Finally, elephants!

Thursday, March 9, Plettenburg Bay

A day at the beach.  The boys got to enjoy body surfing, until they found out that my advice about avoiding face planting was correct.  Levi will be alright.

Friday, March 10, Plettenburg Bay

After a rainy night, we were off for Addo Elephant Park.  The town of Addo was not what we were expecting.  On the map it looks big, but in reality, it was a little frightening.  Shanty town in the middle of nowhere.  We are pleased to see that our campsite is incredible.  After a couple of miles down one of the more potholed roads, we camp across our farm site.  It was once a prominent citrus farm, and has been converted into a B and B with both cottages and campsites available.  We set up camp and headed out for a game drive to see elephants.  After about 90 minutes of driving the park, thinking either someone miss named the park, or we were the only people to travel through the park without seeking an elephant, we finally spotted one in the distance.  A hundred pictures later, we then came across Carol’s Rest, a water hole that allowed us to park right next to a herd of elephants.  The hundred pictures will be deleted.  That night we went for another game drive.  Elephants were within meters of our vehicle.  Back at the campsite, we meet up with the runners.  Addo is the sight of ultra marathons this weekend, a 44 km, a 76 km, and a 160 km run.  Some of the 160 km runners are using this as training for their future 400 km run.

Saturday, March 11, Addo

More elephants, watched 40 or so at the water hole.  Elephants our now passe, as we are now on the search for lions.  We check at the game park reception to see if any campsites are opening up here, as it would allow us to get an earlier start.  As we wait to ask, we start reading the guest book.  The reviews that people have taken the time to write are lengthy, thought out, and exceptionally critical of the park’s staff and reception.  We agree with the inefficiencies, as we get stopped at an initial gate for no decided purpose that we can determine.  We have not had to wait very long to enter the park, but an example of the inefficiency is that the game gate opens at 5:30 am, but you cannot get the pass for entrance until 7:00 am, and you can only get the gate pass on the morning you enter.  The day is a scorcher, up around 40 C.  I am struggling next to the pool, but manage to keep cool.  Hope the runners are alright.

Sunday, March 12, Addo

Packed up prior to the rains falling.  Into the park, for a north to south drive, allowing us to see the south half of the park and exit on our way to Port Alfred.  After driving through some rain, which is not conducive to positive game watching, we did see some elephants, and drove next to five African Buffalo for about a mile.  Exiting the south gate gave explanation to the negative reviews for Addo.  We stopped at the south gate exit to find over 30 vehicles lined up trying to get in, a long line of people trying to pay to get in, and no one moving very quicky.  In the 15 minutes we were there, only three vehicles entered, and we heard to hear lots of angry people.  Only one person was working the reception desks.  Glad we were exiting.  On to Port Alfred.