August 2024

Today’s post is the last installment of our wonderful stay at Outspan Safaris and Lodge. After telling you more about the lodge (read here) and also our scenic hike (read here), we conclude today with a look at history and an impromptu drive through a neighbouring nature reserve.

Outspan Safaris and Lodge from afar:

After Stuart, the lodge manager, told us about the military graves, we decided to check out this historic site. Stuart then also suggested that we should walk further to a viewpoint from where we could get a good view of the lodge on the cliff.

The route to the viewpoint took us past the military graves and we decided to spend more time at the graves on our way back.

The way to the viewpoint

On the way to the viewpoint we saw, for the first time, wild animals on the farm that had eluded us until now.

Group of Impala (also known as Rooibok) – medium sized antelope

After following a footpath and walking past several tall trees, we reached an open piece of field from where we could look back towards the lodge. It was now clear how close to the cliff’s edge the lodge was located.

Outspan Safaris and Lodge is visible on the left of the gorge

As with our scenic hike the day before, we once again saw several villages on the rolling hills.

Villages of the local people on the rolling hills

More villages

Military Graves:

Stuart told us that after the graves were discovered on the farm, a lot of research was done. It appears that a fort was built here in 1835 by Sir Benjamin D’Urban, a British general and colonial administrator. Although the remains of the fort have not yet been found – it is possible that it has been destroyed – two military graves have been found.

Military graves

According to sources (Artefacts: Warden’s Post – Fort Warden), the two military graves are marked with grave stones made from sandstone (presumably quarried in the vicinity of the fort). The graves are that of John Hanna (died on 24 December 1835 at the age of 26 years) and Kyran Fitzpatrick (died on 25 August 1836 at the age of 30 years).

Grave stones of Fitzpatrick (left) and Hanna (right)

We discussed the fact that these two young men were buried so far from their homeland – it must have been difficult for their families to never be able to welcome them back home. War is not something I will ever understand.

Close to the graves, we saw pretty purple flowers in the grass – perhaps quite appropriate for the area.

Plumbago (also known as leadwort), an indigenous plant to South Africa

After the somber moments at the graves, we slowly walked back to the lodge. Here the chef was ready to treat us once again with one of his delicious lunches.

Lunch after our 7km long walk to a viewpoint and the graves

We relaxed for a while on the chairs in front of our room, before Stuart and a couple of his friends picked us up later in the afternoon to drive with them through the neighbouring Tyityaba Nature Reserve.

Tyityaba Nature Reserve:

Our spirits soon lifted when we saw the wildlife in the reserve. The first animal we saw was again the beautiful Impala and then the ever-popular Zebra and Blesbok followed.

Impala

Zebra

Impala and Blesbok

Herd of Impala

Colourful birds

Just before we turned around to go back down the same road again, we stopped and got out of our vehicles. It was perfect timing as the sun was setting spectacularly in the west.

Late afternoon in the Tyityaba Nature Reserve

Just before we left the reserve we saw the lovely zebras again and also quite a few giraffes in the distance.

Zebras

Giraffes in the distance

Impalas greeted us at the gate of the reserve

The icing on the cake was when we got back to Outspan and spotted two more antelope. After initially seeing no wild animals, the drive arranged by Stuart provided us with great viewing pleasure. This was the perfect way to end our enjoyable time at Outspan.

Bushbuck and Blesbok

And to see another amazing African sunset left us content and happy.

African sunset

I think it goes without saying that we thoroughly enjoyed our long weekend at Outspan Safaris and Lodge. This is one of those places that we wouldn’t mind visiting for a second and third time.