Blogs from Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa, Africa - page 2

Malembe is the Shangaane (local tribe) word for the Black Rhinoceros. One of the megafauna of Africa, they are territorial and shy. Smaller than the white rhino, they are also called the hook-lipped rhino, adapted to browsing rather than grazing. White rhinos are also larger and have a hump on their shoulders and rump, but more docile then the black rhino. I know each rhino by name now, Duchess, Zoli, Khuza, Thokamisa, Zulu, Buza, the list goes on. Released into the reserve three months ago, they are all young and still establishing their territories, which means their movement patterns are sparodic. Thokamisa has been the most reliable, almost always near the same lodge. Yesterday we had our first rhino siting, Deena watering near one of the damns. Francios spotted her through the trees, quite far off, ... read more

Rock picking has not been one of my favorite past times. I remembeer being dropped off on Yarrow Creek with a "Be back in an hour!!!" and left there for......eons. Many hours during my teenage years were spent building wire baskets and then filling them with rocks to replace fence posts in the rocky creek crossings. In Africa though, it is much harder to find rocks. We mine them out of washouts and ravines, prospecting for good ones, the big ones that will not sink into an oblivion of red sand after one pass with the land rover. There is a boundary fence on the west side of the reserve, whether it is protecting the big five or the villages on the other side I am not quite sure, but the animals will be shot if ... read more

we went to a animal rehab center this morning. It was great seeing the animals but sad to know the reason they are there. I think we all learned a lot. Tonight (3:30 - ) we go on a late afternoon evening game drive on a private reserve. we shouls see lions in the wild then. I can't wait. Tomorrow if the weather is good, I will be doing a flight in an ultra light plane, then we fly to port elizabeth for the next part of the trip. today, Shelly and I both got the have a vulture land on our gloved arm. They were heavy and 2 landed on my arm and knocked my glasses off. yes, we have pictures. we also got to touch a leapord and a rhino. this trip has been ... read more

I left Zambia in the morning and headed to Johannesburg. I headed to this huge B&B about 15 minutes from the airport. Turns out I am the only guest. My host for the night was a 22 year old, Francois. He was my new BFF for the night. I spent half the day on the internet uploading videos and pictures while we gossiped like 2 teenage girls. I ordered in dinner and ate in front of the TV while watching Grey’s Anatomy from 2 seasons back. I felt as if I was in my apt in NYC. I woke up bright and early to head back to the airport. I flew to the east gate entrance of Kruger National Park (about a 50 minute flight). After much research, I chose to stay at a private game ... read more

HONGONYI BLOG Nun bin ich 17 tage hier und es fühlt sich an als wäre ich schon viel länger hier... 16.7.2009 20.40 uhr - vor 4 h sind jan-marten und ich in der hongonyi lodge angekommen nachdem wir pretoria um 11.30 uhr verlassen haben (sozusagen pünktlich, denn wir planten um 10.30 uhr loszufahren) und wir haben meine 7 sachen in mein neues zimmer im farmhaus gebracht. Das zimmer hier ist etwa so gross wie mein wohnzimmer vom stöckli und ich teile das bad und die küche mit anderen mitbewohnern vom haus. Habe dann die ersten anweisungen gekriegt bezüglich sicherheit und habe um 7 uhr mit der schwester der managerin und ihrem mann (beide wohl über 70) die im 2 stock des hauses wohnen, gegessen. Eigentlich müsste ich selber kochen wenn ich nicht als guide direkt mit ... read more