Advertisement
Cheetahs feeding
While at Cheetah Park, they did a feeding while we watched from the truck; awesome to see these guys feed! The last 2 weeks of the safari was an amazing collection of seeing the world’s greatest wildlife, pumping adrenaline out of my body, being threatened by the most dangerous animals on the planet and having incredible nights with what had become some great friends. After a long weekend in Swakopmund to wrap up the first week, we packed up and headed to get more involved with game and found it quickly. Our first stop was at Spitzkoppe, where we saw (and smelled- terrible, by the way) the largest seal breeding ground, home to some 100,000 squealing seals. That was followed by going to Cheetah Park, a reserve with over 20 cheetahs in eastern Namibia- I was excited to see the big cats finally. We went on a game drive to see them and got to watch a feeding as well.. it’s incredible to watch 20 cheetahs fight over meat scraps as they are thrown out. Especially when they left the hatch of the back of the truck I was in down (nah, I wasn’t scared). At night we found great little watering holes and were entertained by our own local musician, Dave, who played acoustic guitar while we all gave our
Elephant on game drive
At dusk we saw our first elephant, Etosha National Park, Namibia. best Bob Dylan or Radiohead voice. Let’s just say the singing wasn’t great but the camaraderie was.
Etosha National Park in Namibia was the first major park we hit and we did several game drives there. I saw my first giraffe along with springbok, elephant, oryx, rhino and many others. The camps also had a ‘watering hole’ at night for the animals and we got to watch groups of zebra, rhinos and giraffe feed at twilight and all through the night (while waiting for a lion).. the feeling of Africa was setting in. During our drives, I even got to brush up on my ‘Australian’- learning words like Eske (cooler), reckon (their favorite word), baaa (bar- they don’t pronounce r’s), and tasting Vegemite (terrible to all Americans). From Etosha we headed for the Kavango River and delta, where we had a huge night out- the Brits had convinced us to drink along with them as West Ham took on Chelsea in a championship match. Let’s just saying trying to drink with the Brits and Aussies, especially with the shooters (shots) of South Africa involved, makes for a late night.. and early morning.
This was our launch point for
Zebra night feeding, Etosha
We were able to watch game at the watering hole at night and saw rhinos, zebras, giraffe and more. the delta, where we took mokoros (like canoes) out with the locals and camped out on the delta. A few interesting, humorous and a bit scary notes here. We passed a group of hippos on our way in and I quickly found out from our resident expert (and Science teacher), Dave, that hippos are the most dangerous animal on the planet for humans- they have killed more humans than any other animal. And we were on their turf, in mokoros.. and they run up to 40km per hour! While I can look back now and laugh, I have to admit I was scared as were a number of others. Even more so when the decision was made to camp right off the shore (while hippos to graze at night, though we were told they wouldn’t on this bank). Our guide, Wacu, then explained to us some of the other rules:
- If we didn’t listen to him we could die in the wild.
- If an elephant attacks, run behind a tree- quickly as they can be lethal.
- If a lion attacks, stay together in a group.. if you run, you’ll be eaten.
- If a buffalo attack, run
Gringos at their best
Cocktails in hand.. this crew had incredible nights.. and early mornings! like hell… they are dangerous.
Let’s just say my hearing suddenly improved… and I knew I was in Africa. I had to laugh to myself about these rules because it seemed dangerous as hell to me.. but worth the fun. This is why I came to Africa. On our game walks we saw elephants, chimpanzees, warthogs, giraffe and other animals- this time out in the wild as we walked about them. The highlight of the delta was the final night there, hearing an elephant crossing the delta near us. A few of us got up to see and found a hippo only 10 meters from us, just lurking in the water.. it was seriously frightening given their danger and propensity to attack. We quickly backed away but were in awe as we flashed our light out to those perilous eyes watching us.. and had a few more drinks to laugh off the scare.
After the delta (and finally showering after a few days in the outback) we headed for Chobe National Park in Botswana- the main attraction of that country. I was a bit under the weather here but still went on one game drive and saw the park
Hippo danger, Okavango Delta
I found out while in the canoe that hippos are the most dangerous animals on the planet; he eyed us up like lunch. as we tried to track a lion without luck. That night we went on a sunset cruise, spotting crocodiles for the first time, catching a baby elephant feeding with the family and a group of around 40 huge hippos milling about.. it was incredible.
The final destination for me was Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe- home to one of the great wonders of the world at 1700 meters wide and over 100 meters high. Friday night we went to the local bar where there was a live band jamming a bit of African, some Bob Marley and other spiritual rhythmic music.. serious fun with the locals. It felt symbolic to be jamming out to 'Redemption Song' in the heart of Africa with all both the gringos and the locals.
To continue the adrenaline movement I started in Swakop, I decided to bungee jump- this from the highest natural spot in the world! It took my breath away and I honestly wondered what the hell I was doing those past few moments before I jumped.. perhaps I would have chickened out had my fan club (other passengers) not come. The next day, this time joined by 2 others, I did the
Handstand for gorge swing
Yes, pure insanity as I did a hand stand to be thrown off of a cliff over 100 meters.. almost had a heart attack. ‘half day adrenaline’- flying across the gorge, swinging down it.. and then again free falling, this time in a harness. I even did this gorge swing from a handstand position and have the pictures to prove it. I think my adrenaline is peeked out now from the animals and activities.
I knew the last night would be special when, on the way to meet our friends, Amy and I almost crossed a few buffalo (the locals warned us about them)! Knowing how dangerous they are, we got a lift across the train tracks and marveled at them as we crossed them. Here, in the middle of Victoria Falls, two buffaloes grazed- and both people and animals carried on as normal… only in Africa. As it was our last night, we had a huge night out with everyone at another local campground (the bars in those were a lot of fun, if simple but filled with crazy safari travelers and guides- so many Aussies and Brits). I was glad not to have to join the group again at 5 am when they left.. but I am sure they left with huge headaches.
I got to see a bit of
On the delta
We were taken by mokoros out to camp in the delta, a relaxing 2 days (except for that hippo thing). Johannesburg on my way out, which is supposed to be a very dangerous city. I did tour the infamous township of Soweto, home to both Mandelas as well as Bishop Tutu, and a center of apartheid protest. It’s an amazing community now and home to over 4 million people; while it carries the burden of the apartheid in the past, I think it also reflects the resolve of the people to look to the future.
Africa was an amazing experience for this past month and blew away the expectations I had; it was extremely well run and organized. While I am not usually one for an organized tours, it really made things easy, we saw all the highlights and were taken care of and dealt with virtually no headaches. And our group was fantastic- it really made the trip that much more special for me. I am sad to leave but feel I have truly fulfilled most of my desires for Africa. So on Wednesday, May 24th I packed up my things again and travel to another continent and destination- Turkey and the Middle East.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.139s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 13; qc: 62; dbt: 0.0753s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Marty Fletcher
non-member comment
What an incredible time in your life Rick. I have to say I am jealous!