The wind would not let up and blew me out of the Agulhas rest camp just after 06h00 the next morning.
I was going to stop at Bontebok National Park on the way to Karoo National Park, but changed my plan – I drove to the N1 via Montagu.
Once again I stopped regularly for birds. I saw some shapes at the little pan next to the road – there were baby Pied Avocets! This was a first for me – I had never before seen baby Avocets. They were so cute and fluffy!
I continued driving stop-start. I saw a pair of Spotted Eagle Owls.
There were Blue Cranes every few kilometers.
Eventually I told myself I needed to stop birding and get to Karoo NP. Just as I started speeding up, I screeched to a halt. I had to, because I saw a field filled with Blue Cranes. I counted about 30 close to the road, and a whole bunch more further away.
One came for a drink. It was just the prettiest picture.
Eventually I reached the N2 and crossed in the direction of Bonnievale. The scenery was still gorgeous.
There was another OMW moment just before Montagu – I drove through Cogmanskloof Pass and found my jaw hitting the ground again. There were huge mountains and sheer cliffs, and then a little tunnel. I stopped to pour more coffee and take in this stunning place.
I drove up Burgers Pass on the other side of Montagu. This Pass was equally stunning.
At the top of the Pass the landscape started changing. It was typical Karoo, but with Flowers! More purple and orange and yellow.
As I turned onto the N1, the flowers increased ten fold. I could not believe my eyes. The Karoo was presenting the best it had, and it could hold a candle to anything the West Coast had to offer. Yellow. Pienk, Purple. Orange. 
It was absolutely fantastic.
There were lots of roadworks on the N1 with stop-and-go sections, but eventually I arrived at Karoo National Park, my last sleep-over stop of the trip.
The first animal I saw was a little Steenbokkie.
Just before the camp gate there was a small herd of Mountain Zebras
One was having a dust bath and thoroughly enjoying himself.
It was swelteringly hot, a complete contrast to the cold weather I experienced in the Western Cape. I changed into shorts immediately and pitched my tent.
Even though it was very hot and I did not expect to see many animals, but I had to go for a drive. Lammertjies Leegte was very quiet, but I did see some Springbok and Gemsbok in the distance as well as another Steenbokkie.
Even in the Park the onslaught of the flowers could not be stopped.
I stopped at the picnic site. There were White-backed Mousebirds and Lark-like Buntings.
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The highlight was a Fairy Flycatcher.
Karoo National Park is always about the views. The arid landscape and the mountains create scenes of sheer perfection.
There were little patches of Karoo Violets everywhere.
Back at camp I lit the fire. I bought some port sosaties from the Parks shop, and they were really delicious. While I ate a Cape Robin-chat sang in the trees above my tent. It was a perfect evening.
After my supper I walked to the swimming pool. It was loadshedding and the generator was on and noisy. But the stars. They were so close and bright, I thought I might be able to touch them.
The generator was turned off a few minutes before loadshedding ended. All of a sudden It was pitch dark and completely quiet. As I walked back to my tent the only sound was my shoes on the tar road. It was absolutely stunning.
I did not have to worry about setting an alarm to go for my run. Just before 04h00 the bush alarm woke me – in the form of a lion roaring very close to camp! He continued to roar every few minutes (driving the service dogs in the staff village completely crazy) until I got up at 05h00 to go for a short run.
I left camp when the gates opened. I was hoping to find the lions. I turned left on to Potlekkertjie Loop. There were no lions, but lots and lots of birds! These included African Pipits, Lark-like Buntings, Karoo Chats, a Rufous-eared Warbler and a few Sabota Larks.
I also saw a family of Grey Rhebok.
There was a Steenbokkie around the next corner.
Other animals included Mountain Zebras and Gemsbok.
Karoo National Park is one of the most scenic Parks in South Africa. I love the mountains
After a while I turned around. I heard a Karoo Korhaan, but could not locate him. But I was determined, and eventually I saw its head above the karoo shrubs for a couple of seconds before he ducked out of sight again.
I saw a Bokmakierie, Red-faced Mousebird and Cape Bulbul just before the turn off to Klipspringer’s Pass.
As I turned onto Klipspringer’s Pass Road I saw two cars parked. I immediately knew what they were looking at. I looked down the hill and saw two lionesses.
One got up to go to the toilet, and then walked to another bush. As I moved to get a better view of her, I saw the big male. He was fast asleep – obviously the early morning roaring took its toll!
He did get up briefly, looked around for five seconds and then promptly plonked down again.
The sighting was now getting busy and I continued on up Klipspringer’s Pass. I spotted a little Long-billed Crombec along the way.
The view from the lookout point is really one of the best there is. And even here there were Karoo Violets.
On both my previous visits I saw Klipspringers on the rocks on the far side, but today there were none.
I heard the call and then saw the little bird – a Layard’s Warbler. Another lifer ticked!
I stopped at the next look out point. I found the Klipspringers here!
I saw black shapes very high in the sky, and I recognized them as Verreaux’s Eagles.
I drove on for a few more kilometers before turning around. I saw Baboons, Eland and a few Grey Rhebok.
The scenery in this part of the Park was equally stunning, and even here there were flowers.
On the way back I saw the eagles again, this time a lot closer!
It was really hot, and I decided to relax back at my tent. I made braai broodjies for lunch and read my book.
Later I went for a drive along Lammertjies Leegte – again very quiet.
There were a few Karoo Chats and pretty flowers.
As I drove along the tar toad I saw a Leopard Tortoise, a Karoo Prinia and some Mountain Zebras.
The stunning views made up for the quiet drive.
There was not much bird activity at the hide but I did see a few terrapins.
As I left Camp on the western side I saw a few Kudus in the little stream
I drove along Potlekkertjie Loop and stopped to admire the flowers on the various small succulents along the road. They covered the arid landscape like a carpet. It was really pretty.
This view – so beautiful!
As I drove back I saw something on top of a tree.
Can you see it now?
It was a perfect scene for the last afternoon of my trip!
The drive along Potlekkertjie Loop delivered more birds and a few animals. I saw a herd of Springbok and counted. 23 – then entire Springbok squad had shown up!
There were a last few animals before the camp.
I was hoping that the lions may show themselves when it cooled down, but they did not. As I sat at the spot where I saw them earlier, I realised that it was completely quiet. Not even a bird was calling. Utter silence with breathtaking landscapes all around – incredible.
I lit my last holiday fire, unable to believe that it was the last night of my trip. What an incredible trip it had been.
I left the Park very early the next day – I had about 900km ahead of me. The sun rose in glorious splendour shortly after I left the Park.
I stopped in Bloemfontein to say hallo to my son and my mom, and then it was time for the last stretch.
I had travelled 5 667km from the day I left my house.
Before I left, I wondered what I should expect. I had hoped the trip would be epic. And boy, was it EPIC! I drove on new roads with stunning scenery, stayed in and visited fantastic places and saw things so beautiful that even now has me shaking my head in disbelief. There wasn’t a single kilometer or second of this trip that I did not enjoy.