Tram in Main Square Christchurch
Cathedral in Main Square Christchurch
Punts on River Avon Christchurch
This luxury tented camp had only nine luxury fixed tents. The clients were mostly on a tour taking in many places in South Africa and so stayed for only one or, at most, two nights.
The culture is thus almoat entirely geared towards seeing large mammals, namely the Big Five, which was fairly successful but geared to first-timers. We thus saw very little of birds and smaller animals, but did see some remarkable sights.
Scroll Down to See Images
Tram in Main Square Christchurch
Cathedral in Main Square Christchurch
Punts on River Avon Christchurch
The Hutton's Sheerwater, endemic to this area, breeds on the other side of the Coastal Mountain Range pictured.
Kaikoura has a very rich bird life because there is a very deep cleft in the sea-bed - the Hikurangi Trench running from the shore in an easterly direction. This provides rich upward currents rich in food for birds and marine mammals, including whales (that we did not see) and dolphins.
We took a number of boat-trips to see these amazing sea-birds which congregated because they were being fed by local fishermen, and to swim with the dolphins.
Coastal Kaikoura Mountain Range
Coastal Hutton's Shearwater
Black-Browed Mollymawk
Cape Pigeon (Petrel)
Albatross & Fulmars
Northern Giant Petrel
Wandering Albatross
Westland Petrel
Dusky Dolphin