Return to the Karoo – December 2020
We went from a bit of rainy, cool weather in Golden Gate Highlands National Park to warm, sunny days in Karoo National Park.
Usually we see acacia trees and shrubs only covered with leaves and long, sharp thorns. On this visit we were fortunate to find many yellow, summertime acacia blooms.
Because of the park rules and our desire to not be attacked or eaten by dangerous animals, we spent our time driving on paved and dirt roads rather than walking. We never found the elusive lions. They were apparently right by the road about 30 minutes after one of our morning drives along Klipspringer Pass. But we did see other typically-sighted animals and birds during our time in the park.
Klipspringer 
Klipspringers have hooves with rubbery centers and hard rims which help maintain traction on both flat rocks and steep cliffs. 
Grey rhebok 
Steenbok 
Springbok 
Red hartebeest
Mountain zebra are smaller than the plains zebra. 
They almost look like triplets! 
Female kudu 
Male kudu 
Baboons 
Vervet monkey
Tortoise 
This tortoise was shyer than the others. 
Terrapin
Southern red bishop 
Same bird from the back 
Ostrich 
Namaqua dove
Not much camouflage for this secretary bird in the karoo 
Red-knobbed coot
Several times we stopped by the bird hide in the rest camp. The southern masked weavers were quite busy tearing off strands of grass, weaving their nests, as well as gathering food and then giving it to their babies.
For specific park details, check out The Great Karoo post that describes our first visit to Karoo National Park in May 2019. Just click on South Africa in the Categories menu in the right side bar of our home page and then scroll down for the post.
Doug will have so much fun taking pictures.
Yes he will. There are so many wonderful things to photograph in South Africa, especially the wildlife. We also love re-living our Africa adventures through our photos.