A short while back, a friend invited me with for an afternoon drive through the Addo Elephant National Park, which is a mere 2km drive from our homes now that they have opened the new south gate, a true honour! It used to take close to and hour and a half to get into the park before they opened the new gate and just for interests sake, Addo is now the third largest national park in South Africa. 
Here are a few of the photos I took…
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What an experience my friend – your photos are stunning
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on September 18, 2012
at 07:30
Thanks CCU! I would love to go every week! Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 09:14
I love your fascination with legs and feet
! The ostrich photos are simply beautiful and my younger daughter [very much grown up now !] would love to see those heffalump feet [yes, well, it was that and hopgrasser, and by now, we all use these terms!].
By: Eha on September 18, 2012
at 08:56
Hi Eha, thanks for stopping by. I love close up shots – think because they are less busy. I love hopgrasser! Have a happy day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 09:18
literally on your doorstep. loved the close ups on the feet!
By: Promenade Claire on September 18, 2012
at 09:24
We can go for a game drive when you come and visit one day. Have a lovely day Claire.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 09:57
What a treat to have such a wonderful place on your doorstep. Beautiful pictures too, you are obviously getting to grips with your new camera.
By: Natalie on September 18, 2012
at 09:36
Thanks Natalie. It’s a shame I don’t go more often. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 09:57
What a treat having something so wonderful on your doorstep! Amazing pictures.
By: Natalie on September 18, 2012
at 09:38
Wow! How absolutely adventurous! Love it.
By: Lizzy (Good Things) on September 18, 2012
at 10:09
Thanks Lizzy! It was a great afternoon. have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 10:11
Oh Mandy, you lucky, lucky lady to live so close to something as amazing as this. Your photos are stunning!
By: Chica Andaluza on September 18, 2012
at 11:40
Thank you so much Tanya! It is quite special – sad though that I don’t take more advantage of it. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 16:54
Love your pics, have to confess never visited a park before.
Would love to some day.
By: halal786 on September 18, 2012
at 13:16
Thanks so much for the lovely compliment! Even as a South African, having been exposed to visiting parks since a young girl, it is still very special with each visit. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 16:58
I can’t believe what is literally almost in your back yard. Wonderful.
By: Karen on September 18, 2012
at 15:09
I know – it is very special! Have a super day Karen.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 16:59
Amazing photos!
By: Tandy on September 18, 2012
at 17:19
Thanks Tandy! Have a lovely evening.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2012
at 17:30
Mandy.. you are being cruel, I would love to have been there, those feet close ups are tremendous. really good.. Ok, we need to make a list for when i come over the the joint book signings..definitely the park! c
By: ceciliag on September 18, 2012
at 17:34
C, thank you for such a lovely compliment! Right, I have officially started our list – you might have to stay an extra week. Have a beautiful day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2012
at 13:04
May I visit you??? Wow!!!! I’m speechless. You live in such a beautiful place, and my daughter adores elephant like crazy and she will be thrilled to see elephant walking like that (outside of zoo)!! Beautiful photos Mandy!
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on September 18, 2012
at 20:09
I have a room ready and waiting for your Nami. It was incredible how close the elephants were to the car – your daughter would have loved it! Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2012
at 13:16
Love, love your photos – thanks for sharing:)
By: cravesadventure on September 18, 2012
at 23:27
You are too kind, thank you Renee! Have a beautiful day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2012
at 13:18
Oh how fantastic! My niece is absolutely smitten by elephants and wants to study them at college. I’m sending her your link. She’ll love the pictures. Thanks for posting this! So incredible!
By: Karista on September 19, 2012
at 00:13
Hi Karista, very kind of you to send the link onto your niece, thank you! I am itching to get back into the park to hopefully spot lion. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2012
at 13:19
Can I come and stay with you? Amazing. Imagine having that so close to home. Incredible. I love the images, especially the one of the ostrich – just gorgeous xx
By: hotlyspiced on September 19, 2012
at 03:41
Absolutely! I am ready and waiting for your arrival Charlie! You definitely deserve a break! Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2012
at 13:20
Mandy, these photos are incredible and feel utterly otherworldly to this Canadian. So beautiful, majestic and peaceful all at once.
By: Kelly @ Inspired Edibles on September 19, 2012
at 04:29
Kelly, thank you so much! Even though I grew up with being able to see the animals, it is still equally as special each time I lay eyes on them. Have a beautiful day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2012
at 13:21
Nice photos
By: rsmacaalay on September 19, 2012
at 09:13
Thanks very much Raymund. Glad you liked them. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2012
at 13:22
wow so cool! So close to the nature…lucky you!
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on September 19, 2012
at 16:13
It is very special Angie! Have a happy weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 20, 2012
at 11:10
Awesome images Mandy. Very cool that you have access to seeing these animals.
By: Jed Gray (sportsglutton) on September 19, 2012
at 21:13
Thanks Jed! I desperately want to go back ASAP – a mate went a few days ago and saw lion and got the most awesome shots! Have an awesome weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 20, 2012
at 11:11
you’re so lucky to live next to a place like this one. Beautiful shots, I wish I were there.
By: Marta @ What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today? on September 20, 2012
at 00:20
Hi Marta, thank you! It really is special living so close! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 20, 2012
at 11:12
My Heart just did a few somersaults! Looooove these. The elephants are STUNNING. & that ostridge is UNREAL. XXX WOW.
By: My Inner Chick on September 20, 2012
at 01:10
Kim, come visit and I will take you for a day in the park – PLEASE!!! Have a beautiful weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on September 20, 2012
at 11:13
Excellent pics Mands, nice and close and lovely detail. That warthog is too cute and the Ostrich feet gorgeous!
By: moi du toi photography on September 20, 2012
at 15:06
Aah thanks “teacher”. Lovies, xo
By: thecompletecookbook on September 20, 2012
at 16:03
Oh Mandy!!!!!! I adore these!!!!! What a wonderful experience, and I am SO very happy to find these pictures in my inbox today. I just love them. I’m a big time animal lover, so these just made my whole week. TERRIFIC pictures, girl!!! xoxo
By: Sarah on September 20, 2012
at 18:47
Aah, thanks Sarah. I am so pleased to have made your week! Have a beautiful weekend too.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 21, 2012
at 11:16
You live 2 km from that park? How incredible is that? And you with that new camera of yours. This is all too good to be true.
Speaking of your camera, your photography continues to improve, Mandy, seemingly with each post. These photos are very well shot.
By: ChgoJohn on September 21, 2012
at 06:42
John, you are the BEST – thank you for such an incredible compliment! You have made my up coming long weekend a very happy one!
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on September 21, 2012
at 11:20
Great photos, glad you enjoyed the Addo!
By: African safari on September 21, 2012
at 16:40
Thanks very much! Was a lovely afternoon. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 22, 2012
at 11:08