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Lioness and cubs
10 mtrs from open jeep! Saw the last of the ‘Big 5’ this morning 10 mins from the end of our final game drive in South Africa. Not only did we spot the elusive leopard in the shade on the opposite side of a dried up river bed, but she had 2 cubs with her! After three days tracking, it was a real climax to finally see them. Beautiful creatures, even though, the previous night we had heard her asphyxiating an Impala in the deep bush. Thankfully we didn’t see that. But that’s Mother Nature. The circle of life. We saw the carcass this morning though. Stripped to the bone.
The trip notes were vague but described our tented accommodation as basic. Uh uh. We have never even had a luxury hotel suite that come close to these tented lodges. And the food is terrific. A stark contrast from Soweto, but our feelings of guilt were moderated by the fact that eco tourism is a major income source for Africa. And it’s a welcome oasis after 6-8 hours in the dusty jeep! And I try to convince myself that I’ve worked long and hard to earn the ability and privilege to be able to do this.
Just in case!
Never had to use It is certainly beyond my limited vocabulary to describe the feeling and emotion of seeing all these wonderful and exotic animals roaming free and relatively safe in their natural environment.
Our guides constantly provide us with the information to appreciate these animals even more. A significant slice of the Eco tourist income goes to support conservation.
Don’t even ask me about poachers. They should have their balls cut off and made to attempt to attack their prey without their weapons. The current policy seems to be shoot first and ask questions later. And these guides/trackers are expert shots. Nuff said.
Our other 14 fellow travellers are a lovely mixed bunch of like minded free spirits with a taste for adventure. We have an Irish honeymoon couple, 2 Canadian couples and 2 single Canadian ladies, 1 American couple and 1 single American lady. And an Iranian born American and his 2 adult (and long suffering) children.
Quite a bit of long minibus journeys too over roads quite heavily potholed. Just like back home! Currently on one such 7 hour road trip back to Joburg, which is why this is such a lengthy blog!
Despite her initial reservations, Shirley is loving it
Night drive
Family of lions casually walking past open jeep. Totally relaxed and unfazed by us other than a warning glare. (and I have her permission to say that!). The great accommodation certainly swings that one! Even had a bath in last nights ‘tent’.
By our standards South Africa is very cheap, certainly mostly clear sunny skies, and wonderful deep red sunrises and sunsets, due mainly to the dust in the atmosphere, I believe. All the people we have met, from Street hawkers to hospitality staff, have been very friendly and helpful.
Flying north tomorrow to Zimbabwe and Victoria falls for a couple of days before the next Safari in Hwange National park.
Did you know that a giraffe sleeps with his neck fully extended and head up? And a zebra has stripes so that when it flees from a predator, the flashing stripes cause a strobe light effect and the chasing predator has a seizure? And our American friends think The Donald is a nice man? Only one of those statements is true. But which?
Onward and Upward
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