Sun, Aug 16 - Driving to Springbok

The Giant Kingfisher

We got up early at 6:30, packed and went over to the headquarters to have breakfast when they opened at 7.  We both ordered breakfast wraps and then walked back and saw the Brubru and the Acacia Pied Barbet, neither new life birds, but both new to the trip.  We loaded the car and returned to the headquarters to obtain our exit papers - this is a well run park! - drove south back to the N14.  We stopped by a little pond on the way and saw two Giant Kingfishers, the largest kingfishers in the world, and some Swallow-tailed Bee Eaters - mating!

  Swallow-tailed Bee Eater

We  tuned on to the N14 and started west.  It's about 200 miles from Augrabies Falls to  Springbok, but we had some birding stops along the way to check out.  We got off the N14 near Aggenys and drove south past a zinc mine to a dirt road that had flowers all over and good birds to boot!. We saw carpets of lavender flowers and then patches of gold, orange, blue and red.  A real wonderland.  Several larks sat on fence posts allowing us some decent views - African Larks are notoriously difficult to ID, but with my photos and Bob's  expertise we made a start.

We came to a corral of three bulls and several cows surrounded by fences festooned with old tires - the cattle were all friendly and came over to check us out.  This red sand dune area is the famous spot for the Red Lark but no luck on that score.  We did, however, see two Double-banded Coursers -quite rare birds and very beautiful. It seems, however, as if we're going to luck out and see some good flower displays here - the rains didn't come until June, so we were pretty worried as there can be years with virtually no flowers, but we're starting to see some good shows!

Pygmy  Falcon

We finally got to the prosperous mining town of Springbok and turned west for 15 miles until we finally reached Naries Farm Retreat - an old farm that 20 years ago removed all the cattle and  started to restore the natural habitat.  They have reintroduced some antelope, and even have a resident leopard!  One can stay in the old Cape Dutch farmhouse or in the new native-inspired huts a mile away in the hills.  

We were greeted by two large Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs, served tea and juice and met the resident beautiful cat, before the manager drove a tiny truck which we followed up into the hills to a group of thatched huts, built to resemble the dwellings of the original tribes of the region.  We were really blown away with the beauty and skill in creating these lodgings.  The walls are solid thatch with a polished concrete floor, king-size bed and beautiful furnishings.  The large boulders are built right into the house.  Totally amazing!  We have a small deck facing the west and from which one can see the Atlantic Ocean on a clear day.

Our thatched bedroom with boulder on right

We decided to unpack and relax rather than join the other guests at the overlook point for sundowners - we'll try that tomorrow.  Instead we drove down at seven, had a delicious dinner of squash and red pepper soup, Thai Chicken curry and chocolate surprise for dessert.

Back to our "hut" for a good night's sleep.