Setting the scene: 3 day trip

As most of you know, we took a short holiday to the Addo Elephant National Park over the past weekend. We thought the first action in reporting our trip, should be to set the scene, at least of the first camp, called Matyholweni. This was our first visit to this camp, and we chose it due to its close proximity to the national road, which meant we could get unpacked and settled quickly with our 14 month (today) son. The chalets are basic, but includes all the necessary stuff like shower, toilet, kitchenette, bar-fridge, 2-plate stove and microwave, even a TV, which I do not like for this type trip, but great when children are in tow. All you need. Boeta surveying the interior. It is thatched roof chalets with a little wooden deck, looking out onto the valley bushveld, or Albany thicket biome, to be more formal. The thicket is said to support 48 species of medium to large mammals and contains 112 different vegetation types, comprising for 1558 plant species, of which 20% is endemic and not found anywhere else. A lot of what you see is Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) and Gwarrie (Euclea undulata). Spekboom, being succulent, provides much-needed water and high protein from its leaves and stem and can grow up to 4 meter high.   The chalets set in this valley bush, provide a wonderful peaceful experience. I took a short video with 3 scenes. The first part is early evening, second part I just turned around and shot our son calmly playing with mom charging past with his baby bath and finally the wonderful calls of the nightjars, which just calms me down totally. This was our first real outing with our son as a family. Yes we have done some traveling to family, but this was about us, for us. Beginning of a lovely 3 – day experience.