We spent 2 nights at the Eagle’s Nest cottage at Mansfield Private Game Reserve. The reserve is not very large by South African standards, but it does have some non-dangerous game such as giraffe and antelopes. This reserve is not far from Port Alfred.
Our cottage
Eagles’s Nest cottage is not far from the main house, but it is fairly private since there are no other cottages nearby.
The road down to the river from the cottage
The cottage was well equipped and although the donkey boiler (hot water heater) proved a bit difficult one night, we enjoyed our time at the cottage.
A charming cottage and a beautiful kitchen with nice views.
The room at the cottage.
The cottage has impressive views and a nice outdoor patio or deck with a Braii or BBQ grill, table and chairs.
The impressive deck. Mike standing next to the grill.
Another view from our cottage.
A view of the river below. The next day we walked on a trail near this river and we could see our cottage above us.
Views from the cottage’s deck. Note the abundance of Euphorbia triangularis.
Another view from our deck of the beautiful arborescent Euphorbia triangularis.
The reserve offers day drives to view the game or if you are staying at the reserve you can either walk the roads/trails or you can drive and walk. Some of the roads are best done with a high clearance vehicle or 4X4.
Tourists on a game drive. The Indian Ocean is in the distance.
The road was a bit wet and better suited for high clearance vehicles. We walked this road.
On our second day there we had a longer walk along a road and then a trail. Along the way we encounter some wildlife including Giraffes and Kudu antelope.
Giraffes near the road. In theory they are “not-dangerous” but we didn’t approach them. They were wary, and moved away from us.
Male kudu.
It had rained so it was easier to see tracks.
This trail took us through a short forest of indigenous trees and arborescent Euphorbias and tall Aloes.
Rosario on the road amongst the tall Euphorbia triangularis.
Euphorbia triangularis.
Another view of the Euphorbia triangularis.
Aloes were abundant in the forest.
Our cottage seen from the riverbank below.
We were very happy with our selection of accommodation at the reserve. Very private and quiet at night. Beautiful views and a fully equipped cottage made our stay very pleasant. The roads and trails also provided opportunities to explore part of the reserve and to photograph some of the impressive Euphorbias and other vegetation. The game (Zebras, antelopes, Giraffes etc) provided an interesting experience.
A beautiful late afternoon in the game reserve.
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