October 29, Success! and Heat at Karoo National Park

There are beautiful landscapes to be seen around every corner in South Africa - except for maybe the 200 km drive between Graaff-Reinet and Beaufort West.  😊  It was an extremely flat straight stretch of highway with no mountains in view on our drive this morning.  But once we reached Karoo NP just outside of Beaufort West, the beauty was back.  And the high temperatures continue.  Our lodging for the next 2 nights is at The Olive Grove Guest Farm, about 15 km away from the National Park and the city - in the middle of nowhere.  We arrived early and our room wasn't ready yet, so they upgraded us to a chalet instead - with full kitchen, living room and 2 bedrooms.  Not a bad deal!  We then drove back to the park and spent the afternoon, after talking with a couple of the young friendly guides about where to go to see various things.  As soon as we began climbing up over the pass the guides told us to drive for a chance at Verreaux's Eagle, we had two birds in sight soaring low.  Success at last!!!!  We saw these two birds several other times as we drove higher, and had them sitting on the rocks at the top of a ridge.  As we left the park this evening and headed back to town to refuel, we drove into a dust storm like we've never experienced.  It was short-lived thankfully.  Then as we headed back out to the guest farm after refueling, we were treated to an amazing sunset.  So MANY experiences in one day in South Africa!!!

Photos are of a Red Bisop and then a White-throated Swallow on our early morning walk in Graaff-Reinet, 2 views of The Karoo NP, 3 different flowers in the park that you wouldn't even notice if you didn't look close, a very hot Klipspringer (it's panting), the Verreaux's Eagles in the air and also on the ridge top.