodile present on the sandbank.
On another day we chose to take the H7 to Orpen Gate and then back along the Talamati Bush Camp road (S140) turning onto the S36 to the Muzandzeni Picnic site. From there taking the S126 to the H1-3 tar road back to camp.
Breakfast at Orpen Gate.
SallySally and I
We stopped at the Muzandzeni Picnic ground for a T&P but in order to enter we had to skirt round an inquisitive elephant – which we were told had also entered to do its business. The picnic ground had some active birds – a sleepy African Scops Owl, a radiant Burchell’s Starling, a pair of Bennett’s Woodpeckers – tantalising us with their knocking in the branches above us.
African Scops OwlRadiant Burchell’s StarlingBennett’s WoodpeckerBennett’s WoodpeckerMuzandzeni Picnic site
The S126 from Muzandzeni to the main road proved to be rewarding for us. We not only saw a Leopard – admittedly quite fleetingly – but also many Sandgrouse and Red and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers – primarily on Zebras and some on Giraffe. Red-crested Korhaans called close to the road, and we had sightings of a Marico Flycatcher, a Lappet-faced Vulture, Tawny Eagle to name a few.
Every morning the Southern Ground Hornbills were calling close by. It was only on our last day at Satara that we saw them – close to the camp entrance. They were right beside the road.
And to hear them call:
Southern Ground Hornbills calling to each other. Very memorable call.
Almost forgot. Our Explosive experience.
In camp Sally was making tea. I was elsewhere. Walking back to our Wildcat, I could see many people chatting to Sally. Unusual I thought.
Sally told me that she had heard what sounded like a gun shot and suddenly everyone nearby came to her rescue. She was perplexed. And then realised that she had actually caused the commotion when she turned on the hot water tap. The explosion had occurred because there was gas build up in the closed compartment where the gas water heater was stored. And by opening the hot water tap a spark was created – boom. The closed compartment door was blown open with a loud bang. Fortunately the damage was not excessive. But it taught us a lesson to always turn off the gas supply when the compartment door is closed and preferably remove the batteries from the igniter switch as well !
Almost forgot. Jackals in camp. People reported that the Jackals were eating guy ropes. Well we had a slightly different experience. My clogs had gone for a walkabout. Later to be found, the clogs intact but both straps had been removed and chewed into almost precisely one inch pieces and left around the each clog.
Then we moved on to Lower Sabie for 4 nights. See Part 3.
Birds are our Story 