My Adventure in South Africa: Bontebok National Park

Bontebok National Park (BNP) is 240km from Cape Town and 8km from the picturesque town of Swellendam. Overlooking the Langeberg mountains BNP is the smallest National Park in South Africa, covering approximately 4000ha.

BNP was formed to protect a type of antelope, the Parks namesake - the Bontebok (see photo - what a handsome chap). The numbers of the animal had been declining since 1800s, and were reduced to just 30, the world population now being over 2500, 200 of which are managed here at BNP.

BNP is also home to many other animals including Cape Mountain Zebra, Red hartebeest, Grey rhebok and Grysbok, with noturnal actives from Caracal, Bat-eared fox, Cape fox and Aardwolf. Other species include 12 types of fish, 10 types of frog, at least 18 types of snakes (bring it on!) including the toxic Puff adder and Cape cobra, 6 types of lizard, 3 types of tortoise, one lonely species of terrapin and not forgetting at least 200 different types of recorded bird life.

More than a haven for bird and mammals, the Park is situated in the smallest, but richest of the worlds' six floral kingdoms, BNP is an island is renosterveld, the most threatened sub-type of fynbos.

There are over 7700 different types of plants in fynbos, most of these plants do not grow naturally in any other part of the world. Bear in mind the whole of the United Kingdom has approximately 2000 plant species.

So I'm 'Going Wild' about Bontebok National Park, I think you'd agree, it's pretty awesome place!

I know a place in Africa..........

I know a place in Africa
Where I can feel the sun on my back
And the sand between my barefoot toes
Where I can hear the gulls on the breeze
And the waves crash on the endless shore

I know a place in Africa
Where the mountains touch the skies of blue
And the valleys shelter vines of green
Where the trees spread out a cloth of mauve
And the bushveld wears a coat of beige

I know a place in Africa
Where I can hear the voice of thunder gods
And watch their lightning spears thrown to earth
Where I can breathe the scent of rain clouds
And taste the sweet dew of dusty drops

This is the place of wildness
Of evolution and dinosaurs
Where life began and mankind first stood
Of living fossils and elephants
Where lions roar and springbok herds leap

This is the place of struggle
Of desert plains and thorn trees
Where pathways end and hunters track game
Of horizons and frontiers
Where journeys start and sunsets bleed red

This is the place of freedom
Of exploration and pioneers
Where darkness loomed and light saw us through
Of living legends and miracles
Where daybreak came and hope now shines bright

My heart is at home in Africa
Where the sound of drums beat in my chest
And the songs of time ring in my ears
Where the rainbow mist glows in my eyes
And the smiles of friends make me welcome

My mind is at ease in Africa
Where the people still live close to the soil
And the seasons mark my changing moods
Where the markets hustle with trading
And Creation keeps its own slow time

My soul is at peace in Africa
For her streams bring lifeblood to my veins
And her winds bring healing to my dreams
For when the tale of this land is told
Her destiny and mine are as one

Wayne Visser

Best foot forward

seek excitement,
seek enlightenment,
seek adventure,
find your big big love,
love,
don't forget to stay curious,
but always be cautious,
learn from the past,
but always go forwards,
know that the majority is not always right
and nor are you.
chase greatness,
and know sometimes that means sacrifice.
know when to fight and when to run,
stand for what you believe in,
never walk over the beliefs of others,
march boldly into love,
but tread lightly with the heart of others.
try to be kind,
try to be happy,
try to leave a legacy when you're gone,
and remember it's the choices you make today
that shape your tomorrow,
so put your best foot forward.

My Adventure in South Africa

Bontebok National Park

I know a place in Africa..........

Best foot forward

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