Flowers of South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains - Naturetrek

Flowers of South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains Tour Report
Day 6 Sunday 13th January
Oxbow Lodge
Drove up to the Mahlasela Pass and walked down towards Oxbow botanising, stopping halfway down for a
picnic lunch.
Afternoon drive to just below the Moteng Pass where we walked along a track through a high valley below the
Pass.
Day 7 Monday 14th January
Sani Pass Lodge
Early morning departure for drive to Sani Top. Our first stop was looking towards cliffs on other side of the
Orange River where Bald Ibises nest. Our next stop was a waterfall where we had our picnic lunch just before
the climb to the Kotisephola Pass where we stopped look at alpine plants on the rocks. We then drove down to
the Sani Lodge just in time before we were enveloped by a thick fog and thunderstorm which kept us indoors for
the rest of the evening.
Day 8 Tuesday 15th January
Sani Hotel
Drove over the Sani Pass, walking and driving down the steep road, with lots of botanical interest, to a picnic
beside a rocky stream. Stopped to examine the fynbos below the South African Passport Control before arriving
at our hotel.
Day 9 Wednesday 16th January
Howick
In the morning, a short walk from the hotel led to the Mkhonazana River and Falls. Our first stop was at a
bookshop in Underberg where some people bought field guides, then on to the Midmar Reserve for a picnic and
to see mammals, birds and some spectacular orchids. We arrived at our hotel in Howick in time for dinner.
Day 10 Thursday 17th January
Howick
We spent the morning walking in the Umgeni Nature reserve. Afterwards we walked on to the top of the
Umgeni Gorge. After a picnic lunch we drove to bird hides nearby. Later in the afternoon we returned to see the
Howick Falls and to shop in the town. We had an excellent dinner in a local restaurant.
2 © Naturetrek January 09