Trip report from South Africa

[John]

I know this is a British Forum but one or two people have asked me to put my trip report on for them to see. Rather than give the trip report on here I will just give you the link to it.

Untitled Document

If you don't fancy reading it look to the top of the page and there is a series of links to a few pages of photos, plus recommendations whilst in the country.

If you have never been to South Africa (this was my second visit) I would highly recommend that you think about going there. It has fabulous birds and stunning scenery.

Regards
John

[rossy]

thanks for sharing, some cracking photos,looks like you had a great trip. rossy.

[aeshna5]

Interesting report John- the pelagic sounds pretty dramatic- at least you managed some lifers.

I've been lucky to have done quite a few African trips; in South Africa I've only been to Kruger + the Drakensburg Mountains. Have yet to do an African pelagic + despite visiting 6 countries I've only seen the sea when I went to the Gambia. Would definitely love to do what you did but in better conditions.

Great photos as ever + thanks for sharing here.

[John]

Unfortunately getting the sea right on a Cape Pelagic will be hard to do but if you can stand the lumpy seas you will be in for a treat. You will have to think about doing it some time, together with an itinerary that takes in some great reserves in that area, as South Africa is a must see country with its wealth of Birdlife and stunning scenery.

I did Kruger two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it but it isn't really representative of most of South Africa's diverse habitats. We also went into the Draks as well two years ago but then the weather was against us so we didn't get to do it properly.

John

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Interesting report John- the pelagic sounds pretty dramatic- at least you managed some lifers.

I've been lucky to have done quite a few African trips; in South Africa I've only been to Kruger + the Drakensburg Mountains. Have yet to do an African pelagic + despite visiting 6 countries I've only seen the sea when I went to the Gambia. Would definitely love to do what you did but in better conditions.

Great photos as ever + thanks for sharing here.

[aeshna5]

I've never had a problem with rough seas so far- had some lumpy seas across Biscay + did the Wilson's triangle on the Scillonian many years back when many others were adding to the chumming!

Certainly something for the future!

[John]

There's a massive difference to the ships that sail the oceans and the Scillonian to the 66 footer we were in.

I have never ever been seasick before in my life, even on the last Cape Pelagic I did in 2009 when the weather turned nasty on us and we had to abort early and return back to Simonstown, but this trip caught me out. I was ok going out, ok whilst watching the birds but for a two minute spell coming back I really let fly with my stomach contents then I was ok again.

John

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I've never had a problem with rough seas so far- had some lumpy seas across Biscay + did the Wilson's triangle on the Scillonian many years back when many others were adding to the chumming!

Certainly something for the future!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by John

I was ok going out, ok whilst watching the birds but for a two minute spell coming back I really let fly with my stomach contents then I was ok again.
John

Feeding the fish out there takes on a whole new meaning with the Great Whites patrolling the waters.

Wonderful report John. Gives a chap wanderlust.

Cheers,

Adam

[John]

Hi Adam

It was a bit different to the 6 day Pelagic you and I did a few years ago but far more rewarding.

John

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Feeding the fish out there takes on a whole new meaning with the Great Whites patrolling the waters.

Wonderful report John. Gives a chap wanderlust.

Cheers,

Adam

[Ukwildlifeo]

Some great photos John. I think I only managed 5 or 6 lifers in Lanzarote!

[John]

I think you would struggle to see a large amount of birds on the Canaries Neil.

So far in two trips to S.A I have seen 432 different species. That's 67 more than my entire British list and that has taken me 16 years to amass, not the 6 weeks I have had in two visits I have done to S.A.

That puts it into perspective on just how many different species there are in S.A as I am nowhere near the total that can be seen.

Having said that I would have loved to have done the Canaries but the chances of me doing that now are remote.

John

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Some great photos John. I think I only managed 5 or 6 lifers in Lanzarote!