In the winter months, when the rains don’t fall, we are very lucky to be able to head down to the great Olifants River, to the section which borders our reserve.
During the summer months, when rains are plenty, the Olifants is not very friendly to those wishing to explore her banks.
And so, being a few months now without the rains, we have been able to visit the river a couple of times, and explore the hidden treasures once again visible.
The river has a number of little “islands” which become accessible when the waters drop, making for lots of interesting places to explore between the smaller sections of river which continue flowing, even during the low season.
A lesson learned the very hard way, is to also not carry your phone in your hand when crossing the river. My previous (much loved) phone took a long journey down the river, never to be seen again, despite all efforts to try and salvage it.
The river is home to both hippos and crocodiles so one does need to always be aware of the surroundings. You need to be very careful where you choose to cross the river as well. Because besides the hippos and crocs, sometimes the current can be a little strong as well, in which case it is obviously not the best plan to cross.
Sometimes you actually find the proof that a hippo was exploring the area just a little while before you. Water monitors (leguaans) are also prevalent along the river, and you find their tracks quite often as well.
The river provides an ever changing canvas. Where a few weeks back, raging waters swirled around little rounded hollows in the rocks, now as the waters subside, the sand settles into these little potholes and different pieces of artwork are created, each one unique, each one ephemeral.
And the banks of the Olifants also double as a contemporary art gallery. Incredible works of art brought into being by the most talented artist to ever exist – mother earth herself. These works of art are very well displayed for those who know how to “see” them.
Some of the pieces are ancient compositions – masterful mélanges of rock types and minerals.
Other pieces are more transient, visible only to those who are in the space at the time.
Various sections along the river are also like scratch patches with giant rock treasures to be found. There are so many rocks of different shapes, sizes, colours and variations, you can literally stay in one patch for hours, scratching around (although it can get mighty warm!)
No matter where you look, there is an abundance of breathtaking beauty along the Olifants River. Too much to speak about in one post.
But the rocks and their patterned artwork are just too incredible to ignore.
Once the river drops a bit more, we will be able to cross over some of the more shallow rivulets, to get to the potholes and other treasures, which I’m looking forward to sharing.
Author
berniceinthebush@gmail.com
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